This qn's been on my mind since I saw INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS on Sat, what with Brad Pitt as Lt Aldo Raine wearing the insignia of the 1st Special Service Force in that initial pep talk scene when we 1st see the Basterds: WI the 1st SSF were withdrawn from Italy to participate in Op OVERLORD in early 1944 ? How much difference would they have made in Normandy, given their previous combat record at Monte La Difensa et al ? What'd be the best POD for the Black devils to have been sent to france- perhaps if the 1st, 3rd & 4th Ranger Bns hadn't been destroyed at Cisterna/Civitavecchia ?