The name commando has been applied to a variety of Australian special forces and light infantry units. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_commandos World War II All branches of the military contributed to the first Australian commando units, which were formed during World War II. The Australian Army's Independent Companies were formed from 1941 and were modelled on the British Army Commandos (and were re-designated Commando Squadrons a few years later). The Independent Companies were initially trained at the 7th Infantry Training Centre at Wilson's Promontory, Victoria. Of those who trained the first Australian commandos were renowned British commandos Mike Calvert and F. Spencer Chapman. Sergeant Leonard G. Siffleet of M Special Unit being beheaded by a Japanese soldier, Yasuno Chikao on 24 October 1943 is an example of the danger men from the unit faced whilst engaged in reconnaissance behind the Japanese lines. From the Australian War Memorial collection. 2/9 CavCdo
By coincidence I was looking at a book on the Australian Commandos (prompted by one of your other threads). "Australian Commandos: Their Secret War Against the Japanese in World War II" by Feuer. You can read a few pages via Google booksearch: http://books.google.com/books?id=sw...ensDD&sig=dzFV1JF_y0P_bof5hlFl8Lv1tAI#PPP1,M1 It looks like a fascinating subject - their actions and exploits really are the forgotten war.
I was reading a page the other week where one of the early forays behind enemy lines was one of the first of the whole war. Cannot find the link for the life of me.
