TheRoman Republic was the first to understand the importance of professional soldiers dedicated to melee combat onboard of ships. During theFirst Punic War, Roman crews remained inferior in naval experience to theCarthaginians and could not hope to match them in naval tactics, which required great fleet maneuverability and tactical experience. The Romans therefore employed a novel weapon which changed sea warfare to their advantage — they equipped their ships with thecorvus, a long pivoting plank with a beak-like spike on the underside for hooking onto enemy ships, possibly developed earlier by theSyracusans against theAthenians during theSicilian Expedition of thePeloponnesian War. Using it as a boarding bridge, Roman infantrymen were able to invade an enemy ship, transforming sea combat into a version of land combat, where the Romanlegionaries had the upper hand.[4] During the earlyPrincipate, a ship's crew, regardless of its size, was organized as acenturia. Crewmen could sign on as naval infantry (calledMarinus), rowers/seamen, craftsmen and various other jobs, though all personnel serving in the imperial fleet were classed asmilites ("soldiers"), regardless of their function; only when differentiation with the army was required, were the adjectivesclassiarius orclassicus added. TheRoman Navy's two fleetlegions,IAdiutrix andIIAdiutrix, were among the first distinct naval infantry units.[5][6]
The first organized marine corps was created in Venice by the DogeEnrico Dandolo when he created the first regiment of ten companies spread on several ships. That corps participated in the conquest ofByzantium (1203–1204), later officially called "Fanti da Mar" (sea infantry) in 1550., Venice also had dedicated naval expeditionary corps of naval infantry recruited primarily fromDalmatia from the local population called theOltremarini (overseas troops)[7]
The English nounmarine is from the adjectivemarine, meaning "of the sea", viaFrenchmarin ("of the sea") fromLatinmarinus ("of the sea") itself from mare ("sea"), from Proto-Indo-European*móri ("body of water, lake") (cognate with Old Englishmere ("sea, lake"), Dutchmeer, GermanMeer, all from Proto-Germanic*mari).
The wordmarine was originally used for the marine-type forces ofEngland; however, the wordmarine ormarina means "navy" in many European languages, including Dutch, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Danish, and Norwegian.Because of this, exact one-word translations for the English term "marines" do not exist in many other languages (with the notable exception of the Dutch wordmarinier). This can lead to misunderstandings when translating. Marine forces in non-English speaking countries typically have names that translate in English tonaval infantry orcoastal infantry. InFrench-speaking countries, two phrases exist which could be translated as marine, "troupes de marine" and "fusiliers-marins"; similar phrases exist elsewhere, e.g., inPortugueseFuzileiros Navais.
Marines in an amphibious beach assault exercise duringRIMPAC
The principal role of marine troops is military operations in thelittoral zone; operating from ships, they are trained to land on and secure key points to around 85 km (about 53 miles) inland, or as far as ship borne logistics can provide.[citation needed]
As well as amphibious operations, marine troops are used in a variety of other, naval roles. Stationed at naval bases or forming marine detachments on board naval ships, they also conduct small scale raiding,maritime boarding operations, security of naval vessels and bases,riverine and coastal missions, mess duty, and field day operations.
In addition to their primary roles, they perform other tasks, including special operations andland warfare, separate from naval operations; ceremonial duties and other miscellaneous tasks as directed by their governments.
TheArgentine Marine Corps (Infantería de Marina de la Armada de la República Argentina or IMARA) is a part of theArgentine Navy. Argentine marines have the same rank insignia and titles as the rest of the navy, although enlisted personnel have their own parade uniform. The Argentine Marine Corps dates from 1827 when a single infantry battalion was raised. This was expanded in 1880, but seven years later, the corps was merged with the existing coast artillery, to form a Naval Artillery Regiment. A series of reorganizations followed until responsibility for coastal defense was passed to the Argentine Army in 1898. Between 1935 and 1938 the marines reappeared in the form of five battalions of Marine Infantry, serving both on board ship and in coastal defense fortifications. In 1968, the Infantería de Marina was reorganized as a separate corps within the Navy.[10]
TheRoyal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) is the navy of The Bahamas. Since the Bahamas does not have an army or an air force, its navy composes the entirety of its armed forces. The RBDF Commando Squadron is a sizable force of 500 Special Marine Commandos.[12]
The Special warfare Driving and Salvage (SWADS) is special operations force of theBangladesh Navy. SWADS is trained for the role of naval infantry and it consists of elite soldiers specially chosen from the national armed forces branches. They receive special training in the United States.
Even though Bolivia is landlocked, Bolivian politics have always aspired to regain its coastline fromChile, after losing access to the Pacific coast in the1879-1880 war with Chile. Because of that, Bolivia still maintains a naval force. TheBolivian Naval Force includes about 2,000 naval infantry personnel and marines. These are organized into seven small battalions.
Scuba-equipped Bolivian marines aboard an inflatable boat
TheCorps of Naval Fusiliers (Corpo de Fuzileiros Navais) is subordinate to theBrazilian Navy. The marine corps is composed of an operational brigade and some guard and ceremonial duty battalions. The main unit is the brigade-sizedDivisão Anfíbia (Amphibious Division). Officers´ ranks and titles are the same as for the rest of the Navy, although officers wear a star above the stripes, instead of the loop worn by surface officers.
Several authors have written a number of articles in various Canadian professional military journals since 2019 proposing/discussing the creation of a Canadian Arctic amphibious capability, including the adaption of one to three Canadian Army infantry battalions to provide the required landing forces.[15]
TheChilean Marine Corps is a branch of theChilean Navy. Specialized in amphibious assaults, the corps is built around four detachments based along Chile's long coasts at Viña del Mar, Talcahuano, Punta Arenas, and Iquique. There are also a number of independent companies and platoons, for security protection at naval bases, other shore installations and the Ministry of Defense. The Viña del Mar and Talcahuano detachments contribute to the Amphibious Expeditionary Brigade (Brigada Anfibia Expedicionaria). There is as a group of Marine Infantry commandos (Grupo de Comandos IM), which together with the group of naval tactical divers (Agrupación de Buzos Tácticos) are part of the Navy's Special Operations Command (Comando de Operaciones Especiales).
ThePeople's Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps (PLANMC) is a service branch of thePRC navy and is therefore under the command of the PLAN Headquarters. The PLANMC are divided into six brigades. The majority of the PLANMC's personnel is based in theSouth China Sea.
TheColombian Marine Corps is a part of theColombian Navy. The modern marine corps dates from the establishment of two rifle companies in 1936. While remaining a small force, the corps saw service during the civil war between Conservatives and Liberals of 1946–58 and provided volunteers for service in theKorean War. By the 1960s it had been expanded to a battalion of marine infantry plus five independent companies.[16]
Croatian Navy formed naval infantry companies during theCroatian War of Independence (1991–5), esp. on islands (Hvar: Zvir Company,Korčula: Mixed Detachment etc.) and one inPula (Vanga Company, saw action in relievingSiege of Dubrovnik and inOperation Maslenica). As they were all dissolved during 2000s, a new naval infantry company, ~160-strong (Satnija mornaričko-desantnog pješaštva) was formed again in 2018 as a part of the Navy Flotilla and is located inPloče.[17]
TheGuard Hussar Regiment (Gardehusarregimentet or GHR) maintains a marine squadron (only by name) which is theMarine Squadron or4th Training Squadron based inAlmegårds Kaserne on the Baltic islandBornholm. The squadron is a part of the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion and trainsconscripts.
TheEcuadorian Navy maintains aNaval Infantry Corps (Cuerpo de Infantería de Marina) headquartered inGuayaquil. Formed on 12 November 1962, it is organised into two security battalions, one in the Amazon River area and the other on the Pacific coast. There is also a commando battalion based on theGalápagos Islands.
The 111th Independent Mechanized Brigade (formerly the 130th Marine Amphibious Brigade) of theEgyptian Army can conduct amphibious assault operations. There is also the 153rd Commando Group with three Marine Commandos Battalions (515th, 616th, 818th) controlling 12 Marine Commandos Companies.
TheEl Salvador Navy included two 600-man Marine Infantry Battalions (Batallon de Infanteria de Marina or BIM), and a 300-man Naval Commando Force. The BIMs were located atLa Unión andUsulután. The Salvadoran Marine Corps uses green pixelated and green woodland uniforms.
TheFusiliers Marins (Naval Fusiliers) andCommandos Marine (Naval Commandos) are naval personnel. Thefusiliers marins protect vessels and installations, provide the navy with military training, augment boarding-landing parties and support operations of the Commandos Marine. TheCommandos Marine (Naval Commandos) are a seven company Commando formation whose roots can be traced to the Second World War. The Commandos Marine have evolved to be broadly comparable to the British Special Boat Service, with whom they exchange officers.
Troupes de Marine ("Marine Troops"), are a branch of theFrench Army, renamed from theTroupes Coloniales who served in France's overseas territories to maintain or expand French interests. The modern Troupes de Marine have units permanently based in Africa, in addition they man bases in the French Overseas Territories. They now provide the ground combat elements of French amphibious task forces and are specifically trained for that purpose.[18] The9th Marine Brigade (9e Brigade Légère Blindée de Marine (9 BLBMa)) is twinned with the3 Commando Brigade of theRoyal Marines,[19] organising the exchange of officers and sharing training and exercises.
TheSea Battalion (Seebataillon) is a land formation of theGerman Navy. It was formed in Eckernförde on 1 April 2014, succeeding the Naval Protection Force.
The Greek32nd Marine Brigade "Moravas" and the Amphibious Raider Squadrons (known as MAK) of the13th Special Operations Command are amphibious infantry and maritime operations units maintained by theHellenic Army and supported by theHellenic Navy. The brigade traces its origin to 1919 as the32nd Infantry Regiment but was only in 1967 when it was reorganised and designated as a naval infantry unit under the banner of the32nd Marines Regiment.
Since theIranian Revolution in 1979, the number of marines in theIslamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) has expanded to 2,600 personnel, in two marine brigades, each composed of three battalions. Their mission is to provide security throughout theArabian Sea and free waters, as well as securing routes for Iranian ships in theGulf of Aden.
TheIraqi Navy is a small force with 1,500 sailors and 800 marines designed to protect the shoreline and inland waterways from insurgent infiltration. The navy will have coastal patrol squadrons, assault boat squadrons and a marine battalion.[21] The force will consist of 2,000 to 2,500 sailors by 2010.[22]
Upon its revival in the 1980s theGivati Brigade was intended to serve as the amphibious infantry brigade of theIsrael Defense Forces, but this was not put into effect. Currently the35th Paratroopers Brigade is the only brigade that has amphibious abilities as part of its Depth Warfare arsenal together with parachuting and air assault.
TheSerenissima Regiment is the amphibious infantry unit of theItalian Army (Esercito Italiano). Its soldiers are calledLagunari and they are the Italian Army Marines.
TheKorean People's Army'sLight Infantry Training Guidance Bureau has two or more amphibious light infantry/sniper brigades. These brigades are believed deployed toWonsan on the east coast andNamp'o andTasa-ri on the west coast. In organization and manpower, they are reduced versions of the regular light infantry brigades with a total strength of approximately 5,000 men organized into ten battalions. Each battalion has about 400 men organized into five companies each. Some amphibious brigade personnel are trained asfrogmen.[23]
TheRepublic of Korea Marine Corps is the marine corps ofSouth Korea. It was founded as a reconnaissance force just prior to the start of theKorean War. The ROKMC has seen action in several major conflicts. Though theoretically it is under the direction of theChief of Naval Operations for all practical purposes it operates as an independent branch of the military.
Lebanon maintains an elite but very small in number "Navy Commando" regiment. Trained internationally and armed with mostly American and French made equipment and weaponry.[citation needed]
TheMaldives National Defence Force maintains a frontline ground combat force known as theMNDF Marine Corps. It is divided into Marine Deployment Units (MDUs) which acts as the force projection element MNDF. The MNDF Marine Corps, as a naval unit, works closely with the coast guard of the country.
TheMexican Naval Infantry (Spanish:Infantería de Marina) of theMexican Navy is responsible for port security, protection of the ten-kilometer coastal fringe, and patrolling major waterways. Tracing their origins in 1821, the marines have light arms, heavy weapons and armored amphibious vehicles. The Navy ceded most of its riverine responsibilities to theArmy, reducing the size of the marine force, and deploying them back aboard ships where they play a vital role in drug interdiction and boarding of suspect vessels in territorial waters.
The Royal Moroccan Marines are a naval infantry force subordinated to theRoyal Moroccan Navy trained in landing missions and sabotage. The force is between 1,500 and 2,000 troops strong, organized in three battalion-strength units. Among its roles are guarding the southern coast against infiltration byPolisario Front guerrillas.[citation needed]
TheMyanmar Navy raised a naval infantry battalion of 800 men in 1964, followed by a second battalion in 1967. Two more battalions may have also been raised. They were deployed mainly to the Arakan and Tenasserim areas, and to the Irrawaddy delta, to assist in counter-insurgency operations, but also performed other security duties.
Namibian Marine Corps is a battalion-sized infantry unit of theNamibian Navy under the command of a naval captain. Its officers and men are part of the navy and use naval ranks, though insignia is adopted from theBrazilian Marine Corps. The corps is primarily made up of a Rapid Reaction Unit, an Operation Dive team, an operational boat team, and aSpecial OperationsCommando Unit.
TheNetherlands Marine Corps (Korps Mariniers) is naval infantry unit of theRoyal Netherlands Navy, founded in 1665 as an infantry branch of theDutch States Navy. They saw their first amphibious action in 1667 during theraid on the Medway. The unit's motto is Qua Patet Orbis ("As Far as the World Extends"). Today, it is a brigade approximately 2300 marines strong, consisting of two marine infantry battalions (plus one infantry company which is stationed inAruba), one amphibious combat support battalion and one logistical battalion. Dutch Marines train in all possible geographical and climate conditions for their role. Enlisted marine recruit training lasts 33 weeks, and marine officers train up to 18 months (including naval academy time). It has its own Special Forces branch known asNetherlands Maritime Special Operations Forces (NLMARSOF).
The Coastal Ranger Command (Kystjegerkommandoen or KJK) of theNorwegian Navy is an amphibious infantry unit trained to operate in littoral combat theatres, as naval infantry and coastal artillery. There is also an SBS type naval commando unit, theMarinejegerkommandoen or MJK. However, with the KJK being a much younger unit than the MJK, the MJK is not under the KJK but rather than the Norwegian Special Operations Command (NORSOCOM) &Royal Norwegian Navy.
ThePakistan Marines Corps of thePakistan Navy was re-established on April 14, 1990, at a division-level size with about 3,600 men. Its current personnel are 20,000–30,000. The marines are based atPNS Qasim naval base.
TheParaguayan Marine Corps (Cuerpo de Fusileros Navales) is a battalion-sized organization consisting of four company-sized brigades. In limited cadre form, the marine corps dates from the late 19th century, although it only achieved significant existence when the three-battalion sizedRegimiento de Infanteria de Marina Riachuelo was created in the final stages of theChaco War of 1932–1935.[24]
ThePeruvian Naval Infantry (Infantería de Marina del Perú) consists of around 3,000 naval infantrymen and includes an amphibious brigade of three battalions and local security units with two transport ships, four tank landing ships, and about fortyChaimite armored personnel carriers. They have seen action in Peru'scivil war with theShining Path.
Since 1982, IMAP detachments have been deployed, under army command, in counter-insurgency operations.
Philippine marines during an assault training exercise
ThePhilippine Marine Corps (PMC) (Hukbong Kawal Pandagat ng Pilipinas) is the marine corps of thePhilippines. It is a naval infantry force under the command of thePhilippine Navy. PMC primarily conducts amphibious and expeditionary warfare, as well as special operation missions. It has a strength of about 9,500 men organized into three maneuver brigades, a Combat Service and Support Brigade (CSSB), and independent units such as theForce Reconnaissance Group (FRG) and the Marine Security and Escort Group (MSEG). Formed on November 7, 1950, thePhilippine Marine Corps is considered the first and foremost unit to be involved in any amphibious or seaborne clashes.
ThePolish Navy maintains several naval infantry units responsible for port and coastal security. ThePolish Army maintains the7th Coastal Defense Brigade, which bears traditions of the disbanded7th Coastal Defence Division (the Blue Berets), therefore it is sometimes referred to as the Marines of Poland. As of 2010[update] there are no plans by the Polish Army to create an active marine unit. Therefore, the 7th Brigade carries out only limited-scale exercises of amphibious assaults.
The third-oldest marine corps in the world was founded as theTerço of the Navy of the Crown of Portugal in 1618. ThePortuguese Navy still maintains this Elite Naval Infantry, which is currently known as theCorpo de Fuzileiros. The Corpo de Fuzileiros, meaning literally "Corps of Fusiliers”, is the Elite Infantry and Special Forces unit of the Portuguese Navy.
TheRoyal Saudi Navy maintains two, 1,500-man marine brigades consisting of three battalions each. The brigades are assigned to the Western Fleet headquartered in Jeddah and the Eastern Fleet headquartered in Jubail.
South African marines boarding an Indian warship as part of an exercise
South Africa has not had a dedicated marine branch of its military since theapartheid era. A close analogue would be theSouth African Navy'sMaritime Reaction Squadron, a marine-type unit of four companies. Members are marines and use naval ranks. They are trained in infantry combat up to company sized operations. They are also used for crowd control and conduct peacekeeping operations. During peacekeeping operations they are meant to augment an army infantry battalion. Their role is very similar to the now disbandedSouth African Marine Corps from the apartheid era. The4 Special Forces Regiment of theSouth African Special Forces provides South Africa its seaward Special Forces capability.
TheSpanish Navy Marines (Infantería de Marina) are the oldest existing marine force in the world,[26] as they were established on February 27, 1537, byCharles I when he permanently assigned theCompañías Viejas del Mar de Nápoles (Naples Sea Old Companies) to theEscuadras de Galeras del Mediterráneo (Mediterranean Galley Squadrons). Their red trouser stripes mark theInfanteria de Marina as part of the Royal Household Corps and were given byCharles III to the marines in reward for their fierce defence of theCastillo del Morro ofHavana,Cuba, in 1762.[27]
TheSri Lanka Navy established itsSri Lanka Marine Corps in November 2016, and the first group of members were assisted in training by the11th Marine Expeditionary Unit of the United States Marine Corps. The unit became functional after the first group of members consisting of 6 officers and 158 sailors graduated from training on 27 February 2017.[28]
TheSwedish Amphibious Corps (Svenska amfibiekåren) is an arm of theSwedish Navy. The corps consists of two regiments each comprising one amphibious battalion, tasked with reconnaissance, amphibious assaults, and combat on, over, and under the surface of the sea.[29][30]
President of TaiwanTsai Ing-wen reviewing a marine battalion
Officially theRepublic of China but referred to colloquially asTaiwan, the state's military has a naval infantry force known by the English name theRepublic of China Marine Corps which was established in 1914 inmainland China following the1911 Revolution and is the amphibious branch of theRepublic of China Navy. It fled with the otherROC forces to Formosa following theKuomintang's defeat in theChinese Civil War. They are responsible for amphibious combat, counter-landing, reinforcement ofTaiwan and surrounding islands (such asKinmen,Wuchiu,Matsu Islands,Pratas Island, etc.), and defense of Naval facilities. It also functions as a rapid reaction force (special service company) and a strategic reserve.
Royal Thai Marines during an amphibious assault as part of CARAT 2011
Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC) is thenaval infantry subbranch of theRoyal Thai Navy. The Royal Thai Marine Corps was founded in 1932, when the first battalion was formed with the assistance of the United States Marine Corps. It was expanded to a regiment in 1940 and was in action against communist guerrillas throughout the 1950s and 1960s. During the 1960s, the United States Marine Corps assisted in its expansion into a brigade. The Royal Thai Marine Corps saw action on the Malaysian border in the 1970s and has now been increased to four brigades.
TheUkrainian Marine Corps was founded in 1993 from a unit of the former Soviet Naval Infantry. It served as a coastal defense force of theUkrainian Navy until 23 May 2023 when it was elevated into a service branch of theArmed Forces of Ukraine. The branch is based inMykolaiv.
Boarding procedures demonstrated by the British Royal Marines
TheRoyal Marines (RM) were formed in 1664 and are part ofHM Naval Service. They include an amphibious brigade (which includes commando-trained units and individual personnel from the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force), a naval security unit responsible for guarding the UK's naval nuclear weapons and other security duties, a landing craft and boat-training group which is also a parent unit for three landing craft units deployed on amphibious warfare ships; and a naval musical branch. The RM has close international ties with allied marine forces, particularly the United States Marine Corps and the Netherlands Marine Corps/Korps Mariniers. "Marine" is also used as a rank in the Royal Marines, being equivalent to an armyprivate. TheRoyal Marines Reserve (RMR) is the volunteer reserve force used to augment the regular Royal Marines in times of war or national crisis.
U.S. Marines Fleet Anti-terrorism Security Team conducting an exercise aboard a fishing vessel
TheUnited States Marine Corps (USMC) is currently the only marinecombined-arms force in the world. Created in 1775, it was originally intended only to guard naval vessels during theAmerican Revolutionary War.[32] The USMC is a component part of theUS Department of the Navy in the military command structure, with its own representative on theJoint Chiefs of Staff. The corps’ major functions include the seizure or defense of advanced naval bases and land operations essential to a naval campaign, providing detachments and organizations for service on armed vessels of the Navy and security detachments for the protection of naval property at naval stations and bases, and such other duties since the president may direct and develop those phases of amphibious operations that pertain to the tactics, technique, and equipment used by landing forces.[33] It also has other missions, including providing personnel as security guards at US diplomatic missions, and providing helicopter transportation for the President of the United States aboardMarine One. TheUnited States Marine Corps Reserve (USMCR) is the reserve force of the United States Marine Corps.
TheUruguayan Marine Corps (Cuerpo de Fusileros Navales or FUSNA) is a battalion-sized organization. However, given its small size, it is not a separate corps within the Navy, but regular naval officers are posted to the Marines as to any other Navy unit.
TheVenezuelan Marine Corps (Infantería de Marina) is a subdivision of theVenezuelan Navy. Headquartered in Meseta de Mamo, Vargas, the estimated numerical strength of this unit is approximately 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".
The very smallYemeni Navy of theRepublic of Yemen maintained a small component of Naval Infantry marines. Prior to the outbreak of thecivil war, the marine component was deployed in the capacity of supporting the navy’s maritime security & coastal defense efforts which includes supporting theYemeni Coast Guard’s anti-narcotics operations. But as a result of the outbreak of the civil war with much of the navy defecting to side with theHouthis, it has significantly impacted their already limited capabilities & effectiveness in their service to theRepublic of Yemen.
TheRoman Navy used regular infantry as marines. Naval personnel were trained for raiding and also provided the troops for at least twolegions (IAdiutrix andIIAdiutrix) for service on land. The various provincial fleets were usually provided with marines from the adjacent legions.
Several of theColonial navies of Australia raised volunteer naval infantry and naval militia brigades in the second half of the 19th century. Following theFederation of Australia they were combined into the Commonwealth Naval Militia. With the formation of theRoyal Australian Navy in 1911 they were renamed the Royal Australian Naval Brigade. At its peak in 1915 it numbered 2,817 officers and men. The Naval Brigade was disbanded in 1920 and volunteers were absorbed into theRoyal Australian Naval Reserve.
Though overshadowed by its Prussian counterpart, theMarinier-Korps, as well as naval powers like the British, the French, the Spanish, and the Italians, Austria-Hungary maintained a small regiment of naval infantrymen dating back to Venetian times alongside the then Austrian Imperial Navy's “Corps of Sailors” (Matrosencorps). However, in 1868, as part of his naval reforms, then CommanderWilhelm von Tegetthoff abolished the Naval Infantry Regiment and the Naval Artillery Corps in favor of an enlarged and all-encompassingMatrosencorps as by that point, no marines had served aboard a ship for 10 years, and so from that point on, sailors not serving on active warships received infantry drills and took up naval infantry duties.[34]
For several centuries, theByzantine navy used the descendants of theMardaites, who were settled in southernAnatolia andGreece, as marines and rowers for its ships. EmperorBasil I also established a separate marine regiment, 4,000 strong, for the central Imperial Fleet based atConstantinople. These were professional troops, and were counted among the elitetagmata.In the 1260s, when emperorMichael VIII Palaiologos rebuilt the navy, he recruited theTzakones (settlers fromLaconia) and theGasmouloi (men of mixed Greek-Latin descent) as special marine troops. Despite the progressive decline and virtual disappearance of the navy, they remained active until the latePalaiologan period.
TheQing dynasty‘sBeiyang Fleet of theImperial Chinese Navy maintained a small naval infantry force which at its height reached the size of 300 marines. The marines distinguished themselves visually by their red uniforms as opposed to the regularBeiyang Fleet’s Navy personnels who wear their white dress uniforms for the summer & autumn, and blue dress uniform for the winter & spring.
The marines saw action at the end of the year following the official end of theFirst Sino-Japanese War when they attempted to retake Nanbang Fort (南幫炮台) from Japanese forces after it was attacked on Christmas Day of 1895 by an attacking force of 30,000 Japanese with 6,000 Chinese defending the fort; which subsequently fell to Japanese forces on December 29, 1895. Being greatly outnumbered and lacking heavy weapons, the marines failed to dislodge the Japanese from the fort.[35]
As a result of the surrender of naval assets in the region (then under the jurisdiction of theKuomintang) under the command of Captain Yin Zuqian (尹祚乾) atHarbin as a result ofthe invasion, the ships Captain Yin surrendered (which at the time consisted of five rivergunboats) eventually became the foundation of theManchukuo Imperial Navy.
Marineregimentet (The Marine Regiment) was the naval infantry of theRoyal Dano-Norwegian Navy. Leading up to theDenmark–Norway union in 1814, the unit moved to Rendsburg and changed its name to Bornholm Infantry Regiment in 1741 and fell under the jurisdiction of theRoyal Danish Army becoming a regular infantry unit. The Bornholm Infantry Regiment continued to exist until its disbandment in 2000.
The corps was founded on 10 December 1665 during theSecond Anglo-Dutch War by the unofficial leader of the republic,Johan de Witt, and AdmiralMichiel de Ruyter as the Regiment de Marine. Its leader wasWillem Joseph Baron van Ghent. The Dutch had successfully used ordinary soldiers in ships at sea in theFirst Anglo-Dutch War. It was the fifth European marine unit formed, being preceded by the Spanish Marines (1537), the Portuguese Marines (1610), the French Marines (1622) and the English Royal Marines (1664). Like Britain, the Netherlands has had several periods when its Marines were disbanded. The Netherlands itself was under French occupation or control from 1810 until 1813. A new marine unit was raised on 20 March 1801 during the time of theBatavian Republic and on 14 August 1806 theKorps Koninklijke Grenadiers van de Marine was raised under King Louis Bonaparte. The modernKorps Mariniers dates from 1814, receiving its current name in 1817.
The battle honors on theKorps Mariniers' colors are:Raid on the Medway (1667), Kijkduin (1673), Sennefe (1674), Spain, Dogger Bank (1781), West Indies, Algiers (1816), Atjeh, Bali, Rotterdam (1940), Java Sea (1942), Java and Madoera (1947–1948), New Guinea (1962) and Cambodia (1992–1993).
TheTroupes de marine were founded in 1622 (ascompagnies ordinaires de la mer) as land forces under the control of theSecretary of State of the Navy, notably for operations inFrench Canada. TheCompagnies de la Mer were transformed inline infantryregiments byNapoleon, but became once more marine forces in 1822 (for the artillery) and 1831 (for the infantry). TheseTroupes de marines were in the 19th century the main overseas and colonial forces of the French military. In 1900 they were put under the orders of theWar Ministry and took the name ofTroupes Coloniales (Colonial Forces). In 1958 the designation ofTroupes Coloniales was changed toTroupes d'Outre-Mer (Overseas Forces) but in 1961 it reverted to the originalTroupes de marine. Throughout these changes in title, these troops continued to be part of theFrench Army.
German Empire: During the German Imperial era, three ‘sea battalions’ orSeebataillone[38] based atKiel,Wilhelmshaven andTsingtao were maintained. These units served intermittently as colonial intervention forces. TheIII Seebataillon at the imperial navy's east Asian station at Tsingtao was the only all-German unit with permanent status in a protectorate/colony. The battalion fought at theSiege of Tsingtao.
East Germany: TheEast German army's Nr29. Regiment ("Ernst Moritz Arndt") was a Motorized Rifle Regiment intended for amphibious operations in the Baltic Sea;[39] while theVolksmarine Kampfschwimmer: Combat swimmer units were intended for support of amphibious operations and for raiding.[40]
During the feudal period, the Japanese used Ashigaru soldiers or regular Yumi archers as soldiers to protect ships from pirates. In 1873, a short-lived marine corps was added to the newly createdImperial Japanese Navy (IJN), using Britain's Royal Marines as a model. Considered unsuitable in its original form, the force was disbanded in 1878.[41] TheIJN’s land forces maintained several combat units:
The IJN also maintained the Guard Forces (keibitai) and Defense Units (bobitai), both of whom also receivedamphibious assault and beach defence training. However, their performance was poor or average when they were used as assault troops.
TheImperial Japanese Army's 3,500 man Sea-Landing Brigades (1st to 4th) were used to conduct amphibious assaults on an island, but afterwards they stayed to garrison that island.
Ottoman naval infantrymen during the reign of Abdul Hamid II
The role ofOttoman naval infantry originated inOrhan's conquest of the KarasiBeylik and the capture of its fleet. From then on,Janissaries andAzaps were sometimes deployed as marines during the 14th Century. The Deniz azaps were used during the 16th Century; while troops calledLevend (Bahriyeli) were raised on and off over the centuries – over 50,000 of them by the late 18th century. The last raised units were theTa'ifat al Ru'sa (corsair captains militia) recruited from among the NorthAfrican Arabs and indigenousBerbers. Ottoman marines were part of theOttoman navy.
Portugal raised numerous companies of Special Marines (Fuzileiros Especiais) and African Special Marines (Fuzileiros Especiais Africanos), both at home and in the African colonies ofPortuguese Guinea,Portuguese Angola andPortuguese Mozambique, for service in Africa during thePortuguese Colonial Wars. The African Special Marines were all-black units.
Following the establishment of the Imperial Russian Navy in 1696 underPeter the Great, as part of his naval force expansion, Naval Infantry of the Russian Empire (морской пехоты Российской Империи) was formed on November 16, 1705, by using several regiments of marine equipage troops that fought as much on land as they served in ship detachments. One battalion was formed within the Guard, and served on the Imperial family's ships. The Imperial Russia's Naval Infantry have seen action in theGreat Northern War during theBattle of Gangut, took part in the capture ofIzmail fortress in theRusso-Turkish Wars, distinguished itself by defeating theNapoleonic Army in theBattle of Borodino,Battle of Kulm, and theSiege of Danzig as well as taking part in theamphibious operations in Naples during theNapoleonic War. The Naval Infantry also saw action in theSiege of Sevastopol during theCrimean War, and took part in thedefense of Port Arthur duringRusso-Japanese War. Its final campaign inWorld War I saw them deployed to the Baltic Sea to defend against the German attacks as well as the Caspian Sea for operations against the Ottoman Empire.[42] During theRussian Civil War the Imperial Russian Naval Infantry was fractured as the men were divided and ended up joining both sides of the conflict. Naval Infantrymen who joined either theBolsheviks (such as the Baltic Fleet Naval Infantry) or joined theWhites distinguished themselves in battle for their respective sides. Following victory of theBolsheviks, surrendering White Naval Infantrymen were either shot on the spot, or were tortured before being executed. Those who sided with theBolsheviks were absorbed under the banner of theSoviet Navy and formed the backbone of the new Soviet Naval Infantry. Some of these Soviet Naval Infantrymen, particularly members of the Baltic Fleet Naval Infantry who aligned with the Bolsheviks during the civil war would later take part in the1921 mutiny against the Soviet government on the Kronstadt island fortress shortly following its winding down.
The Soviet Navy had a number of small battalion-sized naval infantry and coastal defence units that mostly served in the ports and bases before the Second World War. During the war, and building on the visuals of the mutinied sailors of Petrograd in 1917, theStavka ordered formation of naval infantry brigades from surplus ship crew or shore duty sailors. Prior toWorld War II, members of the Soviet Naval Infantry took part in the1921 mutiny against the Soviet government by theBaltic Fleet garrison onthe Kronstadt island fort on the back end of theRussian Civil War. The mutiny was quickly put down by Soviet forces with retaliation against the rebels by the Soviet government resulting in their eventual execution.
The oldest naval infantry. Created 27 February 1537 as Tercio de Armada by Carlos I (Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor 1519–1556). Miguel de Cervantes, famous writer, was a member of naval infantry at Lepanto Battle. Squadron General and CaptainDiego Fernández de Medrano stood out in the front line during theconquest of Terceira Island in 1583. Medrano'sgalleys allowed for marine infantry to be used for the first time in order to occupy beaches and land.[43]
TheRoyal Marines date from the establishment of a Maritime Regiment of Foot in 1664. TheMarine Regiments for Sea were formed in 1702 but by 1713 they had been disbanded or taken into the army as regiments of foot. In 1755, a permanent corps of marine companies was established for direct service under the Admiralty, and this force has an unbroken descent to the Royal Marines of today.
TheRoyal Navy has since its beginning formed naval landing parties of seamen for action ashore, this being later formalised into theNaval 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 form of land service was provided by the guns accompanying the forcesrelieving Ladysmith.
TheCorps of Colonial Marines was raised from former American slaves as auxiliary units of the Royal Marines for service in the Americas: Two of these units were raised and subsequently disbanded. The first was a small unit which existed from 1808 to 12 October 1810, the second was more substantial and existed from May 1814 to 20 August 1816.
TheRoyal Naval Division was part of theRoyal Navy in theFirst World War. In 1914, the shortage of ground forces for theWestern Front led to the creation of the Division, composed of two brigades of sailors and a brigade formed by the Royal Marines. The Division was part of theRoyal 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 ofAntwerp in late 1914, and then served with heavy casualties at theBattle of Gallipoli. At different times the Division included various army units. The division ceased to exist after the end of the First World War.
Hillet Marine River Regiment of theUnion Army during theAmerican Civil War, this regiment consisted of 10 rifle companies, a Cavalry Battalion of 5 companies, and an artillery battalion of three batteries, all of whom operated fromMississippi River gunboats as part of theMississippi River Squadron.
TheRepublic of Texas Marine Corps – Although a marine corps was suggested in the "Act and Decree Establishing a Navy," passed on November 25, 1835, it was not until acting governor James W. Robinson strongly urged the swift formation of such an organization in his message to the General Council on January 14, 1836, that steps were actually taken to commission officers of marines and recruit enlisted personnel. Before the end of the Republic of Texas and annexation to the United States, more than 350 men served with the Texas Marine Corps, and at least eighteen officers were commissioned to command them. The Texas Marine Corps served under the direction of the Navy Department of the Republic, and the duties of the corps were specifically ordained in fifteen articles passed by the Texas Congress on December 13, 1836. Marines served under their own officers aboard ship and ashore but were subject to the orders of the senior naval officer present. The uniform of the Texas Marine came from discontinued USMC stocks, changing only the buttons and cap devices to those of Texas configuration.[45]
TheNguyễn lords (ancestors of theNguyễn dynasty) of southernĐại Việt maintained a small naval infantry or marine force. Each marine was referred to as a thủy binh (水兵) orwater soldier.
Vietnamese dynasties had a long tradition of utilizing marines. This tradition went back no later than theAnnam Protectorate of Tang dynasty when the governors built boats and trained marines to fight off pirates and invaders. The successive Vietnamese dynasties made full use of their marines' superiority at river and sea to launch successful campaigns against their northward and southward neighbors alike.
^Composition; functions. United States Marine Corps. 10 U.S. Code § 5063 (a) & (b). Retrieved6 December 2016.
^Sondhaus, Lawrence (1994).Naval Policy of Austria-Hungary, 1867-1918: Navalism, Industrial Development, and the Politics of Dualism. Purdue University Press. p. 18.ISBN978-1-61249-128-8.
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