"Devil's Brigade - William Holden movie" Topic

How accurate was it in terms of how the Americans were all a bunch of misfits, the XO was useless and the Canadians were all elite?

I can't speak for the XO but the general classification for the troops is accurate. The American continent was gotten by asking regular formations for their best troops and of course, the CO's sent their troublemakers so as to get rid of them. Hence the "Devils Brigade" ending up being basically a criminal cartel.

From my 10 years in the military, I can assure you that when a Commander is ordered to provide people to an outside unit he will almost invariably provide the misfits, troublemakers and anyone else he wants to get rid of.

My grandmother was a nurse in training assigned the unit during its training at Fort Harrision and as a result I have attended several formal and informal reunions.

I think the movie over did it a tad, but the veterans did have some pretty hair raising tales about a few of the malcontents assigned to the 1st Special Services.

At tat time all Canadian soldiers were volunteers There was no raft for overseas service until 1944

I believe you should read the book. The U.S. troops assigned were not the 8-balls depicted in the movie but did tend to raise hell in the local towns near their training base. The movie, although very entertaining, takes great liberties with the true story of this unit. I think a new movie based upon the authorized history of the "Devil's Brigade", or 1SSF, would be much more accurate and colorful than the Bill Holden version. I do still love that movie.

I have actually talked with a few of the 1st Special Service Force vets. How it was taken as an oppurtunity of getting rid of oddballs is true enough. Some even noted the movie actually down played it a bit!!!

Despite that, there were many who genuinely volunteered too.

Even in the supposed lowest dregs of the army,,,some amazing skills were evident in many of the men. Once free of the 'regular army', most flourished given the challenges and ability to use their own initiatives.

I think a new movie based upon the authorized history of the "Devil's Brigade", or 1SSF, would be much more accurate and colorful than the Bill Holden version. I do still love that movie.

I'm not sure anything coming out of Hollywierd could be considered accurate in any way, shape or form.