Bernd Horn

In the dark early years of WW II, the Allies searched for a way of hitting back. One way of they came up with was using special forces to conduct raids on the coast of France and behind the lines. Churchill was especially disturbed by the rumours that the Nazis were developing the Atomic bomb and using heavy water created in a Norway electrical plant. He wanted a special force created to go to Norway to destroy the hydro plants to stop the heavy water development and to reduce industrial capacity for Germany.

Out of this came the creation of the First Special Service Force also known as the Devil's Brigade made up of military personnel from the USA and Canada. The Germans called them the Black Devils because they blacken their skin for night incursions which often ended in quick death for an unaware German soldier. The Force never failed to make an objective and never gave up one once they attained it. Their casualty rate was over 300% of the original membership.

Their training included parachute training, amphibious landing training, skiing, & mountain climbing. The authors give us great detail about the formation of the brigade, its training, its deployment, its campaigns and its disbandment. They also include a chapter on the legacy of the FSSF as seen in the various special forces all armies maintain today.

Many books have been written about them as well as a blockbuster movie.… (altro)