DID YOU KNOW The 1st Special Service Force Devils Brigade The FSSF was created as an elite Airborne, mountainous and snowbound organization. Formed by both American and Canadian Soldiers at Fort William Henry Harrison, Montana. on 9 July 1942. The purpose for the creation of FSSF was Project Plough a Airborne assault into Norway to disrupt Germanys supplies and resources. The initial Commander was LTC Howard R. Johnson (later formed and Commanded the 501st PIR), but was soon replaced by LTC Robert T. Frederick (Later Commanded the 1st Airborne Task Force), Although Project Plough was cancelled, the Black Devils did participate in the Invasion of the Aleutian Island, the Italian Campaign and Operation Dragoon in France. During the war the 1,800-man unit accounted for some 12,000 German casualties, captured some 7,000 prisoners, and sustained an attrition rate of over 600%. On 5 December 1944 the FSSF was disbanded, most of the Canadian Soldiers became replacements for the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion, while the Americans Soldiers became replacements for other Airborne Divisions, Ranger Battalion and the rest formed the 474th Infantry Regiment. * The First Special Service Force was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Silver-Gilt Star, as well as the Distinguished Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism. * In 2006 the Canadian members of the 1st Special Service Force received the United States Armys Combat Infantryman Badge for participation in front-line combat. * When the Special Forces Tab was created in 1983 for wear by members of the US Army Special Forces, it was also retroactively awarded to members of wartime combat units that had been identified as predecessors of the Special Forces. Thus, any soldier who had spent 120 days in wartime service with the First Special Service Force was authorized to wear the Special Forces Tab.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 20:22:56 +0000
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