![]() Using C-47 Skytrain aircraft, within two days of the soldiers’ arrival, they all became jump-qualified together, to enhance group morale and esprit de corps.Ĭase V-42 Commemorative, combat dagger, #CA-21994. The unit was activated on July 9, 1942, conducting its parachute training almost immediately. They were directly responsible to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and they adopted the crossed arrows of the former Indian Scouts as their military branch insignia. The First Special Service Force was originally created as a joint, U.S.-Canadian special operations unit, specifically to conduct winter warfare and sabotage operations in German-occupied Norway, Romania, or the Italian Alps. Colonel Frederick personally carried one of three Case prototype daggers with a polished, steel finish into combat. Army Rangers and paratroopers also acquired limited numbers of V-42s from FSSF stocks on an individual basis. An additional 1,600 knives were apparently delivered to the FSSF in three batches, during June, October, and November 1943. Navy in February 1943 for use by the USS Omaha Landing Force and Armed Boat Party in the South Atlantic Ocean. ![]() Many, 3,423 exactly, of these very special knives (including three prototypes) were ultimately produced, including an initial shipment of 1,750 daggers to the FSSF in November 1942. Frederick, age 35, personally approved the design, which was known as the Fighting Commando Knife, Type V-42 (indicating Version-1942). Army contract to produce a close-quarters, combat dagger for the elite, First Special Service Force (FSSF, or 1st SSF) commando unit, based at Fort William Henry Harrison, near Helena, Montana. (William Russell) Case & Sons Cutlery Company of Bradford, Pennsylvania, less than four short miles from the New York state line, was awarded a U.S. V-42 was designed from the outset for use as a fighting knife.” With its relatively thin, narrow blade, the On thrusting it could easily penetrate a G.I. “The…V-42 stiletto blade profile was designed to optimize penetration ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |