Participants Elite Forces

[gavmeister13]

what were the elite forces of the participants of WWII? I know the Germans had the SS which started off as Hitler's bodyguards and the Brits had the SAS but don't know any others. Any info would be great

regards

[sid guttridge]

Hi Gavmeister,

Are you asking about elite forces or special forces? The Waffen-SS and SAS are not directly comparable, although there were small elements of the Waffen-SS that took up a similar role to the SAS from 1943.

Cheers,

Sid.

[gavmeister13]

i'm wondering about the elite forces like t WSS. i think the russians had the Guards divisions or something similar? i assumed the SAS were similar in sryle to the WSS in WWII but i spose they're more like the Brandenburgers?

[sid guttridge]

Hi Gavmeister,

Yup. Exactly.

Cheers,

Sid.

[tjk]

The US Marine Corps likes to think they are an elite force. For the Italians it would be X MAS (naval commandos). For the British I think you would have to include the Parachute Battalions, Commandos, Royal Marine Commandos and Long Range Desert Group. Churchill liked to create "private armies".

[alsaco]

In France, are considered elite troops the Foreign Legion, the SAS and paratroops, the Firemen from Paris and Marseille,
Plus the regiments which have been decorated, carrying fourragéres, and the regiments wich numerous name of battles on the unit flag. Let's say some sort of Guard qualification, from obtained results in the field, similar to the russian system.

But now, with the professional status, everything is changing, and these traditional qualifications are loosing pertinence.

[gavmeister13]

why were the firemen regarded as elite?

[alsaco]

Firemen in Paris and Marseille are part of the army in Paris and of the Navy in Marseille. Their officers come from Saint Cyr, and all firemen are regular members of the armed forces.
They have a very specific training, in all branches if fire, explosion, gaz treatment and inundations, and other security matters. Moreover they are specifically selected and educated, which makes them an elite corps among the other regiments of the army.

I forgot yesterday to mention among elite forces the Peloton des Gendarmes de Secours en Haute Montagne, specialised in fighting and helping oeople lost or wounded in the Alps, which is linked with the Chasseurs alpins and the Guides de Haute Montagne

[Liam]

Elites? For me? Germany - Waffen SS (but only certain units), paratroops (up to 1942-43 with diminishing returns afterwards), Panzertruppen (also losing much ability after 1943-44), certain Heer units - Brandenburgers and Grossdeutschland, much of Luftwaffe up to RAF counter to Focke-Wulf (Spit MkIX in 1942) and the same for the Kriegsmarine up to 1941. Russia - not much! Guards units and paras of course but the rank and file all pretty much one and the same, but effective.... USA - USMC (the best fighting force of WWII?), paras and Rangers of course, also the finest air and naval forces of WWII by a long chalk. Otherwise, a lot of very average infantry divisions and regiments with some notable exceptions such as Ist Infantry div. Britain - various commando units principly who spawned and incorporated SAS, SBS and paras in WWII. Guards infantry/armoured and 51st Highland division possibly and don't forget the Aussies and other commonwealth units. RAF, Pathfinders and 617 squadron. I would also add to this 'secret' units such as SOE or OSS and their Axis equivalents, though not the 'civvie' spys.

[sid guttridge]

Hi Liam,

With regard to the US air forces and navy: Are you not confusing "finest" with "most powerful"?

Cheers,

Sid.

[Orok]

How about the smaller countries? What about the Rumanians and Hungarians? Perhaps the mountain troops of the Rumanian Army? Hungarian paratroopers (Szent László Division)?

And the Finns?

[croat]

Elite Croatian units in WW2:

Independent State of Croatia (Axis) units:
- the 369th Reinforced Infantry Regiment;
- Croatian Airforce Legion;
- the Croatian 1st "Assault" (Udarna) Division;
- the Poglavnik Bodyguard Regiment (later Division).

Croatian Partisan units (Allied):
- 2nd Proleterian Brigade;
- 3rd "Assault" (Udarna) Division;
- 4th "Krajina" Division.

[KampfgruppeMeyer]

Marine Raiders

[Liam]

Hi Liam,

With regard to the US air forces and navy: Are you not confusing "finest" with "most powerful"?

Cheers,

Sid.

Sid, they were both. As the war progressed the power of their forces became undeniable but even in the early days they were very, very good indeed. Midway is a classic example of the US Navy's superior skill and professionalism against a force of comparative or better size and ability. Result? Goodnight Japanese naval power. As for the air war, the Americans technical superiority in aircraft (Liberators, B-17s, Corsairs, Lightnings, Thunderbolts to name but a few) was matched by excellent training of crews and a natural talent for air fighting that they have never lost. They aren't very good at being army infantry troops, though...

[George Lepre]

They aren't very good at being army infantry troops, though...

Sure, absolutely right! Audie Murphy? A dud! The 101st Airborne at Bastogne? Horrible! And that 1st Marine Division at Guadalcanal - you know, the ones without even a DAY of combat experience who took on the Japanese Sendai Division and kicked the @#% out of them? Beginner's luck!

I was in the infantry myself, sir, and I was a better soldier than you will EVER be.

George Lepre