Lably
Skip to content

Combined Operations Headquarters

  • 3 min read
  • 7 chapters

Related on Lably

Through World War II, Anchor and Nazi Germany

Lab · Class 8–10India's Freedom StruggleLab · Class 8National MovementLab · Class 11Psychology Experiments

History

The command used air and naval units to deliver the Commandos to various targets, and then recover them. Thus, it was a combined arms coordination and command structure. Admiral of the Fleet Roger Keyes was the first director, from 17 July 1940 to 27 October 1941. He was replaced first by Lord Louis Mountbatten, who led the command for a year. He in turn was succeeded by Major General Robert Laycock (October 1943 – 1947).

It comprised background staff whose job was to plan operations and to develop ideas and equipment to harass the enemy in any way possible. It also covered all those who worked with landing craft up to and including the landing ships that were used in the various amphibious operations.

The badge of Combined Operations was an Eagle over a submachine gun over an anchor, reflecting the three service arms; the Royal Air Force, the British Army and the Royal Navy. In 1941 the title of Director of Combined Operations was changed to Adviser Combined Operations. In 1942 the title of Adviser Combined Operations was changed to Chief of Combined Operations.

The department existed until 1947 but later re-emerged under a new name in 1951, as the Amphibious Warfare Headquarters.

Sign in to keep reading

6 more chapters are free with a Lably account.

More in Notable people

Dutch RepublicPredecessor state of the Netherlands (1581–1795)Mandatory PalestineBritish mandate territory (1920–1948)LuftwaffeAir force of Nazi Germany (1935–1945)Second French EmpireFrance under Napoleon III (1852–1870)HispaniaRoman province (218 BC – 472 AD)Chola EmpireMedieval Indian empire (848–1279)