Was there a "Dirty Dozen" in real life? Just like the movie?

Question

I just saw this film last night with lee marvin, Bronson, Clint Walker. Does anyone know if this is based on a real life story?

First 2 answers are EXCELLENT!

Answer 1

One of my favorite films. The movie was an adaptation from the E.M. Nathanson novel. According to Wikipedia the author stated that the story was fictional:

"As a preface to the novel, EM Nathanson states that he heard of a legend of men like these, but found no record of it. Though there are frequent rumors of such units existing nothing has ever been verified. The story may be based on the Filthy Thirteen, a small group of airborne demolition experts whose story was documented by a book by the same name. Unlike the Dirty Dozen, the Filthy Thirteen was not a unit composed of convicts, though some of this group did have criminal records."

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

i can't say for sure if it was based on a true story but i do know the nazi's formed a whole ss division under the name "dirlewanger" from convicted military criminals, they became infamous for their brutality and crimes commited against civilian's