Fort Harrison Helena Montana

[Robert Bergeron]

Here a a few more pictures . The last one is of the famous hill that ( according to the movie ) the men had to run up every morning. The knife visible in picture No 2 is specific to the Force and was made by Case . ) It is similar in use to the Fairbairn- Sykes but more sturdy in my opinion . It can be used as a utility knife and because of weight and handle as a hitting weapon ( skull cracker pommel) The curator told me they are very rare and that the last one he saw being sold it went for $ 23,000. Yes twenty three thousands dollars. That’s what he said , don’t scream at me ! I saw one on RIA auction site that is currently at auction and the estimate is between $6500 and $ 12,000. Force stuff and particularly the V-42 is highly collectible and pricey. Less than 3000 were made .Don’t forget that they were but a few thousand in an Allied army of millions and were disbanded in 1944. Today Boker makes a decent reproduction and i paid $ 165 US for one at the Force Museum . They can be bought for cheaper on Amazon but those never saw the hills of Helen Montana ... Good night brave soldiers of the Force wherever you are ! R.

[Robert Bergeron]

Here are a few more pictures . The permanent structures of WW2 and prior are all still there. The tar paper shacks are of course long gone.First three pictures a pre-war permanent barrack with the inside. Fourth is of the American uniform of the members of the Force. Last one , the Chapel where some prayed and asked for forgiveness for their sins comitted downtown Helena when on leave... Soldiers never change and are quite predictable trust me.

[Robert Bergeron]

More information . The Museum says there were 2300 men in the initial contingent. Case made 3000 V42 knives . The remaining 700 spares were distributed to replacements until they ran out . That explains the rarity of that combat knife . History has it that they never got to do demolitions , jump or skied. Their initial mission was to raid Germans nuclear research facilities in Norway . Thus the ski, parachute ,mountain and demolitions training . That role was taken over by the Royal Commandos for some reason i don’t know . They did do some amazing mountain climbing at La Difensa Italy which will remain their singlemost daring and incredible feat . Being such a new concept ( special forces ) , nobody in the chain of command knew how/ when / where to use them. In the Aleutians ( Alaska) they were used as Marines in an amphibious assault. In Anzio as regular infantry in a Scout role . In the Provence landing , they were used as Scouts to recce the beaches and as Seals to reduce communications and command & control within the beach area . At La Difenza they acted as Special Forces in a daring , mountain surprise attack on the unsuspecting German force that greatly outnumbered them. The US Rangers were employed in a similar fashion at Pointe du Hoc during the D day Op Overlord. So yes, all US & Canadian Special forces have their origin in this unit and proudly so . R.

[Robert Bergeron]

Mt Sammucro is an action i have to read on. It happened during the Battle for San Pietro on the way to Naples.

[Robert Bergeron]

There are Federal lands [ National Forest ] around and adjacent to the base . It is normal practice in the States to have these available for military training . These ones were used as training areas by the Force . It is rugged and mountainous . Have a look .

[Robert Bergeron]

Had an honour guard Montana style when leaving the base . I hope you enjoyed my report. Have a great night .

[maple_leaf_eh]

Thanks for the trip report Bob. The current Canadian Special Forces guys cannot get enough of the lore of the FSSF.

I was looking at the red arrowhead and German language message on a sticker on one of our soldier's coffee cups the other day. She is a highly skilled technician who was posted to one of the CANSOF units, and happened to pick up the sticker. Of all things, we were discussing house building techniques and lumbering. The topics that interested minds wander into.