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Multimedia, Office of Strategic Services

Page Created
May 14th, 2025
Last Updated
June 4th, 2025
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Europe
Operational Group Team Lafayette in August 1944. Many of these men would later serve on the Sewanee mission in northern Italy between March and May 1945.
Operational Group Team Lafayette in August 1944. Many of these men would later serve on the Sewanee mission in northern Italy between March and May 1945.
Captain Robert L. Ford and his interpreter, known as “Peter,” operate in German-occupied Greece between 1943 and 1944.
Captain Robert L. Ford and his interpreter, known as “Peter,” operate in German-occupied Greece between 1943 and 1944.
Members of Greek Operational Group IV coordinate with Bulgarian soldiers in Macedonia in October, 1944.
Members of Greek Operational Group IV coordinate with Bulgarian soldiers in Macedonia in October 1944.
China
Captain Walter R. Mansfield of Operational Group Muskrat instructs Chinese troops in the use of the Thompson sub-machine gun, China, 1945.
Captain Walter R. Mansfield of Operational Group Muskrat instructs Chinese troops in the use of the Thompson sub-machine gun, China, 1945.
Chinese commandos receive instruction on jumping from a C-47 drop aircraft, using a crashed C-47 as a mock-up for training. Operational Group instructors oversee the preparation.
Chinese commandos receive instruction on jumping from a C-47 drop aircraft, using a crashed C-47 as a mock-up for training. Operational Group instructors oversee the preparation.
Chinese paratrooper trainees and their Operational Group instructors assemble prior to their first mass tactical jump, China, 1945.
Chinese paratrooper trainees and their Operational Group instructors assemble prior to their first mass tactical jump, China, 1945.
Members of the Morale Operations (MO) Branch pose playfully for the camera in their printshop, China, 1945.
Members of the Morale Operations (MO) Branch pose playfully for the camera in their printshop, China, 1945.
First Sergeant Berent Friele sends a message at Special Operations Team Jackal, China, 1945.
First Sergeant Berent Friele sends a message at Special Operations Team Jackal, China, 1945.
A member of Special Operations Team Leopard cranks a generator to power the team’s radio, China, 1945.
A member of Special Operations Team Leopard cranks a generator to power the team’s radio, China, 1945.
Annamese troops of Special Operations Team Deer conduct a patrol in French Indochina, late 1945.
Annamese troops of Special Operations Team Deer conduct a patrol in French Indochina, late 1945.
Suspected Chinese collaborators are held awaiting interrogation by Operational Group Buick, China, 1945.
Suspected Chinese collaborators are held awaiting interrogation by Operational Group Buick, China, 1945.
Burma
The Communications staff of OSS Detachment 101 in Burma, 1945.
The Communications staff of OSS Detachment 101 in Burma, 1945.
A Stinson L-1 of Detachment 101’s “Red Ass” Air Force, which provided vital support to combined operations in Burma.
A Stinson L-1 of Detachment 101’s “Red Ass” Air Force, which provided vital support to combined operations in Burma.
Lord Louis Mountbatten, British commander of the Southeast Asia Command, speaks with Cora DuBois, chief of Research and Analysis (R&A) for OSS Detachment 404.
Lord Louis Mountbatten, British commander of the Southeast Asia Command, speaks with Cora DuBois, chief of Research and Analysis (R&A) for OSS Detachment 404.
Major Lloyd E. Peddicord and Captain George H. Bright of the Arakan Field Unit's Operational Group section plan operations in Burma, December 1944.
Major Lloyd E. Peddicord and Captain George H. Bright of the Arakan Field Unit’s Operational Group section plan operations in Burma, December 1944.
A Detachment 404 commander briefs personnel on the upcoming mission, Burma, 1945.
A Detachment 404 commander briefs personnel on the upcoming mission, Burma, 1945.
Communications personnel coordinate supply drops to the field, such as this one in northern Burma, 1944.
Communications personnel coordinate supply drops to the field, such as this one in northern Burma, 1944.
Captain Zachariah Ebaugh (left) with indigenous troops. For Detachment 101 and the OSS, building strong relations with local populations was essential to survival and operational success.
Captain Zachariah Ebaugh (left) with indigenous troops. For Detachment 101 and the OSS, building strong relations with local populations was essential to survival and operational success.
SI agents of OSS Detachment 404 board the fast-boat P-563, a vessel of the Maritime Unit, off the coast of Burma in 1945. They have just completed a successful infiltration of the Japanese-held shoreline.
Secret Intelligence agents of OSS Detachment 404 board the fast-boat P-563, a vessel of the Maritime Unit, off the coast of Burma in 1945. They have just completed a successful infiltration of the Japanese-held shoreline.
Captain Erik J. Anderson of the Arakan Field Unit's Maritime Unit section leads a rubber boat team down a chaung (tidal creek) in Burma, 1945.
Captain Erik J. Anderson of the Arakan Field Unit’s Maritime Unit section leads a team Landing Craft Rubber, Small down a chaung (tidal creek) in Burma, 1945.
Maritime Unit
The three 26-metre Air Rescue Boats form the core of the Maritime Unit’s operational fleet. Though limited in range and notably loud in operation, these vessels serve as the principal means of infiltrating agents and Office of Strategic Services personnel along the Arakan coast. Their speed and capacity make them suitable for rapid insertion missions despite the drawbacks, and they are regularly employed in support of clandestine operations against Japanese positions in Burma.
The three 26-metre Air Rescue Boats form the core of the Maritime Unit’s operational fleet. Though limited in range and notably loud in operation, these vessels serve as the principal means of infiltrating agents and Office of Strategic Services personnel along the Arakan coast. Their speed and capacity make them suitable for rapid insertion missions despite the drawbacks, and they are regularly employed in support of clandestine operations against Japanese positions in Burma.
One of the three 26-metre Air Rescue Boats operated by the Maritime Unit, P-564, is based at Akyab following its transfer across the Bay of Bengal from Dead Man’s Cove. During operations, P-564 plays a key role in supporting agent insertions along the Arakan coast. When the Office of Strategic Services Maritime Unit disbands its operations in the spring of 1945, both P-564 and its sister vessel P-563 return to Calcutta. Subsequently, both boats are handed over to British authorities for continued service.
One of the three 26-metre Air Rescue Boats operated by the Maritime Unit, P-564, is based at Akyab following its transfer across the Bay of Bengal from Dead Man’s Cove. During operations, P-564 plays a key role in supporting agent insertions along the Arakan coast. When the Office of Strategic Services Maritime Unit disbands its operations in the spring of 1945, both P-564 and its sister vessel P-563 return to Calcutta. Subsequently, both boats are handed over to British authorities for continued service.
Documents
maritime-unit-overviewDownload
maritime-unit-fmDownload
special-operations-fmDownload
operational-groups-overviewDownload
operational-groups-fmDownload
morale-operations-fmDownload
secret-intelligence-fmDownload

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