Special Service Force

The Special Service Force is a designation used by a Second World war Canadian-American formation, and also used by a Canadian Army formation from 1977 to 1995.

Motto - OSONS (We Dare)

Second World War: 1st Special Service Force

In 1942 a highly specialized joint Canadian-American force was created to undertake special operations in Europe. In order that 500 "all ranks" could be recruited without undue publicity being directed towards their future role, the 2nd Canadian Parachute battalion was raised at the same time as the 1st, coming into order on 10 July 1942. On 25 May 1943 it became the 1st Canadian Special Force Brigade, with its officers and men distributed with the Americans throughout the multi-national unit.

The 1st Special Service Force was trained in Helena, Montana before being deployed in the Aleutian Islands in 1943, where it had valuable training experience. By November it had gone into action in Italy, where it distinguished itself in the successful assaults on Monte Le Difensa and Monte La Remetanea. It also fought at Anzio and in the drive to Rome, where it was the first Allied formation to enter the city. The 1st Special Service Force then advanced as far as the Tiber before being deployed for the invasion of Southern France, where it spearheaded the landing force. After seeing action on the Franco-Italian border, the joint force was disbanded and the Canadian element was separated. It, too, was disbanded in December 1944, having fought well, earning ten battle honours and been given the nickname "the Devil's Brigade".

First Special Service Force

For the film of the same name, see The Devil's Brigade (film).

The 1st Special Service Force (also called The Devil's Brigade, The Black Devils, The Black Devils' Brigade, and Freddie's Freighters), was an elite American-Canadian commando unit in World War II, under command of the United States Fifth Army. The unit was organized in 1942 and trained at Fort William Henry Harrison near Helena, Montana in the United States. It fought in the Aleutian Islands, Italy, and southern France before being disbanded in December 1944.

The modern American and Canadian special operations forces trace their heritage to this unit. In 2013, the United States Congress passed a bill to award the 1st Special Service Force the Congressional Gold Medal.

Background

Special Service

"Special Service" is the 62nd episode and the twenty-seventh episode of the third season (1988–89) of the television series The Twilight Zone. This episode is known for inspiring the critically acclaimed feature film The Truman Show.

Special Service was written by J Michael Straczynski who later created Babylon 5. The Truman Show won the 1999 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, beating the Babylon 5 finale "Sleeping In Light", also written by Straczynski.

Opening narration

Plot

A man, John Selig, is starting his day, shaving and dressing for work. His wife calls up to find out how many eggs he wants. Suddenly, his bathroom mirror falls on one side to reveal a camera with a red light on it. A repairman rushes in and acts nonchalant about putting the mirror back up. When John questions him about the camera, the repairman acts as if there was not one there. The repairman attempts to leave and mistakenly mentions John's boss by name. This causes John to become enraged at the thought of cameras spying on him. The repairman comments on how John is not as nearly as nice as he is on TV. When John threatens to call the police, the repairman tells John the truth about everything: that John's life is broadcast on television to the entire planet, 24 hours a day. John is upset that he never knew about all this and Archie, the repairman, tells him that's the point, that it is more interesting if he does not know he is being watched.

Belgium national rugby union team

The Belgium national rugby union team represents Belgium in international rugby competitions. Rugby union in Belgium is administered by the Belgian Rugby Federation. Belgium have been ranked in the Top 30 since 2010.

Belgium have yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup. Belgium participates in the European Nations Cup (the second tier of European International competitions, the Six Nations being the most important one).

History

The Belgium rugby team played their first match on 13 March 1932 against the Netherlands. They contested annual games against the Netherlands for half a decade starting in 1932. They drew the 1932 game, but lost subsequent matches during the 1930s. They also played Italy and Germany in 1937, losing both games.

During the 1950s, Belgium continued playing the Netherlands, as well as teams like Spain. They managed to obtain a draw in the 1960s against Portugal. In the 1970s they won the majority of their games, as well as playing a broader range of European nations. This trend continued throughout the 1980s. Belgium had a six-game winning streak in the late 1980s. They began playing more games against their regular European opponents as they entered the 1990s. A Belgium side played the Argentina national rugby union team prior to the 2007 Rugby World Cup. A Belgium XV played the Barbarians on 24 May 2008.

FSSF

FSSF may refer to: