1776Reporting
During World War II, elite military units changed the way wars were fought. One of the most influential was the First Special Service Force (1SSF), known as the “Devil’s Brigade.” This joint Canadian-American unit fought from 1942 to 1944, leaving an impact that shaped modern Special Forces in both countries.
The 1SSF played a key role in developing today’s elite military units, influencing the formation of Canada’s Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM) and the U.S. Army Special Forces. Despite being active for only two years, their tactics, training, and fearless combat strategies became the foundation of modern commando warfare.
The Vision Behind the First Special Service Force
The idea for this elite force came from Geoffrey Pyke, a British strategist working with the Combined Operations Command. He envisioned a unit that could survive and fight in extreme winter conditions, carrying out dangerous missions deep behind enemy lines in places like Norway, Romania, and the Italian Alps.
In March 1942, Pyke proposed “Project Plough,” a plan to build a commando base on a glacier in Norway. However, the British military lacked the resources, so they passed the project to the United States. General George Marshall, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, saw potential and approved the idea.
To support these soldiers in extreme conditions, the U.S. military developed a special vehicle: the M29 Weasel. This tracked machine moved easily over snow, mud, and deserts, delivering supplies where ordinary vehicles would fail.
Reluctance and Leadership Changes
Not everyone supported the project. Major Robert T. Frederick, part of the U.S. General Staff, doubted its effectiveness. He feared the force was too small, too isolated, and had no clear escape plan if things went wrong. However, instead of canceling the plan, his superiors made him the commanding officer, promoting him to colonel.
Frederick wasn’t the first choice. Lt. Col. Howard R. Johnson originally led the project but was dismissed after disagreements with higher-ups. Once in charge, Frederick moved quickly, recruiting and training the best soldiers from both Canada and the United States.
The Elite Recruitment Process
By July 1942, Frederick had taken full control of the force, reshaping its structure. The unit was initially supposed to include Norwegian commandos, but with few available, Canadian soldiers took their place. Eventually, half the officers and a third of the enlisted men were from Canada.
Soldiers thought they were joining a parachute unit. They were carefully selected based on their skills. Tom Gilday, Canada’s only ski instructor at the time, recruited outdoorsmen—trappers, hunters, and woodsmen—who could survive in harsh environments.
The U.S. Army sought “single men, aged 21-35, with three or more years of grammar school.” They preferred recruits with experience in forestry, hunting, and prospecting. Military recruiters even visited lumber camps to find the toughest men for the job.
Training the Ultimate Warriors
Once selected, these soldiers faced grueling training at Fort Harrison in Helena, Montana. In just 48 hours, they began parachute exercises. Their training covered firearms, explosives, small-unit tactics, and extreme physical conditioning. They also practiced problem-solving, rock climbing, skiing, and using the M29 Weasel in tough terrain.
Their endurance was unmatched. They completed 97-kilometer marches, mastered enemy weapons, and became experts in hand-to-hand combat. Norwegian instructors trained them in skiing until they could outmatch regular Norwegian Army troops.
By the time they deployed, every member was a certified parachutist. They were so well-trained that even U.S. Marine Corps elite units struggled to match their skill.
Battlefield Glory: The Devil’s Brigade in Action
The 1SSF fought in 22 battles, winning every time. Their first mission was in the Aleutian Islands, where they arrived only to find that Japanese forces had already left. Later, instead of going to Norway as planned, they were sent to Italy in late 1943.
Their first major test came at Monte La Difensa and Monte La Remetanea, where they had to dislodge German troops from heavily fortified positions. No other unit had succeeded. Between December 3-6, they took Monte La Difensa. By December 9, they had captured Monte La Remetanea. More victories followed, but at a great cost—77% of the force suffered casualties.
Striking Fear into the Enemy at Anzio
In early 1944, the 1SSF arrived at the Anzio beachhead. They replaced shattered U.S. Ranger battalions and took control of enemy territory. Their aggressive raids made the Germans rethink their defenses.
The Germans nicknamed them the “Black Devils” after they found stickers on their fallen comrades with the message: “The worst is yet to come.” These elite soldiers operated behind enemy lines, striking with such precision and brutality that German forces hesitated to engage them.
A captured German order warned: “You are fighting an elite Canadian-American force. They are treacherous, unmerciful, and clever. You cannot afford to relax.”
For 99 days, the 1SSF terrorized German positions at Anzio before advancing to Monte Arrestino and Rocca Massima. By June 1944, they were among the first Allied troops to enter Rome.
Final Missions and Disbandment
The 1SSF’s final battle took place in France as part of Operation Dragoon in August 1944. They captured five key fortifications on the island of Port-Cros before being reassigned to defend the France-Italy border. However, their time was running out.
On December 5, 1944, the unit disbanded in Villeneuve-Loubet, France. In just two years, the 1SSF had eliminated 12,000 German troops, taken 7,000 prisoners, and suffered an attrition rate of over 600%.
Among its most decorated members was Canadian war hero Tommy Prince, known for his daring behind-enemy-lines operations.
A Legacy That Lives On
After the war, the unit’s members were reassigned. The Canadians joined their national units, mainly the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, while the Americans were absorbed into airborne divisions and the newly created 474th Infantry Regiment.
The 1SSF’s impact endured. Their tactics influenced the creation of modern Special Forces, including the U.S. Green Berets and Navy SEALs. Every December 5, their legacy is honored by Special Operations units in both Canada and the United States with commemorative jumps and formal ceremonies.
The “Devil’s Brigade” may be gone, but its influence remains. Today’s elite warriors stand on the shoulders of those who fought, bled, and conquered against impossible odds.
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