https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/comb+ops/US+Rangers/
The 29th Provisional Ranger Battalion also attended the CBTC for training in 1943. This unit was short lived after successfully completing their training at Achnacarry. The then fully Commando trained unit was disbanded against their wishes and the men returned to their respective units.]]> en-us Gallery 2 RSS Module, version 1.1.8 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 02:14:45 +0100 120 https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/d/17424-10/US+Rangers.jpg https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/comb+ops/US+Rangers/ https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/comb+ops/US+Rangers/Franklin+Koons+US+Rangers+attd+4+Cdo.jpg.html https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/WW2/comb+ops/US+Rangers/Franklin+Koons+US+Rangers+attd+4+Cdo.jpg.html
Cpl. Franklin M. Koons MM, 1st US Rangers Bn., United States Army, attached to No.4 Commando, was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry at Dieppe.

Published: 17th October 1942
Newspaper: Illustrated London News
Image © Illustrated London News Group
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This photo was taken outside Achnacarry House, the base of the Commando Depot, later renamed the Commando Basic Training Centre. The date provided is July 1942. Roy Murray was with Fox Company of the 1st US Ranger Bn., and later promoted Major and OC of the 4th US Rangers Bn. Lt Cowieson was an Instructor at the time at the CBTC and later served in No 3 Commando. Photo courtesy of his daughter Christina Bird.

The date given of July 1942 coincides with the date of the US Rangers first course at Achnacarry: Course intakes at the CBTC.
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Taken outside Achnacarry House, home of the Commando Basic Training Centre (CBTC), during the period when the US Rangers received their commando training. Photo courtesy of Christina Bird, daughter of one of the instructors, Lieut. Alick Cowieson.

It is thought the Americans are from the 29th Provisional Ranger Bn. In 1943 there were two Course intakes for Ranger Bn's at Achnacarry.

4 rows left to right.

1st/Top row (9 standing): 1. Possibly Reverend Albert Edward Basil (RACD); 2. n/k; 3. n/k but is also in this image No 6 Commando Officers training for DDay; 4-9. n/k.

2nd row (14 standing):1. Capt. Douglas Cotton-Minchin; 2 (arm in sling). Capt Vicomte Arthur de Jonghe; 3 - 9, nk; 10. Lt. Derek Burr; 11. Capt. Dennis Sydney 'Bill' Kerr; 12 - 13. nk; 14. Major Robert Dawson.

3rd row (8 sitting):

4th/bottom row (11 sitting): 1. Lt. Swisher (US from Evanston Illinois); 2. Maj. M. Dunning-White; 3. Maj. William Gordon La Trobe 'Peter' Cockraft (2nd i/c C.B.T.C); 4. Lt. Col. Derek Mills-Roberts; 5. Capt. Lloyd M. Marr (29th Prov. US Ranger Bn. Executive officer and 2i/c - from La Mesa Texas); 6. Lord Lovat ; 7. Lt Col Charles Vaughan (Commandant C.B.T.C); 8. Captain Ernst (US from York Village Maine); 9. A/Captain Alick Cowieson; 10. Captain G.B. Hoare; 11. Lieut. McNabb (US from Bertram Texas).

nb. some uncertainty of the ranks at the very time this photo was taken.
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Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry.

The caption reads:

"Lt. John Lee Warner, British Rifle Instructor at a Commando Depot,somewhere in Britain, giving instructions to U.S. Rangers, who are training there "

Date: 9 February 1943.

III-SC 180092, Credit The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

[Courtesy of Dave Kerr. Posted by Pete R.].
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The typed caption has faded badly. It appears to be:

"Somewhere in Britain a Ranger unit ... as part of their training.

"29th Ranger Bn. Exercise, Speanbridge, Scotland."

Date: 7 February 1943.

III-SC 180100, Credit The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

[Courtesy of Dave Kerr. Posted by Pete R.]
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The caption reads:

"U.S. Rangers boarding a cutter for boating practice, somewhere in Britain. Their workouts are done in conjunction with Commando Training.

"US Rangers, 29th Ranger Bn., Spean Bridge, Scotland."

Date: 10 February 1943.

III-SC 180097, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

[Courtesy of Dave Kerr. Posted by Pete R.]
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The caption reads:

"Members of a U.S. Ranger Battalion taking a ten mile speed march somewhere in Britain.

Spean Bridge, Scotland

Date: 7 February 1943.

III-SC 180096, Credit The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

[Courtesy of Dave Kerr. Posted by Pete R.]
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The caption reads:

"Lt. Derek Burr of a Commando Depot stands behind four men of a Ranger unit whom he is instructing in the use of a M.1. Rifle.

(L-R): Pfc. Vernon Dougherty of Altoona, Pa., Pfc. Chas. Perachka of Mercer, Pa., Cpl. Alonzo Colds of Todd, N.C., and Cpl. Laurence Hickman of Bishopville, Md."

Date: 7 February 1943.

III-SC 180095, Credit The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

Courtesy of Dave Kerr and posted by Pete R. who adds " Major Derek Burr later served as OC 4 troop No.5 Commando (ref. LL2/CA Newsletter" ]
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Commando Basic Training Centre, Achnacarry.

The caption reads:

"Sgt. Major Thomas Sawkins of a Commando Depot gives special instructions on the use of a Tommy Gun to the U.S. Rangers in the foreground.

(L-R): Cpl. Chas. Shaw of Philadelphia, Pa., and Pvt. James Yingling of Johnstown, Pa., and Pvt. Anton Karpowich of Perth Amboy, N.J."

Date: 7 February 1943.

Ref. III-SC 180094, Photo Credit The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

Courtesy of Dave Kerr. Posted by Pete R. who adds "Thomas Sawkins was originally with No.2 Commando prior to the CBTC. Post war he was a member of the original Commando Association"
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In Memory of Lieutenant Edward Loustalot
1st Ranger Bn. United States Army, attached to No.3 Commando
killed in action on 19/8/42 at Dieppe
Remembered with honour at Ardennes American Cemetery, Belgium ( Plot C Row 3 Grave 45 )

Photo courtesy of John Robertson www.specialforcesroh.com Posted by Pete R.
In album US Rangers]]> Pete Rogers (Admin) photo Sat, 14 Sep 2024 19:26:32 +0100