The OG units served mostly for reconnaissance and for commando operations behind enemy lines.  They operated in Greece, Italy, France, Norway, Yugoslavia and China.  Where the Jedburghs worked mainly to coordinate, support, supply and direct Resistance groups, Operational Groups were involved in commando-type action. 

            The groups started with the idea of attracting people who spoke foreign languages.  The OSS was especially interested in people who spoke French, Italian, Greek, Norwegian, Serbo-Croatian, German, Chinese and Japanese.  There was also interest in people who had special talents or training.  After screening, individuals were sent for commando-type training, espionage and communications.  They learned to handle all sort of weapons, demolitions and Fairbairn’s method of hand-to-hand combat. Finally they were sent to parachute school.  Often, OSS O.G.s and Jedburghs dropped out of a small hole that had held the lower gun turret of a bomber.  They needed to learn to jump from altitudes as low as 500 feet.  Physical training was essential!

            Operations varied greatly. For instance, the Norwegian operation involved sabotaging railways to prevent the movement of 130,000 German troops.  Greek operations included attacks on troop trains and railway sabotage.  Italian operations had troops on Corsica ambushing the retreating German 90^th Division..  One persistent operation involved no less then four attempts to reconnoiter and attack the island of Pianosa.  Actions in China saw the first use of Chinese troops in an airborne operation. 

            Any resemblance between 15-man Operational Groups and 12 man Special Forces A Teams is not coincidental.  Veterans of the O.G.s and Jedburghs were instrumental in the creation of modern Special Forces.  They refined the concept of special commando-type elite troops who could also train and organize allied troops and partisans. 

            OSS Operational groups used American equipment, though some may have used the British style of paratrooper helmet.  They would be armed as commandos rather than as a regular infantry squad.  Because they were inserted by parachute, weapons would include M1 carbines, submachine guns and other light automatic weapons.  Favorite heavy infantry weapons included the 60mm mortar and bazooka.  The light 60mm mortar and its ammunition were easy to transport on foot.  A squad could carry plenty more ammo than they could for a heavier mortar such as the 81mm.  Bazookas were excellent for attacking vehicles, trains and small buildings.  The Operational Groups also carried explosives for sabotage and demolition work. 

            One implement favored by the Operational Groups was the Fairbairn-Sykes Commando Knife.  Any unit that received close combat training based on the Fairbairn method favored the classic dagger.  These weapon were also used by covert OSS and SOE operatives, Jedburgh members, British Commandos, American Rangers, the Canadian-American First Special Forces (Devil’s Brigade) and Marine Raiders.

            Operational Groups would resemble American Paratroopers., for the most part.  Because they were inserted by parachute, they wore the paratrooper boot.  The uniform with its many pockets was ideal.

 

            Why are the Operational Groups regarded differently than Rangers or Commandos?  During World War II, paratroopers were a separate unit from Ranger and Commando forces.  Though they could be inserted behind enemy lines by air, they usually worked closer to the front.  Rangers and Commandos were raiders who went in, did their work and abruptly left.  They rarely spent more than two or three days out on a mission. Operational Groups and Jedburghs went in for a longer duration.  They might be gone for over a week, and often longer.  Groups could work for weeks behind the lines.  Also, Rangers and Commandos were strictly military, keeping to themselves on missions.  Jedburghs and most Operational Groups made contact with local Resistance units, often supporting and even participating in resistance operations.  Finally, Commandos and Rangers were under the command of their respective armies.  The Jedburghs were commanded by the SOE and OSS espionage organizations.  Operations groups were strictly OSS.  In both cases, the men were under command of espionage agencies, not the army. 

            The founders of the Special Forces, Jack Singlaub and Aaron Bank, had both been Jedburgh men.  The organization they envisioned was one of commando-type troops capable of working with indigenous troops, be they regulars or guerrillas.  Special Forces would be expected to support military operations with commando-type activities, as well as training soldiers.  They were both special operations troops and political troops.

            Another unit descended from the covert operations of World War II is the CIA’s Paramilitaries.  Many of them are former members of elite military units.  They are covert operatives who serve as advisors, trainers, and commandos when needed.  The paramilitaries are technically not soldiers, but espionage personnel.