In the Special Operations Field Manual, OSS Director William Donovan writes;
"The mission of the Special Operations Branch is to carry out that part of the OSS mission which can be accomplished by certain physical subversive methods as contrasted with the operations of the Morale Operations, the Operational Groups, and the Maritime Unit. The primary objective of the Special Operations Branch is the destruction of enemy personnel, materiel, and installations." [8]
Special Operations operators and agents trained first at Camp X, then at Camp David, and several National Park Service properties around the Washington, D.C. area.[9]
The concept of OSS Operational Groups (OG) began as Special Operations units within SO Field Bases, but eventually outgrew the SO, where the newly established Operational Group Command was granted Branch status.[1]
Direct contact with and support of underground resistance groups.
Conduct of special operations not assigned to other governmental agencies and not under direct control of theater or area commanders.
Organization, equipment, and training of such individuals or organizations as may be required for operations not assigned to other governmental agencies.
^Whiteclay, John Chambers II (2010). Training for War and Espionage: Office of Strategic Services Training During World War II. Center for the Study of Intelligence, Central Intelligence Agency, Washington, DC, 20505 (Vol. 54, No. 2 ed.). Studies in Intelligence.
