founders of special forces

Rather then ask who has the best SF lets take a look at the founders of SF. I will include people such as TE Lawrance whos desert raids against the Turks would become the tactics used by the SAS.
Feel free to post your own links and add your 10 cents. If you can find info on otto skorzeny that dosnt involve a post war conspiracys I would be very grateful.

I will start with David Stirling.

Stirling, the son of a brigadier general, was educated at Ampleforth College. After this, he went to Trinity College, Cambridge University, for a year. However, his heart was set on a life of adventure and activity – not on academic learning. When World War Two broke out in September 1939, he was training for a climb up the then unconquered Mount Everest. However, when war was declared, Stirling joined the Scots Guards Supplementary Reserve of Officers. One year later he joined ‘Layforce’, the nickname for 8 Commando. Here he was in a military unit that promised to fulfil all that he wanted – action. Stirling and ‘Layforce’ then came up against those who held both high military office and traditional views on how wars should be fought. When ‘Layforce’ arrived in North Africa for its first operational tour, it was all but disbanded. There were those who saw what units such as ‘Layforce’ did as being underhand and not ‘British’. Stirling begged to differ.



Bio

[edit on 17-2-2005 by xpert11]

TE Lawrence other wise known as Lawrence of Arabia lead the revolt against the turks only to find that the arabs were to get screwed after the war ended.

Thomas Edward Lawrence, known to his family as Ned, was born in Wales in 1888. He was the second of five illegitimate sons of Sir Thomas Chapman, an Anglo-Irish baronet, and Sarah Junner, who had previously been employed in the Chapman household as governess to Thomas's four legitimate daughters. Having eloped together, Thomas and Sarah adopted the name 'Lawrence.'

By 1896 they had settled in Oxford, where they lived together as husband and wife. Their sons attended the City of Oxford High School for Boys. From there, Ned won a Meyricke Exhibition to study history at Jesus College, Oxford. In 1910 he gained First Class Honours in his final examinations, in part through a notable thesis on Crusader Castles. Research for this had included a lengthy walking tour in Palestine and Syria.

Bio

Note I will cover the exploits of the founders of SF later unless members post info.

Ok storm troopers arent a single person but they still make up a part of the puzzle that became modern day SF.

While defenses were evolving, the German army was developing new assault tactics to deal with the defenses. The new German stormtroopers, or Stosstrupp, were first used experimentally in 1915. Groups of three, one with a large shield, and two on either side would toss grenades to spearhead attacks. (Koch 503) Later, Gen. Oskar von Hutier developed tactics of massed artillery and infiltration at Riga in Russia. (Livesey 178) For the new offensives in France, the rigid chain of command was made more flexible. Army commanders could direct the actions of battalions, thereby potentially relegating corps and brigades to reinforcement and supply functions. (Barnet 291)

Because of the loss of non-commissioned officers in 1917, all German divisions were not converted into assault divisions. Divisions were categorized as assault or trench divisions and given different priorities of supply. Assault divisions were given stormtroopers and four weeks training in mobile warfare. (Terraine 23) The elite stormtroopers were in top condition and were commanded by non-aristocrats, thereby increasing their comradery. (Koch 506)
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I think the Ninja of Japan were the original Special forces. They were involved in everything from espionage,extortion,intelligence gathering and sabotage to arson,abductions and assassinations.

In the long history of Japan no breed of man spawned more terror and wreaked more havoc then the Ninja clans.

They used stealth and the cover of night preferably a moonless one to their advantage just like modern SFs.Would sneak far behind enemy lines in small numbers to wreak chaos or gather intel. Went through lifelong training much like the ancient spartans. Made use of a wide variety of weapons.

They had to master all traditional weapons of the day but also be skilled in thier own collection of special weapons. Ranging from darts,stars,grappling hooks,caltrops,claws and even more modern weapons like guns,smoke bombs and grenades to name but a few.


They were doing this type of stuff hundreds of years before the west.

orde wingate created the chindits a unique unit to fight the japs in Burma a kind of SAS in the Jungle.

ith a background in exploration, guerilla fighting in Palestine and intelligence operations. He was sent by General Wavell (commanding in the Middle East) to Sudan in 1940 to help the Ethiopian nationalists and direct their revolt against the Italians. As the unrelenting leader of Gideon Force, he made use of bluff, maneuver and unorthodox tactics. Following the liberation of Ethopia, he was seriously ill and made an attempt at suicide, but after a convalescence he was called to India by Wavell, who appreciated his unconventional approaches
bio
Bio

Thanks for the feedback. How did the grenades and guns work?
I thought that the Japanese didnt discover gun powder untill Admiral Perry ended Japans self imposed isolation.

[edit on 17-2-2005 by xpert11]

Merrill's Marauders an American version of the chindits under the command of major general Frank Merrill


Frank Merrill was born in the United States on 4th December, 1903. He joined the US Army and reached the rank of sergeant before attending West Point Military Academy. Merrill graduated in 1929 (147/299) and was commissioned in the cavalry.

Merrill continued to study and obtained a BS from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also spent a year studying weapons and was a language student in Tokyo.


In October 1941 Merrill was promoted to the rank of major and was posted to join the staff of General Douglas MacArthur in the Philippines. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Merrill was transferred to Burma where he served under General Joseph Stilwell.

In August 1943 it was decided to form a US military unit that specialized in guerrilla warfare and long-range penetration tactics. Merrill was placed in charge of the group that was based on those formed by Orde Wingate, Evans Carlson and Merritt .


www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk..." target="_blank" class="postlink" rel="nofollow">bio

Well before gunpowder and firelocks was introduced by Portuguese traders in the mid 16th century they made use of mainly Incendiary and smoke weapons. But they did invent a form of gun powder before from bamboo which had a range of about a 100ft. I know it was not quite up to west standards.

They used a wooden gun called (kozutsu) with a metal trigger that fired iron balls. Also a bronze pistols (futokoro-teppo)

Grenades were small clay ball like pots with explosives mixed with scraps of metal. Surprisingly they even used landmines called (Jira) they contained a fused explosive charge in a strong wooden case with a thin top that when placed underground would explod upward.

They also made use of what we might call a primitive flashbang a firecracker (torinoko) shape like a egg with a fuse attached designed to suprise and confuse the enemy with a loud bang.

ShadowXIX thats some pretty interesting stuff you learn something new every day.
Darby rangers American verison of british commandos. Darbys rangers commanded by Capt. William O. Darby.


As commander of the battalion, Truscott selected Capt. William O. Darby. At the time Darby was serving as an aide to Maj. Gen. Russell P. Hartle, the commander of American forces in Northern Ireland. When Hartle recommended Darby for the command of the new unit, Truscott was receptive, having found the young officer to be "outstanding in appearance, possessed of a most attractive personality, . . . keen, intelligent, and filled with enthusiasm." 2 His judgment proved accurate. The 31-year-old Darby, a graduate of West Point in 1933, soon demonstrated an innate ability to gain the confidence of his superiors and the deep devotion of his men.3

Using the model of the British commandos, Darby energetically organized his new unit. Circulars, calling for volunteers, soon appeared on bulletin boards of the 34th Infantry Division, the 1st Armored Division, and other American units training in Northern Ireland. Darby and an officer from Hartle's staff personally examined and selected officers, who, in turn, interviewed the enlisted volunteers, looking especially for athletic individuals in good physical condition. The recruits, ranging in age from seventeen to thirty-five, came from every part of the United States; they included a former lion tamer and a full-blooded Sioux Indian. Although several units attempted to unload misfits and troublemakers on the new unit, most recruits joined out of a yearning for adventure and a desire to be part of an elite force. As the volunteers arrived at the battalion's camp, Darby formed them into a headquarters company and six line companies of sixty-seven men each, an organization which sacrificed firepower and administrative self-sufficiency for foot and amphibious mobility


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[edit on 17-2-2005 by xpert11]

Ok Im starting to deal with military units rather then individual people if I have missed someone out feel free to post info.

British Commandos still looking for info on the founders of the commando units.

The British Commandos were first formed by the Army in June 1940 during World War II as a well-armed but unregimented raider force employing unconventional and irregular tactics to assault, disrupt and reconnoitre the enemy in mainland Europe and Scandinavia.

Initially raids were typically made by comparatively small numbers, of short duration and at night, later growing in complexity and size. The Commandos were formed and operated in secrecy and produced a demoralising effect on German coastal forces while achieving celebrity status among the British public, shrouded in myth, comparable with fighter pilots. As the war progressed Commandos operated increasingly in the role of shock troops, sometimes up to brigade strength and sometimes in conjunction with infantry.

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Honorary mention Charles Beckwith cant be considered a founder of modern day special forces but for his contribution to American SF he gets an honorary mention. Read about the unit he founded below.

The U.S. Army�s 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (SFOD-D) is one of two of the U.S. government�s principle unit tasked with counterterrorist operations outside the United States (the other being Naval Special Warfare Development Group). Delta Force was created by U.S. Army colonel Charles Beckwith in 1977 in direct response to numerous, well-publicized terrorist incidents that occurred in the 1970s. From its beginnings, Delta was heavily influenced by the British SAS, a philosophical result of Col. Beckwith�s year-long (1962-1963) exchange tour with that unit. Accordingly, it is today organized into three operating squadrons, all of which (A, B, and C) are subdivided into small groups known as troops. It is rumored that each troop, as the case with the SAS, specializes in HALO, SCUBA, or other skill groups. These troops can each be further divided into smaller units as needed to fit mission requirements. Delta also maintains support units which handle selection and training, logistics, finance, and the unit�s medical requirements. Within this grouping is a little known, but vital technical unit which is responsible for covert eavesdropping equipment for use in hostage rescues and similar situations.
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Great series of information on the topic xpert11

My Grandfather tried out for Underwater Demolition which became the Seals when he was in the Navy. He told me he heard one bomb go off under water and was like forget that

Honorary mention Ariel Sharon there isnt a great deal info around about his military career but he is one of the founders of Israel’s SF. Please no flame wars over Sharons actions.

# 1952-53: Was recruited to lead commando raids into Jordanian territory in retaliation for attacks against Israeli settlements in the Jerusalem area by Palestinian freedom fighters (fedayeen). Formed Special Commando Unit 101.
# October 1953: After the murder of three Jewish civilians, Unit 101 and a company of paratroopers carried out a reprisal raid against the Palestinian village of Kibya, in the West Bank. 69 residents, half of them women and children were killed as well as 45 houses destroyed. The international community protested the bloodshed resulting in this excessive use of force.
# 1954: Unit 101 merged with the Paratroops Battalions and Sharon was made the commander of the combined force. The paratroopers executed a series of reprisal and preemptive raids, conceived by Sharon, against targets in Jordan, Egypt and Syria during which numerous Arab soldiers and civilians were killed.

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Spetsnaz due to the secrecy of the cold war we dont know who the founders of this unit were no doubt they have a place amongst the pioneering SF units. Perhaps in years to come we will learn more about the Spetsnaz.

Soviet special purpose forces are called by several names, including reydoviki, diversionary troops, and reconnaissance/sabotage troops, but they are most popularly known as SPETSNAZ, an acronym from the Russian spetsialnoe naznachenie, meaning special purpose. The majority of Spetsnaz are controlled by the Soviet General Staff's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU-Glavnoe Razvedyvatelnoe Upravlenie).

The mission of the spetsnaz is to conduct Special Reconnaissance (Spetsialnaya Razvedka). According to the Soviet Military Encyclopedia, Special Reconnaissance is defined as:

reconnaissance carried out to subvert the political, economic and military potential and morale of a probable or actual enemy. The primary missions of special reconnaissance are: acquiring intelligence on major economic and military installations and either destroying them or putting them out of action, organizing sabotage and acts of subversion; carrying out punitive operations against rebels; conducting propaganda; forming and training insurgent detachments, etc. Special reconnaissance is ... conducted by the forces of covert intelligence and special purpose troops.

The origins of spetsnaz can be traced back to the 1930's. On 2 August 1930 a small detachment of commando troops was dropped on man oeuvres in the region of Voronezh and was to carry out operations in the rear of the "enemy". Officially this is the date when Soviet airborne troops came into but it is also the date when spetsnaz was born. Airborne troops and spetsnaz troops subsequently went through a parallel development, until the control of spetsnaz was given over entirely to military intelligence. Of course, during World War Two the Russians made considerable use of behind enemy lines partisan groups, sabotage operations and the like, where the fledgling spetsnaz units saw action against both the Germans and the Japanese.

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Does anyone know how to be validated for secret security clearance?

ive spent most of my adult life in the military in both the Royal Aux Air Force( brit air national guard) as infantry, and the Royal navy full time as a clearance diver (mine countermeasures) for these in this country you get vetted by the MoD MI5 MI6 etc in a simple form, not secret security but a start.

i dont know how to post links but try a search on royal-navy.mod.uk or rafcareers.com and look for gunner, both are slightly special forces but quite low key





[edit on 18-2-2005 by matlo noss]

A brief history of guerrilla warfare. Many of the tactics used by modern day SF have used for hundreds of years. SF have adpoted aspects of guerrilla warfare and at times used the enemys tactics against them


since World War II guerrilla warfare has been employed by nationalist groups to overthrow colonialism, by dissidents to launch civil wars, and by Communist and Western powers in the cold war. There have been dozens of such conflicts. 8
Just after World War II large-scale guerrilla warfare broke out in Indochina between the French and the Communist Viet Minh, led by Ho Chi Minh and Vo Nguyen Giap. After the French defeat at Dienbienphu (1945), France withdrew from the conflict; but the 1954 Geneva Conference brought no permanent peace, and Communist guerrilla activity continued in Laos, Cambodia, and South Vietnam. In the subsequent Vietnam War the United States fought in support of the South Vietnamese government against local guerrillas (Viet Cong) aided by North Vietnamese troops. In Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge waged guerrilla warfare to win control of the nation and, after being ousted by the Vietnamese army, again resorted to it until the group’s disintegration (1999).

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Ariel Sharon was, and to a lesser extent, still a 'tanker' through and through (you can tell this in the way he plays the political field)

Together with Moshe Tal, Sharon was one of the commanders of the 'Golani' Bde that fought a vicious war with the Syrians during the Yom Kippur war, for control of the Golan Heights and the surrounding area.

To the best of my knowledge, he did not create any 'special forces' but did help to mold his men in to an 'elite' amongst the 'elite' of the Israeli Defence Force.

The creater of modern SF in America must surely go to an Englishman. Major Rogers [or was it Roberts] formed a very small unit during the War of Independance to fight both the Native Indians and the Colonists.

He drew up a very strict code of practice and every member of his unit swore to uphold this code and abide by his rules and reulations. His men had to work within a very strict code of conduct. Selection was very, very tough, even by today's standards. His principles were written down and are still in use today. The unit was about 100 strong and were known as Rogers or Roberts Rangers.

His code of practice is still in use today by the Rangers - who uphold his fine tradition.

I have just checked my facts and Yup!, Robert Roger was an Englishman living in New Hampshire. [Guess his mum and dad had fun thinking up his names!]

He and his brother were entrusted by King George [the mad one] to raise this specialist unit.

More info can be found on: www.rogersrangers.org and the site also lists the Rules for Ranging.

civil war- confederate colonel john singleton mosby

created and led a unit of rangers and commenced a vicious campaign against the union forces in virginia. extremely feared and revered amongst union forces.