I remember when i was growing up a gentlemen talking about his brother and the black devils of WW2 in Italy. And when doing some research on the unit my son is in today in the Canadian Forces i came across some info on the black devils brigade and that got me interested in researching this unit. (First Special Forces Unit) I have a list of names of some of there members and the name of One Cemetery were 62 members are buried (Beach head war Cemetery, ANZIO). Other then that i don't have much. ----------------------------------------------- First Special Forces Unit Killed in Action Lt. W. A. Airth, May 23, 1944 Pfc. E. Albert, May 23, 1944 Sgt. R. V. Alexander, May 23, 1944 Pvt. A. Allain, December 4, 1943 T5 F. S. Alvarado, December 4, 1943 T4 H. A. Amtsbeuer, May 31, 1944 Pvt. R. C. Anderson, September 13, 1944 Pfc. E. J. Aponik, May 23, 1944 S. Sgt. W. J. Ardiell, December 6, 1943 Lt. A. J. Ariott, December 4, 1943 S. Sgt. E. A. Armatta, September 16, 1944 Pvt. W. L. Arrington , May 25, 1944 T4 C. H. Atkinson , December 5, 1943 Lt. F. B. Atto, May 23, 1944 Pvt. Roland Anbry,December 25, 1943 Pvt. L. J. Bader, December 25, 1943 Sgt. C. T. Bailey, December 25, 1943 Pvt. M. E. Barbeau, September 16, 1944 Sgt. F. C. Bardgett, December 3, 1943 Sgt. W. G. Barnhill, February 13, 1944 Sgt. P. F. Barnhizer, May 12, 1944 Pvt. M. Baron, June 4, 1944 Pvt. R. J. Baron, June 4, 1944 Pfc. Clifford M. Bartow, August 25, 1944 Lt. A. W. Baughman, December 6, 1943 Sgt. C. W. Beal,, December 3, 1943 Sgt. J. Belanger, September 16, 1944 Sgt. M. H. Bell, December 6, 1943 T4 J. R. Bent, February 9, 1944 Pfc. H. A. Bernier, May 25, 1944 T4 B. Z. Bernstein, December 3, 1943 S. Sgt. S. M. Biblowitz, September 12, 1944 Pvt. R. C. Bielen, February 4, 1944 T4 W. W. Birge, May 1, 1944 Sgt. E. S. Bivins, May 29, 1944 Pvt. J. A. Blais, October 6, 1944 Pvt. J. C. Bogue, May 25, 1944 Pvt. J. Boich,> December 3, 1943 Pvt. H. W. Borchers, May 30, 1944 Capt. E. C. Borders, December 6, 1943 T4 E. H. Bork, June 4, 1944 T5 L. V. Boschet, May 3, 1944 Pvt. Foster V. Bowden,, August 23, 1944 Lt. W. E. Boyce, December 5, 1943 Pvt. G. M. Brady, December 5, 1943 Pvt. W. W. Brannon, January 14, 1944 Pvt. W. C. Bray, May 25, 1944 Pvt. F. G. Braybrook, May 23, 1944 Pfc. F. J. Brenny, December 24, 1943 Sgt. W. L. Brewer, December 24, 1943 Pvt. R. G. Briddon, May 10, 1944 Pvt. A. M. Brindel, Jr., December 4, 1943 S. Sgt. W. E. Brotherton, January 14, 1944 Pvt. F. S. Brown, Jr., August 23, 1944 Pvt. N. E. Brown, February 29, 1944 Pvt. Robert S. Buckley, September 18, 1944 Pfc. P. W. Burdick, May 23, 1944 T4 D. R. Burgess, February 18, 1944 T4 B. L. Burk, February 16, 1944 Sgt. E. N. Butler, February 9, 1944 Sgt. D. C. Byron, December 3, 1943 Sgt. G. A. Campbell, January 7, 1944 Pvt. R. D. Calloway, April 2, 1944 Pvt. Charles H. Camden, September 26, 1944 Pvt. D. W. Capps, August 15, 1944 Pvt. W. R. Caragher, December 3, 1943 Pfc. T. L. Cardwell, May 25, 1944 Pvt. E. H. Carlisle, May 2, 1944 Pvt. D. Carrywater, February 9, 1944 Pfc. F. A. Carter, May 21, 1944 Pvt. B. A. Casey, December 3, 1943 Pvt. S. W. Chenery, May 23, 1944 Pvt. E. E. Childers, December 25, 1943 Sgt. E. Chipchase, March 31, 1944 T4 A. J. Chontos, May 3, 1944 Pvt. S. R. Coffman, May 23, 1944 Pvt. V. Coja, January 11, 1944 Lt. G. R. K. Colmen, May 3, 1944 Sgt. John G. Colflesh Jr., November 1, 1944 Pvt. E. E. Conaway, October 26, 1944 Pvt. J. J. Constantine, June 4, 1944 Pfc. O. Counce, June 5, 1944 Lt. F. E. Cox, June 5, 1944 Lt. A. R. Coyston, September 17, 1944 S. Sgt. O. H. Crane, September 17, 1944 Pvt. F. J. Crook, December 25, 1943 Sgt. B. Cullen, December 25, 1943 Pvt. W. G. Cutmore, September 16, 1944 Pvt. R. E. Daigle, December 3, 1943 Pvt. S. E. Dainard, September 7, 1944 Pvt. E. A. Damon, December 7, 1943 S. Sgt. J. A. Danner, December 3, 1943 Cpl. G. K. Davidson, May 19, 1944 Pvt. A. E. Davis, December 6, 1943 Pvt. G. J. Davis, December 7, 1943 T4 James M. Davis, November 6, 1944 Pvt. M. E. Davis, May 23, 1944 S. Sgt. T. W. Davis, January 7, 1944 Sgt. C. H. Dawson, December 25, 1943 Pvt. C. E. Dean, January 3, 1944 Pfc. Bernard J. DeCamilla, September 8, 1944 Sgt. Decil L. Deen, December 6, 1943 Cpl. G. H. DeHay, December 4, 1943 Sgt. M. C. L. DeMacdeo, December 3, 1943 T4 G. S. Dewey, December 3, 1943 T4 H. N. Deyette, December 3, 1943 Pvt. W. F. Douglas, May 23, 1944 Pvt. J. A. Driscoll, Jr., October 6, 1944 Sgt. J. R. Driscoll, January 8, 1944 Pvt. T. F.Durate, August 23, 1944 Pvt. B. Dubin, February 8, 1944 Pvt. W. R. Dubuque, April 2, 1944 Pvt. J. Ducharme, December 25, 1943 Pvt. R. J. Duncan, December 4, 1943 Sgt. A. C. Durrant, May 23, 1944 Sgt. J. Dykun, December 6, 1943 S Sgt. J. M. East, January 14, 1944 Sgt. D. G. Edgelow, August 15, 1944 Sgt. G.M. Edwards, December 3, 1943 Lt. F. W. Eiwen, December 3, 1943 Lt. D. J. Ekberg, January 4, 1944 T4 R. D. Ekins, May 28, 1944 T4 R. Evansich, May 8, 1944 Pvt. E. N. Farmer, February 27, 1944 Sgt. L. J. Farr, February 17, 1944 Pfc. C. S. Farrell, September 8, 1944 T4 A. J. Faso, December 24, 1943 T4 J. P. Feeney, December 3, 1943 Sgt. E. S. Fines, May 28, 1944 T4 J. H. Fitzpatrick, June 4, 1944 Sgt. K. J. Folsom, May 21, 1944 Lt. E. J. Fortune, May 23, 1944 S. Sgt. I. P. Fox, May 28, 1944 Pvt. F. Friel, February 13, 1944 Sgt. G. E. Froom, January 11, 1944 Sgt. J. Furiga, May 23, 1944 Pvt. H. Gable Jr., May 30, 1944 Cpl. E. J. Gallant, September 16, 1944 Cpl. J. M. Gallardo, September 16, 1944 Pvt. A. D. Gallegos, December 25, 1943 Pvt. G. B.. Gardner, October 30, 1944 Pvt. S. Gath, December 3, 1943 J. S. Gibbon, February 16, 1944 Pvt. P. A. Gibson, Jr., February 16, 1944 Pvt. G. P. Gilbert, December 3, 1943 Pvt. R. R. Gilberts, December 3, 1943 Pvt. G. H. Gile, June 1, 1944 Pvt. J. A. Glassen, June 1, 1944 Sgt. J. F. Glenn, December 25, 1943 T5 O. F. Gould, June 5, 1944 T5 H. L. Grainger, July 5, 1944 Sgt. R. L. Gray, May 21, 1944 S. Sgt. D. Green, December 24, 1943 Pfc. V. P. Gregorie, May 28, 1944 Pvt. J. W. Grieder, December 3, 1943 Pvt. H. J. Groves, February 29, 1943 Sgt. A. O. Gunderson, December 3, 1943 Pvt. C. N. Guynup, October 3, 1944 Pvt. P. H. Hahn, May 24, 1944 T4 K. V. Hall, January 11, 1944 Sgt. N. A. Hansen, August 15, 1944 S. Sgt. B. T. Hardman, December 3, 1943 Pvt. W. B. Harry, August 17, 1944 Sgt. R. P. Hartl, May 30, 1944 Sgt. B. D. Harvey, December 3, 1943 Pvt. P. B. Harvey, May 24, 1944 Pvt. E. T. Hawkins, December 6, 1943 Pvt. T. C. Hayden, January 6, 1944 Sgt. A. K. Hendrickson, February 9, 1944 Pvt. M. J. Higgins, June 4, 1944 Pfc. G. H. Hignight, December 6, 1943 Pvt. D. M.M. Hill, January 15, 1944 Pvt. J. R. Hoblitzell, December 3, 1943 Pvt. B. Hoffard, May 28, 1944 T5 R. F. Holbrook, March 30, 1944 Pvt. W. J. S. Hole, September 30, 1944 Pvt. Robert M. Houck, September 30, 1944 Pvt. A. L. Hudson, May 24, 1944 Pvt. C. M. Hughes, December 3, 1943 Sgt. L. L. Hulbert, May 22, 1944 Pvt. E. J. Hutnik, March 28, 1944 Pvt. R. S. Irwin, December 3, 1943 CSM J. W. Jamieson, December 3, 1943 Pvt. R. Jamieson, February 11, 1944 Pvt. C. P. Janze, February 11, 1944 Pfc. E. J. Jedlicka, June 2, 1944 Pvt. F. W. Jenkins, December 7, 1944 Sgt. L. P. Jensen, January 11, 1944 T4 G. L. Jewett, May 21, 1944 1 Sgt. C. F. Johnson, December 25, 1943 Pfc. E. W. Johnson, August 3, 1944 Pvt. T. G. Johnson, May 23, 1944 T4 R. D. Johnston, March 27, 1944 Pvt. J. D. Jones, May 24, 1944 Sgt. R. C. Jones, December 3, 1943 Sgt. C. F. Joy, January 14, 1944 Pvt. W. H. Juve, September 12, 1944 Pvt. John A. Kenna, October 27, 1944 Pvt. J. F. Keyes, December 5, 1943 T4 Reynolds J. King, August 15, 1944 (awarded Silver Star) Pvt. F. K. Kleink, February 18, 1944 Sgt. L. S. Knapp, June 2, 1944 Pvt. H. Kolapack, April 2, 1945 Sgt. W. Kotenko, December 3, 1943 Pvt. N. M. Kramer, March 4, 1944 S. Sgt. W. A. A. Knight, December 9, 1943 Cpl. H. Kolapack, October 6, 1944 Pvt. O. F. Kuehl, October 6, 1944 Pvt. F. L. Kuhlman, January 14, 1944 T4 W. L. Ladd, August 27, 1944 T4 H. W. Landy, December 3, 1943 Pvt. J. H. Laporte, February 3, 1943 T4 R. M. Larson, Janmaury 15, 1944 Sgt. J. H. Laughren, Janaury 13, 1944 (Mention In Dispatches) Pvt. R. R. Lavalle, June 2, 1944 Sgt. E. H. Lawrence, May 30, 1944 Pvt. R. F. Lay, May 4, 1944 Pfc. E. J. Lazarski, May 23, 1944 S. Sgt. W. A. Ledford, December 25, 1943 Pfc. L. V. Leibli, May 27, 1944 T4 Merle M. Lynch, February 12, 1944 Pvt. C. W. Lyons, February 16, 1944 S. Sgt. B. MacDonald, February 16, 1944 Pvt. J. MacIver, May 23, 1944 Pvt. D. MacDonald, May 23, 1944 Lt. Col. T. C. MacWilliams, December 3, 1943 Pvt. W. Maki, May 23, 1944 Sgt. W. T. Mann, December 3, 1943 S. Sgt. T. E. Marks, May 30, 1944 Col. A. C. Marshall Jr., June 4, 1944 Sgt.D. J. Martin, May 23, 1944 T4 F. Mateja, Janaury 6, 1944 Pvt. B. Mays,, May 24, 1944 Sgt. H. W. McCarthy, June 6, 1944 S. Sgt. W. T. McCarty, Jr., December 24, 1943 S. Sgt. E. L. McDonald, May 29, 1944 Pfc. E. M. McDonald, May 23, 1944 Lt. K. D. McDougall, September 15, 1944 S. Sgt. D. J. McLachlan, February 29, 1944 T4 G. J. McLeer, May 21, 1944 Pvt. D. G. McMasters, May 23, 1944 Sgt, O. McNally, January 9, 1944 Capt. W. H. Merritt, August 17, 1944 Pvt. P. H. Michaels, January 5, 1944 T4 E. Mills, January 11, 1944 Pfc. E. T. Mitchell, April 29, 1944 Pvt. E. V. Mitchell, May 29, 1944 Pfc. J. H. Mitchell, May 23, 1944 Pvt. H. O. Molesworth, May 23, 1944 Sgt. F. F. Montgomery, February 18, 1944 Pvt. D. H. Moore, May 28, 1944 Pvt. Harry J. Moore, October 26, 1944 Lt. J. D. Moore, September 6, 1944 Pvt. J. P. Moser, February 18, 1944 Pvt. F. A. Murphy, May 29, 1944 Pvt. T. R. Murray, December 4, 1943 S. Sgt. W. E. Murray, June 4, 1944 Sgt. G. E. Nelson, May 30, 1944 Pvt. R. S. Nelson, December 25, 1943 S. Sgt. J. N. Newman, May 25, 1944 Pvt. M. L. Nielson, February 20, 1944 Pvt. George Nixon, August 16, 1944 Pvt. J. C. Ogle, February 16, 1944 Pvt. W. H. Orvis, May 23, 1944 Pvt. R. P. Overton, February 16, 1943 T5 C. F. Page, April 1, 1944 Lt. R. J. Painton, September 13, 1944 Sgt. A. C. Palmer, January 14, 1944 Pvt. L. J. Pardis, December 7, 1943 Sgt. K. A. Parrington, December 8, 1943 T4 E. F. Patenaude, October 6, 1944 Maj. T. E. Pearce, Jr., January 9, 1944 Pfc. J. G. Peet, May 10, 1945 Capt. W. B. Perry, January 11, 1944 Sgt. L. E. Phillips, December 25, 1943 Sgt. M. P. Phillips, December 4, 1943 T4 P. M. Piazza, June 1, 1944 Pvt. J. Pike, December 24, 1943 Pvt. John A. Pinciak, November 6, 1944 Pvt. R. J. Poe, Jr., May 4, 1944 Pvt. P. E. M. Pollender, August 30, 1944 T5 W. F. Presnall, December 24, 1943 Pvt. C. J. Purcell, May 23, 1944 Sgt. R. E. Purvis, May 1, 1944 T4 S. L. Rader, September 12, 1944 Pvt. S. B. Reddy, May 10, 1944 Pvt. Emmett U. Reed, September 6, 1944 Pvt. V. D. Rhoads , May 24, 1943 Pvt. J. J. Rice, March 21, 1944 S. Sgt. G. C. Richardson, February 9, 1944 Pvt. H. K. Richardson, December 4, 1943 Lt. J. H. Richardson, December 3, 1943 Sgt. G. J. Robinson, February 18, 1944 Pvt. H. G. Rodeheaver, December 6, 1943 S. Sgt. B. S. Roderick, January 14, 1944 Captain W. T. Rothlin, December 3, 1943 T4 P. E. Rounds, February 15, 1944 Capt. Walter D. Ruark, Jr., October 29, 1944 Pvt. M. J. Ryan, May 28, 1944 Sgt. H. G. Sabean, March 7, 1944 Cpl. J. P. Sabourin, March 7, 1944 Pvt. A. S. Sanders, June 1, 1944 Pvt. O. B. Sanders, Jr., May 22, 1944 Pvt. T. W. Sandifer, December 6, 1943 Pvt. M. Sceremko, February 20, 1944 Sgt. F. S. Schmidt, August 27, 1944 Pvt. H. G. Schmidt, Autust 15, 1944 Sgt. J. R. Schneider, December 5, 1943 T4. T. T. Schultz, February 9, 1944 Pvt. V. G. Schwartz, February 18, 1944 Lt. C. R. Scoggin, February 2, 1944 Major J. M. Secter, May 28, 1944 S. Sgt. D. Serrick, May 29, 1944 Pvt. R. Sheppard, May 24, 1944 Pvt. P. T. Shook, December 3, 1943 S. Sgt. Stanley Slatumas, December 4, 1943 (Silver Star) T4 Wilbert Slaughter, May 3, 1944 T4 G. H. Smith, December 24, 1943 Lt. O.H. Smith, December 25, 1943 Sgt. H. A. Sorber, May 30, 1944 Pvt. J. W. Springer, February 20, 1944 Sgt. L. M. Steffke, June 4, 1944 T4 R. A. Stewart, December 5, 1943 Pvt. P. L. Stockton, December 24, 1943 Pvt. H. J. Storey, May 23, 1944 T4 L. B. Sullenger, February 8, 1944 Pvt. S. R. Suotaila, December 3, 1943 Pvt. Glenn W. Swank , October 6, 1944 Pvt. Edward J. Tighe, May 21, 1944 Sgt. A. Tomory, Jr., May 29, 1944 Pvt. W. A. Tourangeau, May 28, 1944 Pvt. D. R. Traxler, June 2, 1944 S. Sgt. W. M. Upchurch, January 11, 1944 Sgt. C. F. Veitenheimer, February 24, 1944 T4 Charles E. Vickers, October 7, 1944 Pvt. N. B. Vinson, May 30, 1944 Pvt. D. Wade, December 3, 1943 Pvt. C. C. Waldrum, February 16, 1944 Cpl. A. Wall, May 23, 1944 Sgt. R. B. Weide, May 23, 1944 T4 A. J. Wesolowski, May 21, 1944 Sgt. C. W. West, December 8, 1943 T5 Harley L. White, October 9, 1944 Sgt. H. W. Wickstrom, May 24, 1944 Pvt. G. J. Wilcos, May 30, 1944 T4 A. Williams, December 5, 1943 T4 C. J. Williams, Jr., January 7, 1944 Pfc. J. Williams, May 28, 1944 Pvt. A. R. Wilson, May 30, 1944 Pvt. G. Wilson, May 23, 1944 Pvt. H. M. Wilson, December 3, 1943 S. Sgt. L. A. Wilson, January 27, 1944 Sgt. R. Wilson, December 25, 1943 Pvt. C. S. Wisniewski, May 28, 1944 T4 R. S. Wittbrodt, May 29, 1944 Sgt. W. M. Wocalewski, December 5, 1943 Pvt. F. J. Wood, May 23, 1944 Lt. R. E. Woolhiser, January 10, 1944 Sgt. W. J. Wray, December 4, 1943 Pvt. F. B. Wright, January 15, 1944 Pvt. S. J. Wright, September 13, 1944 S. Sgt. R. B. Wudarcki, May 24, 1944 Pvt. D. F. Yancey, January 14, 1944 T4 J. F. Zebley, May 23, 1944 Pvt. J. Zekkey, May 24, 1944 T4 J. Zier, January 4, 1944 Died of Wounds Sgt. A. A. Arsennek, September 13, 1944 Pvt. R. C., Ashley, May 26, 1944 Pfc. E. W. Ball, May 29, 1944 Pvt. H. F. Brendle, January 9, 1944 Sgt. A. M. Brittingham, May 24, 1944 Pvt. H. A. Brown, May 24, 1944 Sgt. B. G. Carson, March 11, 1944 T4 J. C. Cokely, May 28, 1944 Pfc. James T. Collins, October 10, 1944 Capt. M. A. Cotton, December 26, 1943 Sgt. L. C. Cross, February 10, 1944 1 Lt. D. W. Cuddy, February 3, 1944 Sgt. P. M. Cugeber, June 6, 1944 Sgt. G. T. Darg, February 19, 1944 M Sgt. George E. Durham, September 3, 1944 Pvt. L. B. Edwards, June 2, 1944 Pvt. W. K. Ellis, May 31, 1944 Sgt. A. C. Everett, April 26, 1945 Pvt. E. T. Fogarty, June 6, 1944 Sgt. K. G. Garratt, April 16, 1944 Pvt. H. Garza, April 3, 1944 Pvt. G. W. Gew, August 17, 1944 Sgt. G. O. Godin, February 22, 1944 Pvt. E. D. Granger, March 29, 1944 Sgt. R. H. Granger, May 2, 1944 Sgt. N. Griswald, June 8, 1944 Pvt. J. E. Guerin, May 28, 1944 Pvt. H. W. Haller, June 8, 1944 S. Sgt. F. A. Harvey, January 8, 1944 Pvt. H. J. Hebert, January 6, 1944 T5 A. F. Henning, May 29, 1944 Pvt. L. E. Hicks, May 29, 1944 Sgt. W. J. Johnson, May 30, 1944 Pvt. R. M. Kerr, January 8, 1944 T4 F. Kufta, May 29, 1944 Lt. P. G. LaPorte, September 9, 1944 Pvt. A. C. Leamons, May 24, 1944 Pvt. James E. Lee, November 1, 1944 Sgt. G. F. Lindsay, March 24, 1944 Pvt. C. Madson, June 2, 1944 Pvt. R. C. Mann, September 7, 1944 Sgt. E. Mattila, May 30, 1944 Lt. R. G. McLean, August 16, 1944 Pvt. R. L. Mills., Jr., February 18, 1944 T4 J. E. Mustard, February 18, 1944 Pfc. A. E. Ott, May 27, 1944 Sgt. E. S. Parks, April 20, 1944 Sgt. T. C. Potenza, November 2, 1944 Pvt. C. H. Prestwich, June 7, 1944 Sgt. K. W. Richer, May 30, 1944 Pvt. Don A. Rigby, October 13, 1944 Pvt. J. R. Ross, December 10, 1943 T5 W. E. Saathoff, April 7, 1944 Lt. R. L. Samuel, August 27, 1944 Pvt. J. D. Schofield, March 13, 1944 Pvt. G. B. Scholl, Jr., May 31, 1944 T5 H. R. Starr, August 24, 1944 T4 Frank J. Tomasoski, August 20, 1944 Cpl. J. M. Violette, December 12, 1943 S. Sgt. J. C. Walden, February 26, 1944 Sgt. J. L. Walkmeister, August 16, 1944 T4 Edward J. Wall, Jr., October 25, 1944 Pvt. H. G. Walsh, May 24, 1944 T4 H. F. Zobel, December 6, 1943 Missing in Action Presumed Dead S. Sgt. P. M. Biglow, December 5, 1943 Sgt. C. A. Byers, February 29, 1944 Pvt. Louis J. Christensen, December 7, 1943 Sgt. R. Colbridge, February 14, 1944 T4 Bert L. Cook, April 2, 1944 Pvt. George G. Frongillo, April 18, 1944 T4 Gail D. Hubbard, February 8, 1944 Pvt. A. James, February 20, 1944 Lt. J. Kostelec, March 4, 1944 Sgt. John Lanzi, February 9, 1944 Pvt. Edwin C. Martin, March 4, 1944 Pvt. James J. McCabe, February 7, 1944 Pvt. Theodore M. Macdonald, September 9, 1944 S. Sgt. E. McDow, April 25, 1944 Pvt. Charles McMeekin, Jr., February 9, 1945 Sgt. C. E. Mills, February 18, 1944 Major S. V. Ojala, December 3, 1943 Sgt. E. O. O. Peterson, February 7, 1944 Sgt. E. D. Phillips, December 3, 1943 Sgt. J. W. Ranger, March 21, 1944 Sgt. C. F. Reynolds, February 6, 1944 Pvt. Lawrence H. Russelll, April 9, 1944 1 Sgt. Arthur L. Schumm, February 24, 1944 Pvt. G. A. Smith, December 6, 1943 Pvt. L. P. L. Weldon, May 21, 1944 S. Sgt. Nicholas J. Wibben, December 7, 1943 Died While POW Cpl. F. P. F. Cope S. Sgt. N. Murdie Sgt. L. R. Roziere -----------------------------------------------
Slimsilver - Only the German's called them the "Teufel's Brigad" = Devil's Brigade - we always called them the 1st specials... try "googling" for Tommy Prince - the Ojib'we from Manitoba - he was one of their best ... Cheers
Slimsilver- here is a good history of the special Brigade... WWII: FSSF - The Devil's Brigade - Canada at War
Slimsilver- here is a good history of the special Brigade... WWII: FSSF - The Devil's Brigade - Canada at War good link. The 1SSF was also the forerunner of the Canadian Airborne Regiment.
I am new to forum and saw your post. While we were cleaning items from my Mom's house recently we came across some information related to my Mom's 1st husband. She was a war bride married in Jan 1944 in NY, NY. and according to papers we found he died Oct 27, 1944 and appears to have been part of the Devils Brigade. His name is listed with the Slimsilver post. My interest is now piqued and I am trying to research further. I have his US service number and his rank and unit. Any suggestions from anyone?
Ingraham Get in touch with the American Service records people and they will be able to send you a full description as to what he got up to in the US army- someone will be along with the address of that office shortly Cheers
Excellent book on the Devil's Brigade written by James A. Wood. Title " We Only Move Forward". ISBN 1-55125-112-4. The Regiment served with distinction during the Italian Campaign. Disbanded late in 1944. Anyone know why? cheers
Randy probably by Mark Clark who was overall boss by then and he was a bit miffed that they did an end run around him to get into Rome first.... Cheers
Tom, read a lot of critisism of Mark Clark, what is your opinion? Difficult question I know asking opinions of a General, but what did you and your colleagues think of him?
Ingram, here is the link to NARA & for those needing Canadian records, I append the link also Regards Simon Canada:Looking for Canadian Forces Member Military Service records? NARA:National Archives and Records Administration
Mike L - we tried not to think of him as he caused as many allied deaths as the Germans did - bloody menace ! Cheers
I am new to forum and saw your post. While we were cleaning items from my Mom's house recently we came across some information related to my Mom's 1st husband. She was a war bride married in Jan 1944 in NY, NY. and according to papers we found he died Oct 27, 1944 and appears to have been part of the Devils Brigade. His name is listed with the Slimsilver post. My interest is now piqued and I am trying to research further. I have his US service number and his rank and unit. Any suggestions from anyone? Interesting. In October 1944, the 1st SSF would have been somewhere along the Franco-Italian border. If he was not repatriated, he would probably be in the Rhone American Cemetery in Draguignan, France. the US would list this unit as the 1 SP SV Force
Mike L - we tried not to think of him as he caused as many allied deaths as the Germans did - bloody menace ! Cheers He should have been sacked during the Anzio debacle. Not much generalship displayed at all by that man. The more I read about him the less I find to like.
Oh, my. 5 minutes of poking around and I have the list of casualties buried in Rhone. There are 11 of them, but since Irgraham hasn't posted a name, I wont go any further.
Oh, my. 5 minutes of poking around and I have the list of casualties buried in Rhone. There are 11 of them, but since Irgraham hasn't posted a name, I wont go any further. Martin was it here you found them quite a bit of useful info on the FSSF .FSSF - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour
Martin was it here you found them quite a bit of useful info on the FSSF .FSSF - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour I went a different route.. American Battle Monuments Commission You can search by Unit, and by Cemetery. Since I knew the Unit, and following the FSSF history, I knew the young man would most likely be in Draguignan. Since I also have the Date of Death, it becomes pretty clear after that, and there is a casualty listed in Rhone, from New York, with this DOD. Here's where it gets better: Last year, I took a trip to the South of France, visited both the Commonwealth Mazargues Cemetery and Rhone. Made sure to get pictures of all the FSSF members there. As a result, I have a picture of the headstone. Your link provides some confirmation: When you click on the name, there is a post from a user with basically the same name as he is using here. So, if he comes back, I'll have something for him. If you are registered on this Special Forces site, let's get together, I can at least send the pictures I have of these brave young men they can put up on their site.
I am a relative of a scout who, as my Dad put it, "led the charge" for his 1st Special Service Force in Anzio, Italy, during WWII. His name was James C. Cokely, and this paratrooper was a Technician Fourth Class (or Fourth "Grade") in 1 Regiment (5 Company), and he died of his injuries from the Anzio service, perishing on May 28, 1944. He was included in the list that "Slimsilver" posted on this forum (of the First Special Forces Unit members 'Killed in Action' and 'Died of Wounds,' at Anzio in '43 and '44). He was my father's uncle, and he is cited on grave markers, one in the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Italy (Plot D Row 11 Grave 12) ...(to see a link, visit: American Battle Monuments Commission and Tec4 James C Cokely ( - 1944) - Find A Grave Memorial ). And the second marker in the Strickland Hill Cemetery in Springville, Pa., U.S.A., in Susquehanna County (which is south of Montrose, Pa., U.S.A.). I wish I knew more to the story of his rush into the charge at Anzio, and about his unit. My father, also a veteran, remembered a number of things, only a few of which he imparted to me. For one, he said this paratrooper (b. 1927- d.1944) was among the first to die when U.S.-Canadian troops went into Anzio. (Looking back on the dates, though, he may have meant to say "to have been injured, and later to die" for entering Anzio -- unless he led the charge during the Breakout, 4 months after the Allies first strived to take control in Anzio.) The other tidbit my Dad mentioned was that James C. "Jimmy" Cokely was "real good looking," and featured on the cover of either Time or Life magazine back during his time of service. Kind of silly stuff, really. But it sticks in my memory. I do recall seeing that magazine pic when I was a young girl in my great-grandmother's house ... she'd cherished it, and kept it stored away, and one day took it out for me and my Mom. From what I've read, the 1st Special Service Force (or 1st SSF) was withdrawn from mountain duty and on Feb. 1, 1944, was landed at the beachhead which Operation SHINGLE had made at Anzio, replacing the 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalions. They were to hold the raid .... The SSF took over the Mussolini Canal "sector", and its patrols -- aggressive and constant with night raids -- included reconnaissance raids "as deep as 1,500 feet (460 m) behind enemy lines," according to a Wikipedia descriptive of the SSF. Furthermore, supposedly it was the Germans who dubbed them "black devils" or "devils brigade" as they'd put black polish on their faces for night raids, moved silently and always with surprise, and with frequency were thought to be division-sized, and not the few in number they really were. I read, too, that they were prone to leave behind cards or stickers with their unit's insignia on it with German words printed on them, indicating "The worst is yet to come." The 1st SSF supposedly fought in Anzio without relief for 99 days. And the "Breakout Offensive" began (by the 5th Army) on May 25, 1944. The 1st SSF was then sent on May 27, 1944, to take two major locales (at least one a municipality on the approach to Rome), along with seven bridges. An Anzio 1944 website on the whole conflict (ANZIO 1944) describes the combat since the 5th Army first swarmed ashore at Anzio (and Nettuno), as four months of "some of the most savage fighting of World War II." Regards, and in hopes of hearing more from others about the WWII Anzio conflict(s), and the 1st SSF, Cindy K.
My father was in the Black Devils Brigade ( Sgt Ludger Edmond Roussy ). He died in 1965 when I was very young so I joined this to try to find out more. I have a number of pictures, pay book, newspaper clippings and a book "The First Special Services Force - a war history of the north americans 1942-1944 by lieutenant colonel Robert D. Burhans, first edition March 1947. It basically goes through all the areas the black devils fought in.The book actually lists all those enlisted in the 1st Special Service Force. Do you know if there are any members of this unit still alive?