The Force: The Legendary Special Ops Unit and WWII's Mission Impossible

by Saul David

A riveting WWII narrative about the group of elite US and Canadian soldiers -- mountainmen, lumberjacks, hunters, and explorers -- who sacrificed everything to accomplish a crucial but nearly impossible mission.

In December of 1943, as Nazi forces sprawled around the world and the future of civilization hung in the balance, a group of highly trained U.S. and Canadian soldiers from humble backgrounds was asked to do the impossible: capture a crucial Nazi stronghold perched atop stunningly steep cliffs. The men were a rough-and-ready group, assembled from towns nested in North America's most unforgiving terrain, where many of them had struggled through the Great Depression relying on canny survival skills and the fearlessness of youth. Brought together by the promise to take part in the military's most elite missions, they formed a unique brotherhood tested first by the crucible of state-of-the-art training-including skiing, rock climbing, and parachuting-and then tragically by the vicious fighting they would face.

The early battle in the Italian theatre for the strategic fort cost the heroic U.S.-Canadian commando unit-their first special forces unit ever assembled-enormous casualties. Yet the victory put them in position to continue their drive into Italy, setting the stage for the Allies' resurgence toward victory in WWII. The unit, with its vast range of capabilities and mission-specific exercises, became a model for the "Green Berets" and other special forces groups that would go on to accomplish America's most challenging undertakings behind enemy lines.

Following this intimate group of soldiers from recruitment through brutal training and into their baptism by fire in Italy, where the outcome of their raid was secured only at enormous cost, The Force describes how these too-often forgotten heroes managed a string of incredible feats with strategic importance to WWII. Knitting first-hand accounts seamlessly into the narrative-drawing on interviews with surviving members and their families; the memoirs, letters, and diaries of Forcemen; and declassified documents in the American, Canadian, British, and German archives -- The Force tells a story that is as deeply personal as it is inspiring.

Genres: History, Military Fiction, World War II, War, Nonfiction, Military History, American History

360 pages, Hardcover

First published September 3, 2019

About the author

SAUL DAVID was born in Monmouth in 1966 and educated at Ampleforth College and Edinburgh and Glasgow Universities (History MA and PhD).

An expert in the wars of the Victorian period, he began writing his first history book when he was twenty-five and has since completed eight more. They include: The Homicidal Earl: The Life of Lord Cardigan (1997), a critically-acclaimed biography of the man who led the Charge of the Light Brigade; The Indian Mutiny:1857 (2002), shortlisted for the Westminster Medal for Military Literature; Zulu: The Heroism and Tragedy of the Zulu War of 1879 (2004), a Waterstone's Military History Book of the Year; and the bestselling Victoria's Wars: The Rise of Empire (2006). In 2007 he signed a three book deal with Hodder & Stoughton to write a series of historical novels set in the late Victorian period. The first, Zulu Hart, was published on 5 March 2009 to critical acclaim with The Times describing it as a 'rattling good yarn' with 'a compelling, sexy hero who could give Cornwell's Sharpe a run for his money'. He is currently writing a history of the British Army.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Nonfiction WWII - Military History. This wasn't quite 3 stars for me, but I don't mind rounding up for the history part of this. The jacket cover and even the title sounded like the book I wanted to read. For me though, the promises fell a little short. This was slow going. I liked that it was focused on each individual, but that part felt overworked for me and a tad bit on the wordy side.

[LaMar Stellfox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I previously read Saul David's Operation Thunderbolt and found it quite good and extremely readable. When I saw that he published a new history of the FSSF, I was all in. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and its many quotes from former Forcemen both US and Canadian. It allowed me to see, as much as possible, the make up of the men that made up this unique and incredible unit. It is also the most complete history of the Force as I have happened to read. However, I feel that perhaps the author stopped short by not including some more detail about the Force's actions in Anzio and France. Maybe it would have been a little too redundant, but some would have filled out the history and made the book that much more interesting. All in all, I find that I enjoy Mr. David's style of writing history and it is a great add to my library.

[Barry Davidoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on the formation of the 1st Special Services Force during World War II. The Force was a specially trained unit that truly combined American and Canadian soldiers in a combined unit. The Force was composed of loggers, trappers, and other rugged outdoors men. They were specially trained in commando techniques. The Force was the forerunner of the Green Berets and other special forces groups.
It was originally conceived as a group that would fight as commandos in snow covered areas of Norway, the Balkans and Italy. The Force was commanded by Robert Fredrick who became at 37 the second youngest Major General during World War II. (The more famous Jim Gavin of the 82nd Airborne was only 8 days younger.)
The Forces were a strategic resource that the Combined Chiefs of Staff as well as Churchill and Roosevelt argued about its deployment. After it was sent to the Aleutians the Force was sent to Italy to attack a stronghold at Difensa at the peak of a group of hills. The Force seized Difensa despite a difficult climb with full equipment and superior German strength. The Force was so devastating that they were termed the "Devils Brigade"
The author weaves an intriguing book combining personal vignettes about the men and their training with views by the highest levels of the military of how they would be used. Over half the book concerns their training and selection. The author's style is absorbing and is a nice mix of vignettes and combat reports. The book makes excellent reading without getting bogged down in individual actions which frequently mar military history books.
Mr. David could have written more about later actions of the Force. For example the Force landed on the Riviera and participated in Operation Dragoon. The Forces actions during the Champagne Campaign would have been fascinating, but perhaps there will be a very anticipated sequel to "The Force"

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book, providing a detailed history of the creation, training, and initial combat operations of the First Special Service Force, aka The Devil’s Brigade, a combined US-Canadian special operation unit of WWII. Started as a concept within Mountbatten’s Combined Operations Command to land a well trained and specially equipped force in Norway to open a “northern front” against the Germans, the project was transferred to the American Army in early 1942. But its British origins resulted in a substantial number of Canadians joining the force. The story follows the development of the unit through the byzantine layers of America’s rapid WWII expansion and allied resource squabbling. The recruitment of volunteers familiar with outdoor life in cold mountainous areas and with a long period of cutting edge training left it with many employment options. Eventually, after much wrangling between the allies, the unit ended up in Italy. It introduced a large special forces unit to the allied army fighting through the mountain areas south of Rome and set the scene for one of the most daring infantry assaults of WWII. The author, Saul David, is one of my favorites. He is able to present the bureaucratic fights amongst allied commanders in the same animated style as he does the combat action sequences, making for a very enjoyable read. The book’s only drawback was in spending too much time on the preparation for combat and not enough on the unit’s full combat history. But then again, considering it’s unique character and development, that is probably the more important story to tell. Highly recommended for those wanting to know more about a unique WWII commando unit and the nature of cooperation at the nuts-and-bolts level between the Americans and British.

[Michael Kerr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book illuminates how the First Special Service Force came to be created. Its surprising roots came from Churchill and Mountbatten's romantic, if half-baked notions of creating a secret unit that could operate freely behind the lines in Norway using a snow machine yet to be invented, and transported to their destination in ways yet to be determined. In the event, the Force distinguished itself in Italy and in Southern France. The details of how this unique Canadian and American unit came to be are interesting, to be sure, but the narrative ends just after their first major battle (a doozy) at Monte la Difensa. Their legendary exploits at Anzio, their arrival in Rome, and then their foray into Southern France are barely mentioned.

[Charles Inglin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the First Special Service Force, a combined American-Canadian unit, from inception to its first combat, seizing Mount la Difensa in Italy. The style is much like Stephen Ambrose, with lots of comments and reminiscences from the men who were there. One of the more interesting aspects of the story is how the need for the unit arose from an idea of Geoffrey Pyke, the eccentric British scientist who conceived of the idea for a gigantic unsinkable aircraft carrier made of ice. Pyke conceived of a light armored vehicle for traveling over snow which could be used by elite troops to attack targets like hydroelectric plants in Norway or the Romanian mountains. Churchill had a pet plan to invade Norway. The idea for the unit was pitched to the US and Canada, resulting in an agreement that the US would produce the vehicle and provide troops, along with Canada, for the unit. Early in the war commando style units were good for public relations. The result was an elite unit trained in Arctic warfare, skiing, mountain climbing, parachuting, and amphibious operations. Then the problem arose of where to employ them. Churchill still favored an operation in Norway, which the US opposed as a valueless sideshow. They were proposed for the Southwest Pacific, which was completely opposite of their training. They participated in the attack on Kiska island in the Aleutians, but the Japanese had already evacuated. Finally, with the advance up the Italian peninsula bogged down by the German's defensive lines in the mountains the 1stSSF was sent there, where they helped break through the German Winter Line by seizing Mt. la Difensa.
The author then gives a fairly concise accounting of the 1stSSF operations at Anzio and the invasion of Southern France, and its deactivation in Dec. 1944. The need for specialist troops had diminished by that stage of the war and the troops were distributed to other units, Canadians returning to the Canadian army, many Americans going to the 82d and 101st Airborne divisions, and a large number going to an independent infantry regiment which, ironically, at the end of the war, was sent to Norway to assist in repatriating the German occupation forces.

[Jeff Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gritty military history

This is a gritty history about an extraordinary special forces unit made up of Canadian and American volunteers during WWII who went through Herculean high altitude training outside Helena, Montana, rugged men, hyper competitive. The Force’s story, and especially many of the individual men’s story are captured to make this by and large an engaging and entertaining book. This is a story about men who were trained to parachute, ski, climb rock faces by rope, and march long miles with heavy packs, to fight hand to hand with knives and with their bodies, and become expert in shooting multiple machine gun, hand gun, and rifle. And all of these skills in snow and rain, daylight and dark. These were men who came from all parts of North America and became close fighting brothers. This is another story of men accomplishing brave tasks in the face of superior foes and almost impossible terrain and conditions.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well-written book that depicted the origins of one of the first modern special operations units. They had the same problems all special operations units have: strong personalities, complex missions, good leadership, bad leadership, and generals who don't really comprehend what they do. In all this, the unit succeeded. I only had two complaints about the book: (1) They never seem to put maps in these books. It makes it really hard to understand what's going on when reading about a particular combat action and (2) The book made sort of a left turn at Albuquerque. After the big mission described in the book they went and did others and were in the European Theater of Operations for over a year. Some detail on one or more of those subsequent activities would have been appreciated.

[Russel Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable look at the genesis of one of the first true special ops forces in American military history, one that began in tandem with the Canadians. The story of the formation of the unit, with all the domestic and geopolitical drama and bureaucratic turf-warring at play, is well-told, as is the account of training and all the shenanigans that accompanied it. Likewise the story of the battle for Monte la Difensa is riveting. My criticism is that the story of the remaining year or so of the unit's operations, some of which were on par with that battle for intensity, is told quite casually in just a few pages. It could have and perhaps should have been more robust.

[Adam McDade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of the creation and employment of the combined US-Canadian 1st Special Service Force, better know as simply “The Force.” These warriors were specially trained to execute the toughest missions in mountainous and winter environments for WWII. It culminates in their successful raid of fortified German positions at Monte la Difensa in Italy as the Allied Forces pushed North toward Germany. The Force is the precursor of American Green Berets and the Canadian Special Operations Regiment and they certainly set an example to be emulated by future warriors. The history was well-researched and I highly recommend it for anyone interested in WWII history or Special Forces.

[Grant Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling and moving portrait of a unique military unit; the ancestor of today's Special Forces community. As a Canadian who writes, among other things, war fiction, it's always refreshing to see attention paid to the little-heralded efforts of Canada in the Second World War. What's more, David presents an intriguing sociological study of 1940's North American manhood. Loggers, miners, steelworkers, cowboys; these men were already tough before they went through training. It made me reflect on the extent to which comfort has weakened us as a society. An excellent read, even if you aren't into military history; and a must-read if you are.

[Christopher · Rating 3 out of 5]

David uses a lot excellent research but focuses his efforts on the training and the attack on La Difensa leaving much else of the Force's history behind. He does focus on waht was most important, but leaves the turmoil and friction these soldiers overcame without comment with one exception. David does delve into the relief of Colonel Williamson on La Difensa, an event not revealed in much of the literature. Overall, I would say this book is 'popular history' and it is a great story that is exceptionally well written. That said, gave it 3-stars because of the great bibilography and including Williamson's relief.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

A detailed and extensively researched account of the "Devil's Brigade". This WWII fighting force is far more awesome and interesting than the 1968 Hollywood movie by the same name leads you to believe. Reading about the attack on the German defensive line in Italian mountains La Difensa during winter is truly beyond comprehension. And this was just the start of this groups impact on the war. If you are a WWII history buff or just want to expand your understanding of what challenges determined men can accomplish under duress, this is a must read.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of fssf before reading the force.

My favorite parts of the book where when I got to learn about some of the people who were in it. I enjoyed learning about the men there relationships with other force members and their wives and girlfriends, and also some of the things the men did to get themselves in trouble with their commanders.

The parts of the book about the combat that the force was involved in during world war II was also very good.

So I thought the force was a pretty good book about First special service force.

[Ronald Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book of one of the greatest US/Canadian Forces ever assembled.

This well written account of the development of the Special Force is a wonderful history of the first of the special forces. Graphic accounts of training, fighting and personal accounts of battle are not to be missed. This should be required reading for every high school student in the Us and Canada. Both nations would be better for it.

[Halli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe not the best book to initially dive into this subject matter with. I found it wordy, impossible to connect with the men being written about, and just plain boring. I'm not sure who else's hands this would have been relayed as an interactive and compelling read but something is lacking in Saul David's telling.

[Mike Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost unheard of Special Operations group in World War II

Well written, fully researched with some first person descriptions of this very courageous and mixed group of Canadian and American soldiers in WWII. They were the precursors of the current Green Berets.
Worthwhile read. Debunks the movie which was just another Hollywood propaganda war movie.

[Bill Linton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The detailed retelling of the training and the missions of this unit is very well done. Being a former Spec Ops guy myself, I was totally captured by the narrative. I can’t believe I had never heard of these men. Despite their incredible valor, their story has never been told...until now.

[Tommy Hayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I love history and the book was interesting and important, I was between a 3 and 4 star, but perhaps if there had been a few maps and the writing was a little better , though I think it is a good read on the roots of the green berets.

[Mike Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is well written, but it took way too long to get to them in any kind of action. There should’ve been more details about their training and actual battles they were in, and less about them getting into brawls and brothels.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started off strong and then seemed to get lost in a denunciation of General Mark Clark's operations in Italy before meandering back to the actual actions of "The Force." This is a story that deserves to be told and the story is in here, but I wish it was told a bit more clearly. This seems to scream for "Band of Brothers" treatment. I also wish there was more about what happened to these folks after the battle in Italy as well as the strategic importance of that battle to the overall war.

[Sharon Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible story of bravery and logistics from WWII. One cannot even imagine how this attack occured, never mind be a success. The author does a great job of adding personal aneccotes from the soldiers involved or their families

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I really enjoyed it.
I had no previous knowledge of the first special forces unit, The Force.
Delving into the individual soldiers, their lives, and their battles was a great perspective.
They laid their lives all out on the line, in every truest sense.
Inspirational and informative.

[Aaron Lorenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Impressive attention to personal stories and key actors. I felt like got to know the men. Their were a few factual errors and thus the book is definitely not an academic or encyclopedic book. None the less this book is brilliant for anyone who wants a first dip in to the history of the force

[Tim Gillen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting facts . . . A bit dry.

[Mitch Brockman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good history, but not riveting.

[Exequiel R Sevilla Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very special force

Training and execution of an impossible mission by a joint Canadian - American force. Well written tale of combat! Well researched and written

[Victor Liu · Rating 3 out of 5]

The accomplishments covered by the book were phenomenal, yet the book makes them seem boring. Couldn't wait to stop reading it.

[Alex Bowers · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Band of Brothers-esque story, grounded in fact throughout but likewise unceasingly captivating.

[Nick Harriss · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant book, up to the author’s high standards. It gives a rather different view to the movie “The Devil’s Brigade”.