An integral part of the British Royal Navy and founded in 1664, the Royal Marines had the traditional role aboard ship of maintaining order, helping man the guns of larger vessels, and sweeping the enemy's decks with rifle fire and grenades. Traditionally, the Royal Marines also participated in naval expeditions ashore (such as the “cutting out” of enemy ships or the attack of coastal fortifications), but it was not until World War II that the Royal Marines, like their United States counterparts, were formally vested with responsibility for amphibious and commando operations.
See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.
