A Perfect Hell

This is the story of the First Special Service Force, in World War II,  a joint force of Canada and the USA, which fought in Italy, and which the Germans called "The Black Devils".

Creating the joint force was a special task.  It was organised by the Americans, and training occurred at a base in Montana.  A major concern initially was that the Canadians and Americans would not blend as each had their own traditions.  However, the men did blend throughout their training to become a single, specially trained killing machine.  And, although this is a blended fighting group, the focus of this book is on Canadians serving in The Black Devils.

The initial plan for the force was to attack Norway, for which they had especially trained.  However, when Lt. Colonel Robert Frederick arrived in London after his force had completed its training, he found out that Norway was a no go.  However, they were given the task of getting the island of Kiska back from the Japanese.  Unfortunately when they got there, they discovered that the Japanese had scarpered.  Meantime, Italy had been invaded, so the special force was transferred there.

The first battle results in the first telegrams home announcing wounds and deaths.  General Mark Clarke's promise of being in Rome within a week was not to be as the Germans fought very hard defensively.

After fighting in the mountains of Italy, the Force is then sent to Anzio, where they are given the task of defending the right quarter of the beach head.  To be safer at Anzio, it was decided that the Force would be the aggressors instead of defenders of the beach.  This meant night time raids.  Within a week, they had pushed the Germans back 1 400 metres.  It was here, due to using soot from burnt corks to camouflage their faces, that the Force would earn the nickname "The Black Devils".

When the breakout at Anzio finally comes, it is like World War I all over again; out of the trenches at 7:00 a. m. following an artillery barrage.  The breakout is successful, but costly.  Unfortunately General Mark Clark decides that he wants to take Rome instead of his given objective.  As a result, the Germans escape encirclement to fight another day.  The next task given to the Force is to create a flying column and enter Rome first.

The Force was given the opportunity of some R & R south of Rome before training for an invasion of southern France.  D-Day had occurred in Normandy and the Germans were in retreat now.  It is in southern France that the Force was disbanded; an event that no German force had been able to do.  It was a very tough time for both Canadians and Americans, many tears were shed by men who had become such a strong fighting force of the Allies.

Author John Nadler has provided readers with a brilliant description of the events involving the "Black Devils".  He hasn't withheld anything, showing how gruesome war is.  Wounds, and death on the battlefield leave nothing to the imagination.  Well written, well worth the read for fans of military history.