The Independent Companies grew out of Britain's search for irregular raiding options during the Norway crisis. Their detachments were expected to watch possible landing places and requisition local boats instead of fighting as conventional infantry. These tasks resembled work the Royal Marines already performed from ships. Wartime commitments left the Corps without enough personnel to provide every detachment, so the Army supplied much of the manpower, and some companies later entered the developing commando system.
Notable Point · 4:10-6:12
Independent Companies and the Royal Marines' expeditionary role
The improvised Independent Companies drew on a ship-borne Royal Marines role, but wartime demands left the Corps without enough manpower to provide them.