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1st Special Service Force

Home > Units > 1st Special Service Force

The First Special Service Force, nick-named the Devil's Brigade, was a joint World War II American-Canadian commando unit. It was trained up at Fort Harrison near Helena, Montana. Many of the Canadian and American specialized elite units trace their heritage to the First Special Service Force.

First Special Service Force - FSSF

The FSSF had a number of 'nicknames' to include The Devil's Brigade, Freddie's Freighters, The Black Devils, and others. The unit was organized during World War II under the command of the United States Fifth Army in 1942. It trained at Fort William Henry Harrison near Helena, Montana.

The unit fought in actions in the Aleutian Islands, Italy, and southern France. The Canadian contingent was withdrawn due to manpower shortage within the Canadian Army. The U.S. members of the FSSF were reassigned to airborne units as well as some other U.S. Army units.

The U.S.-Canadian First Special Service Force paraded one final time at their camp near the town of Menton, France on December 5, 1944. U.S. Army Special Forces groups and the 1st Special Forces Regiment trace their 'official' lineage to the FSSF. Menton Day is an occasion when SF honors its lineal connection to the FSSF. In addition to the FSSF, the U.S. Army Special Forces traces its lineage to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS).


Websites about the First Special Service Force

First Special Service Force
www.firstspecialserviceforce.net


News Articles about FSSF

 

July 27, 2021. "How One Unusual Vehicle Helped Create America's Special Forces", by Travis Pike, SANDBOXX. A British inventor created the M29 Weasel (Project Plough) to traverse snow quickly - perhaps for use by specialized mountain troops in attacking German targets in snow-covered Norway.

December 4, 2019. "75th Anniversary of Menton Day", USASOC History Office, Army.mil.

December 3, 2018. "1st Special Forces Soldiers Celebrate Menton to Strengthen Legacy", DVIDS.

 

 

 

 


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