Material Type

Mixed Media

Date Range

no date

Description Level

Item

Physical Description

1 colour photograph 2 print items

Physical Condition

Excellent

History Biographical

The First Special Service Force (FSSF) was the idea of American General George Marshall and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The unit was composed equally of men from the armies of Canada and the United States, and was led by officers and non-commissioned officers from both countries. The FSSF began its training at Helena, Montana on 20 July 1942 with courses in raider and commando tactics. Further training took place in Florida and Vermont. The FSSF was the only Allied unit trained and deployed in amphibious, ski and parachute operations. The first commanding officer of the FSSF was Colonel Alfred Cookman Marshall Junior of the United States Army. He led the unit from 20 July 1942 until his death in action on 4 June 1944. The campaigns in which the FSSF fought include: Aleutian Islands (August 1943), Naples-Foggia (3 December 1943 – 2 June 1944), Rome-Arno (4 June 1944), Southern France (14 August 1944 – 7 September 1944), and the Rhineland at the French – Italian border (7 September 1944 – 30 November 1944). It was during the battle at Anzio, Italy when the FSSF was engaged in aggressive night patrols with blackened faces that the Germans nicknamed them the “Black Devil’s Brigade”. After Italy, the FSSF spearheaded amphibious landings in southern France. It was in France that the FSSF fought for the remainder of its existence. Disbanded on 5 December 1944 at Villeneuve-Loubet, France, the Canadian and American soldiers each returned to their own armies. . The FSSF never failed to successfully complete a mission it was assigned, but suffered a 135% casualty rate during its existence. The unit is credited with capturing 35,000 prisoners and is considered the ancestor of United States and Canadian airborne and Special Forces Units. The donor, John Lloyd (Jack) Knight, served with the First Special Service Force for the entire time of its existence.

Language

English

Acquisition Source

Knight, John Lloyd 213 - 751 1 Avenue South Lethbridge, Alberta T1J 4M7

Scope and Content

Items pertaining to John Lloyd (Jack) Knight's service with the First Special Service Force during World War 2.

Access Restrictions

Public Access

Accession No.

20011115000

Collection

Archive

Less detail