Also Known As - 'The Devil's Brigade'

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=feature...ackgrounders/special

http://www.groups.sfahq.com/fssf/history.htm


http://ca.wrs.yahoo.com/;_ylt=AgvCjQahnVzUIsZQ1xKFOh7rF...heblackdevils.com%2F

I thought that the first special forces were developped by the German army in 1915 . These were the first "Sturmtrupen". They had to get into enemy lines during an assault and sabotage machinegunpositions and so on. Later in WW2 they were integrated in the squad-system and were still called "Sturmtrupen" but were almost only used with massive tank attacks by sending them to positions with possible anti-tank defence.

I thought the SAS were the first. They were formed in Africa to target airfeilds and kraut supply lines.

i was going to make a serious response to this post until a large black crow flew into my room through my open window, circled, doubled back and flew straight out again! justifiably so i am at a loss for words.

The first more-or-less Official 'special forces' of the (relatively) modern age was the formation of the unit that is now known as Britain's 'Royal Green Jackets'.

The formation of a special unit was in response to General Braddock's defeat by the French and Indians in North America.

Formed in 1775, the new regiment was called the 60th Royal Americans. The scarlet jackets, rigid European-warfare formations, weighted-down-with-kit soldiers and Euro-war tactics of the time had all contributed to Braddock's loss.

New ideas of how to fight in close, heavily forested country were developed by the a Lieutenant-Colonel Bouquet. (A Swiss serving with the British 1/60.)

He dressed his men in buckskin and homespun clothing dyed dark green or brown, with black horn buttons.

Light equipment, simple drills, and open formations were developed. Mobility, marksmanship, alertness, concealment, and initiative were stressed.

The new methods, what is today 'irregular warfare' used by the world's special forces, proved extremely effective in subsequent engagements.

By 1814 the 60th had 8 battalions - more than any other unit in the British Army. Although they were all disbanded in 1816.

In 1797, the 5/60th was armed with the new Baker Rifle, and issued with green jackets.

To make them even more unlike the rest of the Army, they substituted bugle calls for the drum rolls used to direct movement.
They ceased to carry Colours, and abandoned the by-the-numbers style of marching, etc & etc.

Used as the first true light infantry, their primary role was scouting and skirmishing.

In 1800, a Colonel Coote Manningham raised the Experimental Corps of Riflemen from the pick of 15 Regiments. ALL were armed with the Baker Rifle and their training and tactics were the same as any current soldier's: Camouflage, concealment, accurate shootings, effective use of ground cover, speed of movement, and use of initiative by all ranks.

Similarly, 'good management' and humanity tempered the harsh discipline of the times.

This unit became known as the Rifle Corps.

In 1803. General Sir John Moore formed and trained the Light Brigade at Shorncliffe, to which was added the Experimental Corps, by this point called the 95th (Rifles) Regiment.

The 95th Rifles were grouped with the 43rd and 52nd Foot under Moore, and the whole lot renamed the 95th (Rifle) Regiment.

The end result of those efforts is this:

Everything we assume of modern special forces (The best men, trained in special tactics, with special weapons, for special irregular warfare missions) all comes down to us from that source.

Of course, anyone wanting to nitpick could take things back to those clever lads hiding in the Trojan Horse...


So far as modern-era 'storm troops' go, the British used Canadians as shock troops in the First World War because we innovated things the French and Belgians and British never considered. Like Trench Raids for instance.
And the Germans responded in kind as a result.

It may come as shock to some, but here's a few more things from WW 1 alone that Canada innovated but which is now standard military practice worldwide: http://www.canlead.com/Vimy_Article.htm

The battle being discussed (Vimy Ridge) is to the Brits part of the Arras Road Battles.
It's significant because it was the first actual Allied victory of the war.

For more on that, here's a primer on Vimy:
http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=memoria...omb/thetomb/vimyback

English-American rangers of King Phillip's war and the French and Indian war predate the 60th Royal Americans.

http://www.ranger.org/history.html

Church's Rangers do indeed pre-date it.
But it was born of the same era/circumstances/necessity.

For historical continuity, however, the 60th 'outlasted' Church's Rangers.
Those Rangers of that era were what would nowadays be called 'theatre-specific.' Ie: Formed and raised in response to specific requirements of the theatre of war they operated in. And deployed only domestically, in-theatre.

The 60th is able to trace an unbroken history having survived through the all various permutations, amalgamations, reorganizations and changes in unit names and designations from '60th Royal Americans' to the Royal Green Jackets of present day.

It was employed globally by Britain in all it's various forms: in North America; in the expedition to Copenhagen to seize the Danish fleet; in India; in South America; in the Peninsular War (Spain and Portugal) of the Napoleonic Wars; in Flanders and in France; etc.

And through other wars of the 1800's (In the Crimean War alone they earned 8 of the 61 Victoria Crosses awarded, more than any other unit); through the Boer War of the early 1900's through the First and Second World Wars.

As such, it's had more impact on what are today's special forces than other similar units of other countries.

That's right (I haven't heard of them, but I'm sure that in the evolution of warfare they played a significant developmental role).

I was really just talking about this:
Everything we assume of modern special forces (The best men, trained in special tactics, with special weapons, for special irregular warfare missions) all comes down to us from that source.

There are simultaneous and unrelated occurences of said characteristics found in modern special warfare units; All of which provide the background of current Special Forces, though for different units.

quote:

Originally posted by DarkAutumn:
The first more-or-less Official 'special forces' of the (relatively) modern age was the formation of the unit that is now known as Britain's 'Royal Green Jackets'.

Hey, there was a mini fictional series following the green jackets it was kind of like Band of Brothers. It was a about 10 episodes all an hour long.

It was called Sharpe The main characeter was played by Sean Bean (played 006 in Goldeneye). Check it out if you can. I'm not sure if you can get it across the pond as it was a UK production, i should not see why not though.

Darkautumn - you'll probably like it

I had a good laugh when you mentioned Sharpe.
I'm surprised at myself for not bringing it up sooner.

Sharpe's one of my most favourite things EVER.
(I've a passion for the Napoleonic Era and the books bring it to life quite well.)

The Canadian version of the History Channel shows the movies from time to time. (And I'm reasonably certain I've seen them all but wish there were more.)

Of trivia interest are some of the now-famous starlets who were various love interests.
(Like Elizabeth Hurley for instance.)

I've all the Bernard Cornwell 'Sharpe' novels to date, and read much of his other work too.

I've also got the 'Sharpe Companion' books by Mark Adkin that give the actual historical background to the battles/places/events/etc of the books.

It's great fun stuff and thanks for mentioning it. Perhaps others will take an interest now.

Yeah it is good. I did not like it much untill i got it on DVD for my brother for xmas - cost me 90 bloody quid.

I watched most of them, some great action in it. Some of them can drag on a bit though. Its a bit the like orginal BoB

Quite right it's like Bob in it's own way.
Love that 'Over the Hills and Far Away' song of the 95th too.

And you think you paid alot THERE?
You should see what they want for it over HERE.

Same for an 80's Britcom called 'The Young Ones'. Cost over a hundred dollars Canadian to order it direct from the UK.

Ahhh "the young ones" another great british classic its a no BS sitcom and it paved the way for "Bottom".

Hey whats the exchange rate there i know that £1 = $1.80 (US)i think, the pound is stronger then ever, yet companies charge us higher. Theres where the term "rip off Britian" comes from.

The exchange rate is:

1 Canadian dollar = 0.445703 Pounds.
1 Pound = $2.24 Canadian.

Which is why my wife hates when I buy British.

In real world terms: Breakfast in London cost a brotherinlaw of mine $43 Cdn. a few months ago.

There was a bit of a to-do held in Helene, Montana (Home of 1st SSF) not long ago:

http://www.epspipeband.ca/Helena.htm

quote:

Originally posted by DarkAutumn:
The first more-or-less Official 'special forces' of the (relatively) modern age was the formation of the unit that is now known as Britain's 'Royal Green Jackets'.

The formation of a special unit was in response to General Braddock's defeat by the French and Indians in North America.

Formed in 1775, the new regiment was called the 60th Royal Americans. The scarlet jackets, rigid European-warfare formations, weighted-down-with-kit soldiers and Euro-war tactics of the time had all contributed to Braddock's loss.

Pre-dating 1775 was the formation of "Rogers Rangers' in 1755, by Robert Rogers, for service in the French and Indian War (1754-1763). Rogers was placed in charge of all colonial Ranger companies in 1758.

The Rangers wore distinctive green clothing and developed tactics called "Rogers' Ranging Rules", tactics which are still in use today.

Rogers' Rangers took part in General James Wolfe's expedition against Quebec in 1759, and in the Montreal campaign of 1760. The Rangers were later sent by General Jeffrey Amherst to take possession of the northwestern posts, including Detroit. In 1763 the Rangers were in the West again, during Pontiac's War (1763-64), and they participated in the Battle of Bloody Bridge.

When Rogers offered his help to George Washington during the American Revolution, Washington refused, fearing that Rogers was a loyalist spy. Rogers openly joined the British and organized and commanded the Queen's Rangers, which saw service in areas around New York City, and later created the King's Rangers.

At the end of the revolution, the Rangers moved north to Canada, and have been a part of the British/Canadian Army ever since. Today, the unit is a part of the Canadian Army Reserve in the Toronto area, and are known as the "Queen's York Rangers (The First American Regiment)".

A history of the Queen's York Rangers can be found at http://www.army.dnd.ca/Queens_Own_York_Rangers/qy_rang/qyrhist_e.htm

is this the british/canadian cordial thread........

im ok then cause im a limey

interesting reading on the early special forces thing,obviously most things were invented by britian because it ruled half of the world at 1 time,armies were needed to keep the empire in good shape