The 1st Special Service Force was a joint American-Canadian commando unit. The men were selected for their rugged, outdoor backgrounds and received the most rigorous training schedule (under live fire) ever undertaken by an American Army unit.
The Forcemen were rushed to Italy in November 1943 where it fought with distinction for nearly a year. It was used as a fire brigade, undertaking impossible missions for the U.S. Fifth Army. It was in the deadly hill masses on the way to Rome that the Force earned its deadly reputation on both sides of the battle line
Committed to the Anzio invasion, the Force carved an even deeper image on the darkest fears of its German adversaries. Incessant night raids were carried into the German rear, where at times dozens of German soldiers were silently slain and left dead for their increasingly fearful countrymen to see. Their weapon of choice, the V-42 Stiletto. During the long deadlock at Anzio, the Force night raiders were dubbed, "Black Devils"--by elite German units as a mark of respect and fear. Shortly after the breakout from Anzio, a dozen hand-picked Forcemen were the first Allied soldiers to enter Rome.
The FSS received special issues of mountain and cold weather clothing for their intended mission. Mountain parkas issued to the Force were olive drab, reversable to white with a fur ruffed hood. Unique to the Force was the Johnson M1941 light machine gun, for which they traded the Marine Corps two tons of demolition charges in exchange for 125 of the lightweight weapons. No magazine pouches were available for the Johnson and its 30-round magazines were carried in pockets.
One of my favorite war movies is the 1968 movie, "The Devil's Brigade." It's the Hollywood version of the 1st Special Service Force. |
