Royal Australian Navy Beach Commandos

During World War II the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) formed beach commando units to go ashore with the first wave of amphibious assaults.

They would conduct local reconnaissance, signpost the beaches, control boat traffic, and communicate with the maritime forces.

[1] At the time he was recalled to Australia, Cook was in command of HMS Tormentor, a Royal Navy Combined Operations School.

Graduates were posted to the Australian landing ships Kanimbla, Manoora, and Westralia, each of which had a beach party as part of its complement.

Because United States Navy doctrine was that beach parties were a part of a ship's complement, Rear Admiral Daniel E. Barbey was reluctant to agree.