The best "specialforces" of ww2.
The best "specialforces" of ww2.
What's your opionion about the best "specialforces" of world war II.
Mine's sure the finnish ErP4 longrange patrols.
Mine's sure the finnish ErP4 longrange patrols.
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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).
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).
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.
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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- Oleg Grigoryev
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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.
Andy from the Shire
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.
Andy from the Shire
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sf
US Army Alamo Scouts may have the best record of the war.
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