| Special Forces Operations in 1941 |
One of the most prominent special forces operations in 1941 was Operation Colossus, a British Commando raid on a hydroelectric power plant in Italy. The objective of the raid was to disrupt Italy’s energy supply and cause damage to the plant, which was a key part of the Italian war effort. The raid was carried out by 38 commandos, who were dropped by parachute into Italy and made their way to the target. They successfully planted explosives at the plant, causing significant damage and disrupting Italy’s energy supply for several months.
Another significant special forces operation in 1941 was the German invasion of Crete, which involved the use of Fallschirmjäger (German paratroopers). The operation was a major airborne assault on the island of Crete, with the aim of capturing key strategic locations and airfields. Despite heavy losses, the German paratroopers were ultimately successful in capturing the island, marking the first time in history that a major military operation had been carried out primarily by airborne forces.
Finally, the Soviet Union’s Red Army also began deploying special forces units in 1941, including the Spetsnaz. These units carried out a range of operations, including sabotage, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering. One of the most notable operations was the destruction of a German airfield in Estonia, which was carried out by a group of Spetsnaz soldiers who infiltrated the base and destroyed several aircraft.