In the early stages of ww2, a plan was being realised by the Allied Chiefs of Staff, endorsed by Churchill, of an Allied commando force capable of landing in occupied Norway, destroying the hydro electric plants, and disapearing into the countryside then to make their way to friendly countries causing as much disruption to the occupying Nazis as they went.
On 20th July 1942 Col. Robert T. Frederick was given the task of creating such an elite force of commando style fighting men to be highly trained in all types of warfare including speed marching, demolitions, Allied and Axis weaponry, winter and mountain operations (including survival), airborne and amphibious training, and hand-to-hand combat using, then, a little known fighting style called Ju-Jitsu.
In order to disguise the intent of this new force, Frederick used the name First Special Service Force instead of using titles such as "rangers", "commandos" etc. This was in reference to the term "special service" meaning bandsman, entertainers, and service personel. Later in the war, a reply to an enquirer was that they "where to jump behind enemy lines, and set up the donut and coffee stalls whilst fighting off the enemy in every direction".
The call went out for "paratroops, ski troops, commandos, and "anyone who ain't afraid of nothing". The force was a truly North American unit with a ratio of around 40% Canadians and 60% Americans, from hard rock miners of Ontario, to Texas cowhands. For Officers and Enlisted alike, training was intensive and "at the double", anyone who didn't measure up where simply shipped back to their respective units, no exception was made "the door was open both ways". The FSSF where equipped and supplied with uniforms by the USA, the only distinction being their accents.
After the planned operation in Norway was cancelled, they took part in the invasion of Kiska in the Aleutians, but the Japanese had already left. The Force was then sent to Italy in November 1943 where it saw it's first combat on 3rd December with the taking of La Difensa mountain. In Anzio they proved themselves to be a formidable force, prefering to send out devastating night attacks. The Germans never saw them coming, and some of the Force, after using their deadly V42 stilletto designed specifically for the force, left their calling cards with the words "Das Dicke Ende Kommt Noch!", giving rise to the Germans giving them the name of "Black Devils".
It is now officially recognised that the force was the first unit into Rome, and took part in the invasion of Southern France, later joining the 1st Airborne Task Force. The war had become too big for the need for small commando units like the Force, and so was disbanded in December 1944, the Canadians who where jump qualified transferring into the 1st Canadian Paras as instructors, the Americans into either 144th Infantry or into the Airborne units and in the event taking part in the Battle of the Buldge ( they being recognised by their "bunny jackets" a reference to their reversable parkas). This bi-national force never forgot the comradeship that was forged in the dark days of the war, and to this day they keep in close contact.
