Tag Archives: Kiska

Montana During World War II

Senate Resolution to Honor Devil’s Brigade

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Senator Max Baucus of Montana recently introduced a measure stating that “the Senate recognizes and honors the superior service of the First Special Service Force during World War II.” The joint Canadian-American unit of highly trained commandos formed at Fort Harrison in 1942, and participated in the invasion of Kiska in the Aleutians before being sent to Italy. They fought their way up Monte La Difensa, Monte Majo, Monte Camino and other Italian mountains, then spent four months terrorizing the Germans at Anzio, where they earned the nickname “Devil’s Brigade.” After leading the Allied advance into Rome, they participated in the invasion of southern France. According to the Resolution “during 251 days of combat, the Force suffered 2,314 casualties, or 134 percent of its authorized strength, captured thousands of prisoners, won 5 United States campaign stars and 8 Canadian battle honors, and never failed a mission.”

The full text of Senate Resolution 577 can be found here.

I previously posted one of my articles on the “Devils’ Brigade” that was published as part of the Missoulian’s “Greatest Generation” series. It can be found here.

Many of the soldiers of the First Special Service Force returned to Helena after the war. My previous post upon hearing of the deaths of the last two Helena residents of the Force can be found here.

Need more information on the First Special Service Force? Check out Montana’s Home Front During World War II.

First Speical Service Force Memorial in Helena

The monument to the First Special Service Force in Helena’s Memorial Park

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Montana During World War II

Last two members of the “Devil’s Brigade” in Montana passed away last week

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This week I learned of the death of Joe Glass and Mark Radcliffe, the last two members of the First Special Service Force living in Montana. Glass, originally from Canada, was 92, while Radcliffe was 94. Both men had lived in Helena for many years. Both men were heroes who saw too many of their friends and comrades killed in Italy and France. I mentioned Radcliffe in both editions of Montana’s Home Front During World War II. Radcliffe was also mentioned several times in “The Devil’s Brigade” by Robert H. Adleman and Col. George Walton. If you would like more information on the First Special Service Force, see my previous post, Suicide Mission: The First Special Service Force. The full story on the death of Glass and Radcliffe can found at the Helena Independent-Record.

FSSF
Joe Glass (l.) and Mark Radcliffe of the First Special Service Force

Senator Max Baucus introduced a Senate Resolution to honor the First Special Service Force in September, 2012.

My article on the history of the First Special Service Force can be seen here.

For more information, check out Montana’s Home Front During World War II.

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Fort Missoula, Montana During World War II

Just released! Montana’s Home Front During World War II, 2nd Ed.

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Montana's Home Front During World War IIGet Your Copy of

Montana’s Home Front During World War II, 2nd Edition

  Look for it in a bookstore near you!

Published by Big Elk Books 2012
ebook versions available at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble

This compelling account of Montana’s contribution to the war effort covers personal stories, local politics, industry, agriculture, education, sports, and social life during the upheaval of a world-wide conflict. Montana’s Home Front During World War II is the tale of ordinary citizens who came together to support their sons and daughters overseas, and the tens of thousands of residents who left the Treasure State to serve their country in the military and defense plants. Those who remained planted Victory Gardens, purchased record amounts of war bonds, and endured the hardships brought about by war-time shortages and rationing. This highly-readable account is the most comprehensive look at Montana during the early 1940s, and the tremendous sacrifices made by ordinary people to support their country in time of war. Originally published in 1994, this revised edition of the classic Montana’s Home Front During World War IIincludes many rare and previously unpublished photographs.

Features:

  • The training of the First Special Service Force “Devil’s Brigade” at Fort Harrison.

  • The construction of Malmstrom Air Force Base and the Great Falls based Lend-Lease operation to aid the Soviet Union.

  • The experience of hundreds of Italian and Japanese civilians who languished behind barbed wire at the Fort Missoula Detention Center.

  • The hellish fighting encountered in the jungles of New Guinea and the Philippines by the 163rd Infantry Regiment (Montana National Guard).

  • The terrors of night combat as the crew of the USS Helena battled Japanese ships in the treacherous waters near Guadalcanal.

Look inside the book.

Was Senator B.K. Wheeler duped into revealing America’s top-secret war plan, the Victory Program, just days before Pearl Harbor? Did the Soviets run a nationwide spy ring from an Air Force Base in Montana? The answers to these and many other questions are answered in Montana’s Home Front During World War II 2nd ed. Gary Glynn examines in detail the impact of the Second World War on Montana politics, industry, agriculture, education, sports, and crime.

Train with the Canadian-American commandos of the First Special Service Force “the Devil’s Brigade” as they become a superb fighting unit at Fort Harrison. Languish behind barbed wire at the Fort Missoula Detention Center with hundreds of Italian and Japanese civilians. Pick sugar beets alongside German prisoners of war and American college students from Sidney to Stevensville.

Fight alongside the men of the 163rd Infantry Regiment (Montana National Guard) in the hellish jungles of New Guinea and the Philippines, at Sanananda, Aitape, Wakde, Jolo and Zamboanga. Experience the terrors of night combat as the crew of the USS Helena battle Japanese ships near Cape Esperance and Guadalcanal. Cheer as the 5th Marines raise the USS Missoula’s flag over Iwo Jima.

Far from the famous World War II battlefields of European theater and the Pacific, many ordinary Montanans made tremendous sacrifices to support the war effort. Tens of thousands of residents left the Treasure State to serve their country or work in defense plants. Those who remained purchased record numbers of war bonds, planted Victory Gardens, and endured the hardships brought about by war-time shortages and rationing. Available in print and ebook formats.

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