Black Devils
While channel-surfing last week, I came across a movie that featured a bunch of military men, but what stopped me from turning the channel was the stunning scenery that surrounded them. It turns out that the movie was “The Devil’s Brigade,” and it is a dramatization of the creation and deployment of the First Special Service during WWII. The FSS was the forerunner for our modern-day “special forces” units such as the Navy SEALS. It was created by integrating the toughest American and Canadian troops, and dropping them at Fort Harrison near Helena so that they could train in the harsh mountains and climate of Montana, thereby preparing them for anything. The Devil’s Brigade soldiers were also known as the “Black Devils,” because of the black camouflage the soldiers painted on their faces for covert night operations. The missions that the soldiers performed - the hazards that they faced - were pivotal to Allied success. Flash-forward to 2006: the 60th anniversary reunion of the First Special Service was held in Helena last week, and it may be the last time that the remaining members gather to commemorate their historic unit.
August 21st, 2006 at 9:43 pm
There’s a stretch of highway between here and Canada named after these men. And many of the men, I’ve read, fell in love with Montana (and girls who were from here) that after the war, they came here to live.
October 5th, 2006 at 9:46 pm
How sad that theese brave servicemen of Canada and USA
are denied their very existance of heroic prportions.
My government(CANADA) refuses to allow any information
regarding theese troops.
I would surely love some info.
October 6th, 2006 at 4:59 pm
Well there is information out there, Jack. I wasn’t aware of the United States Military denying their existence. For example, here’s a website about them. And this US Military website out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky - acknowledges them. They are credited to being the first Special Forces group.
So maybe it’s the Canadian government - yet you cannot deny that people aren’t aware of them. The Canadian government named a highway after these brave men. That tells you something.
November 11th, 2006 at 10:01 pm
The Canadian government has not refused any information regarding the Devils Brigade.
You might be confusing this with the the current Canadian special forces group (JTF2) that the government refuses to discuss. (for obvious reasons)
With respect to the movie, it is so typical hollywood. It portrays the Americans as being a bunch of hoodlums with very little intelligence and the Canadians as the best of the best of the Canadian army. The truth is members of the force be it American or Canadian were all volunteers and they were among the best of both the Canadian and American forces.
I’m not sure why the movie does this, is it a slight against the Americans or the Canadians…guess it doesn’t really matter. Fact is they were an elite fighting machine who achieved every objective and were an intregal part of WW2…this is not to take away from the regular Canadian or American forces, or the British, French, Australian or any other country that sent men to fight for our freedom.
They all deserve our respect and gratitude for without one the rest may not have been successful.
February 16th, 2007 at 5:11 pm
My dad was a Black Devil. He passed away back in 1994. As a child I attended the annual reunions with both my dad and mom that took place in Canada and the U.S. alternating every year. As I have grown older my interest in this history of my father has grown. I too am very proud of the accomplishments of this elite force ( first of the Special Forces).
April 18th, 2007 at 2:06 am
Thank You
May 21st, 2007 at 4:03 am
My Uncle John Vezina was a Black devil,His daughetr seen a book with his name seemed like it was a regimental history,she just happenened to be at the Algonquen Hotel in St.Andrews N.B. Canandaand there was a reunion at the time.I would like to know about this book I,m thinking this was a Canadian book but maybe not. It’s a shame that the Canadian Gov. has newer given these men the honor they are so desering of. Our boys were the best and will always be. Lest we forget.
February 14th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
My great uncle just passed away in Jan. 2008 and he was an American soldier in the Devil’s Brigade.
February 15th, 2008 at 12:56 am
Mike, I salute your great-uncle. His service was and is appreciated…especially being part of such a unique unit. May he rest in peace.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
Hey I just had an uncle who passed away in january who was one the brigade. I was just wondering if this mike is related to me also or if someone else. The name of my uncle was Glen Everson. Great man. I’ll miss him.
January 25th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
My mother’s maiden name was Guerin. Her first cousin, James Emmett Guerin was in the FSSF and was lilled May 28th 1944 near Rome. He was from Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. Does anyone know why our Canadian gov’t doesn’t or has fully recognized these men? They were amazing, American and Canadian alike.