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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.
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 The Canadian contingent was withdrawn due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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