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Jack Pinder
Rank: Marine
Name

Jack Pinder


Nationality
British

Unit

No.47 (Royal Marine) Commando


Location
Normandy, France

Date
June 6th, 1944

Survived the war?
Yes
No.47 (Royal Marine) Commando

No.47 (Royal Marine) Commando

Commando's on June 6, 1944

Operation Neptune, famously known as D-Day, was the inaugural mission of No.47 (Royal Marine) Commando. On 6th June 1944, they embarked on their first operation by landing at Gold Beach near Asnelles at precisely 09:50 hours. Jack awas assigned to S - Troop. Tragically, five of the Landing Craft Assault vessels carrying the Commando were destroyed by mines and beach obstacles, resulting in the loss of 76 out of the 420 men in the unit. These casualties hindered No. 47's progression towards their primary target, the port of Port-en-Bessin. After departing from the beaches in the afternoon, they valiantly fought their way through La Rosiere and established defensive positions around Escures to spend the night, preparing for their planned assault on Port-en-Bessin scheduled for the following day, 7th June.

The capture of Port-en-Bessin, code-named Operation Aubery, held immense significance for the Allied forces as it was intended to serve as the primary port for supplying fuel to Normandy until Cherbourg could be liberated. On 7th June, at 16:00 hours, with the support of naval gunfire,  No.47 (Royal Marine) Commando initiated their assault on Port-en-Bessin, engaging in intense combat that extended into the following afternoon. Eventually, the objective was seized after fierce fighting. By 8th June, No. 47's strength had been reduced to 19 officers and 259 other ranks.

Subsequently, the brigade received orders to relocate to the Douvres-la-Délivrande area and later moved east of the Orne River to reinforce the 6th Airborne Division. On 11th June, as part of the reshuffling, the 4th Special Service Brigade took over the positions previously occupied by the 12th Parachute Battalion. No. 48 Commando occupied Hauger, while No. 47 was held in reserve at Ecarde. Additional personnel were deployed from a commando stationed in the United Kingdom, bolstering No. 47's numbers to 23 officers and 357 other ranks. The Commando engaged in various tasks, including patrolling, constructing minefields, and erecting barbed wire defenses.

On 18th June, No. 47 handed over their responsibilities to No. 46 Commando and relocated to the Sallenelles to Orne bridge road, where they remained in reserve. They spent a week in this role before assuming control from No. 46 Commando once again.

No.47 (Royal Marine) Commando

In 1940, upon the directive of Winston Churchill, the British Prime Minister, the British Commandos were established. Churchill sought the creation of a specialized force that would strike fear into the enemy along their coast. Initially composed of volunteers, they conducted small-scale raids against enemy-occupied territories. However, by 1943, their role evolved into that of lightly equipped assault infantry, specializing in leading amphibious landings.

Admiral Sir Roger Keyes, a seasoned veteran of the Gallipoli landings and the Zeebrugge raid in World War I, was appointed as the overall commander of the Commandos. Originally it wasn't until 1942 that the first No.47 (Royal Marine) Commando was established. Just like their British counterparts, they underwent a rigorous six-week commando training course at Achnacarry. This intensive course, conducted in the Scottish Highlands, emphasized fitness, speed marches, weapon proficiency, map reading, climbing, small boat operations, and both daytime and nighttime demolitions.

No.47 (Royal Marine) Commando,  led by Lieutenant Colonel CF Phillips, was formed on 1st August 1943, drawing personnel from the 10th Royal Marine Battalion and based in Dorchester. Like all Commandos, the members of No.47 (Royal Marine) Commando completed the commando course at Achnacarry. Subsequently, they were assigned to the all Royal Marine 4th Special Service Brigade, alongside No. 41, No. 46, and No. 48 (Royal Marine) Commando. By 1943, the commando formation had been standardized, consisting of a small headquarters, five fighting troops, a heavy weapons troop, and a signals platoon. Each fighting troop comprised 65 personnel, divided into two sections of 30 individuals, which were further divided into three sub-sections of ten. The heavy weapons troop consisted of teams equipped with 3-inch mortars and Vickers machine guns.

Veteran's personal medals
1939 - 1945 Star
1939 - 1945 Star
War Medal 1939 - 1945
War Medal 1939 - 1945
France and Germany Star
France and Germany Star
Veteran's personal file
No.47 (Royal Marine) Commando shoulder insignia
No.47 (Royal Marine) Commando shoulder insignia

Motto: Per Mare Per Terram (By Sea By Land)

Personal photographs

Click on a picture for enlargement


Remember each and every sacrifice, made for your freedom!

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