Elite Units That Paved the Way for Modern Special Forces

1st March 2025

4 minutes read

Elite Units That Paved the Way for Modern Special Forces

During World War II, five Special Forces units revolutionized the concept of traditional warfare, laying the foundation for modern special operations forces.

The sacrifices and achievements of these units played a decisive role in shaping the course of the war, and their legacy continues to influence today’s special forces worldwide, according to The Collector, a history-focused publication.

The Black Devils

The special operations unit known as the “Black Devils” was a joint U.S.-Canadian commando force established in 1942.

Specialized in winter and mountain warfare.
Its members were trained to carry out extremely difficult missions in harsh environments.
They were equipped with specialized weapons and gear, such as the V-42 combat knife and the M1941 Johnson light machine gun.
The unit participated in several major combat operations, most notably the Battle of Monte La Difensa in Italy.

At Monte La Difensa, the Black Devils faced a daunting task: storming heavily fortified German positions on rugged, icy mountain peaks. Despite initial estimates that the battle would take several days, they executed an unconventional maneuver, ambushing the enemy from behind and capturing the position within hours.

The Black Devils continued their operations in the Italian Alps, then moved on to Anzio and later France. Their legacy lives on today through the U.S. Army Green Berets and Canada’s Special Operations Regiment (CSOR).

U.S. Marine Raiders

The Marine Raiders were the elite special forces of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) during World War II.

Recognizable by their signature weapon, the Marine Raider Stiletto combat knife.
Conducted special operations in the Pacific to halt Japanese expansion and reclaim occupied islands.

The 1st and 2nd Raider Battalions were involved in key battles, including Guadalcanal.

The 1st Battalion, led by Colonel Edson, launched a night assault on Japanese positions on Tulagi Island, paving the way for the larger Guadalcanal campaign.
Later, Marine Raiders played a crucial role in defending Henderson Airfield, repelling relentless waves of Japanese Banzai attacks in intense combat.

Although the Marine Raiders were disbanded at the end of the war, their combat doctrine was later revived, and their legacy remains embedded in modern U.S. Marine Corps special operations forces.

Special Air Service (SAS)

The Special Air Service (SAS) was one of the most renowned British special forces units of World War II.

Conducted bold sabotage missions and intelligence-gathering operations in North Africa and Europe.
Established in 1941 as a specialized commando force.
Known for unconventional tactics and iconic weapons, including Lewis incendiary bombs and the Fairbairn-Sykes combat knife.

During desert operations, SAS soldiers sometimes disguised themselves in traditional Arab attire, inspired by T.E. Lawrence (“Lawrence of Arabia”), to blend in and carry out guerrilla-style warfare.

SAS operations began in North Africa, targeting German airfields and successfully destroying over 300 enemy aircraft. Their missions extended into Europe, solidifying their reputation as a highly destructive and effective force.

Today, the SAS remains one of the most elite and influential special operations units in the world.

U.S. Army Rangers

The U.S. Army Rangers were a specialized light infantry force trained for special operations, including sabotage, night combat, and long-range reconnaissance patrols.

One of their most legendary achievements was the assault on Pointe du Hoc during the D-Day landings in Normandy.

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Trained in scaling cliffs using ropes and grappling hooks.
Under heavy enemy fire, the Rangers climbed the cliffs and discovered that the German artillery they were tasked with destroying had been relocated.
Despite this, they located and demolished the artillery emplacements using thermite grenades.

The success of the Rangers at Normandy was critical in opening the way for the Allied advance. Today, the U.S. Army Rangers remain one of the most active and elite special operations forces, carrying their famous motto: “Rangers Lead the Way!”

Chindits: Long-Range Penetration Groups

On the India-Burma front, the Chindits emerged as a multinational special operations force.

Comprised soldiers from Britain, India, and Africa.
Specialized in guerrilla warfare against the Japanese army.

The Chindits were founded by British officer Orde Wingate after British defeats in Burma. Wingate believed that deep-penetration raids behind enemy lines were the best strategy against the numerically superior and well-equipped Japanese forces.

Their first major mission, Operation Longcloth, resulted in heavy casualties but proved the effectiveness of guerrilla warfare.

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The unit later used gliders for insertions and even conducted some of the first-ever helicopter combat evacuations.
They fought fiercely in the jungle, engaging the Japanese in brutal battles such as the White City.

However, after Wingate’s death, the Chindits’ effectiveness declined. As British forces regained control, the need for such an extensive special operations force diminished, leading to the unit’s disbandment in 1945.

Despite this, the Chindits’ tactics and combat philosophy laid the foundation for modern special forces units worldwide.