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A Perfect Hell: The True Story of the Black Devils, the Forefathers of the Special Forces
It’s 1942 and Hitler’s armies stand astride Europe like a colossus. Germany is winning on every front. This is the story of how one of the world’s first commando units, put together for the invasion of Norway, helped turn the tide in Italy.
1942 . When the British generals recommend an audacious plan to parachute a small elite commando unit into Norway in a bid to put Nazi Germany on the defensive, Winston Churchill is intrigued. But Britain, fighting for its life, can’t spare the manpower to participate. So William Lyon MacKenzie King is contacted and asked to commit Canadian troops to the bold plan. King, determined to join Roosevelt and Churchill as an equal leader in the Allied war effort, agrees.
One of the world’s first commando units, the First Special Service Force, or FSSF, is assembled from hand-picked soldiers from Canadian and American regiments. Any troops sent into Norway will have to be rugged, self-sufficient, brave, and weather-hardened. Canada has such men in ample supply.
The all-volunteer FSSF comprises outdoorsmen — trappers, rangers, prospectors, miners, loggers. Assembled at an isolated base in Helena, Montana, and given only five months to train before the invasion, they are schooled in parachuting, mountain climbing, cross-country skiing, and cold-weather survival. They are taught how to handle explosives, how to operate nearly every field weapon in the American and German arsenals, and how to kill with their bare hands.
After the Norway plan is scrapped, the FSSF is dispatched to Italy and given its first test — to seize a key German mountain-top position which had repelled the brunt of the Allied armies for over a month. In a reprise of the audacity and careful planning that won Vimy Ridge for the Canadians in WWI, the FSSF takes the twin peaks Monte la Difensa and Monte la Remetanea by storming the supposedly unscalable rock face at the rear of the German position, and opens the way through the mountains.
Later, the FSSF will hold one-quarter of the Anzio beachhead against a vastly superior German force for ninety-nine days; a force of only 1,200 commandos does the work of a full division of over 17,000 troops. Though badly outnumbered, the FSSF takes the fight to the Germans, sending nighttime patrols behind enemy lines and taking prisoners. It is here that they come to be known among the dispirited Germans as Schwartzer Teufel (“Black Devils”) for their black camouflage face-paint and their terrifying tactic of appearing out of the darkness.
John Nadler vividly captures the savagery of the Italian campaign, fought as it was at close quarters and with desperate resolve, and the deeply human experiences of the individual men called upon to fight it. Based on extensive archival research and interviews with veterans, A Perfect Hell is an important contribution to Canadian military history and an indispensable account of the lives and battlefield exploits of the men who turned the tide of the Second World War.
1942 . When the British generals recommend an audacious plan to parachute a small elite commando unit into Norway in a bid to put Nazi Germany on the defensive, Winston Churchill is intrigued. But Britain, fighting for its life, can’t spare the manpower to participate. So William Lyon MacKenzie King is contacted and asked to commit Canadian troops to the bold plan. King, determined to join Roosevelt and Churchill as an equal leader in the Allied war effort, agrees.
One of the world’s first commando units, the First Special Service Force, or FSSF, is assembled from hand-picked soldiers from Canadian and American regiments. Any troops sent into Norway will have to be rugged, self-sufficient, brave, and weather-hardened. Canada has such men in ample supply.
The all-volunteer FSSF comprises outdoorsmen — trappers, rangers, prospectors, miners, loggers. Assembled at an isolated base in Helena, Montana, and given only five months to train before the invasion, they are schooled in parachuting, mountain climbing, cross-country skiing, and cold-weather survival. They are taught how to handle explosives, how to operate nearly every field weapon in the American and German arsenals, and how to kill with their bare hands.
After the Norway plan is scrapped, the FSSF is dispatched to Italy and given its first test — to seize a key German mountain-top position which had repelled the brunt of the Allied armies for over a month. In a reprise of the audacity and careful planning that won Vimy Ridge for the Canadians in WWI, the FSSF takes the twin peaks Monte la Difensa and Monte la Remetanea by storming the supposedly unscalable rock face at the rear of the German position, and opens the way through the mountains.
Later, the FSSF will hold one-quarter of the Anzio beachhead against a vastly superior German force for ninety-nine days; a force of only 1,200 commandos does the work of a full division of over 17,000 troops. Though badly outnumbered, the FSSF takes the fight to the Germans, sending nighttime patrols behind enemy lines and taking prisoners. It is here that they come to be known among the dispirited Germans as Schwartzer Teufel (“Black Devils”) for their black camouflage face-paint and their terrifying tactic of appearing out of the darkness.
John Nadler vividly captures the savagery of the Italian campaign, fought as it was at close quarters and with desperate resolve, and the deeply human experiences of the individual men called upon to fight it. Based on extensive archival research and interviews with veterans, A Perfect Hell is an important contribution to Canadian military history and an indispensable account of the lives and battlefield exploits of the men who turned the tide of the Second World War.
398 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 10, 2011
"A Perfect Hell" is a well written book detailing the creation of the First Special Service Force in World War II. As part of the lineage of modern day Special Forces, this unit is fascinating. The book begins with a detailed description of the creation of a hybrid U.S. and Canadian force specialized in arctic warfare during an especially bleak period of the war. It then details their brutal training and the period when the unit was caught in limbo.
The baptism by fire of the unit was in fierce fighting in Italy. Upper echelons still did not truly believe in capabilities of the unit, but the Germans did once they faced them in battle. The book then describes what happened to surviving members of the 1st SSF including the founder, Colonel Robert Frederick. Illustrated with maps and genuine photographs, "A Perfect Hell: The True Story of the Black Devils, the Forefathers of the Special Forces" is a must read for anyone who enjoys WW-II history or military history in general.
The baptism by fire of the unit was in fierce fighting in Italy. Upper echelons still did not truly believe in capabilities of the unit, but the Germans did once they faced them in battle. The book then describes what happened to surviving members of the 1st SSF including the founder, Colonel Robert Frederick. Illustrated with maps and genuine photographs, "A Perfect Hell: The True Story of the Black Devils, the Forefathers of the Special Forces" is a must read for anyone who enjoys WW-II history or military history in general.
February 27, 2023
An impressive narration of an incredible group of people. Despite being definitely written as an honor to the armed forces, this books contains an incredible amount of cited quotes, dated pictures, and current interviews. In addition, the cadence of the story remains impressively attention-grabbing throughout, and provides a clear story while still offering breaks from blocks of text with pictures, quotes, and interesting facts.
March 4, 2019
An interesting an informative read. The FSSF was a unique force with a leader on par with the legendary David Sterling who founded the SAS. It's achievements were unfortunately overshadowed by the better known Darby's Rangers. This is a well written account that gives the force the respect it is due.
January 5, 2023
My dad was, first, a Darby’s Ranger. He was at the battle for Cisterna, survived, and was absorbed into the FSSF. Although he didn’t train at Helena, he attended a few reunions of the Force there. This book has quite a bit about Darby’s Rangers, in addition to all its info on the Force. I wish I had asked him more about his war experiences before he passed away.
July 7, 2019
Descriptive and detailed a story of the Allied Special Forces unit formed with US and CDN men. Plenty of of personal accounts , personalities, achievements and failures of the unit. Decent stuff. Pulls no punches. My cousin gave me this book.
January 31, 2021
Was intrigued with this as I had an Uncle that was one of the Black Devils
January 4, 2014
My Remembrance Day tradition is to read a book about the military or military service, including UN missions as well as viewpoints of civilians in wartime situations.
A Perfect Hell is a fantastic non-fiction account of the combined WWII Canadian and US unit that was one of the first dedicated special ops or 'commando' units in the world; the First Special Service Force. These were the men on whom the movie 'The Devil's Brigade' was based; only they were real people... This book covers not only their battles, but also the selection and training processes they endured. An excellent read.
A Perfect Hell is a fantastic non-fiction account of the combined WWII Canadian and US unit that was one of the first dedicated special ops or 'commando' units in the world; the First Special Service Force. These were the men on whom the movie 'The Devil's Brigade' was based; only they were real people... This book covers not only their battles, but also the selection and training processes they endured. An excellent read.
February 8, 2015
Excellent account of WII Special Forces
I didn't know this outfit existed, as the author said, once it was disbanded, it was forgotten; overshadowed by D-Day. In fact I really haven't read too much on the Italian Campaign at all. But I read of a local (Washington, IN) veteran who was part of the FSSF unit. His daughter was going to DC to accept an honor being presented to the unit. That piqued my interest.
Good read about WWII.
I didn't know this outfit existed, as the author said, once it was disbanded, it was forgotten; overshadowed by D-Day. In fact I really haven't read too much on the Italian Campaign at all. But I read of a local (Washington, IN) veteran who was part of the FSSF unit. His daughter was going to DC to accept an honor being presented to the unit. That piqued my interest.
Good read about WWII.
July 11, 2014
Not the movie...Instead reality...a tough read in many ways, but not because of the writing. Hell captures it, but the honest often comes through that way. Excellent read if you are interested in the history of those awesome WW II soldiers who opened the door to Rome in every sense of the word, the 'Black Devils'. I raise my glass to them and to Nadler for putting it into print. Well done!
November 25, 2008
11/2/08 Uggh. This is a somewhat painful read. It is more a list of events than a story. I'd recommend only for the hardcore. In retrospect, I garnered most everything of interest from reading the title.
January 16, 2012
If WW11 history is your thing, this is an enjoyable and very informative read. John Nadler has really brought the history of the American/Canadian commandos to life. Its also a real compliment to the Canadians who fought in this war.
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September 16, 2017What an amazing group of men...American & Canadian. To think this is where special forces got their start & it was the beginning of some amazing stories of heroism.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews