Our next-door neighbor when I was growing up was a member of this outfit. I remember him telling my dad the story about how he got the big scar he had on his leg. A mortar round landed near him and shrapnel went into his lower leg injuring him bad enough he had to be carried down the mountain on a stretcher. The stretcher was being carried by two German prisoners and at some point one of them lost his grip causing it and my neighbor to fall to the ground. One of the other Americans told the German if that happens again you're a dead man. Sure enough he dropped it again and as promised was shot dead.
 Our neighbor said he kinda felt bad for the guy because he knew they were cold, tired and hungry, but he never said that out loud.
 Rex Wilmath Huggins was his name and he was a great guy who often, to the dismay of his wife, allowed all of us neighbor kids to swim in their pool in the summertime. I didn't realize it until I was older and Rex had passed away, but he was so happy to see us kids living a carefree life  and I know it was because of what he went through. I wish I could thank him for his service and for treating us kids like family. He was a sharp, kind, successful and friendly guy. God bless him and everyone else who has put on the uniform in defense of our great country.

In Italy the Force wore mountain trousers and jump boots.

My dad's cousin was captured in 1942 in N. Africa. Prisoner in Italy, he escaped and lived in the hills for months. He was freed only months before this battle.  I still have the telegram sent to my grandfather from his brother telling him that Luther was back with Allied troops. That telegram is dated July 8, 1943.

My Grandfather was a Canadian Member of The First Special Service Force (The Black Devil's). Palmer O Griffiths Hq Det 1st Rgt. December 25,1924- March 29,2008

This answered a question I’ve wondered about,Storie Road in Winnipeg.

The Force captured three mountains and were assaulting the fourth when they were pulled back.That battle lasted 4 weeks.

2 of the Von Trapp boys ( from the sound of music) were 2 original members

My dad was in the Force. He was very proud of these men. Worked behind the scenes on the movie. He was one of only a few still serving in the military and they sent him as a tech advisor teaching the extras Canadian drill, uniform details etc. He had quite a life.

Forgot to mention Mt Majo.

My father was in the Deils Brigade

In that  month long battle that started with Monte La Difensa, the Force assaulted and captured three mountains.They were assaulting the fourth when they were withdrawn.  500 walked off that mountain.They made it possible to advance on Rome. The special forces,the Delta Force,and the SEALS to this day use their training techniques and tactics . In December of1944 their colors were buried with honors,and resurrected in 1950 as the  First Special Forces Group.

The first special forces was the  SAS in Egypt during WW2. Fact.

Garand thumb came from closing the bolt during inspection when it was empty not while loading it!

The Green Berets,the Delta Force, the Navy Seals all use the Forces training and tactics today.

I believe they already saw action at Anzio before fighting in the mountains, not as this video suggests,

They were the Force.That black devil name came from the press.

Mydad was a member of the Devils Birgade

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Who are the Black Devile's? My best friend's dad was an original member of the Devil's Brigade. The Germans gave them the name of The Devils Brigade. The were never called the Black Devils. And they were the first Special Forces period. A combination of Canadian and U S forces. The movie is true to the book and tells how the unit almost got disbanded. They were the tip of the spear during the invasion of Italy. The book is a good read. This history clip is so inaccurate I couldn't begin to correct it.

VERY MUCH OMITTED IMPORTANT INFORMATION PRESENTED IN A VERY MISLEADING PRESENTATION.