Tango01  | 22 Jun 2023 7:43 p.m. PST |
"There were many unique and interesting units that arose from all corners of the globe during World War II. From the Gurkhas of Nepal to the formation of the first British Special Forces unit to the Spetsnaz, we take a look at eight of the most interesting…" Main page
link
Armand
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| Cerdic | 23 Jun 2023 8:06 a.m. PST |
Well the Gurkhas were around long before WW2. I didn't click on the link, is the rest of it drivel too…? |
| Starfury Rider | 23 Jun 2023 8:46 a.m. PST |
Gurkha
Free French
British Commandos
OSS
Smersh
Red Orchestra
GRU
And the SS… |
 deadhead | 23 Jun 2023 12:06 p.m. PST |
Not a mention of the SAS or SBS, Chindits, LRDG Paratroops and Glider borne had many an even more elite sub-section. Not a mention of any naval or air units eg Pathfinders, Minisubs of any nation, kamikaze etc As for the Free French. That title is very much reserved in France, according to date of joining. Even in the Elite 2e DB the naval component, serving the M10 TDs, faced much hostility at first. They, alone in the Division, came from former Vichy units in French North Africa. The rest were untainted by serving Petain. |
 BobTYW | 23 Jun 2023 12:37 p.m. PST |
Don't forget the "Devils Brigade"
Bob |
| Tango01 | 23 Jun 2023 1:47 p.m. PST |
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| Andy ONeill | 23 Jun 2023 2:50 p.m. PST |
Chindits were arguably not special forces.
They're a bit of a strange case.
Regular infantry given special training.
They performed well, their morale and motivation was remarkable. Dad's company was reduced to 12 men in like a week of glider landing but still fought on. Dad was a Chindit and volunteered. Not sure commandoes or sas would have considered him suitable. |
ScottWashburn  | 26 Jun 2023 6:54 a.m. PST |
'Special Forces' are seen as romantic and exciting, but they rarely ever had any real impact on the outcome of a war. |
| deadhead | 26 Jun 2023 12:42 p.m. PST |
and they deplete the regular forces of valuable NCO material, I have heard it argued. Personally I am not so sure about ineffectiveness. The SAS in North Africa did so much damage, but also tied down enemy forces to guard against them. The threat of special forces might have had more impact than did reality? |
| Blutarski | 26 Jun 2023 6:39 p.m. PST |
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| Wolfhag | 26 Jul 2023 12:45 p.m. PST |
Marine Raiders and Paramarines.
Army Rangers
Navy UDT The Raiders and Paramarines were broken up and officers and NCOs were put into the new 4th, 5th, and 6th Marine Divisions. The Marines never liked the idea of "elite" unit designation as all Marines are elite <grin> Wolfhag |
| deadhead | 28 Jul 2023 12:57 p.m. PST |
I have never been too sure about Elite units in wartime. It depletes the line infantry of the most experienced NCOs, when mass counts. Peacetime is different. If anyone is to hang from a rope outside the Iranian Embassy, while I am a hostage within, I want those guys in black, who are an elite. Funny thing though. Princess' Gate, the "terrorists" back then were the Kurds whom we now back against those nasty Iranians and Syrians (but not the Turks of course, cos they are NATO.) Strange world |
gets his hands on some fields and fences.