The First Special Service Force (FSSF), also known as the "Devil's Brigade," was the first special forces unit created by the United States during World War II. Formed in 1942, the unit was composed of half American and half Canadian troops, and was trained in unconventional warfare, including parachuting, skiing, and mountain fighting.
The FSSF was initially intended to conduct missions behind enemy lines in Norway, but they were instead deployed to the Aleutian Islands and then to Italy, where they participated in several key battles, including the taking of Monte la Difensa and Monte la Remetanea.
The unit became known for its daring night raids, which earned them the nickname "The Black Devils" among German forces. They also developed a unique calling card, leaving stickers on the bodies of German soldiers they killed, which read "The Worst is Yet to Come."
The FSSF played a key role in the Allied invasion of southern France and was involved in several other battles, including the liberation of Rome. The unit was officially disbanded on December 5, 1944, but its legacy lives on as a precursor to modern special forces units.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. In 1942, Germany was believed to be developing a nuclear weapon.
2. Norway was of strategic importance to Germany due to its access to iron and other minerals.
3. Norway's heavy water facilities were used in Germany's nuclear weapons program.
4. The Allies were unable to easily transport supplies to Russia due to Germany's control of Norway.
5. An English intellectual proposed the idea of landing a small, highly trained force in Norway to conduct raids on German targets.
6. The British High Command liked the idea but didn't have the manpower or logistics to carry it out.
7. The Americans adopted the plan and created the First Special Service Force (FSSF).
8. Recruitment for the FSSF was done through posters at military bases, seeking individuals with experience in mountaineering, skiing, and other outdoor skills.
9. The FSSF was made up of half Americans and half Canadians.
10. The unit consisted of three regiments and one services battalion, with half the officers and one-third of the enlisted men being Canadian.
11. The FSSF trained in Helena, Montana, for nearly a year, learning parachuting, weapons usage, and small unit tactics.
12. The FSSF's first combat deployment was to the Aleutian Islands in 1943.
13. The FSSF was then redeployed to Europe, where they fought in Italy.
14. The FSSF's mountain fighting expertise was showcased in Italy, where they took several key Nazi positions.
15. The FSSF suffered a 77% casualty rate in Italy, with 91 men killed, 9 missing, 313 wounded, and 116 hospitalized for exhaustion.
16. The FSSF earned the nickname "Black Devils" due to their daring night raids, which forced the Germans to retreat and reinforced their positions.
17. The FSSF was one of the first Allied units to enter an enemy capital, Rome, in 1944.
18. The FSSF was shipped to southern France, where they helped envelop German forces in a pincer movement.
19. The FSSF took part in the invasion of southern Italy and fought several skirmishes against German occupiers.
20. The FSSF was officially disbanded on December 5, 1944, as their expertise was no longer needed.
21. The American troops honored their Canadian comrades with a pass in review on the day of disbandment.
22. The FSSF is considered the direct descendant of the U.S. Army Special Forces and laid the groundwork for training, doctrine, and tactics employed by American special forces to this day.