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*In the [[First World War]], the shortage of ground forces for the [[Western Front]] in 1914 led to the creation of the [[Royal Naval Division]], composed of two brigades of sailors and the brigade formed by the Royal Marines. The Division was part of the [[Royal Navy]] but for command purposes was integrated into the army's command structure. The sailors were initially disappointing as infantry, but eventually developed into one of the better divisions. The division participated in the defence of the Belgian city of [[Antwerp]] in late 1914, and then served with heavy casualties at the [[Battle of Gallipoli]]. At different times the Division included various army units. The division ceased to exist after the end of the First World War.
*In the [[First World War]], the shortage of ground forces for the [[Western Front]] in 1914 led to the creation of the [[Royal Naval Division]], composed of two brigades of sailors and the brigade formed by the Royal Marines. The Division was part of the [[Royal Navy]] but for command purposes was integrated into the army's command structure. The sailors were initially disappointing as infantry, but eventually developed into one of the better divisions. The division participated in the defence of the Belgian city of [[Antwerp]] in late 1914, and then served with heavy casualties at the [[Battle of Gallipoli]]. At different times the Division included various army units. The division ceased to exist after the end of the First World War.

Only men are allowed in the royal marines.


==Fictional Marines==
==Fictional Marines==

Revision as of 04:05, 28 October 2007

British Royal Marines in a Rigid Raider assault watercraft

Marines (from the English adjective "marine", meaning "of the sea", from Latin language mare, meaning sea, via French adjective marin(e), "of the sea") are, in principle, seaborne land soldiers that are part of a navy. However in some countries Marines are no longer part of the navy (notably the United States Marine Corps which has become an independent armed force falling only administratively under the navy).

The exact term "marine" does not exist in many other languages. Typically, foreign equivalents are called "naval infantry" (e.g. as in Spain, Germany, and Russia). In French-speaking countries, two terms exist which could be translated as "marine", but do not translate exactly: troupes de marine and fusiliers-marins; similar pseudo-translations exist elsewhere, e.g. Fuzileiros Navais in Portuguese. The word marine means Navy in many European languages such as French, German, Dutch and Norwegian.

Historically, Marines served on board warships, assisted the crew in battles, boarded enemy ships, conducted small coastal raids, protected the officers from mutiny by the crew, protected ports and naval bases, and served as a landing force.

As a result of their mixed land and naval role, Marine forces are mainly specialised in amphibious assaults using infantry, armour, aircraft, and watercraft.

Roles

Today, Marines are primarily a naval amphibious force. Operating from ships, they are trained to land on and capture a section of coast-line.

Marine units primarily deploy from warships, in a variety of ways. This includes landing by hovercraft, landing craft, boat and amphibious vehicle units on amphibious-support ships and by aircraft units from aircraft carriers or amphibious-support ships.

Embarked Marines parties serve on warships to assist with bridge watch-keeping, fire-fighting, ship security and the provision of boarding parties to board other vessels.

They are also used for coastal or riverine boat patrols and security of naval bases.

In modern warfare, most Marines usually form an elite force, of highly-mobile troops, usually tasked with short rapid deployment and intervention missions; however some forces are capable also of sustained warfighting missions.

For example the United States Marine Corps, is a part of the United States Department of the Navy and the largest Marine force in the world, is often used in situations that do not involve naval elements, such as general land warfare. It has the capability to be used as a spearhead for major military offensives or as a stop-gap when a military requirement arises, performing military operations until more permanent forces arrive.

Founding dates of early Marine units

National Marine units

Argentina

  • The Naval Infantry of the Armada of the Argentine Republic (Infantería de Marina de la Armada de la República Argentina, IMARA) is a part of the Argentine Navy. Argentine Marines have the same rank insignia and titles as the rest of the Navy. It is composed of a Fleet Marine Force (one Marine Battalion, plus artillery, air defence, communications, logistics, engineer and vehicle units), a Southern Marine Force (2 Marine Battalions), a River Operations Battalion, a Special Forces Unit (the Amphibious Commandos Group) and several Security Battalions and Companies.The 5th Battalion of the Infanteria de Marina suffered substantial casualties when attacked by the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards in the Falklands War/Malvinas War.

Brazil

  • The Corps of Naval Fusiliers (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais), is subordinate to the Brazilian Navy. The Marine Corps is composed of an Operational Brigade and some Guard and Ceremonial Duty Battalions.The main unit is the division-sized Divisão Anfíbia (Amphibious Division).

Chile

  • The Corps of Naval Infantry (Cuerpo de Infanteria de Marina) is a branch of the Chilean Navy. They specialise in performing amphibious assaults, and belong to the Chilean Special Forces Unit, along with the Combat Divers. The Corps is composed of four units, organised along the Chilean Territory. Each one with their own anti-aircraft guns, artillery and landing craft.

China

Colombia

The 14,000-member Colombian Marine Corps is organized into a single division with two brigades (one amphibious assault brigade and one riverine brigade), each with two battalions plus numerous small security units.

Cuba

The Cuban Revolutionary Navy (Marina de Guerra Revolucionaria, or MGR) maintains a small marine battalion called the Desembarcos. It once numbered 550 men and its present size is not known.

Finland

Finnish coastal jaegers in a landfall exercise

The Finnish Uusimaa Brigade (Template:Lang-sv) in Ekenäs is part of the Finnish Navy and trains the Finnish costal jaegers. The detachment is the only Swedish-speaking unit in the Finnish Defence Forces.

France

Three branches of the French armed forces could possibly be translated as "marines":

Troupes de marine

The Troupes de marine ("naval troops", often roughly translated as "marine troops") are despite the name, now an arm of the French Army. The arm is dedicated to service overseas, in practice particularly in Africa. The troupes de marine include infantry (Infanterie de Marine), artillery (Artillerie de Marine), and tanks (Chars de Marine).

The modern troupes de marine have a special mixed heritage as descendants of a merger between the older troupes de marine (once part of the navy) and the former French Colonial Forces.

The troupes de marine were founded in 1622 (officially titled compagnies ordinaires de la mer) as land forces under the control of the navy, notably for operations in French Canada. Many of the current regiments of the troupes de marine are in fact descendants of the Troupes Coloniales (Colonial Troops), which were merged into the troupes de marine in the 1960s.

Fusiliers Marins

The French Navy (Marine Nationale) includes the Fusiliers Marins(literally as "sea fusiliers), (FUSMAR) who protect naval bases and serve on capital ships. Currently the Naval Fusiliers consists of 14 Companies of Fusiliers and a small commando battalion (Fusiliers/commandos, FUSCO). They are under the common command of the FORFUSCO.

Commandos de Marine

The Commandos de Marine (literally "Naval Commandos", sometimes loosely translated as "Marine commandos") are an elite special operations unit of the French navy which is closely linked to the Fusiliers Marins.

Greece

32nd Regiment of Marines "Moravas" (32η Ταξιαρχία Πεζοναυτών Mοράβας) is a unit of naval infantry maintained by the Hellenic Army. The unit is based at Volos in Thessaly and is intended for use among the numerous small islands off the Greek coast. Its landing craft and other nautical gear are furnished by the Hellenic Navy.

Indonesia

Iran

  • At the fall of the Shah in 1979, the Iranian Navy had three battalions of marines, that force has since expanded to 2,600 personnel in several battalion and independent companies.
  • The Navy of the Revolutionary Guard Corps maintains several units which may perform marine type functions.

Italy


Republic of Korea

Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea

The Korean People's Navy has a two or more Special Forces brigades.

Mexico

The Mexican Navy (Armada de Mexico)- Infantería de Marina of 8000 consists of a paratroop brigade of three battalions, a battalion attached to the Presidential Guard Brigade, three battalions with headquarters in Mexico City, Acapulco, and Veracruz, and thirty-five independent companies and detachments distributed among ports, bases, and zonal headquarters. The marines are responsible for port security, protection of the ten-kilometer coastal fringe, and patrolling major waterways. In addition to having light arms, the marines are equipped with 105mm towed howitzers, 60mm and 81mm mortars, and 106mm recoilless rifles, as well as Pegaso BMR VAP-3550 and BTR 60 amphibious vehicles. The marines riverine duties have been increasingly taken over by the Mexican Army. More recently the Navy has ceded most of its riverine responsibilities (formally handled by the Marines) to the Army, and has reduced the size of the Marine force, putting them back aboard ships where they play a vital role in drug interdiction and boarding of suspect vessels in territorial waters.

Netherlands

Norway

File:Norwegian c ran.jpeg
Norwegian Coastal Rangers.

Paraguay

The Paraguayan Marine Corps (Cuerpo de Fuzilieros Navale) is a battalion sized organization consisting of four company sized brigades.

Peru

3,000 man Marine Infantry of Peru (Infantería de Marina del Perú-- Imap) included an amphibious brigade of three battalions and local security units with two transports (one used as a school ship), four tank landing ships, and about forty Portugese Chaimite armored personnel carriers. Since 1982 IMAP detachments have been deployed, under army command, in counterinsurgency capacities in Ayacucho and Huancavelica departments.

Philippines

  • The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) has a strength of about 9,000 men divided into three (3) brigades. The Marine units include three (3) infantry manoeuvre brigades, each composed of three (3) tactical infantry battalions with one (1) infantry battaliion in reserve and one (1) heavy weapons battalion (composed of the 105 mm Howitzer, 106 mm recoilless gun, along with amphibious vehicles (LVT) and various armoured units). Two (2) of the Marine battalions have specialised roles: the Force Reconnaissance (Recon) battalion is used for rapid airlift to troubled areas. This Recon Battalion is also trained in shipboarding attacks. The Marine Guard battalion is deployed in urban warfare and in defence of installations. The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) is also considered the shock force of the Armed Forces and is the first unit to be involved in any amphibious or seaborne clashes.

Poland

Poland maintains two marine type forces

Portugal

  • Since 1621 the Portuguese Navy maintains a naval infantry corps, presently named Corpo de Fuzileiros. The Portuguese Marine Corps includes many men, including two naval infantry battalions, a naval police unit, a special operations unit and several support units (logistical, fire support, landing craft, etc.).

Romania

File:307 bat..jpg
307th Marine Battalion Insignia

Russia

Saudi Arabia

  • The Saudi Navy maintains a 1500 man marine brigade consisting of two or three battalions equipped with 200 Pegaso BMR AFV's

Spain

  • The Spanish Marine Infantry (Infantería de Marina), the oldest Marine force in the world, was established on February 27, 1537 by Charles V when he permanently assigned the Compañías Viejas del Mar de Nápoles (Naples Old Sea Companies) to the Escuadras de Galeras del Mediterráneo (Mediterranean Galley Squadrons).

Sweden

Republic of China (Taiwan)

Thailand

Turkey

File:Turkish Navy SAT commandos.jpg
SAT commandos of the Turkish Navy
  • The Turkish Navy maintains several Marine and Special Operations units all under Southern Sea Area Command, İzmir. Marine Amphibious Brigade (Amfibi Deniz Piyade), several commando detachments and two special operation forces:
  • Marine Amphibious Brigade - (Amfibi Deniz Piyade) consisting of 4500 men in a Headquarters, three Amphibious battalions, an M-48A5 Patton tank battalion, an artillery Battalion, a support battalion and other company sized units.
  • Su Altı Taaruz-(S.A.T.) (Underwater Attack); The missions of Su Altı Taaruz (SAT) include acquisition of Military intelligence, Amphibious Assault, Counter terrorism, and VIP protection; and
  • The other special forces unit is Su Altı Savunma (Underwater Defense).

Ukraine

United Arab Emirates

  • The UAE maintains a small battalion seized marine force called the UAE Marines, it is equipped with BTR-3s.

United Kingdom

  • The Royal Marines (RM) of the United Kingdom were formed in 1664 and are a part of the Royal Navy. The Royal Marines provide a commando brigade (3 Commando Brigade RM); The Fleet Protection Group RM (a naval security unit responsible for guarding Britain's naval nuclear weapons, and other security duties); a commando training centre, for providing basic training to new personnel, specialist trade courses and commando training ; a landing craft and boat-training group which is also a parent unit for three landing craft units deployed on amphibious-support ships; a naval Special Forces unit (the Special Boat Service) and a naval band service.

United States

  • Because the USMC has developed into its own service, yet still a part of the Department of the Navy, a naval force called the Naval Expeditionary Combat Command was created in 2005 to support the U.S. Army and Marine Corps in operations more traditionally identified with Marines or soldiers. The U.S. Air Force also provides combat support via Individual Augmentees.
  • The USMC shares many traditions, emblems and uniforms with the United Kingdom's Royal Marines.

Uruguay

  • The Uruguayan Marine Corps (Cuerpo de Fusileros Navales) FUSNA is a battalion sized organization consisting of four company sized brigades

Venezuela

  • The Infantería de Marina of Venezuela is a sub-division of the Venezuelan Navy which forms part of the National Armed Forces of the BRV. Headquartered in Meseta de Mamo, Vargas, the estimated numerical strength of this unit is of approx. 8,000 men and women. Its mission is to "enlist and direct its units in order to form the disembarking force and/or support of amphibious or special operations; executing naval safeguarding and environmental policing, as well as actively participating in the national development".

Historical Marine forces

Ancient Rome

The Roman Navy was known to use marines and naval personnel were trained for raiding and also proved at least one legion for service on land.

Confederate States of America

The Confederate States Marine Corps (CSMC), a branch of the Confederate Navy, was established by the Confederate Congress on March 16, 1861.

Gran Colombia

The Confederation of Gran Colombia Marines were formed in 1822 and were disbanded in 1829, Personnel were mostly from Venezuela.

Germany

  • During the Imperial German era, the three German Seebatallione [1] provided shipboard troops to the German Navy. These forces also served in the German colonies as regular infantry.

France


Japan

The landing of the Japanese Marines from the Unyo at Ganghwa Island, Korea, in the 1875 Ganghwa Island incident.

Italy

The Blackshirt militia maintained four MVSN battalions (24th, 25th, 50th an 60th) in an independent Marine Group.

Portugal

  • Portugal raised numerous companies of Special Marines called Fuzileiros Especais, both at home and in her African colonies of Angola and Mozambique, for the war to save her colonial possessions.

Republic of Vietnam Marine Corps

The Republic of Vietnam Marine Corps (VNMC) was established by President Ngo Dinh Diem of South Vietnam on October 13, 1954.

United Kingdom

  • The Royal Navy has since its beginning formed naval landing parties of seamen for action ashore, this being later formalised into the Naval Brigades. These brigades would often dismount guns from their parent vessels for use ashore, these guns often being the only artillery available. The most famous example of this being the guns accompanying the forces relieving Ladysmith.
  • The Corps of Colonial Marines was a British Marine Corps formed during the mid 1840s to serve in the remaining British America colonies (mainly the West Indies). The Colonial Marines were controlled by the Royal Marines as an auxiliary force. Initially recruited from freed or escaped slaves from the United States and later from local inhabitants, these units were either disbanded or absorbed by the West India Regiment.
  • In the First World War, the shortage of ground forces for the Western Front in 1914 led to the creation of the Royal Naval Division, composed of two brigades of sailors and the brigade formed by the Royal Marines. The Division was part of the Royal Navy but for command purposes was integrated into the army's command structure. The sailors were initially disappointing as infantry, but eventually developed into one of the better divisions. The division participated in the defence of the Belgian city of Antwerp in late 1914, and then served with heavy casualties at the Battle of Gallipoli. At different times the Division included various army units. The division ceased to exist after the end of the First World War.

Only men are allowed in the royal marines.

Fictional Marines

Because of the elite nature of many marine corps and their equivalents throughout the world, the term "marines" is often used to designate elite military units in fiction, regardless of the technical accuracy of this name.

Space Marines

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200607/ldhansrd/text/70129-wms0001.htm Hansard 29 Jan 2007
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