5 Special Forces Groups of World War II
Formed in 1942, the First Special Service Force, known as the Black Devils, was a joint US-Canadian unit that excelled in winter combat, capturing Monte La Difensa in just hours. Its influence continues in the US Army Special Forces and Canadian Special Operations. The Marine Raiders, operating between 1942 and 1944, were notable for their defense of Henderson Field and for undertaking Carlson's Patrol. Established in 1941, the British Special Air Service carried out desert raids against Rommel, successfully destroying over 300 enemy aircraft. On D-Day, 6 June 1944, the US Army Rangers executed demolition tasks, including the ascent of Pointe du Hoc. Meanwhile, the Chindits, under Orde Wingate, fought in Burma, completing Operations Longcloth and Thursday before disbanding in 1945 after Wingate's passing.
Key facts
- The First Special Service Force, known as the Black Devils, was a joint US-Canadian unit created in 1942.
- The Black Devils captured Monte La Difensa in hours, despite estimates of four to five days.
- The Marine Raiders included Edson's Raiders (1st Battalion) and Carlson's Raiders (2nd Battalion).
- The SAS was formed in 1941 and destroyed over 300 enemy aircraft in Africa.
- The 2nd Ranger Battalion scaled Pointe du Hoc on D-Day, 6 June 1944.
- The Chindits were created by Orde Wingate and included British, Indian, and African troops.
- Operation Thursday involved glider insertion and some of the first wartime helicopter operations.
- The Chindits liberated Mogaung, the first Burmese town freed from Japanese occupation.
Entities
Artists
- John Johnston
- Javaughn Waller
- G. Ronald
- Craig Kelsay
- Paul Reynolds
- Geoffrey John Keating
- J. Sarno
- Loughlin
- Orde Wingate
- T.E. Lawrence
- Chester Nimitz
- Bill Slim
- Rommel
- Montgomery
- Hitler
Institutions
- First Special Service Force
- US Army Special Forces
- Canadian Special Operations Regiment
- US Marine Corps
- 1st Raider Battalion
- 2nd Raider Battalion
- Special Air Service
- North Afrika Korps
- US Army Rangers
- 2nd Ranger Battalion
- Chindits
- Imperial Japanese Army
- The Collector
- National Archives Catalog
- Imperial War Museum
- US Army Signal Corps
- Naval History and Heritage Command
- The Chindit Society
- BBC
- Rock Island Auctions
- CWM Archives
- Warfare History Network
- Marine Corps Times
- National Army Museum
- 6th Gurkhas
Locations
- Italy
- Monte La Difensa
- Apennine Alps
- Monte Majo
- Anzio
- France
- Guadalcanal
- Tulagi
- Henderson Field
- Edson's Ridge
- Bougainville
- Makin Island
- North Africa
- Burma
- India
- Nepal
- Philippines
- Bataan
- Pointe du Hoc
- Normandy
- Omaha Beach
- Isle of Wight
- Arzew
- Algeria
- Mogaung
- White City
- London
- Radicosa