The History of the Commandos
Elite forces : The Commandos
The area around Spean Bridge and Achnacarry is where the Second World War Commando troops underwent extensive training prior to fighting in Europe.In the summer of 1940 Winston Churchill decided that the country needed to have an elite force, and although this was not the first time Commandos had been used it was to be the first time that a specialists training centre was to be established, to ensure that an elite force was consistently, available for the armed forces. Achnacarry was chosen as the location, and even up to the present day people pay homage to this area, its significance, and history. After arriving at the new training centre, the trainees were introduced to a new way of life, the skills they would learn would in fact stay with them for the rest of their lives, some of these lives would indeed be of a short nature such was the intensity of these troubled times.
During their training they were taught to use the latest weapons, equipment, survival skills in the extreme mountain conditions, to learn unarmed combat, night time manoeuvres, boat navigation to name just a few. A days training could consist of a run from Achnacarry to the summit of Ben Nevis 4,406 feet after all it is only 18 mile, Loch Arkaig and the river that feeds the Loch in full flood were an excellent training ground for the landing craft, and small boat skills to be developed, as they practiced assault landings. The hours of darkness would provide them with even greater tests, sadly not everyone would survive. The training in darkness at Achnacarry made use of live ammunition, and the most realistic battle conditions, this said you can understand my statement.
The training that took place in this Highland hide away did not recognise rank, all
received the same training, there were no privileges, all recruits from officers to
corporals, and all had just one ambition to achieve that Green Beret and to wear it
with pride.
They arrived at Achnacarry as boys but left as men. COMMANDOS OUR ELITE
FORCE.
During the Second World War the commandos were awarded;
38 battle honours
8 Victoria Crosses
37 Distinguished Service Orders (9 with bars)
162 Military Crosses (13 with bars)
218 Military Medals.
Some of the bloodiest battles of the Second World War were encountered by the
Commandos. The Commando Memorial all 17 feet of it stands over looking Spean Bridge, the three battle dressed Commandos proudly watch over the Glen where they trained, it was unveiled in 1952 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, the Commando Association were given the Freedom of Fort William and Lochaber in 1993.
Follow the Dark Mile
the easier route, probably by car but you could walk. We could start by walking from
Spean Bridge railway station to Achnacarry, a “nice” little jaunt of 7 mile; the trainee
commandos would have been fully laden with kit bag, approximately 42 pounds in
weight, perhaps we best give that a miss!
This would have been their first taster of what was to come; the piping band would
meet the new recruits and lead them off up the hill, out of the village and off to a new life, they would not do this route again as soldiers, but as very special personnel.
As we leave the Clan Cameron Museum, the old war time post office, just have a look around we can see the old rock face, used in training for abseiling and rock climbing techniques. The grounds of Achnacarry held Nissan huts both large and small; this was their accommodation and cookhouse. The huge Douglas pine tree overshadows the largest of the huts this was the recreation area, the cinema as well as the indoor arena, it was used in the training of unarmed combat and also “milling” an all action one minute boxing match.
To the front of the Achnacarry was the barracks square, here the young recruits were taught to drill under the Sharpe eyes of the Royal Marine drill instructors and the guards.Turning our attention to the trees flanking the river, it was here the original “death slides and Tarzan Courses” were situated, here they learned the tricks of the trade forliving and surviving behind enemy lines, testing themselves, in all situations from mountains to forest, down to the Loch side.
Leaving the Castle behind you the training trail continues along the road, off to the
left the rugged assault courses, firing ranges, house clearance scenario, pop up targets, it’s almost impossible to imagine now.
Continuing along this road you will come to the eastern end of Loch Arkaig, turning
right to enter the “Dark mile”. At the stone bridge you can pause for thought and have a picnic, there are tables for you to tally a while. Here is the CIA-AIG water fall; it was used for ambush exercises.
The dark mile was used as the trainees first speed march a “nice” 5 mile round trip
from the training centre fully equipped, moving as a unit and to be completed in less than 50 minutes, the last soldier back counted towards their time hence working as a unit / team.
From the houses at Clunes you can continue to Loch Lochy, the boats that were
moored here were used for boat handling, navigational skills, and practice assault
landings on both shore lines. Night time practice assaults were common; it was here that live ammunition was used to simulate true battle conditions.
For those of us who are used to street lights and city living the darkness in this area is quite something especially on a moon less night!
As you travel back to the Clan Cameron Museum give a thought to those brave young men who after arduous weeks of training, had successfully ascertained their goal “The Green Berets”. This time the pipes would accompany the Commandos our elite force back to Spean Bridge railway station and off to active service.
