Anyone mentioned the Jedburgh Teams that were dropped in to work and liase with the resistance groups? About as risky as it got I would have imagined.
While not designated Commando, General Morshead of Tobruk fame did initiate, after the failure of Rommels initial Blitzkreig attack, a series of nightly raids on German positions that were entrenched around Tobruk with great success. Morsheads reasoning: Defence is a state of mind so we need to keep the Germans guessing as to who will be the next target. Junior officers to Morshead at Tobruk, utilised these strategies in Korea to negate the enemy ability to come "beyond the wire" without forward notice.
We never came across any "Special Forces" if something unusual was to be done, the RE got saddled with it, As I know only too well. Those heroic stunts were the ones that I tried to keep away from, unsuccessfully! If there was anything heroic, or that needed oustanding bravery? I had the golden rule..Try to look as anonymous as possible. Trouble was, once you got involved in one...Against your will...Then thereafter you are a marked man. "Take him hes done it before" Whereas in truth I would rather be a cowardly one that stayed behind
While not designated Commando, General Morshead of Tobruk fame did initiate, after the failure of Rommels initial Blitzkreig attack, a series of nightly raids on German positions that were entrenched around Tobruk with great success. Morsheads reasoning: Defence is a state of mind so we need to keep the Germans guessing as to who will be the next target. Junior officers to Morshead at Tobruk, utilised these strategies in Korea to negate the enemy ability to come "beyond the wire" without forward notice. The yanks asked Poundforce, a unit formed from commandos to carry out a reccie in the island near to Inchon Harbour before the main landings, 41 commando then landed with the 1st Marine div on the small island in mouth of the river.
Those heroic stunts were the ones that I tried to keep away from, unsuccessfully! If there was anything heroic, or that needed oustanding bravery? I had the golden rule..Try to look as anonymous as possible. Trouble was, once you got involved in one...Against your will...Then thereafter you are a marked man. "Take him hes done it before" Whereas in truth I would rather be a cowardly one that stayed behind Just been reading Max Hasting's 'Warriors', he alludes to the same syndrome, noone quite trusting the man who Volunteers for everything looking for Glory and Gongs but respect being earnt by those who go reluctantly but get the job done.
Special operations. One of our corporals, a man of great cool courage, and one that never ever got flustered, Was the one that the officers sent for it seemed to me. Why? because he was so damned good. He could pick who he wanted, and the size of the team he wanted. Much as I secretly admired the man, I tried my very best to keep out of his way when something was brewing. But inevitably he appeared and beckoned, and there was no choice. Its odd why these men are constantly chosen..His cool courage (almost detatched in his manner) was never rewarded for his oustanding service. So I got bloody roped in....Honestly...full of trepidation and genuine fear...Will we get back from this stunt? It was with a great deal of sadness that while laying in a complete body cast (Chin to toes and everything else!) back in England, that I had a message telling me that he had been killed on the last day of the war.....I thought he was invincible. For once in my life I shed a tear. Even today, the thought and his memory....chokes me. Gives me a dull aching pain in my chest.. just recalling those days. And then to be killed on the last day of the war in Europe.... We had penetrated deep through the enemy lines in Normandy, and again in Holland. The last day of the war for Gods sake....What a terrible shame and injustice. Sapper.
There is an exciting new book out about the SOE called "The Grand Prix Saboteurs". See www.morienval.com.
One of the most unique combat units in Italy was the First Special Service Force, a bi-national group consisting of elite Canadian and American fighters. The Canadian component was originally the 2nd Canadian Parachute Battalion, then renamed the 1st Canadian Special Service Battalion. In June 1942, when it joined with US Army troops and became the First Special Service Force, Canadians comprised 1/4 of its strength, 47 officers and 650 other ranks.
I believe the guy on the left in this photo is carrying a M1941 Johnson Light Machine Gun. I read that these guys managed to pick up a number of Johnsons from the US Marines and used them for a while in Italy.
Special Forces being "Special" Forces you may find that there is precious little known about some of them. If you look at the Special Forces Association website there is a link to various Units connected to the Special Air Service. There may also be various opinions as to what was going on with the Special Forces. For example the S.A.S. badge may be called a "Winged Dagger" however others who may be more informed would tell you it is in fact the sword of damocles. There may be other occasions where a unit is called something then evolves into another name - Great for keeping the enemy on his toes but mind boggling for someone to research. Best of Luck!!
What about The US rangers and american elite units? They don't count as real SOF ! (Sorry, just had to tease you..) I recommend William Mackenzie: The secret history of the SOE even if it's far from an easy read.
MARS Task Force, the successors to Merrill's lot... Those cavalrymen went to fight in Northern Burma on riding boots!! Lots of Special Forces here: Special Forces - Roll Of Honour By the way, has anyone mentioned the Long Range Desert Group, a certain group of bearded fellows who wore scorpions as insignia?
Good morning I read with interest your threads.. Im trying to find anyone who may have information about special ops that my late father was in. He joined the ref in 1939 and was with apparently the 1st original sas 1941 i have a phot that states this. All im really know is that he was with a special ops unit in North Africa Italy and i think Crete Spent a long time in marseilles waiting to be demobbed at end of the war. Woukld be grateful if you had any info Kind Regards G3DCV
Welcome have you sent off for his Army Records Army Personnel Centre - British Army Website Also if you could post any photos you have on the forum good luck with your research
