John Durnford-Slater | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1909 |
| Died | 5 February 1972 (aged 62−63) |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1927–1946 |
| Rank | Brigadier |
| Service number | 41090 |
| Unit | Royal Artillery |
| Commands | No. 3 Commando |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order and Bar |
Brigadier John Frederick Durnford-Slater, DSO and bar (1909 – 5 February 1972) was a British Army officer who was credited with establishing the first Army commando unit during the Second World War.
An officer in the Royal Artillery who eventually rose to the rank of brigadier, he was responsible for developing many of aspects of the commando concept. Commanding No. 3 Commando he participated in raids on Guernsey, the Lofoten Islands, Vaagso, Dieppe and Sicily. In Italy he commanded the 2nd Commando Brigade that undertook the capture of Termoli, before serving as deputy commander of the Special Service Group, a divisional level headquarters unit that planned and administered all commando operations during Operation Overlord and the advance into Germany.