Portugal’s Special Forces
Geographically adjacent to Spain on the most Southwestern part of Europe, you would think this picturesque part of the world has little danger to deal with. But it seems that apart from combating piracy, they also deal in unconventional warfare, rescue missions and have joined the international fight against terror.
Their rallying cry of ‘Mama Sumae’ means ‘Hear we are, ready for the sacrifice’ and is taken from a Bantu tribe in Southern Africa.
Nigeria’s Special Commandos
Nigeria’s notorious Special Commandos are most definitely deserving to be on our list due to their fearsome character.. Some might say that actually might be down to their ‘Shoot first, ask later’ reputation. Similar to other special forces in that there really is not much information out there about them, what we know for sure is that they have recently been spotted training with Pakistan’s SSG.
One of their main challenges is having to deal with brutal terrorist group, Boko Haram.
Denmark’s Frogman Corps
A veteran group formed in 1957, like other special force units Denmark’s Frogman Corps have trained with the British SAS. Apart from well established counter terrorism prowess, they are also tasked with dangerous search and rescue missions and regular law enforcement duties.
The basic Frogman Course last nine long months. Between 500–600 applicants begin the course each year but less than a dozen make it through to the end.
Britain’s Special Boat Service
Don’t try to find out what these guys are up to as the British Army will divulge zero information about their whereabouts. Suffice to say that Britain’s Special Boat Service deal with all things maritime. Referred to as the SAS’s sea faring cousin, their motto is ‘By strength and by guile’ and their pedigree certainly merits this rallying cry.
On 12 May 2007, SBS troops stormed a Taliban compound in Helmand Province in Afghanistan and killed their senior military leader, Mullah Dadullah.
The Ghost Army of World War 2
Not operative anymore, or for that matter ever before either, The 23rd Headquarters Special Troops (nicknamed the Ghost Army) are widely known as one of cleverest special forces in military history. Created to sow confusion amongst the enemy, the unit never actually existed. It’s camp made up of fake uniforms and equipment, the sound effects of military movements blasting out of loudspeakers caused the German army to attack the wrong spot and hand victory over to the allied forces.
A kept secret for more than 40 years after the war, they performed over 20 missions, their acts of trickery occuring extremely close to the frontline.