1st Special Service Force Weapons Table of Equipment

1st Special Service Force (FSSF) Section organization during World War II. The FSSF was a joint American-Canadian unit and the progenitor to American and Canadian Army Special Forces.

The 1st Special Service Force was unique. Forcemen were pulled from both Canadian and American volunteers and integrated with an American Army rank structure and equipment into a brigade-sized formation. The force was special operations capable, and was trained in amphibious, airborne, mountain, and ski operations.

The Forceman section contained significantly more specialists than the standard U.S. Army Rifle Squad, including 3 demolition specialists (sergeants), a radioman, a navigator, and 2 mechanics (Tech 4s). Additionally, there was a light machine gunner (Private First Class) and two rifle grenadiers (Private First Classes). The section was led by a Staff Sergeant.

The light machine gun was typically an M1941 Johnson light machine gun, although they were later substituted by M1918A2 BARs after combat losses. Some sections were supplemented by an M1919A4 Browning light machine gun as like with the regular paratroopers, and the rest of the US Army for that matter, the M1 Garand was the standard service rifle for Forcemen. Each member was issued an M1911A1 semi-automatic pistol and V-42 stiletto combat knife. M1A1 Carbines were primarily issued to officers, support personnel, and weapons crews outside of the section.

Each special service force platoon consisted of two of these sections, a platoon headquarters, and a mortar team.