Devon marines renamed after Bond author's wartime group

BBC News -

A Devon-based Royal Marine unit has been renamed after a World War II intelligence unit formed by James Bond's creator Ian Fleming.

The new 30 Commando IX Group will be based at Stonehouse Barracks in Plymouth. Formerly known as the UK Landing Force Command Support Group (UK LFCSG), it carries out intelligence gathering and analysis.

In recent years it has been deployed on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

A defence spokesman said the name was "no longer deemed appropriate" to reflect its role. The unit is part of 3 Commando Brigade.

Lt Col Matt Stovin-Bradford, the unit's commanding officer, said: "A change of name hardens an already galvanised group of specialists.

"The role we perform can be traced back to the Second World War, a lineage of which we are immensely proud."

Earlier a ceremonial inauguration parade was held to mark the name change at Stonehouse Barracks in Plymouth, the unit's headquarters.

The original 30 Commando Assault Unit was formed in 1942.

Bond author Ian Fleming, who worked in wartime intelligence, based the concept on similar units used by the Germans.

It gathered information from enemy positions using covert methods and operated in North Africa, the Greek Islands, Norway, Sicily, Italy, Corsica and North West Europe.

It was also involved in the D-Day landings.

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