under the command of 24th (Guards) Brigade at Bodø. The destroyer carrying the brigade's commander (Brigadier William Fraser) was put out of action by the Luftwaffe, and Gubbins assumed command of the brigade. Nos. 1 and 3 Independent Companies of the former "Scissorsforce", reinforced by No. 2 Independent Company which had recently landed at Bodø, thereafter generally fought in rearguard actions while attached to the brigade's infantry units in several actions in Nordland, until all British troops were withdrawn from Bodø in the early hours of 1 June. Aftermath The ten Independent Companies were disbanded after the Norwegian campaign. While most of their men were returned to their parent units and formations, calls were being made throughout the Army for men to join the new Commando units. Those men from the Independent Companies who volunteered were formed on 14 June into No. 11 Independent Company, with an establishment of 25 officers and 350 other ranks. The Company took part in Operation Collar, a raid on the Pas de Calais on 24 June. They also participated in Operation Ambassador in conjunction with No. 3 Commando, in which it was planned that the Company would attack an airfield on the German-occupied Channel Island of Guernsey, while the Commando secured the landing beach and created a diversion. After a postponement the raid commenced on 14/15 July 1940, but faulty compasses on their launches meant that only one boat-load from the Company actually landed, but on the wrong island, Little Sark, where there were no Germans. No. 11 Independent Company was disbanded shortly afterwards and its remaining personnel were incorporated into the new Commando units. Gubbins returned to MI(R) and eventually became the director of the Special Operations Executive. Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Stockwell, who had commanded No. 2 Independent Company in Norway, set up the Commando training centre at Lochailort, before enjoying a distinguished record as a brigade and division commander. See also Independent Highland Companies British Army Independent Companies in South Carolina Independent companies (Australian) Norwegian Independent Company 1 Special Service Brigade References Sources Commandos (United Kingdom) 20th-century history of the British Army Military units and formations of the British Army in World War II Military units and formations established in 1940 1940 establishments in the United Kingdom Norwegian campaign