The best "specialforces" of ww2.

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anttii
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The best "specialforces" of ww2.

#1

Post by anttii » 12 Nov 2002, 00:46

What's your opionion about the best "specialforces" of world war II.
Mine's sure the finnish ErP4 longrange patrols.

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Christian Ankerstjerne
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#2

Post by Christian Ankerstjerne » 12 Nov 2002, 01:02

The Waffen-SS (although a bit large for special forces) or the Fallschirmjägere)

Christian


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Oleg Grigoryev
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#3

Post by Oleg Grigoryev » 12 Nov 2002, 09:26

Christian Ankerstjerne wrote:The Waffen-SS (although a bit large for special forces) or the Fallschirmjägere)

Christian
I think he means commando like units - I don't think that SS would qualify -well except for the Scorzeny boys. Same goes for the para.

Joshua Keppler
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#4

Post by Joshua Keppler » 12 Nov 2002, 14:49

In my opinion, there were no special forces in WW II in the way we perceive special forces of nowadays. For instance, the American Rangers in Afghanistan are considered today "special forces", yet, we can't say the same thing about the American Rangers on Omaha beach, back in '44.
Also, the American Airborne Divisions (82 & 101) are likely to be considered rather "special units" of the Army, not "special forces". The same go for the German para. During WW II there were, indeed, some "foreruners" of the nowadays "special forces" ("Skorzeny" unit and the mighty Brittish commandos in N Africa & Burma, specialized in guerilla warfare, missions deep behind enemy lines and rescue operations - i.e. Mussolini rescue). However, we can't make a poll regarding "the best special forces" of WW II, as these units operated in totally different area of operations (European theatre, African theatre and Asian theatre).

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Harri
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#5

Post by Harri » 12 Nov 2002, 16:35

There are two sides on special forces: scouting/reconnaissance and guerrilla/"hitting" activity. If these both must be included to a special forces unit I would say British SAS is very high. I think Commandoes were effective too but more just a "hitting force".

Finnish Special Detachments and later Er.P 4 (Separate Battalion 4) were for sure among the best guerrilla units in the WW II. German Brandenburgers used Finnish trainers (NCOs) in 1942 when they carried out their "canoe raid" to Murmansk railroad.

NATO used volunteer Finnish guerrillas after the WW II when they needed trained guerrillas and experts for land reconnaissance in Murmansk region. Also lots of Finnish officers served in US Special Forces after the war the most famous being perhaps Captain Lauri Törni alias Larry Thorne (although he was not from Er.P 4).

Most Partisans (although being part of armed forces) and resistance groups could be counted to another category because they attacked also against civilian targets and too many committed war crimes.

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David Lehmann
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#6

Post by David Lehmann » 12 Nov 2002, 23:13

In my opinion the British created the concept of special forces and commandos and were the best in that task.

David

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Oleg Grigoryev
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#7

Post by Oleg Grigoryev » 12 Nov 2002, 23:14

Panzermeyer wrote:In my opinion the British created the concept of special forces and commandos and were the best in that task.

David
actually I believ OSNAZ NKVD precided them

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Daniel L
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#8

Post by Daniel L » 12 Nov 2002, 23:20

S.A.S.

regards

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Andy H
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#9

Post by Andy H » 12 Nov 2002, 23:25

From William Seymours British Special Forces from WW2 to Present, he lists the following

Commandos
The Special Boat Section
The Special Air Service (SAS)
The Long Range Deset Group (LRDG)
The Special Boat Squadron (SBS)
Royal Marine Special Forces-Force Viper & Royal Marine Boom Patrol Detachment & Detachment 385, which all served in the Far East against Japan.

:D Andy from the Shire

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Oleg Grigoryev
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#10

Post by Oleg Grigoryev » 12 Nov 2002, 23:25

just so that there is no misunderstanding what does "best" stands for here? best equiped, most efficient, favorite?

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Oleg Grigoryev
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#11

Post by Oleg Grigoryev » 12 Nov 2002, 23:30

Blood on the Shores: Soviet Seals in World War II
by Viktor Leonov, James F. Gebhardt (Translator)



Commandos from the Sea: Soviet Naval Spetsnaz in World War II(Naval Institute Special Warfare Series)

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Sam H.
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#12

Post by Sam H. » 12 Nov 2002, 23:44

How about the Italian frogmen? They were certainly one of the few bright spots for Italian armed forces in general.

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Andy H
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#13

Post by Andy H » 12 Nov 2002, 23:53

Could Air units such as 617 Sqn of the RAF be counted as Special Forces in a general fashion?

Homer martin
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sf

#14

Post by Homer martin » 13 Nov 2002, 00:11

US Army Alamo Scouts may have the best record of the war.

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Christian Ankerstjerne
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#15

Post by Christian Ankerstjerne » 13 Nov 2002, 00:14

I would rate the Commandos high too. The LRDG were good too, but with a limited geographical use ;)

I have to agree with Oleg as well, that 'best' must be defined better...

Christian

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