The best SOF of WW2

[plan_D]

The Ghurkas had the same habit of slitting the throat of two men in a foxhole and leaving a third. Many Germans thought Ghurkas were cannibals ! But they weren't special forces, in any respect.

I think the stories of the SAS speak for themselves. Driving across the desert in a load of beefed up Chevies and smashing the crap out of airfields miles behind enemy lines is classic Spec Ops...takes the gold.

 

[Soren]

Because of their many specializations being frogmen, paratroopers, ski mountain troopers, scouts covert spies the Brandenburgers take the prize IMHO. The SAS were impressive as-well, however they lack the same amount of specializations.

 

[Aussie1001]

mmmm perhaps but i do agree with Plan D however they were in Land Rovers not chevvies.

 

[plan_D]

They used Chevies as well, my friend.

And the SAS were used as spies, they did many parachute drops, fought in mountainous terrain, and in snowy conditions ...I'm not hundred percent about being frogmen but I could find something. The SAS fought in all the same conditions as the Brandenburgers.

 

[Heinz]

And Jeeps but not Land Rovers.

My grandfather came into contact with those guys a lot while serving with the 8th.

 

[plan_D]

They did use Land Rovers, as well. I cannot find any decent pictures (from the era) but the famous Pink Panther was normally a Land Rover. The British Army has used a variant of the Land Rover since World War II , the WIMIK Land Rover - now nicknamed "Snatch" from Northern Ireland.

 

[Soren]

One of the Brandenburger's favorite weapons being fired:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwmUzz5Tl2A

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NakILDmzuA

 

[Aussie1001]

Ok sorry Pd

 

[Soren]

And the SAS were used as spies, they did many parachute drops, fought in mountainous terrain, and in snowy conditions ...I'm not hundred percent about being frogmen but I could find something. The SAS fought in all the same conditions as the Brandenburgers.

But they weren't specialists in all these areas, unlike the Brandenburgers who were expertly trained by the FallschirmsJäger, GebirgsJäger, KM, Wehrmacht even the LW.

I admire the SAS for their achievements in the desert, they were also spec ops IMO, it is just my opinion that since the Brandenburgers were abit more specialized at different tasks that they narrowly take the prize.

 

[plan_D]

I do have to say the FG-42 was a remarkable weapon; it was developed solely for the Fallschirm and was never produced in large numbers - fortunately !

It's no problem, Aussie, no one knows everything.

 

[Wildcat]

Lets not forget the Z special unit, most of their exploits are relatively unknown however operation Jaywick is one of the great raids of WWII. No mean feat sailing an old fishing boat to Singapore and back (from Australia) and then canoeing into Singapore Harbour and sinking several Japanese ships with limpet mines. All without a single loss!
On the topic of commandos, mention must also go to the Australian Commandos who fought behind enemy lines in the Pacific. Probably the best example being the 2/2 Independent Companys' almost year long guerilla campaign on Japanese held Timor.

 

[Soren]

Roger that Wildcat, the Z special unit were tough lads.

 

[Aussie1001]

bloody oath mate....
but what about damage which caused the most of it.....
the SOE and the french resistace caused havoc in france and the SAS in Africa but what about all the others.....

 

[plan_D]

Remember that the SAS did not only operate in the desert. It seems a lot of people are concentrating on that region, when they operated in all of Europe after their formation. I don't know of any CBI or PTO operations though, I think their jungle debut came in the 1950s.

 

[Soren]

I do have to say the FG-42 was a remarkable weapon; it was developed solely for the Fallschirm and was never produced in large numbers - fortunately !

Besides the StG.44 the FG-42 was probably the best most advanced smallarm developed during WW2. It was highly accurate, reliable, excellently designed crafted to make it a stable and accurate shooting platform for the user in all firing positions, and it packed a truly mean punch! Thank goodness for the muzzle brake or that weapon would've skyrocketed in full auto.

For improved accuracy the FG-42 also featured a smart system which in semi auto mode operated from a closed bolt, greatly improving accuracy, and in full auto mode from an open bolt, greatly improving the cooling and prevent "cook off".

The FG-42 special features:
A Bipod (Standard)
A Bayonet (Stanard)
A 4x ZF scope (Optional)
A 30 round mag (Optional)

The FG-42 litterally was the Swiss-army-knife of smallarms.

 

[plan_D]

A wee bit heavy though.

 

[Soren]

At 4.8 kg ? Thats pretty much the same as a bolt action rifle, thats very light Plan_D, esp. for a weapon with its capabilities.

Its a pretty small weapon, version 3 (~8,000 examples manufactured):

The slightly lighter Version 1 (~2,000 examples manufactured):

 

[lesofprimus]

Ive fired one of those beautiful FG-42's a bunch of years ago, and it truly is one of the great weapons from the last 70 years or so... The weight is totally acceptable for the firepower available.... Very accurate...

Its too hard for me to distinguish which was tops, the Brandenburgers or the SAS, both Soren and Pd give great arguments... Also hats off to Wildcat for reminding us of the Pacific side...

 

[Soren]

Ive fired one of those beautiful FG-42's a bunch of years ago, and it truly is one of the great weapons from the last 70 years or so... The weight is totally acceptable for the firepower available.... Very accurate...

Awesome! I bet that was one sweet experience. Which version was it ?

 

[bigZ]

I dont have enough knowledge of SOF to vote. But didn't the SAS manage to destroy more aircraft than the RAF in the desert campaign?

Wasn't the operation after Jaywick a total failure for the Z special unit(can't remmember the details)?