The Royal Marine Brigade and subsequent Royal Marine Division were amphibious warfare units formed by the British Royal Marines at the start of the Second World War. The composition of both units was almost constantly in flux, with neither ever achieving their full establishment. Though neither unit saw action, they both played important roles in the development of amphibious warfare techniques and their constituent units went on to play important roles in the largest amphibious operation in history, Operation Neptune. Recruitment and Training A new training camp, the Royal Marine Reserve Depot, Exton, had been established in Devon to train the reservists mobilised in the wake of the invasion of Czechoslovakia in March 1939. On 5th September this was renamed the Royal Marine Depot, Lympstone, to train the flood of recruits anticipated from the introduction of conscription following the declaration of war on Germany. As regular entry for a minimum of 12 years service as a professional Marine was also continued throughout the war, and the Admiralty decided that only regulars and regular reservists could serve at sea, the Hostilities Only conscripts found themselves almost exclusively manning the land based Royal Marine units. Enlisted men arrived by train at Topsham on the Exmouth branch line to commence their 6 weeks basic training at Lympstone. This consisted of kitting up, lectures, physical training, drill, basic small arms handling and the administration of many injections. The next phase of training was carried out at the neighbouring Dalditch Camp, which included an assault course, advanced weapon training, range work and night firing. The final stage of the 17 week training course involved field-craft including cooking and survival, the last week of this being under canvas near the village of Ottery St Mary. The Royal Marine Brigade The Admiralty appointed Madden Committee of 1924 proposed that a brigade of 3,000 Marines should be based ashore to "provide a striking force ... immediately available for use under the direction of the Naval Commander-in-Chief for amphibious operations, such as raids on the enemy coastline and bases ..." Peace-time finances had prevented the formation of such a force, but in September 1939 it was decided to raise a brigade of three light infantry battalions with around 2,000 men to fulfill this role. At that time the expectation was that the 1st Royal Marine Brigade would be deployed in the Mediterranean Theatre should Italy enter the war. The