SAS The Illustrated History

Page 1





The

Illustrated History



The

Illustrated History Barry Davies, bem


DEDICATION The Special Air Service

Uthough

this

not an official history of the Special

is

with a high degree of accuracy. years.

experiences

ni\

should know:

1

served

I

laving established myself as a writer, with

I

pubhcity,

the S AS.

in

return some measure

help to

the SAS. In lighl of this.

I

when

time

al a

have decided thai

I

this

book

my

be

Sen

ice.

nli

the

\\

regimem

last

book

iliis

to the officers

for eighteen

work based an m in

I

I

slum unsolicited

anxious to

is

on the SAS.

hope that

this will

works being written about

of normality to the proliferation oi

dedicate

portrays the regimem

ii

greal deal of ni\

;i

regimem

the

will

\ir

and men of 22 S

both pasl

\S.

ami present.

Acknowledgements The author would fortius book. shot are

even

thank

like to

Ihe\ have

all

S \S hooks.

their current image. Until

\ii

S AS

that thev lind

now Ibny

(

Service -

M\ thanks

a \ast array of fascinating

ti>

suffered

l>\

s

the recent release

keeping with

in

prod need, with the regimem

s

nfortunately, his research material

I

in

an) danger. Secondly, and

Regimem has

reraghty has alway

member

not available to me, hut having been a serving

do have access

in

The Muslinlcd History, more

and accurate history of the SAS.

help, a wonderful

S \S w ho pnr\ ided pictures

he publisher's decision was to blank

I

any chance of an individual being put

hope

I

ol the

be named, and specified that where the soldiers

to

serving, their faces should be blanked.

still

lace to avoid

with the knowledge thai the Special ol

ex-members

those

all

asked no1

of the

SAS

eighteen years,

for

photographs which bring

was

this

hook

to

I

life.

Department of the Imperial War Museum.

also go to the Photographic

Section Five studios ol Stockport. Photo Press and Prank Spooner.

ISBN

ÂŤ522^

I

published

First

9

(>81

Great Britain

in

in

1996

h\

Books

\ trgin

an imprint of Virgin Publishing Ltd

332

1

.ailhroke

London

\\

Copyright

The

10

Š

right of

Grove

5AH Barn Davies 1996

Barn Davies

accordance with

Phis

hook

is

lent, resold,

to he identified as

lopyrighl Designs

(

author of

and Patents

sold subject to the condition thai

it

hired out or otherwise circulated w

any form of binding or cover other than thai

in

Vet

this

work has been asserted

l>\

him

in

\')?,i\.

shall not, h\

wax

the publisher

iiliout

which

it

is

trade or otherwise, be

ol

prior w Hit en consent in

s

published and w ithoul a similar

condition including this condition being imposed upon the subsequenl purchaser.

\

catalogue record for this hook

ISBN

is

available from the British Librarv.

85227 696 7

1

Designed b\ Design Printed

2.'L

London

in Italy

Colour separations bv Pendrv Litho.

lime England

Disclaimer. Before

1

undertook

photographs used

this project. in this

book.

I

I

look srrtous legal advice regarding the reproduction of the

have complied with the law.

the original negatives, slides, or Polaroids.

or Polaroid, then

I

Where

have the owner's consent

I

in so

much

as

I

hold

many

do not have the original negative,

in writing for the rights

of

slide

connected with

publication of the photographs. Additionally, some of the photographic rights have been

purchased from various sources has been any doubt n> i

to

in the belief that the

vendor holds such

ownership, every reasonable

rue ow ner of the each picture

efforl lias

rights.

been made

\\

here there

to locale the


Contents CHAPTER ONE

THE EARLY YEARS 8 CHAPTER TWO

Selection and Training 28 CHAPTER THREE

Combat Survival 52 CHAPTER FOUR

TROOP TRAINING 66 CHAPTER FIVE

OMAN 82 CHAPTER SIX

NORTHERN IRELAND 106 CHAPTER SEVEN

Anti-Terrorist Team 122 CHAPTER EIGHT

COUNTLR-REVOLUTIONARY WARFARE 154 CHAPTER NINE

THEFALKLANDS 172 CHAPTER TEN

THE GULF WAR 182 CHAPTER ELEVEN

Specials and Surprises

212

CHAPTER TWELVE

roll of honour 220 Operational History 223


Introduction ;iii\

sing

WWII. What has changed is the enemy, and the threat he poses to our society. The men of the SAS have been asked to take on many and varied tasks over the years, facing each new challenge

and gath-

with the kind of determination atid dedication that

years ago, while serving as a sergeant in

and a keen photogSquadron Commander

the Special Air Service,

my

rapher to hoot,

asked

me

my personal

the vast collection in

ering

many

produce a photo album.

to

possession,

others that were freely offered.

I

set

I

aboul

the task. Most pictures were of the boys doing differenl things,

mam

and

were only posed shots of individuals,

but just a few were rather unique.

The album, which

seemed

fell l>v

good idea

like a

attention.

the wayside

the photographs together,

kept

I

the time,

once more demanded our immediate

operations

as

at

dragging

them with me from house to house, even from country to country, and unfortunately many were lost over the years. At last I have completed the album, and stands it

as a tribute to the men. the training, the skills

success of the

although

amiss of

this

me

ment, and

is

SAS

over the past

2.~>

modern

essentially a

it

would be

not to mention briefly the birth of the regi-

its

resurrection as

22 Special Air Service dur-

a picture

the case of the

SAS

is

worth a thousand words and.

in

Illustrated History, there has never

been a more accurate statement. This book contains photographs, most of which have newer been

scores of

seen before.

They cover

the

more

SAS and speak volumes about

recent history of the

Britain's elite regiment,

showing the tough training methods the British

Army must endure

in

that

members

from training exercises

major operations

to

of

changed dramatically is

all

SAS

and coinage, they are indeed. Sadly, they are still men of flesh and blood, and main have died. They

skill

died protecting our country and our

SAS

soldier, long since dead,

-

way

tactics used in recent

the

has changed

men. In little

of

life.

once stated.

\\

hen they

morning, and jump

eat their breakfasts in the

As one in their

cars to go to work, do the\ ever think about us prothe

tecting

Oman

This soldier died

trade routes?

war. protecting British interests

in

the

against the

(oil)

spread of communism.

war

\> the

in

Oman was

enemy was beginning ism. This

being fought, a sinister new

emerge

to

international terror-

-

began with several hijackings

most of which

in

the headlines around the world, but

hit

Games massacre

1972 Olympic

in

Munich. This single ad provoked a

vasl retaliation againsl terrorism. Firsl

came

then Mogadishu, and then siege in

the late 60s.

London. Above

all else,

it

was Entebbe.

Embassy

the Iranian

this action

by the

SAS

threw them on to centre stage, and they performed well.

Not only that, but they did \

ision

in full

it

view of a

live tele-

audience.

over

killers.

Highly trained,

by the SAS have

years and the process

ongoing.

remains constant

I

nothing more than a bunch of highly trained

The regiment keeps itself thoroughly up to date with modern technological developments and in many cases leads the way in producing new weapons and equipment. One thing, however, the

soldiers are invincible.

tainly,

The equipment and change

To those who think that SAS would say that, in terms of

offer.

SAS

the world.

of

men can

On a SAS i>

order to wear the cov-

eted winged dagger and giving a unique insighl into life,

in

nothing had prepared society for the

ing the early 1950s.

They say

only such

That said.

years.

history,

and the

Stirling -back

truth, the personality of

since the days of David

final note,

many

claim disparagingly that (he

yes.

and prepared

to kill, cer-

Why do you Why does the

but what are their real motivations?

think they suffer the rigors of selection?

government hone them, supply them with the very ent

equipment, and dress them

because when

all

men. they know

else fails,

that they

Service. As for the

men

men. of

whom we

black? They do so

and our country needs such can count on the Special Air

themselves, they are your sons.

your brothers, husbands and just

in

lat-

fathers.

They

should be proud.

are good,



CHAPTER ONE

THE EARLY YEARS World War

behind the German

as a raid-

creation during Since cause havoc behind enemy ing force designed its

II

also in occupied France, Greece.

to

lines in the deserts of

North Africa, the SAS has

dramatically widened

its

war

scope of operations.

equipment

to

SAS

The

commitment and professionalism

played by the

SAS

the standards

set in

The

historical

more than

photographs seen

•")()

here

They

represent the

and demonstrate how the daring

An SAS

raids

DO it

into

two regiments during the war and

was reborn

Scouts. These

gle,

been

In

men

and

in

fought for

1951, -2

and Borneo.

patrol in the North African desert during

to

become the

perfect

weapon

party had just returned after three

World War

II.

The guns

for hit-and-run raids. This raiding

months behind enemy

8

months

SAS was formed and

ed regiment went on to fight

out

lorin

ol

the

Malayan

in the hostile jun-

the natives,

are Vickers 'K' machine guns originally intended for use by aircraft but

adapted

the

stalking D the communist recreating the legend of the SAS.

belriendiiiii

terrorists

SAS was young SAS

carried

SAS grew

however,

dis-

selected with care in order to show what the like in its early years.

they were

1

years ago.

have

if

(

fit-

soldier of today bears testimony to

the desert

ferocious

had special French and Belgian detachments, but )4.~>. By despite its success, was disbanded in 1949,

.

ness, courage,

a

also

-

high-tech but die levels of personal

They established but death was the only reward

for

captured.

his

may have been

to the Allied

Destroying aircraft and disrupting lines of

effort.

reputation,

modern-day counterpart in the Gulf War The vehicles and equipment used in the Gulf and

much

the fledgling regiment.

arduous tasks and the most deadly adversaries. There soldier of 19-+1

Yugoslavia and

communication and supply became everyday tasks

help them tackle the most

remain, however, striking similarities between the

North Africa but

Italy.

throughout Europe, contributed so

developing innovative new strategies and sophisticated, specialised

lines, not just in

lines.

(IWM)

in

the

newly expand-

Malaya, Oman. Aden


9


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

In 1940.

in

David

Stirling

North Africa.

men

was a lieutenant with No 8

lengths to present

his

idea to the high

Finally, he accosted General Ritchie. his

own

office inside

and evaded

randum

all

band of dedicated enemy lines, he went

In the belief that a small

could operate successfully behind the

to great

Commando

command.

Deputy Chief of

Stall, in

GI 1Q, having climbed a barbed wire fence

the sentries to get there. His idea

eventually reached the

Middle East, General Auchinleck.

and memo-

Commander in Chief of and the SAS was bom. As

the the

main strength came from his ability to select and enlist those men who had both daring and vision. One such man was Paddy Mavne. (IWM) founder of the SAS,

Stirling's

10


THE EARLY YEARS

Paddy Mayne was one of Stirling's first recruits on forming the SAS. The nickname 'Paddy' came with his Irish ancestry, and before the war lie was well known for his accomplishments in the world of sport. In battle

which

possessed qualities of leadership

him apart from most men: he was awarded four lis reputation was built on his personal bravery, which

sci

DSOs. at

lie

I

times was characterised as reckless and wild. Indeed.,

he was

first

recruited into the SAS. he

Mayne survived deep behind enemy lines, only

striking a superior officer.

SAS

attacks

crash

in

Office.

was under

be killed

1955. This photograph was taken on a

(IWM)

11

arrest

the rigors of to

when

visit to

for

many

in a

the

car

War


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Lieutenant Colonel Stirling talking to Lieutenant McDonald, the leader of the raiding party pictured previously. Although this photograph in

was taken

the desert, the heavy duffel coat worn by Stirling demonstrates

cold

it

how

can get, especially at night. (IWM)

An American

Willy's

jeep as used by the SAS. They were

light, agile

and

robust, ideally suited to desert conditions because of their four-wheel drive.

This one has a

with a single Vickers

0.5m Browning heavy machine gun on the

'K' for

the front passenger and a set of twin

front, 'K's for

the rear man. All the extra jerry cans contain either fuel or water. (IWM)

12


The Early years

13


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

As early as 1042, the reputation of the SAS born. This man, Cpl

Sillito,

friendly lines alter a raid

Alamein. Cpl care of any

Sillito

and a

German

soldier

was being

walked over 100 miles back

to

on the German railway system near lieutenant, were tasked with taking

guards. As they did so the lieutenant

machine gun jammed, and he died during the

s

firefight. Sillito.

pursued by the enemy, managed to escape. With no food or water, he covered the distance in just over

was

finally

to stand.

found by members of

(IWM)

14

his

own

two days. When he

unit,

he was too weak


the early Years

Trucks of the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) preparing for battle.

The LRDG worked very closely with the SAS

in

the early

years of the North African campaign. The similarity to the fighting

columns during the Gulf War

15

is

uncanny. (IWM)

SAS


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

His Royal

Highness the Duke of Gloucester inspects troops

recommended

for gallantry

the soldiers. The the

left

who have been

awards. Note the SAS wings on the chest of

same wings

are used today, but they are

arm. (IWM)

16

now worn on


the Early Years

His Royal Highness inspects

SAS troops

as they strip and assemble

German weapons. Knowing the enemy's weapons as still

a basic requirement for their

well as your

modern-day counterparts. (IWM)

17

own

is


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Men

of ist

SAS who were parachuted behind German

Operation Bullbasket

and

Lt P.H.P.

in

Weaver

in

June 1944.

This picture of

a clandestine open-air

lines during

Lt H.

Storres

camp was taken

near Chateauroux. The purpose of Operation Bullbasket was to

support the Normandy landings. (IWM)

Opposite top: Another picture from Operation Bullbasket. The man seated at the front

is

johnie Holmes.

captured by the Germans on the 3rd

days

later.

July

except Holmes were

1944 and executed four

Note the camouflage net concealing the jeep. (IWM)

Opposite bottom: French Verrieres. Standing

Morris.

All

is

soil again, in

Capt

J.E.

the forest near Le Foret de

Tonkin, sitting on the right

The four others were captured by the Germans and

executed on the 7th

July

1944. (IWM)

18

is

Lt H.


The Early Years

19


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

During the war later to

as part

was

(Special Boat Section,

become Special Boa1 Service) established itself of 1st SAS. One of (lie meat est heroes of the SBS

the Danish

from bases islands

SBS

in Africa, the

all

in

Turkey,

SBS

the

raided German-held

round the Aegean and the Adriatic with

Lassen always

mainland

Lieutenant Anders Lassen. Operating

in the thick

of the action.

was on the

in Italy however, that a gross act of treachery

broughl about Lassen's demise. Bv to Major.

It

this

time promoted

Lassen was leading a diversionary force during

Lake Commachio. advancing alone a road heavily defended by machine-gun nests and pill-boxes. The patrol came under vicious fire: one was wounded and the rest took cover in the lake. Lassen, however, the attack on

pressed on with the attack.

gun

nests

and the

first

moved forward armed knock out three more

He destroyed

the machine-

pill-box with grenades then

with a pistol and grenades to

pill-boxes.

The

fifth pill-box

out a white flag but

when Lassen approached

their surrender, they

opened

range. Lassen

win the

\ ictoria

accept

to

and he was shot

was only the second

also being a Dane, to his actions at

fire

at close

foreigner, the first

Cross,

awarded

Lake Commachio. He was 25 years

20

hung

for

old.


The Early years

The the

birth of the

modern-day 22 SAS came about during

communist troubles

Malaya between 1950 - 1959.

in

Trouble had been brewing

in

Malaya

for a

and Lieutenant Colonel Mike

Calvert,

who was

Hong Kong

at the time,

instructed to evaluate the

communist

influence. Calvert, a tough soldier

commanded

was

an SAS Brigade during the

couple of years serving

in

who had

last war,

innovated the idea of the Malayan Scouts (SAS). He instigated

many

of the basic tactics that exist today, the

most famous being the four-man

and operated under very

patrol.

They performed

hostile conditions, completing

arduous tasks deep within enemy

territory.

Scouts formally became known as 22 SAS

whereupon

Calvert instructed Major John

return to England

and

set

The Malayan in

1951,

Woodhouse

to

up a specialised selection

course. Calvert (inset right)

is

seen

in

the photograph

above inspecting troops of the French SAS towards the end of World War

II.

(IWM)

21


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

SAS

soldiers working behind the lines with partisans

would prominently

display the British flag to notify Allied aircraft of their presence area. Exactly the

same system was used during

photograph was taken

in

Italy.

(IWM)

22

in

the Gulf War. This

the


The early years

Entry into the jungles of Malaya difficult,

the quickest

involved landing

known as

in

floor.

method being by parachute.

the high jungle canopy and

tree-jumping. The technique

dangerous, and those the trees

and Borneo was

still

who

was

This

became

at best very

survived the impact with

had to lower themselves to the jungle

These SAS troops are preparing

Note the paniers on their

for a tree

right hips in the

jump.

photo

above. These contained the lines they used to lower

themselves to the ground.

23


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

As the SAS established

once more as

itself

a regular British unit, the tasks

they were expected to undertake came thick and 1967, the

SAS

SAS were

active

in

fast.

Between 1959 and

Aden, Borneo and Oman. Here

patrol being briefed in the jungle

in

we see an

Borneo before setting out on

their mission.

With the increasing use of helicopters, tree-jumping declined, yet the conditions on the ground remained very

one of the

first

pictures taken

much

as they do today.

where helicopters were used

insertion. (IWM)

24

This

for jungle

is


THE EARLY YEARS

25


.

SAS:THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

In

1959 Jebel Akhdar

SAS

operation.

in

Oman was

Some 70 men

from

the scene for a daring 'D'

Squadron were

transported directly from the jungle to the desert, where

they immediately went into action. During the assault on Jebel Akhdar, a Billiere

won

young captain by the name of Peter De

the Military Medal for his actions. These

photographs show the rugged training

la

underway

in

terrain of the Jebel

and

riot

the Jebeli village of Saiq.

m

_ 26


The Early Years

The

role of the

SAS during the Aden

conflict

was

limited to up-

country patrolling and 'Keeni Meeni' (Swahili for snake grass) covert units mainly comprising of Fijians

the towns, passing themselves off as Arabs.

SAS found

come

difficult to

It

the

who operated was

to grips with, partly

deteriorating political situation

in

in

a conflict the

due to the

and the number of enemy factions

involved. That said, they stayed to the bitter end and were

involved

massive

in

most of the

riots in Crater district.

only

way

This

SAS trooper

lifted

action.

into Crater.

is

This picture

The road

in

was taken during the

the centre

was the

(IWM A 35119)

preparing his L42 sniper

rifle

prior to being

by helicopter into the mountains overlooking Crater. The

local uprising

had succeeded

population trapped

in

in killing

the area.

Many

most of the white of the bodies had been laid

the road for the Arab trucks to run over. After the arrival of

out

in

the

SAS sniper group,

the streets

became deserted.

(P)

27


CHAPTER TWO

Selection and Training The

SAS

selection

(SOPs). Specialist weapons

course takes place in the

Brecon Beacons. The whole course has two

Training follow.

skills

and Combat Survival

The Combat Survival phase ends with

weed out those who are unsuitable, and to push to the limit those capable of passing. The overall course, which was devised in the early 50s by Major John Woodhouse, has changed very little over the years, although more emphasis was placed on safety after a series of deaths in the late 70s and early 80s. The course is long and tough. Those who pass the build-up to test week find that at the end lliey are faced with the 'Endurance March. Little can prepare them

an Escape and Evasion exercise, where candidates are

to succeed inside the allocated time

driving licence. Only once the candidate has fulfilled

aims, to

for this challenge is

-

a fitting achievement in

Continuation training

all

the basics that

fully

Loads and distances

march, or 'Fan Dance' as

will it

is

clothed,

complete with

demanding but equally

winged dagger.

belt

essential

of the criterion required

he be marched

is

not finished.

at least a

equipment. possession of a

on the selection course

in to receive his beret It

is

with

its

mile Less full

will

coveted

bestows an ethos of belonging; a

bond with those warriors who have gone before and given so much. Then he is sent to a Sabre Squadron as an SAS

and learning Standard Operating Procedure*

out.

go on to Jungle Training, and

Even then, it SAS candidates are required to swim

make a good SAS soldier. a member of a four-man

map.

will

static-line parachuting.

selection will

his

candidates undergo intensive interrogation

Those remaining

weeks, at

SAS candidate checking

all

training.

all

lasts for fourteen

These include operating as patrol

capture,

itself.

which time those candidates surviving be taught

expected to avoid capture. However, irrespective of

Try cheating

depend on the sometimes

28

soldier.

and you are on your way exercise, but the

endurance

called, defies imagination.


29


SAS:TIIE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

M The wild Brecon Beacons, home of the SAS basic training. This barren,

mountains

is,

during bad weather, as hostile as any

other place on earth. soldiers.

30

exposed range of small

It

has claimed the

lives of

many


Selection and training

The basic the

rule of selection:

way down -

this

never give up.

31

pace yourself. Walk up the

way you

just

hill

and run on

might make the grade. Never stop and


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

32


Selection and training

Opposite top and bottom: Those to

who pass

complete the fourteen-week continuation

individuals learn

the soldiers

how

infantry regiments,

fieldcraft skills are excellent. Nevertheless,

basics helps to bring everyone up to the

Another

is

priority in the

means choosing

a

re-learning contact

SAS

is

become very

generally state of the

art.

their

same

high standard.

drills. (P)

surveillance. Staying concealed

soldier carries into battle totals is

of

going back to the

(OP).

Weapon

sophisticated, and require

expert knowledge. The value of the equipment a

it

go on

Many

and normally

good observation position

sighting systems have

will

training. Here the

to operate as a four-man patrol.

come from

This four-man patrol

week

test

many thousands

modern SAS of pounds, and

These pictures show a laser target

designator (top), and a night vision aid

(right),

which allows the

patrol to see perfectly during the dark hours. (P)

33


SAS:TIIK ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

No matter what parent regiment you come from, basic be re-learned. Weapon

assemble and

fire

skills are a

weapon

is

almost every type of weapon

an

Usi. Pictures

These soldiers are having a

field

must

necessity and learning to strip,

these two pictures show. The machine guns are small

skills

is

taught, as

M6os and

taken around 1975.

day

in

the

(P)

more than one sense of

the word, firing off a variety of weapons. The top picture shows the General Purpose Machine role.

34

The bottom picture

is

Gun (GPMG)

of a

fire

in

the sustained

power demonstration.

fire

(P)


Selection and training

mt 35


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Soldiers on basic static-line parachute training, taken inside a helicopter. This picture

was taken

Reconnaissance

at the

ILRRP (International Long Range

Patrol) School, in

Germany. Irrespective of location,

soldiers are expected to undergo several parachute

Before any soldier can enter an

jumps annually.

SAS squadron, he must

first

all

SAS

(P)

pass the basic

parachute course. This picture was taken during a basic parachute course at Brize Norton,

the

new

and shows paratroopers dropping from

low-level parachute.

The SAS now run

parachute course. (PHOTO PRESS)

36

their

a Hercules using

own

specialist


Selection and training

37


SAS:The Illustrated history

Target attack also plays a major role

in

the SAS. Despite the

advent of Laser Target Designators (LTD), demolition required. These pictures

show the demolition team

standard charges to an earth satellite station.

38

(P)

skills are still

fitting


Selection and Training

Four months of intensive training

make up

course, one of the most exciting courses participate. (P)

39

in

the

SAS demolition

which a soldier can


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

The Laser Target Designator (LTD) has begun to play in

SAS

training.

by plastering

amounts

it

a

major part

The more traditional method of destroying a target with explosive charges entailed carrying large

of explosive on to the target. Most vital installations are

well protected,

making

it

extremely

difficult to

get to the target,

and there are the additional problems of being spotted while placing the charges or the charges being discovered before they

have been detonated. The LTD simply allows the patrol to mark the target from a distance.

A wide

cruise missiles fired from a safe distance can lock 'painted' target.

These two pictures were taken

the Harrier coming

in just

device on the short legs.

bombs and

variety of smart

above sea (P)

40

level.

in

on to the laser Scotland. Note

The LTD

is

the small


SELECTION AND TRAINING

One

in

done until skills

four

SAS men

is

trained

medical

in

to provide basic life-saving support

This

skills.

on the

is

battlefield

the casualty can be evacuated. Additionally, medical play a large part

The picture on the

in

right

any 'hearts and minds' campaign.

was take

young boy with an infected removed

it

leg.

in

Oman, and shows

When

the scab

exposed the bone. Several weeks

a

was

later,

following a course of penicillin, he recovered, thanks to

the

SAS medic. The top

picture

is

of an aborigine

being treated during an SAS patrol

campong

in

Malaya.

(Soldier

man

visit to a local

Mag)

41


SAS:

Till:

[LLUSTRATED HIS POKY

Almost every SAS soldier can speak

at least

than his native tongue. Not everyone to converse

is

of

immense help

the lines. The soldier tin

in this

of food contains no pork.

is

to the

one language other

your enemy, and the

SAS while operating behind Arabic that the

is

explaining

in

A simple

thing, but

one that could

picture

cause major problems with a Muslim. This Arab

named

ability

is

from a tribe

the Bani Shihoo, as indicated by the small axe he

holding. (P)

42

is


SlXKCTION AND TRAINING

The communication Sophisticated

base

in

field

skills in

the

SAS

are second to none.

radios send burst-coded

a matter of seconds. At

stations around the world that

messages back

to

one stage, the regiment had outwould transmit back

Hereford base. With the advent of satellites,

to the

SAS communications

are totally secure and operate direct on a global scale. Even

deepest jungle, amid

torrid

in

downpours, the signaller has to get

through. (P)

43

the


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

44


Selection and Training

Jungle patrolling techniques differ from those just the lead scout

needs

to

be

alert,

in

but so do the rest of the

an SAS lead scout on operation

patrol. This is

Europe. Here, not

in

South America.

(P)

Jungle training

comes

a shock. Life

in

Movement

slow,

is

at the

the jungle

is

and there

end of selection and

is

different, especially the is

no

talking.

something of

SAS way.

The jungle soldier

always soaking wet, either from sweat or from the tropical

The base camp, where

all

the instruction

is

carried out,

is

rain.

is

normally nothing more than a few basic huts that the directing staff

have thrown up. Everyone sleeps

basha.

There

in

a

hammock under

a

(P)

is

no need to starve

in

the jungle as

it

offers a bountiful

supply of food, fresh water, and the means to build a good shelter. will

However, most of the insects and animals

give you a nasty bite. This

Belize,

SAS

in

the jungle

soldier, while training in

has built his basha high off the ground. Even his

boots are raised out of harm's way.

45

(P)

mug and


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

46


Sklkc tion and training

The pictures on the operating

in

left,

(Soldier

Mag) and above

(P)

show

lead scouts

the jungles of South America. The soldier above

shotgun, often the preferred weapon of the lead scout.

47

is

using a


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

The

matted jungle hides the sheer gradients

thickly

and rugged

which SAS soldiers must

terrain in

sometimes operate. Amid

this tapestry of vibrant

sounds and smells the four-man a

patrol finds itself in

murderous game of hide and seek. This

about to cross a

river.

bergens, wrapped

in

patrol

is

Note that they are using their

an

air-tight sack,

as floatation

aids. (P)

Finding a landing zone for the helicopter

is

not

always possible. These SAS soldiers are just about to repel into the jungle by rope.

helicopter also to be

Due

makes

in

an emergency.

dense undergrowth and

to the

versatility of the

possible for injured soldiers

winched from the jungle

(P)

foliage, contact in

usually at short range. The ability to

the jungle

is

react with

speed and aggression during an enemy

ambush may an SAS

well save your

man being

shift range.

1988. (P)

life.

This picture

shows

put through his paces on a make-

The weapon

grenade launcher.

48

it

The

is

an M16 with a 203

This picture

40mm

was taken around


Selection and tkaininc

M.

y J&

49


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

50


Selection and Training

These three photos were taken exercise

in

Brunei

in

at the

end of

a Jungle Training

1986. The helicopter coming

tree-tops gives the waiting troops a real boost.

back

in civilisation

in

Soon

with real beds and dry clothes.

51

low over the they'll

be


CHAPTER THREE

Combat Survival The

SAS

lines.

It

enemy

regularly operate behind the

pared

whal they started out doing, and

is

what they do

best.

For

the

Evasion Training plays a large pari not only during selection, but also on an annual basis for bers of the regiment.

fronting the soldier fatigue,

boredom,

The psychological

when he

is

loneliness,

to

induce

fear.

SAS

mem-

their effects in the

dier's

work

His captors

h'om

the

may

pas> are to the

designed

of isolation

and abandonment.

of capture, the prisoner must be pre-

Four SAS men,

all

dressed

in

old

just a lew

S \S soldier.

that have long

comfortable houses

in

The importance

army overcoats, are prepared

at least

one

be on the run

own to

for

&

52

for

end of

E exercise every

about a week,

living off

the land whilst being pursued by a hunter force. Then they will face a forced interrogation. (P)

of a survival

and each SAS

enemy, and return safely

at the

a

com-

of the essential survival skills taught

survival

kit

have the means

E

will

in

will

The regiment runs

These soldiers

Combat

forces.

skills, skills

and the aid of escape money or

comes

year.

for all

reproduce these condi-

this,

the Escape and Evasion exercise which selection.

to

own

and finding your direction without

operation will have his

the sol-

seek revenge by giving him a beating.

moment

is

his

and responsible

stopping short of any physical injury

out matches

hope that

fill

by

out

carried

not be underestimated,

of his predicament will

mind with a sense

personified

eyes of his cap-

civilised towns. Living off (he land, lighting a fire with-

they will defeat them.

The very nature

enemy

been forgotten by those living

soldiers are taughl to recognise the

symptoms and understand

the

hostility. In the

Survival requires special

effects of cold. thirst,

is

deeds

tions,

factors con-

These symptoms, together with hunger and

encounter some

Survival Training

captured include pain,

and the

he

tors,

Escape and

this reason,

to

effect

to his

his

own

a

can-

kit

soldier on

even

7

with him. With

blood

escape, lines.

chit

evade

.

he tin 1


53


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

These essentials form part of an SAS escape

kit,

which

is

normally housed

in

a

tobacco

tin.

The items can include: a button compass which can be swallowed; a wire saw that

will cut

through the hardest metal; a condom

fire

The magnesium block, bottom

for collecting water,

left, will light

to the individual soldier to prepare his

operation and the environment.

In

own

around 2000

and fires,

a cloth escape

tampon wet or

for

dry.

survival pack, as contents will

use It

is

in

lighting.

normally

left

depend on the

(P)

addition to the basic survival items, specialist equipment

shows

a

map, printed on

silk,

tools are not issued for escape kits, but

is

also issued. The picture below

which was used during the Gulf War. Lock-picking

many SAS

soldiers have acquired their own.

The gold

sovereigns are issued as 'blood money' with which the soldier can purchase assistance or

equipment that

will aid his

gold or US dollars.

escape. Most SAS soldiers operating behind the lines receive either

(P)

'".

33°

54


Combat Survival

SERIAL

NO

PRO Ml S O RY NOTE ,

HM

BRITANNIC GOVERNMENT PROMISES TO PAY THE BEARER OF THii NOTE THE SUM OF £5000 STERLING PROVIDING YOU DO NOT HARM THE PERSON ISSUING IT AND THAT YOU ASSIST HIM TO EITHER E|VAD£ CAPTURE OR RETURN HIM TO EITHER SAUDI ARABIAORTO NEUTRAL TERRITORY. TO CLAIM THE REWARD YOU SHOULD

TAKE THIS NOTE TO ANY BRITISH EMBASSY OR CONSULATE AND ASK TO SPEAK TO THE DEFENCE ATTACHE OR ONE OF HIS ASSISTANTS. HE WILL THEN GIVE YOU THE SUM OF E5OO0.

^ SjLiw Jl j^JI ^LUl

^

c'.tj

li*

^aLi J^k

^ij^, ^3

.

slilSUI iil JU.I

<u^L^

jyaj jl

^jVI

i^ jjJI vLLdc.

JjguuJl

aj13 •

.

show

to

any

civilian

who

has a unique number a soldier

<jl

5jtfla-»"<j^jl

JxJ JUJ

at the top

and any

British

Farsi. (P)

55

who has

chit'

aided

or Consulate to

was issued

and

and

civilian

Embassy

chit'

English, Arabic

*

that the escaping soldier will

claim his reward. This 'blood is in

^

-Jl jl

<Ui^ °

agrees to help him. Each 'blood

may approach any

i^^Jl

J

3-» jJfcSfaJl J^jlLj

jl j-^Vl (^jLL» :

<>*

document

iuj^^juJI

ji

Jl

<

SUbUI J=J JaJ

chit' is a

JjuL_* JA'J Jl

.

J^laJ A^jJL UltUa^ jJl

\JA

iSLLdJ jl <gjU.L

The 'blood

<>

^&L»jJl JjJII* liiJVI wJio > -CwLUjjj «uL^*ii

<JT*

M^-a

jl

for the Gulf

War

'

&ocLoa

<ji

«UJjJudl

• (Jjl

J^fcii


SAS:THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Living off the land

is

fast

Here the SAS 'survivor' trout.

is

becoming in

a forgotten

skill.

training learning to tickle a

Below the survivor has successfully caught a

rabbit, using a

simple snare trap. Survival training also

includes instruction on plant food recognition. (P)

56


Combat survival

^,.*-~

Different countries will offer different

soldier shot

and ate a baboon while operating

central Africa.

meat

game. This SAS

The whole patrol feasted

in

well, as the

very tasty. (P)

is

The wild turkey was trapped during a Jungle Training exercise.

meal.

It

was

full

of fleas, but provided a

good

(P)

57

say*

." 11

:

Ji

A^-wft


SAS: The Illustrated History

Lighting a learnt.

fire

without matches

When you

over an open

are wet, cold

fire will

lift

your

is

a skill

most SAS men have

and hungry, cooking your catch spirits

situation. (P)

58

during any survival


Combat Survival

Every

SAS

soldier

determines this in is

how

soon learns that the weight of the

fast

and

mind, a simple

extremely

support, the

light

how

condom can be used

is

will

he carries

long he can keep moving. With

when empty but by

condom

condom, however,

for

kit

placing

hold about two

not as easy as

59

it

for collecting water. in

it

litres

It

a sock for

of water. Filling the

looks. (P)


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

u

A

different water technique

is

shown

receive Desert Survival Training. still'.

The

here, as pilot

RAF Tornado

pilots

has constructed a 'solar

This comprises of a polythene sheet stretched over a hole

the sand. The plastic sheet

is

weighted over a cup which collects

the moisture that has condensed on the underside of the sheet.

The

pilot

is

sucking the water from beneath the sheet using a

flexible tube. Fast jet pilots are

through the ILRRP school

in

in

normally instructed on survival

Southern Germany. (IWM)

60


Combat survival

Capture by the enemy can often seem very

real

during training.

The use of unusual or 'enemy' uniforms by the hunter force adds to this realism as

treated. film

Some

does the roughness with which the prisoner

of these pictures were taken during the

is

making of

on SAS Escape and Evasion, and are very authentic.

a

(P)

The captured SAS man can expect no sympathy from the enemy, so none

is

given during training. After a 24-hour period of

interrogation, the prisoner really starts to think that he

enemy hands. Capture and

interrogation by the

enemy

the most frightening experiences a soldier must face. Survival Training

day ever

is

is is

in

one of

SAS Combat

designed to prepare the individual, should that

arrive. (P)

61


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Torture during training

is

not

allowed, but controlled applications of fear-inducing

methods are used. White sound, and forcing the prisoner to wear a pillow

case soaked with water, gives

him the impression of slow drowning.

It

is

an experience

to

be avoided. The basic

is:

give your name, rank and

number

rule

only. Isolation will

take up most of the 24 hours allocated to interrogation.

During this time, the prisoner is

kept constantly hooded,

and normally housed cold,

damp room.

the prisoner

is

In

in

a

reality,

very

uncomfortable, but the constant playing of white

sound can cause hallucinations of

sunshine.

warmth and

(P)

i

1 9

t

62


Combat survival

These pictures, taken during

training, of an

a guard are very real. Note the

man.

SAS escapee

attacking

speed of movement of the SAS

(P)

After knocking the unfortunate guard unconscious, the

gone, leaving nothing more than a

photographs were taken

at

blur.

SAS man

(The above two

normal speed, without any special

effects.) (P)

63

is


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

The enemy soldier

is

will

not give up without a chase. Here the escaping

forced to

jump

He then has to swim the have learnt during

into the river, a

drop of some 40

river fully clothed,

his selection course. (P)

64

feet.

something he would


Combat Survival

Rescue

at last. This

escapee has

with friendly forces and

He has adopted the

is

about

finally

to

65

contact

the

poses no threat to them.

recently, during the

Survival film. (P)

make

away from

crucifix position, facing

was taken

to

be picked up by helicopter.

helicopter, so that they can see that he

This picture

managed

making of

a

Combat


CHAPTER FOUR

Troop Training The

SAS

made up

is

on a surf board. In recent years, members of the SBS

of four Sabre (fighting)

Squadrons. Each squadron

is

(Special Boat Service) have been stationed at Hereford

sub-divided into

and

four troops with a small headquarters section.

join with the

SAS

in cross-training. Several opera-

SBS for Falklands War

Each troop is designed to operate in a variety of terrains and environments, providing different methods

actual water insertion and dining the

of delivering soldiers to their drop-off points. These

they demonstrated how truly professional they are.

tions

Even SAS

mountaineering and Arctic

include vehicle mobility,

warfare, air insertion and boat entry methods. Each

member

troop

will

have an individual

from medical training nals.

to languages, demolition

These are the basic

length of service,

member

it

is

skills

not

troop will specialise in

its

is

skills.

practises IIAIIO (High Altitude

sig-

allows the

courses in

tactics.

German Alpine Guides squadrons cise in

will

cle*,

pink

attend is

II.

all

when an

was found

taking part

in

best

(hiring -

World War

the sand

had

Other vehicles used by Mobility

pink.

KTM

350 and Honda 250 motorbikes;

the

the

REME

learning basic mechanical fan

training in cross-country conditions.

diver has to be ready to operate the is

down

is

their vehicles

to paint

middle of the desert

in the

it

or Pinkie

Honda is preferred as it is very quiet. Courses for members of Mobility Troop cover several weeks with

winter exer-

These include diving and even sw -miming ashore

This soldier

SAS Pink Panther

old aircraft, shot

Troop include

water insertion meth-

An SAS

of which the

burnished

the

Norway.

Boat Troop concentrates on ods.

NATO

to a tar-

Troop also uses unusual entry meth-

known. The regiment decided

with no

course. Normally, one of the

be committed to the

some 30 kilometres on

ods including micro-lights and power-kites.

aspects of

Many SAS individuals Europe, among the best of which

and Arctic

to glide

Vir-Insertion

get.

previous experience will be taught the basic* of climbing

men

High Opening). This

Mobility Troop operates using a wide variety of vehi-

New members

mountaineering and skiing.

required to be parachute trained

and

skills. all

is

extends beyond these normal static-line procedures and

to find a troop

responsible for

soldier

using the

ranging

Additionally, each

own unique

jointly carried out

before he can enter a squadron. Air-Insertion Troop

and. depending on their

uncommon

with several different

Mountain Troop

skill,

have been

moment he

an anti-terrorist exercise

66

in

is

ashore.

1995. (P)

finding

and


67


SAS:THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Boat Troop deals with

all

water-borne entry methods.

These two men are paddling canoe

is

basically a canvas cover over a

frame, allowing It

V'

ni 68

a 'Klepper' canoe.

it

to

The

wooden

be dismantled and stowed away.

can be launched from a submarine.

(P)


TROOP TRAINING

Inside the pool at Stirling Lines

Hereford. This picture

water

facility

in

shows the indoor

which can simulate various

conditions for boat and diving work. The

pool

is

fitted

w'

with a wave-making

machine, generating rough sea conditions.

used by the SAS speed and manoeuvrability.

Fast patrol boats are their

for

69

I


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

70


Troop Training

i

8B|

''

^iUkS

When swimming

ashore, equipment can be kept dry inside

specially designed waterproof bags. (P)

A more dramatic

entry can be

made by dropping from

helicopter. This picture captures the

moment

a diver

launches himself into the water. Over the years, different entry

methods had been

a

many

tried, including firing

divers from the torpedo tube of a submarine. Not

something

I

?

•'*,

.'

*

5

-1

I

•\v:'

X

i

/ \\

71

for

those

who

suffer from claustrophobia. (P)


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

members

All

of Mountain Troop

are required to undergo a basic

climbing course. These recruits are practising

of Llanberris Pass

During the

in

on the walls

North Wales.

summer months, can be great fun

climbing

like this

and very

satisfying. (P)

Members

of Mountain Troop

expand

their skills

by training

overseas. This picture

was taken

at the French Military

Climbing

School at Chamonix.

All

in

the pictures are

and

SAS

the

men

soldiers,

their climbing ability

to see. (P)

72

new

is

clear


Troop Training

The SAS produces men of outstanding talent. This picture is of Andy Baxter, climbing dining a training exercise in Southern Germany. Like Brummie Stokes and Bronco Lane before him. Andy went on to tackle Mount Everest. Unfortunately, he was badly injured during an avalanche, and died some months later. His skill and dedication to mountaineering were second to none. As a

young SAS

soldier.,

Andy

excelled at almost everything

he did. His love of climbing came after attending the

German Alpine Guides

course

in

Bavaria.

The regimen

I

annually selects two Mountain Troop soldiers to attend the year-long course. Six six

months

is

spent on skiing and

on mountaineering. In many ways, Andy Baxter

omised the daring to a challenge,

spirit of the

and meet

SAS — always

first to rise

thai challenge with skill

daring.

73

epit-

and


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Mountain Troop also specialises

most of which

is

Basic skiing

a requirement for

soldiers,

is

carried out in Norway.

and during any training

Mountain Troop Basic skiing

is

in skiing,

to

all it

SAS falls

to

supply the expertise.

a very casual

be seen by the mixed dress

affair,

as can

in this

picture.

To improve the standards of skiing, a

weekly race

is

run.

The course distance

increases as the training continues. individuals

become

highly competitive,

and go on to compete other armies.

74

Many

in

races against


Troop Training

The SAS practise living in a

their military role in Norway. This normally

snow hole

for

weeks

at a

time and observing the

enemy. As with many SAS operations, intelligence gathering prime

role. This picture

was taken from an SAS snow

overlooking the 'enemy' encampment below.

75

means

(P)

is

a

hole, while


SAS: The Illustrated History

Many operations

are carried

out using vehicles, and Mobility Troop utilises a wide

range of vehicles, from Land

Rovers to motorbikes. The

SAS

'Pink Panther'

is

recognised world-wide, and

has become a trademark of the SAS. The current vehicle the

no

comes

Land Rover. This fitted

with a variety of

armaments, and suit

is

most

terrains.

the vehicle

need of

a

in this

little

adapted

is

to

However, picture

and

help,

being winched from the

by a sister vehicle.

(P)

Although they work

in

is in is

mud

groups,

most of the Land Rovers can operate independently. Understandably,

such as

skills

navigation are a basic

requirement. Here the crew are using a theodolite to

fix

their

position. Despite the use of

modern Global

Plotting

Systems (GPS), the more traditional skills are

practised. (P)

76

still


Troop Training

Mobility Troop operates

during a river crossing

in all terrains.

in

This picture

the African bush. Training

was taken in

cross-

country conditions can vary from the UAE (United Arab Emirates) to the deserts of America. (P)

77


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Mobility Troop also needs to be familiar with vehicles not normally

associated with the SAS. Training with other units of the British

Army allows them access

show

rigid raider.

example, the Scorpion tank.

between the various troops also takes

Joint training

pictures

to, for

place.

(P)

These

Mobility Troop negotiating a ride on a Boat Troop

The small vehicle

is

a

78

Honda 350 Quad.

(P)


Troop Training

*».

i

V*»*

.

«

.» IKJ^,,;

*«- S

1^3^

79


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Getting ready for a high-altitude jump, the

men

will

move

from the main oxygen control panel to their personal supply. (Photo Press)

There

is

an Air Insertion Troop with each squadron, normally

referred to as the 'Prima Donnas'. Their tasks are

more

individual, as they are normally only involved with the rest of

the squadron

in

the path-finding role, going

main force to secure and mark Every

the

SAS

soldier,

SAS parachute

when he has

a

in

ahead of the

drope zone or landing area.

finished selection, will attend

course. This involves four low-altitude

(200ft) static line jumps,

seven normal (800ft) jumps and two

water jumps. Here the SAS soldier

is fully

rigged out for a

high-altitude jump, complete with oxygen system. (Photo Press)

1

B

'"

-.

;

=-v

..

.

<

80


TROOP TRAINING

Exiting the aircraft

and going

into the

Note the rucksacks are

'delta' position.

secured, upside down, on the soldiers' backside.

When

the equipment

body on

the parachute has opened, is

lowered away from the

a rope.

After a hard day's training,

whether

jumping, swimming, driving, climbing or skiing, there's nothing like a nice cold

beer.

81


CHAPTER FIVE

Oman he

Oman War was

one the British public knew

as

about.

It

any third world nation.

A

lion in the region

when

the regime of

hope of change,

rebel-

north-

west of the town. Gunner Walid Khalfan of the

Oman

before a relief force

I

drove

a general amnesty,

many

won

moved

into the area,

\\

who resisted. the SAS were

where they remained

During

killed.

this

Trooper Tobin

action

air strike

Corporal

fatally injured

and seri-

ously wounded.

hard-line communists

Almost immediately, two squadrons of

and an accompanying

Trooper Takavesi and Gunner Walid Khalfan both

of the people over to the government, but there

were a great

action lasted nearly four hours

enemy.

the

off

Labalaba was

and

put into progress plans that would bring his people out of the dark ages. This pledge of social development

The

Service soldiers.

son Qaboos in a bloodless coup.

many

just outside the walls of the fort,

was already there. Before long the entire crew were wounded. The rebels continued to attack with great ferocity and made repeated attempts to take the gun, often from within grenade-throwing range, and despite the supporting fire from the other Special Air

rife.

The young Sultan declared

a 25-

Artillery

The situation was saved Said bin Taimur was deposed by lis was

nine-man Special

man

pounder gun

feudal state where the peo-

ple lived without progress or the

of a

Air Service Civil Action team, went to

was a war of counter- ins urgency against communist-backed rebels and a war that took the lives of many good SAS men. The country itself is rich in oil and its northern tip controls the Straits of Hormuz, through which half the world's oil passes. The country prior to 1970 was as backward little

members

trooper Takavesi, both

hen the war was won. the

civil

[hey drilled for water, and for the liquid

was

plentiful. Bulls \\r\v

aid teams

first

moved

in.

time this precious

imported and the local

herds were improved, bringing better food to the popu-

for several

Army Training many battles were

working with the

local people not just to fight off the

fought and of these the Battle of Mirbat must rank as

rebels, but also to

improve the basic standard of

years, officially

known

Team (BATT). During the greatest. At

the long war,

dawn on

rebel force, about

as the British

250

lation.

brought

of

Mirbat in the Dhofar Province of Southern Oman.

When

the battle started,

schools,

Corporal Labalaba and

The Jebel Massive

is

fully

involved with these efforts,

Oman

modern world, with good roads and hospitals, a far cry from the bad old the

into

days of the 60s.

a strange place to fight a war.

In

places

it

is

cut with

steep sided gorges that are reminiscent of the Grand Canyon. To the north, the vegetation fades out to nothing, only rock

east and west, buried

in

nest

in

In

and sand. To the

the gorges, small villages have developed

terraced fields. To the south, the Jebel Massive drops Indian Ocean.

living.

Today, the reforms instigated by Sultan Qaboos have

the 19th of July, 1972, a large strong, attacked the Port

The SAS were

the greener regions,

it

is

away sharply

to the

a place of great beauty. Birds

the trees and wild animals can be spotted on the slopes. (P)

82


83


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

HI^^KHH 84


OMAN

The of

local Jebelis

life,

had

which

were a proud people, existing on the very basics

many

in

way

lived this

for

Many

Middle East, some their minds.

On

in

little

surviving.

They

of the

the rock to catch water and breeding

in

young men

search of work,

returning to their

that they revolted.

travelled throughout the

some

just

wishing to expand

own miserable

having seen the way that people lived

wonder

more than

thousands of years, building houses of

stone, constructing cisterns cattle for food.

meant

cases,

in

living conditions,

other countries,

it

is

little

(P)

Opposite: Sultan Qaboos, ruler of Oman. His father, Sultan Said bin Taimur,

kept the country

1970, Qaboos,

Academy

in

in a

who had been

backward, feudal manner. Then, trained at the British Military

Sandhurst, deposed his father

the Palace. Since that time he has

improve

his country

and help

in

in

employed

a bloodless all

his people. (Frank

85

coup

his energies to

Spooner)

at


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

One

of the

first

tasks that the

SAS had

to deal with

was

to inform

the local population about the palace coup and the intentions of their

new

leader,

tent that had

Qaboos. This picture was taken by the medical

been set up

at the start of a hearts

and minds

campaign. The men were given small portable radios, while the children were given T-shirts. (P)

86


Oman

These

Jebeli children are

Qaboos

is

their

new

holding leaflets announcing that Sultan

ruler.

The

Psychological Warfare Team.

leaflets

(P)

87

were provided by the SAS


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

In

the north of

villages

was by

Oman, the only way boat. The Trucial

to visit

Oman

some

of the coastal

Scouts crewed this Arab

dhow, which spent a month going around the isolated This picture

shows the dhow leaving

sea. Here the

SAS

villages.

a small cove, inland from the

party found several families which had been

banished under the old Sultan's

on brackish water and

fish

rule.

They had survived

from the sea.

88

(P)

for years


Oman

This picture

shows the town

of Taqa.

between

lies

It

the southern capital Salalah, and the town of Mirbat.

The old and

fort

directly

housed the

local Wali

opposite

the house used for

is

and

his soldiers,

many

years

by the SAS. The tree indicates the centre of the town

SAS

square. Just a few years before the

were

still

sold

under enemy Massive.

in this fire

Taqa was constantly

square.

prior to the

SAS assaulting the

Jebel

(P)

This Arab builder had fallen off a roof a

the

arrived, slaves

SAS dhow

arrived.

The hole

week before was

in his skull

plastered with a mixture of dates and

salt.

extent this treatment had worked, but

when

To

some

the

SAS

medic removed the makeshift poultice, a large square of skull full

came away with

it.

This hole, with the brain

view, caused a problem. Eventually, the medic

opened

a ration

pack and cut the

off a

lid

of processed cheese. He sterilised the

and secured stitching.

next

The

in

it

over the hole with

lid

some

metal can

by boiling

it,

decorative

The man was given antibiotics and on the

visit a

month

letters 'ese'

later,

on the

the

wound had almost

tin lid

could

still

healed.

be seen, but

with time that would heal over. (P)

89


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

The Adoo (Arabic

enemy) were mostly

for

conscripted from the local Jebelis. They were

could

fast,

live off

the land, and

every water hole was located. years,

it

was

difficult to

them and they were

come

free to

In

knew where the early

to grips with

roam the

Jebel

Massive, attacking the coastal towns at

will.

(P)

Things soon changed when the SAS led their Firqats (indigenous forces trained by the SAS,

many Adoo)

of

whom

had previously fought

into the fray.

for the

These three Adoo were

killed

during one of the

Jebel.

Normally the Adoo were well dressed,

fighting in green shorts their waists

a

and

contacts on the

shirts.

Around

were ammunition belts and The

Thoughts of Chairman in

first

handy pocket.

In

Mao was

always kept

fairness, they

were

brave adversary, fighting for a misguided cause. (P)

90

a


Oman

Not a pretty picture. After a major stand-off attack a patrol was sent out to see what

damage had been caused. A mortar bomb had landed amid

group of Adoo, asked

for a

killing

many

body count, the

of

them

patrol

instantly.

member

When

91

the mortar controller

reported, 'Four plus an

arm.' Nothing else of the guy could be found. (P)

a

odd


SAS:

The

British

major part

Army in

the

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Training Team, or

Oman

BATT as they were known, played

War. Without their contribution, the war

have been won. This picture shows a typical group of SAS BATT.

92

may (P)

a

not


Oman

Once the running

battles

were

over, the

BATT

settled

down

into fire-bases.

These were easier to re-supply, and a build-up of stores was possible. The bases were

all

well defended, usually by building

sandbagged bunkers

around the perimeter fence that protected the heli-pad or

air-strip. (P)

Defending the locations against Adoo stand-off attacks was mainly down to the

GPMGs and

Omani

artillery

mortars. At times, to cover

would supply

a field

more long-range

gun and crew.

93

(P)

patrols, the


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Always ready, the SAS mortar

men would sleep

in

live, eat,

the mortar

a challenge for

out for the

being

fired,

rounds

in

and

pit.

them

It

was

to listen

Adoo mortars and then get

the

air

before the

enemy bombs had

landed.

The two SAS soldiers

(P)

in this

picture are posing in a

disused mortar

pit.

scored a bulls-eye

The Adoo

when one

of their mortar rounds landed right

on

target.

By a stroke of

sheer luck, the mortar was

unmanned

94

at the time. (P)


Oman

Author's Note: This

was

a day to

remember!

We

this fire-base only after a fierce battle with the

previous night. About an hour after

one of our

patrols,

under heavy

fire.

took

some 2000 metres was

I

I

I

was shot

from this location hit in

-

I

in

Adoo

the

this picture,

to the front,

came

part of a relief group sent out to

provide the retreating patrol with covering fire fight,

had won

fire.

During a

the leg no more than 300 metres

was

lucky, the

guy next to

me was

the heart. (P)

95


SAS: The Illustrated History

96


OMAN

Machine-gun positions were often constructed from old

ammunition boxes. The firepower and played a major part

in

Opposite: During the

came

in

and the

re-supply, as the action, as the

the

SAS

their

the

it

heads

Somme

in

monsoon season,

drizzle started,

this

GPMG

was home. The mist

and no one moved. There was no

choppers could not

fly.

There was very

little

not stand the wet and cold either. For

a matter of putting up with the a

the

the successful outcome of the conflict. (P)

Adoo could

was

reliability of

good book. This

picture

than the Middle East.

97

(P)

is

mud and

burying

more reminiscent of


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

From the patrols

firm fire-bases, the fighting patrols

would move

This picture

in

would go hunting. Some

the daytime, but night operations were preferred.

shows the SAS

in

rehearsal for a large

ambush on

the border

with Yemen. (P)

After being

choppered

in

close to the Yemeni border, the

SAS ambush

would sweat out the daylight hours using what cover they could. The heat during the day was unbearable, but at night, while waiting position,

-

i

it

was

freezing. (P)

-\^: ^*-

**

98

in

the

ambush


Oman

The Sultan of Oman's

Air-Force, (SOAF)

was, during the campaign, by European

manned mainly

They were

pilots.

exceptionally good, and would do

everything BATT.

in their

From the

(Hueys) were

needed

power

to assist the

the helicopters

start,

constant use; they were

in

to ferry troops,

evacuate the

wounded, and supply ammunition and water. (P)

As the serviceable hours of the helicopters ticked away, the air-strips

SAS were

forced to build

on which the Shorts Skyvan

could land.

It

could bring

in

made a

sense, as the Skyvan

much

larger load.

However, sometimes the SAS would have to fight for a location,

an

air-strip all in

fairness to the

the

same

Skyvan

land on anything the Equally, the

Skyvan

major asset

in

defend

it

and build

night. In

pilots,

they would

SAS constructed.

itself

proved to be a

winning the all-important

logistical war. (P)

99


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

The SOAF Strikemaster. These neat

models of the Gnat Strikemasters Mirbat,

had

it

made

trainer.

little

fighter aircraft

As the Adoo had

little

were combat

or no air support, the

a big difference to any battle. During the battle for

not been for the

SOAF

jets

coming

in at

low altitude and

stopping the Adoo on the wire perimeter, then the outcome would have

been very

different. (P)

100


Oman

As the war came to an end, the Adoo retreated to Shirshitti wadi.

combat

supplies.

It

was believed

that their capture to the

SAF

Regiment but, as always, the SAS and

afternoon they had

whereupon

a base

managed was

in

the

would help bring an

(Sultan's

Firqat

Armed

Forces)

were involved. By mid-

to reach a clearing called Point 985,

established. During the night the

very close range, killing four

many more.

complex

These caves were said to hold tons of weapons, food and

end to the war. The task was given Jebel

a cave

members

of the

(P)

101

Adoo attacked

at

SAF and severely wounding


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Next day the force advanced

down

into the Shirshitti. By mid-morning,

reached the Shirshitti wadi, but the At this stage

commander

realised that he

most of the SAS men had attached themselves

headquarters. With Red

Company was Lance

Red Company had

had moved too

to the various

Corporal Thomas. As the lead platoons broke

Within seconds most of the platoon were dead, cut

power. The

Company Commander,

better look at the situation. to the

soldiers that officers,

who

were

SAS still

down by

alive

dropped

tried desperately,

their

sometimes

clearly out of control.

weapons and

all

As

in all

such

own

in

show

sometimes from

the

just a

SAS men

wadi; the

at

few metres.

102

SAF

lives, to regain control.

made

their

way back

to

Adoo were confirming

To alleviate this gruesome sound, a full-blown mortar barrage was called

that night,

fire-

ran. This did not include the white

at the cost of their

coming from down

the battle area. These two pictures attack

Adoo

quickly grouped together for support. All around them, those

Point 985, shots could be heard kill.

the ferocious

The Adoo had been waiting, and they too were cut down. Even

Order was eventually restored at gun point. As the shaken troops

their

Adoo opened

together with several other men, rushed forward to get a

hardened SAS men, the situation was

circumstances, the

south.

command

cover (against the advice of Corporal Thomas) into an area clear of bush, the fire.

far

down on

dawn. They had been under


Oman

SAS

This cave.

The

patrol have located an inset picture

shows some

weapons captured, covered the

damp

Adoo had

Yemen.

103

in

a plentiful supply of in

of the heavy

rust from storage in

caves. Throughout the

which were transported

enemy weapons

Oman War

the

weapons, most of

from neighbouring


SASrTllL ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Once the main

battles were over,

teams were brought

in.

One

and the areas were

of their

first

tasks

was

stabilised, civil aid

to exploit the vast

underground sources of fresh water. This simple act played a major

role in

winning the hearts and minds campaign, as water had always been

in

short

supply previously. The top picture clearly shows the water gushing from the ground, and flooding the desert. A new cattle breeding farm was set up to

improve the large stock of cows on the Jebel Massive. Unfortunately, the Hereford bulls, imported from England, were too beasts, and

many would simply

fit

and heavy

for the native

collapse under the bulls' weight. Eventually a

metal frame was constructed to support the

bull,

the cows were backed

in

underneath the frame to be serviced. The SAS were

fully

the sites for the water-drilling teams and helping

the cattle round-up. (P)

104

in

involved

in

securing


Oman

Many good SAS men

died in the

Oman

War. and

many

wounded. This picture is of 'Gordie Barker who, having fought through most of the battles,

others were badly

was

killed in a

warms

parachuting accident. The smile that

his face in this

Gordies good humour.

photograph

On

Gordie would entertain the

a

is

typical

rest of

reminiscent of

day

in

Oman,

the group by shaving

them with a cut-throat razor. While doing this, endless jokes would abound, adding to the general comradeship.

105


CHAPTER SIX

NORTHERN IRELAND ^

Torthern Ireland and the S \S did

j^^

^^

I'irsl

^ when

J.

good combination. S \ s

ticularl)

deployed

the province in

In

they openly patrolled

make

no1

RUC

a par-

Uigusi

the

l

streets

)()

(

least.

on a more clan-

action,

swift

that

required to give the warning Stop or

berets were seldom seen on

ed three times. Inevitably,

soldiers adopting the colours of

whichever regiment was

gave away the

e(\^v. that ele-

was the SAS

Even when confronted by member of the [RA carrying a bomb or gun. they were

a

SAS

rules of contact

out soldiers in grave danger.

in.

the streets, with

by the SAS)

stock in trade. Indeed, the rules of engagement often

(

own

The

ment of surprise and

1

destine nature. Their

ere ford

Surveillance, both static

Il

their role took

1

and mobile, formed a large part of SAS life in Northern Ireland and the conditions under which they had to work were difficult to say the

and

il

Second time round,

1

tasks.

)

manned road blocks wearing ordinary uniform including their own sand-coloured berets. Their tour of duly was decided thai their was brought to an end when specialist skills could be put to better use in Oman. )?4. when the situation in Northern was not until Ireland had deteriorated considerably, that the SAS were sent back

in

developed the experience and aptitude to handle such

soldiers were (

Special Branch trained

in

SAS

political complexities,

I

shoot

-

repeat-

a situation fraught with

actions which led to shots

officially resident in the bor-

being fired and people being killed caused an uproar

der area. Eventually, they took on a completely cover!

with the IRA complaining of wholesale slaughter and

role, patrolling

ing out

the border

members

in

of the IRA.

supplied by their

own

South Armagh and seek-

Working from

surveillance operations, or by

gence agencies operating

in

as

intelli-

(an undercover surveillance

became Even this

team made up

gave their the

fray,

best.

From

IRA death

the

toll

moment

Northern Ireland was. and

of

still

rent to the terrorists.

by the SAS. They had been involved

Light Infantry.

Service Unit)

Some

in

an action by the IRA when a

a bus filled with

ten days

who had been

later,

members

members

of the

(Active

responsible, crossed back into the north

order to attack another target.

On 30 August 1988,

bomb

of the ist Battalion The

IRAASU

in

the intended target, a

policeman, was replaced by four SAS men. The SAS drove the intended target's Leyland truck to this site

appeared

in

a stolen car

and faked a breakdown. The IRA

and opened

fire

terrorists. (P)

106

-

the

SAS responded,

the

SAS

entered the

quickly rose. Their presence in

This cross marks the spot where Gerard Martin and Brian Mullan were shot

was detonated beneath

order to protect

war which the regiment neither sought nor needand working under strict political supervision, they

ed,

diminished somewhat, however, when units such

E4A

in

In a

the province, they

the strike force sent in to finish off the job.

up

sensitive operations.

intelligence

any one of the confusion of other competing'

role

the authorities trying to cover

killing

the

remains, a major deter-


107


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

108


NOKTIIIRN IRKIANI)

An amazing shot of four members of the IRA who have been

firing at

the security forces. Normally such incidents were

hit-and-run tactics, but

it

is

clear to see that the firing party

have cover from the man crouching behind the

109

just

wall.

(IWM)


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

In

the early 1970s the

British army. This

SAS would normally

gave them an insight into the general situation and how

the other ground forces operated

Devon and Dorset Regiment Crossmaglen.

Bessbrook still

Forkhill

in

patrol

South Armagh. This picture of a

was taken

in

the market square of

(Photo Press)

Mill,

which has been

use today.

in

patrol with other units of the

It

is

in

use since the start of the troubles,

is

the main support base for troops working out of

and Crossmaglen. Every

patrol

must be inserted and re-supplied

by helicopter. This puts a great strain on the RAF and Army Air Corps. This picture

was taken

Two SAS men

home

of the

in

June 1996.

relaxing in the

SAS

in

SAS bar

in

Northern Ireland for

many

years. Taken around 1976,

note the long hair and scruffy appearance of the

SAS

men

often had to try to pass themselves off as local

110

Bessbrook was the

Bessbrook.

in this

photo. The

workmen.


NORTHERN

111

IRIXANI)


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Captain Bob Nairac was in

May

live

killed

l>\

and work oni of the same lie

was from

IRA

member

1977. Although qo1 a

Armagh,

the

Northern Ireland

of the SAS. Nairac did

location in Bessbrook. South

known

a unit

in

14 Intelligence and

as

on which the

Security, a

coven

SAS could

then lake action. A highlx intelligent man. and cer-

tainly

unit used to gather information

enormously courageous. Boh Nairac decided

local pul) close to the

border with the

that Nairac inadvertently

attempted

to leave

was followed. A

fisl

drew

and make fight

his

Irish

Republic.

to visit It

was here

himself.

As he

attention

to

way hack

to the car park,

9mm

he

pursued (Bob Nairac was an excellent

boxer and could take care of himself) but during the tussle

Browning

a

pistol fell to the

ground.

I

lis

assailants

his

grabbed

and he was soon overpowered. Blindfolded and gagged. Nairac was taken bv car to a held on the border where IRA it

members took

He was

and tortured in the corner of a field, using a fence post with which they beat him repeatedly around the body and head. Despite what has been called a murderous beating bv the IRA themselves. Bob Nairac did not talk. In the end. the) shot him with his own pistol and his body was disposed of. never to be recovered. control.

interrogated

112


NOKTIIKKN IKILANI)

A farmer

cutting his ditches discovered the path of a

leading to a large IRA

bomb

placed

in

a culvert beneath the

The SAS did a reconnaissance and discovered the

bomb. The In

command

picture indicates the path of the

firing

command

wire

main road.

point and the

wire to the

bomb.

order to deactivate the bomb, the Ammunitions Technical Officer (ATO)

was taken

to the site by an

SAS

soldier

As the ATO did so, he stepped on trap.

He did not discover

this until

a

and allowed

home-made pressure

bits. Later,

it

little

took several drinks

was

heavier, he in

plate

booby

he had neutralised the bomb. Lucky

him, the pad between the pressure plates

weight. Had he been just a

to disarm the device.

thick

enough

113

to bear his

would have been blown

the bar to stop the

for

man from

to

shaking.


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Behind the picture of

SAS man

this

playing the

hunchback of Notre Dame, there

which

funny

a very

is

in itself

story,

depicts the

hardships that working

in

an

observation position can

Two men had been

bring.

sent out to observe and

photograph

a local barber's

shop. The barber was

suspected of being a

member

of the IRA, and

pictures

were required to

who was

establish

visiting

the premises. Eventually, the

two men found for their

OP

the town

in

hall.

a location

the ceiling of

Working

in

the space between the inner

ornate roof and that of the buildings outer roof, the two

men

set up

camp

in

the tiny

maintenance space behind the town hall clock.

At each

side of the clock, through

which was a sloping vent, clear pictures could be

taken of the barber's shop

Hot soup and sandwiches were delivered to the

across the street.

morning hours

via a small trap

door

men

the town hall ceiling. Messages, exposed film and

in

waste were lowered down, with fresh supplies being hauled up. A bin

gloom toilet.

at the

during the early

placed

liner

The weather was very sunny and

worked

toilet,

his

way along

shocked by something moving

man had

the

end of the catwalk which ran the length of the domed inner roof served as after

about

five days,

the heat which

ever seen.

Its

to

in

need of

the catwalk towards the bag. Halfway along, he stopped,

the gloom. There

body was two

SAS man panicked, daring not went by before he

in

a

became

trapped between the inner and outer roofs was unbearable. One of the soldiers, the

in

feet across,

move

in front

and

for fear that

realised that spiders that size

it

of him

was the biggest spider

large eyes glistened

in

its

head. The

would attack him. Several moments

do not

exist.

Then he saw what

it

was. The

black bin liner had been twisted and sealed up with an elastic band after use, to cut

down

on the smell. As the heat had increased, the gases had expanded, creating a look-alike giant spider lurking

in

the half-light. With

some

relief,

and fearing that the bag might explode

any moment, the SAS soldier committed a second

him

error;

he opened the sack. The smell

sledgehammer. He managed to crawl back to where

like a

watch, only to find him face up against the vent trying to suck

in

clean

demonstrates the daily hardships that SAS men encounter

this story

terrorism

his partner

-

they stayed

in

the location undetected for three weeks.

114

in

(P)

at hit

was keeping

air.

Although funny,

the war against


NORTHERN IRELAND

On the

afternoon of 2 May. 1980, two cars sped

Antrim Road deploying an SAS team pects from

number

to

down

the

round up sus-

69. Another car covered the rear of

die house.

Unknown to the SAS.

American

M60 machine gun

in

IRA had mounted an the upstairs window of

the

the adjoining house. Captain Richard Westmacott, the

commander

of the mission,

w as r

sitting in the

middle in

and was the last to leave the vehicle. He was shot dead by a burst from the M60. Knowing that their officer was dead, the SAS men con-

the rear of one of the cars,

turned the assault until a white flag signalled the terror1

The surrender was honoured. Captain Westmacott had joined the SAS from the Grenadier Guards and was an officer in G Squadron. He was the ists

first

surrender.

SAS

by the IRA. He did not perSAS officer - his fair, curly hair gave

soldier to be killed

sonify the typical

him the look of a schoolboy, and he had a love of

poetry.

But that was the surface. Inwardly, he w-as as tough as

awarded a posthumous Military Cross. His death ended the run of bad luck that had dogged the they come: he was

SAS

in

Northern Ireland, as three days

later the

stormed the Iranian Embassy in London. (P)

115

boys


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

When

the police station at Loughall

units of the IRA, they

when masked men that the van

was attacked by two

were met with the

would be used

in

down

Dungannon.

little

past

the road past the police station.

hooded IRA

terrorists.

was suspected

It

shortly returned from the in

the cab where

Declan Arthurs was driving, with Michael

Gormley and Gerald O'Callaghan riding shotgun. The bucket was with explosive contained

the station, the JCB riding

an

oil

the gate.

shotgun ignited the bomb. Back

ambush was

stage the

the devastating

SAS

was one

of the

who were that

left

of the two IRA

the direction of the

members

RUC

half the

RUC

hooded men

station.

of the IRA

At the height of the fire-fight, the

men

At this

fell,

hit

by

bomb

station. Without doubt, Loughall

most successful operations ever mounted against the

totally

was

it

One

at the van, several

activated. All eight

fire.

exploded, taking with

fire in

filled

drum. While the blue van charged past

slammed through

jumped out and opened

all

in

started

7pm, the blue Toyota van

direction of Portadown, this time followed by a JCB,

three

It

It

an attack. Surveillance by E4A had

identified the target as Loughall. At a

drove

force of the SAS.

full

stole a Toyota van from

active service

stunned by the loss of two complete active

IRA,

units. This is

of the van. The rods indicate bullet holes. (Photo Press)

116


NORTHERN IRELAND

An SAS in

patrol being inserted for an operation

in

South Armagh. Their use

the province has always been highly publicised. At the time this picture

was taken,

the

SAS would only

fly in

directly

specific task. (P)

117

from Hereford dealing with a


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

This picture

shows the basic equipment

Northern Ireland.

(P)

118

carried by the

SAS

in


NORTIIKKN IKKLANI)

SAS men

in

an Observation Position (OP) on the South Armagh border.

These two had to within a

two

women

just

heard shots

fired

from a

car,

and the car then drove up

few metres of their location. The four people - two men and - then started to have sex.

As the car rocked, the SAS men

pounced, opening the car doors to reveal some very surprised faces.

119

(P)


SAS:

1

UK ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Much

of the

reland

is

of the best attributes of the

hours. But living

in

the ground

photograph indicate the water this soldier

was

is

SAS

is

their ability to hide during daylight

extremely uncomfortable. The lines on this

levels of

day one and day two,

lying.

120

in

the

OP where

Northern

is

about to leave

and patrol on to

target. (P)

One

in

carried out at night.

This soldier his hide

work

his


NORTHERN IRELAND

Although most people would regard the IRA as the enemy

Army presence are

many

in

in

Northern Ireland, the SAS,

like

the rest of the British

the province, were essentially there to keep the peace and could not afford to take sides. There

instances

when

the

SAS mounted operations

against, for example, the Ulster Defence Association.

One

such incident involved Republican activist and former MP, Bernadette McAliskey (nee Devlin). Intelligence indicated that the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) planned to

kill

McAliskey together with her husband, Michael, at their

isolated farmhouse near Coalisland on 16 January 1981. The

they could conceal themselves

was some 200 metres from the

did so at speed, driving directly to the house.

the house, the

SAS put the house under observation but the nearest

UDA had smashed

the door

in

building.

When

the three

gunmen

arrived by car, they

The SAS team responded immediately, but by the time they reached

and shots were heard. The gunmen were arrested as they made

their

escape and on checking inside the house, the soldiers found Michael McAliskey bleeding from a severed artery and in

a grave condition. Bernadette, although shot several times,

alive until

was not so

an ambulance arrived. The McAliskeys survived and the three

fifteen years

and

life

imprisonment.

121

critical.

UDA

The SAS medic kept them both

assassins were sentenced to between


CHAPTER SEVEN

Anti-Terrorist Team uch has been written about the SAS and

who would

their role in the anti-terrorist war. This role

cause required a fresh approach right front the

is

modern SAS image

characteristic of the

and

is

grabs the most media coverage. Governments began to

new breed Munich Olympics

terrorism after the atrocity

1972. At the international

at

G7

heads of government made a

the

talks

Today, the

of in

their training

and

each other

anti-terrorist

skills

in

SAS was given the task of equipping the new force that was to become the team. The concept of combating people

House'. He is

is

dressed

in

in this

the

weapon

Browning

is

a

pistol

9mm

seen on his waist. (1990)

techniques and equipment have been

tested

in

operations in

ol

many

in

to

Hi-Power

(P)

122

1

)77 to the

countering the internal and international

'Killing

and body armour. His head

with a torch, and his back-up

pistol.

in

the

underline the huge role played by

wearing a respirator with night

is fitted

Mogadishu

(

other nations. The photographs used

standing outside the famous

is

from

ranging

siege in

rorist threat.

protected with a flash hood and he

MP5 machine

provides the best anti-terrorist team

chapter help

SAS

fire-retardant overalls

goggles. The

Its

Embassy

teams

ist

anti-terrorist soldier

start.

London in 1980. These special have been exported and used to trail) anti-terror-

Iranian

and operations.

The basic SAS

SAS

Lufthansa airliner hijack

In Britain, the

and training

and

tried

pact to build up

to co-operate with

the world.

in

dedicated domestic forces capable of dealing with any terrorist situation,

lives to further their

siasm.

which followed, the

secret

own

The equipment was new, the tactics were new and the SAS responded to the training with unmatched entlni-

certainly the area of operation that

look seriously at ways of combating the

gladly risk their

Two

stun grenades can be

ter-


123


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY


COUNTER TERRORISM

The basic

anti-terrorist

operations this

will

team consists of about 30 men, although

vary depending on the situation. The

to the scene of the incident in

Range Rovers and

them the weaponry and equipment on

site.

to

for

men normally

drive

Transit vans, carrying with

go into action the moment they are

(1992) (P)

125


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

lhe

Killinii

building

louse

I

in the

is

the

name

grounds of the

buildings on the base thai

I

1<>

a llal-iooled block

lereford base.

in

is

given

It

is

constant use.

It

one of the few

was designed

with the express purpose of perfecting individual shooting

skills

and building clearance drills practised by the SAS. The internal layout allows for main different scenarios, from simple targel

have been

thai

and the

the millions of rounds

room combat. Despite

practice to

fired since the

realistic conditions

Killing

I

louse'

under which training

there has to thi^ day only been one fatality.

of the Signals

and

his

I

lis

my

died

members amusement

love/hate relationship with certain

untimely death came as a great shock to everyone. was

a bit of a loner, but he frequently

house, and spent several Christmases with

stern exterior beat a heart of gold

worthy

carried out.

real character in

Squadron was a constant source of

Author's Note: Ray at

is

The man who

was Ray Abbots (pictured above). Ray was a the regiment.

was constructed

and he was a

friend.

126

my

came

family.

to dinner

Beneath

first-class soldier

his

and

a


Counter Terrorism

Once

at the incident site, the

SAS may move

into a

nearby

holding area were they can be briefed and

make

Heavier and more specialised equipment

carried in a large

box-van. (1982)

(P)

127

is

preparations.


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Weapons

MP5K

will

depend on the

situation, but the

(short) together with the stun

used. The stun grenades

will

MP5 and

the

grenades are almost always

momentarily blind, deafen and

SAS

disorientate the targets, giving the

a precious few

seconds to

burst into the building. (1990) (P)

Opposite top and bottom: Training with basic involves

room combat, working

all

for the assault

in

two

teams

pairs of two,

starts

and

types of terrorist situation. Here the SAS can be seen

storming a building using a vehicle and helicopter. Those on the roof are preparing to descend by rope, while those on the vehicle are using fixed ladders to gain entry. All the assault vehicles are fitted

with special platforms enabling men, equipment and assault

ladders to be carried outside the vehicle should (1985) (P)

128

it

be necessary.


Counter terrorism

129


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

As most hijackings or kidnappings part

in

assault training. These

men

start off in offices, buildings play a large

can been seen getting into position

ready to assault on command. The second will fire

man

the Hatton round. The Hatton round

case which

will

remove the hinge and

is

is

carrying a shotgun which

a special 12-bore cartridge

a large section of a door. (P)

130


Counter Terrorism

k\

~&*M

m

12.

^m

^_H

^ Y

\

k

L

A^

"*

• *

^

i^ I

»

W*-' /*'" V a i

^H •

/

1

#-

"

:

When

the 'GO'

picture

is

given, the assault

team

shows the Hatton round about

team make

ready.

The man on the end

131

to is

will

be

make fired

their entry. This

while the rest of the

holding a Hooligan bar.

(P)


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

The Hooligan bar being put through for the

the bar

its

paces.

It

was designed

in

America

express purpose of removing windows. Two or three blows with will

take out most of the window, then the hooks are used to pull

out the debris.

(P)

Planning an assault takes into consideration every possible method of entry.

Here two

men

are attempting to get

second man, covering, gas rounds, although

it

is is

in

through a skylight. The

using an Arwen (shown

capable of

firing

projectile. (P)

132

in detail inset)

to fire

several other different types of


COUNTER TERRORISM

133


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Repelling

down

a rope

and smashing through

dramatic, but sometimes

it

is

a

the only solution.

window may

look a

The rope feeds from

attached to the soldier's leg harness. This avoids any entanglement.

134

bit

a sack (P)


Counter tkrrorism

Once an entry has been grenades and,

if

deemed

effected, the

first

things to go

in

necessary, the gas rounds. This

shot taken during training just as the assault team

135

is

are the stun is

a wonderful

about to

enter. (P)


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

136


COUNTEK TKKROMSM

The teams have to work through the

light

and sound of the stun

grenades, clearing rooms and stairwells as they go. instance, gas has been used. (P)

137

In

this


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

A dramatic shot

of two assault

men

caused by a stun grenade. This

one the SAS are able

is

firing,

set against a backdrop of

fire

a minor fault with the stun grenade, but

to put up with considering the spectacular effect

and advantages of the grenade.

(P)

138


COINTKKTIRROKISM

During any SAS terrorist operation, marksmen from the police

Dn

section

are always in evidence. They normally supply the outer cordon

surrounding the area of operations, and assist with the handling of the situation until the

SAS

Finlander .223 sniper

are on the scene. This

rifle.

man

The man behind him

139

is

is

using a Tikka

spotting. (P)


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

This picture highlights the diversity and manoeuvrability of the SAS. Using a

Chinook

helicopter, they

descend and assault the hijacked bus. The men can

descend, complete with ladders and equipment, of speed and surprise play a major part

140

in

in

only seconds. The elements

any such operation. (1989)

(P)


COUNTER TERRORISM

141


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

142


Counter Terrorism

Trains can be attacked using the

smashed window

that no

same technique. You

expense

is

They gave

their

full

note by the

spared during training.

and the Unions were both consulted about the assault.

will

British Rail

first-ever practice train

cooperation; their only stipulation

the rolling stock be moveable at the end of the day. (1985)

143

(P)

was

that


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

SAS

divers can get aboard almost any vessel, even while at sea.

Specialised equipment allows them to climb up from the sea and board the vessel

up the

in silence.

flexi

ladders,

These pictures show the men getting from the water,

and on

to the deck. (1990) (P)

144


Counter Tkkrokism

145


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

146


COUNTKK TKRKOMSM

Hijackings are

still

an important weapon

in

the terrorist arsenal, but

new

techniques are constantly under development to keep the SAS ahead of the game. Assault teams can board any major airliner the

same

in

seconds, using

vehicle platforms that are used for a house assault. Note the

double ladders. This allows one man to open the door while the next man can immediately enter the

aircraft. (P)

While his partners are effecting an entry, the back-up

should any terrorists show themselves.

147

(P)

is

always ready,


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

An assault team member with ensures

it

is

his respirator slipped

over his elbow. This

instantly available. (P)

Opposite: Once inside the locating the terrorists

aircraft little will

stop the

SAS man from

quickly

and neutralising them. Protected by the best armour

money can buy and

highly trained

anti-terrorist soldier

is

a

mean

in

state-of-the-art weaponry, the

beast. (P)

148

SAS


COUNTKK TERRORISM

149


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

150


COIN IKK TKKROKISM

In

addition to his

skill

as a marksman, the

SAS sniper must be an

expert

in

camouflage and concealment. This SAS

sniper

is

fully

dressed

in

a

anti-terrorist

The picture was taken around

'Gilly' suit.

1976 and shows the sniper using a Tikka Finlander night sight. He

is

also wearing an

S6

team

rifle fitted

with

respirator. (P)

Opposite top: A close-up shot of an SAS sniper using a Tikka Finlander. Although respirators are not always necessary for the antiterrorist snipers,

they

still

practise just

Opposite bottom: SAS sniper training

men shown moving

in

is

case. (P)

to

Olympic standards. The

here are shooting from a range of

targets. Snipers are trained to

command, and

are expected to hit

all

151

300m

at

head-sized

shoot simultaneously, on the targets. (1978) (P)


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

i

EJ j

—

i

-***^_

152

*

it


Counter Tkrrorism

Above: For shorter-range using the Heckler rest, is

Above

targets, the anti-terrorist

& Koch G3

dressed for the urban

right: This sniper

sniper

in

Britain

The

to

sniper, seen here taking a

role.

is fully

and

kitted out in his 'Gilly' suit

an Accuracy International PM. This

produced

rifle.

team have taken

is

a

7.62mm

is

carrying

bolt action sniper

and adopted by the army as L96

bipod, and carries a ten-round magazine. The sight

is

Ai.

It

is

fitted

rifle

with a

normally a Schmidt

and Bender. Accuracy International also produce a suppressed (silenced) version. (Photo Press)

Opposite top: This picture was taken

in

The soldier here

(P)

is

using an old L42.

the early days of sniper training.

Opposite bottom: SAS snipers are also expected to operate environment. This sniper

in

in

the urban

the doorway of a building will not be further

than 50 metres from his target.

(P)

153


CHAPTER EIGHT

COUNTER REVOLUTIONARY WARFARE anti-terrorist

The

establish

team grew from the need

Counter

a

Revolutionary

within

SAS.

the

bat the international terrorist

team would emerge, came into being in 70s literally overnight. A squad was sent

even thing

the early

which provides the

Rover

commandeering

factory,

ones).

It

and

militant

in the fight

comproblem. Knowledge is in a

against terrorism

anti-terrorist

bid to

and

it

is

CRW

team with information

about their eneim mid the best tactics

the nexl

four white Range Rovers from the production line (they

now use black

terrorist

our own as well as other governments

The

anti- terrorist

directly to the

about

groups and working with the intelligence agencies of

Warfare

Counter Revolutionary Wing (CRW) from which the

capability

information

collating

to

to use to get the

job done.

CRW

appears thai the Prime Minister

is.

therefore, heavily involved in the develop-

COR

himself had intervened to authorise the immediate pro-

ment of

curement of the vehicles and whatever other

covering the assault techniques used by the anti-terror-

equipment the new grew into a terrorist

full

team

While the domestic

unit

specialist

The team quickly

required.

Squadron commitment, with the

isl

anti-

\

team deals mainly with

incidents

within

Revolutionary Wing (CRW')

is

the

active

A stunning siege.

I

K. all

the

CRW

involved

is

visiting

trained

in

foreign

CRW

As well as

close protection

work

for

members of parliament dignitaries. All SAS soldiers are

procedures and many, on leaving the

regiment, find work as bodyguards for politicians and

Counter

heads

over the world.

in countries

throughout the world.

picture taken during the re-enactment of the Iranian

Embassy

The men are actually on the roof of the building next door

embassy.

in

skills.

IPs including the royal family,

and

well to the fore. anti-terrorist

team.

(Close Quarter Rattle)

(Mirror)

154

to the


155


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

This picture

shows the SAS during

bussing from their vehicle, assault by the

enemy

is

shielding him with your

firing

a

bodyguard course. They are de-

as they go. The prime directive

to protect the VIP. In

own

body. (P)

156

many cases

this

in

any

means


COUNTER REVOLUTIONARY WARFARE

In

the fight against terrorism, especially

when

protecting VIPs, a special range of

weapons has been developed. The main shows the Heckler & Koch MP5K

picture

being

fitted into a special briefcase.

weapon

is

loaded and

with the safety catch

made

off.

closed, safety and firing trigger

and safety catch

ready to

is

built into the

weapons being

automatic.

on

full

1

is

controlled by a

shows the

fired

fire

Once the case

handle. The bottom picture

H^m

157

The


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

158


COUNTER REVOLUTIONARY WARFARE

These pictures show a situation.

typical

The principle

leaving his hotel and

(VIP)

bodyguard is

just

comes under

fire

from an assassin. The reaction of his

bodyguards

and the

is

instant.

principle

is

Weapons

are out

already being

shielded and pushed to safety. Seconds later,

as the assassin

principle

is

is

dropped, the

gone and the bodyguards

back away. The pictures were taken during the making of a video about SAS techniques. The

men

are

all

ex-SAS hired

for the part.

This close-up of the Heckler

MP5K shows

& Koch

the special covert harness

used to conceal the weapon under the bodyguard's jacket. The weapon

is

attached to a swivel which allows

swing into immediate action.

159

it

to


SASrTHE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Protection of the royal family

wise to

let

is

another role undertaken by the SAS.

any VIPs know what could be

in

store for

them one

day,

should they ever have to be rescued. Understanding what might be required of

them

appropriately

in

when

a live situation will help the VIPs to react

the time comes. Here

rescue scenario.

160

we see

Princess

Anne

in

a

It

is


COUNTER REVOLUTIONARY WARFARE

These

rare pictures

Diana taking part

show both

in

the inset photograph

Prince Charles

and Princess

hostage training. The poor quality of is

due

to the

darkness and smoke

inside the 'Killing House'. While Prince Charles

enjoying the demonstration, Princess Diana

is

seems

to be

protecting

herself against the ordeal. All the targets around the royal

couple have have been royals

seem much more

anti-terrorist

hit

with several rounds. Both the

at

ease posing with some of the

team members

after the exercise. (P)

161


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Hostage rescue

is

designed to cover

all

situations.

These hostages are

about to be released, but not before they have been handcuffed and vetted. The

SAS

treat

everyone as a suspected

survivors have been positively identified. (P)

162

terrorist until all the


COUNTER REVOLUTIONARY WARFARE

!•"

The outdoor range above was constructed desert

in

literally

overnight

in

the

Saudi Arabia where the SAS

were training

a Saudi anti-terrorist

team.

The SAS instructors can be seen preparing the students for range practice. (P)

All

shooting

skills require lots

of range

work. Learning to identify the terrorist

from the hostage

in

a split

second forms

part of this training. (P)

163


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

The SAS

instruct

in anti-terrorist

many

other nations

and bodyguard

techniques. This action against a hijacked bus

is

again

The picture on the author,

in

right

Saudi Arabia.

shows the

who had been promoted

for

the duration of the assignment to captain, with officers of the Saudi

team.

(P)

164


Coin ii

For security reasons,

is

it

h revolutionary

not possible to relate

many

of the operations

involved abroad, but one which can be mentioned happened the

Gambian President was

in

Britain attending the

warfare

in

wedding of

in

which the

The Gambia on 30 Prince Charles

CRW

has been

July 1981.

While

and Lady Diana

Spencer, rebels seized the capital, Banjul. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher ordered the

SAS

to

send a small team to Gambia to check out the situation. The two-man SAS team not only rescued the President's wife and children, but they then led troops from neighbouring Senegal against the rebels. After four

picture

is

days the coup had collapsed and the two SAS men slipped back into

of Princess

Anne with President

This picture

was taken

March 1978.

All his

The

CRW

in

Jawara. (Frank Spooner)

minutes after the

bodyguards were

had a team

effort to locate the

just

Italy

killed

helping to

Britain. This

Italian

Prime Minister Aldo Moro was kidnapped on 16

and he was taken hostage by Red Brigade

try to track

down

the kidnappers but, despite the massive

Prime Minister, he was eventually found murdered on 9 May.

165

terrorists.


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

On

13 October 1977,

Mogadishu was the scene of

German GSG9 and SAS. The

SAS

to assist the

German

British

a dramatic aircraft assault by the

Prime Minister, Harold Wilson, had directed the

anti-terrorist

team

after an

appeal from the German

Chancellor. While assaulting the Lufthansa 737, three of the four Palestinian terrorists

a few

was

were

killed,

moments

led

but one, Souhaila Sayeh, survived. This picture was taken just

after the

away on

hostages had

a stretcher,

all

been successfully released. As Souhaila

she gave the 'Victory

166

V

sign.


COUNTER REVOLUTIONARY WARFARE

The picture

is

of the dead terrorist leader

Mahmud

Akache). He had knelt the German pilot Jurgen

(real

name

Schumann

in

the aircraft and shot him through the head. He believed that

Zohair

the aisle of

Schumann

had been passing information about the hijackers to the security

Mahmud was had been

Yemen,

in

an out-and-out

killer.

Just a

forces.

few months prior to the hijack he

London where he had assassinated the ex-premier of North

his wife,

and a Yemeni diplomat outside the Bayswater

167

Hotel.


SAS:TIIK ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

At 11.25am on the morning of

Gate,

in

London's Kensington

Wednesday 30 district, six

in

along the tree-lined avenue of Princes

armed gunmen took over No. 16

Armed D11 marksmen soon surrounded the operation. The anti-terrorist team

April 1980,

-

the Iranian Embassy.

building and the siege negotiating plans were put into

Hereford were at this time practising

in

the 'Killing House', but

things were soon to change. By 11.47 the Metropolitan Police were talking to the Officer in Hereford

and the

CRW

were assessing the situation. Six days

collapsed after the murder of the embassy press attache, the the assault team entering the front of the

embassy

just

had removed the complete window.

168

later,

when

SAS were ordered

seconds

Commanding negotiations

in.

after the explosive

This picture

is

frame charge

of


COUNTER REVOLUTIONARY WARFARE

This picture

on

fire

lined

was taken by one

of the

Dn

police snipers.

but the assault team presses on with

up by the back

wall.

its

The embassy

task. Note the

SAS men

These men received the hostages as they came

out of the building and took them to the small grass area just visible the bottom

left

is

corner. (P)

169

in


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

%*.

'

As the assault teams went abseiled

down

the front,

way

been

carefully set

up

in

advance (see

left)

but one of

had the bad luck to become

still

entangled

carrying the abseil line

now

smashed

through the back. The abseil lines had

the soldiers -

SAS men

the rear of the building and

their

in

in

helps to prevent this

-

in

a leg harness

and received severe

burns while suspended above a blazing window.

When he was

cut free, he

fell

to the balcony, picked

himself up and entered the building, promptly

shooting one of the terrorists dead.

(P)

170

V


Counter Revolutionary wareare

Opposite: The whole assault was dramatic to say the least. With the embassy on

fire,

automatic gunfire coming from every direction, the SAS were being hailed as heroes. the six terrorists were dead, and only one of the twenty hostages

was

lost, killed

then disappeared back to Hereford. This picture was taken inside the embassy

171

in

and the sound of

When

by the

it

was

terrorists.

over, five of

The SAS

the aftermath of the battle.


CHAPTER NINE

THE FALKLANDS When

the Argentines invaded the Falkland Islands on 2

By the beginning

of May,

SAS and SBS

reconnais-

April 1982, they thought they were in an unassailable

sance patrols were checking out

They reckoned without the resolve of a strong British Government. Despite the great distances involved and the small number of British subjects who

landing. Living in terrible conditions, they were con-

The

inhabited these isolated South Atlantic islands, Prime

damp and

position.

vowed

stantly

sites for

a large-scale

on the move, always hiding from the Argentines.

hides were mainly small caves or clusters of rock, wet, constantly battered by the island weath-

Falklands would not be abandoned and decided to

To avoid detection by the Argentines, the patrols were forced to hike many miles away from their OPs

retake the islands by force.

each night

Minister Thatcher

that

people

the

of

the

er.

Within a couple of weeks, plans were well advanced for the taking of

hands of the Argentines. of surveillance vital

the

SAS

now role

where

still

World War

II,

armada

was one

the regiment with eighteen

when

raid

cannot be underestimated.

involving Boat Troop and Mountain Troop of D Squadron.

helicopter.

six

Pucara

in

A reconnaissance

aircraft (including

photo), four Turbo-Mentors and a Shorts Skyvan, setting

ammunition and stores

classic operation

patrol

had

They were joined by 45 men who were inserted by

They attacked and destroyed

fire

to vast

the process. The raiding party withdrew

in

the one

amounts

in this

of

good order with

only one slight casualty. While they were waiting for the helicopter pick-up, a further

Pucara was shot

down

in

with a 'stinger' missile.

172

on

one incident

them from one ship to another. The bution made by the SAS in the retaking of the

to set sail

earlier.

lost

toll

a Sea King helicopter crashed into the sea while

on Pebble Island on the night of 14/15 May was a

landed by canoe three nights

men

transferring

could develop their invasion plans.

The SAS

their positions.

Falklands campaign, the conflict took a heavy

in the

intelligence gathering, supplying

at sea in the largest

away

Although they scored many successes during the

information from which the commanders, most of

whom since

and

Initially,

also

order to signal back to base without their

transmissions giving

South Georgia, a small group of islands

some 800 miles from the Falklands,

in

contri-

islands


173


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

One

of the

first

campaign was The

tasks undertaken by the

the Falklands

up observation posts on the island of South Georgia.

to set

attempt, on 22 April, finished as a disaster. The party was

first

dropped by helicopter on to stay there

would

SAS during

all

meant

to the Fortuna Glacier

certain death:

and quickly realised that

The weather was so bad that they

have died of exposure within hours and an immediate

recall

was

requested. The extraction cost two Wessex helicopters, both of which

crashed

in

the appalling weather.

A

piece of brilliant flying on the part of

chopper and

a third pilot, in a severely overladen

in

blind flying

conditions, led to the rescue of every single man. Undeterred, the

SAS

eventually landed on the island by boat. They observed the Argentine garrison at Grytviken, comprising of about 100 marines and the crew of

the submarine Santa Fe, which British force

after

made up

of SBS,

was

in

SAS and Royal Marines attacked

being landed by helicopter with

The garrison surrendered.

It

the harbour delivering supplies.

was

the

fire first

174

A

the base

support from the Royal Navy. victory of the Falklands War.


I

III

FALKLANDS

Elements of the SAS were inserted into the Falklands three weeks

advance of the main task force

to carry out

suitable areas for large-scale landings. The or sheltering

in

rocky outcrops. The cold

hypothermia was a very is

real

long lonely stint out

in

reconnaissance and identify

SAS

lived like hermits in

left

British forces arrive.

the open.

175

caves

was unbearable and death from

danger. The soldier on the

an SAS trooper being extracted as

in

of this picture

He has spent a


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

After the

main force had landed

Carlos, the next major objective

at

San

was Goose

Green. As 2 Parachute Regiment fought a

take Goose Green, 3 Para

brilliant battle to

and the Royal Marines moved on the northern end of East Falklands. Between

these two forces were the SAS on Mount Kent. They held the position to stop the

Argentines outflanking either of the two

main battle groups. Both of these pictures were taken during the battle

for

Goose

Green. The school can be seen burning

in

the background of the shot on the right

while the paratrooper above, to join the SAS,

as the bullets

is

fly.

who went on

keeping his head down (P)

176


Tiirc

This picture It

was taken as the Argentines

was found on the body

close to

Falklands

Mount

raised their flag on the Falklands.

of a dead Argentine soldier shot by the

Kent.

W

SAS


SAS: The Illustrated History

The sinking of

HMS

Sheffield by an Argentine Exocet missile

prompted Margaret Thatcher

to order

one of the most daring

raids of the Falklands War.

the raid

was

remove the Exocet threat Squadron attack on the southern

tip of

If

for

good. The

airfield

successful,

raid

was

it

would

to be a

full

of Rio Gallegos on the

the Argentine mainland. Intelligence reports

indicated that this

was where the remaining stocks

would be found. The SAS

of Exocet

were to

fly

the

from the British base on Ascension Island

in

Hercules C130

aircraft,

5000 miles

land on the Argentine airfield and destroy the Exocets

and as many enemy

mayhem, Chile

raiders

the

aircraft

SAS were then

some 50

miles away.

178

as possible. Having created utter to run for the border of neutral


THK FALKLANDS

Thirty-six

hours prior to the

arrival of the

Sea King helicopter had flown recce the airfield.

Due

to

in

with an

main raiding

party, a Royal

SAS advance

party

in

Navy

order to

bad weather, the three-man crew of the Sea King

landed the reconnaissance unit on the beach at Punta Arenas, 30 miles from the target. An SAS explosives expert

and destroyed

Embassy

it.

fitted a

The crew were told to make

in Chile, telling

bomb

their

way

to the helicopter to the British

the story that they had got lost

in

the bad

weather and crashed on the shore. The SAS disappeared. The whole mission was ultimately aborted.

179


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

In

such a small unit as the SAS, the loss

of a single soldier takes

eighteen are taken

in

its toll.

one go,

devastating. Choppers ferried

it

When is

men and

supplies from one ship to another

was

in

what

called 'cross-decking' (seen above).

A

Sea King with a crew of four and 26 passengers, mostly SAS, plunged into the

sea from a height of 300ft after a bird strike

on

its

engine. Miraculously, nine

men

survived.

Left:

While Hereford Cathedral opened

doors

for

its

people to mourn the loss of so

many men whose

lives

were inevitably

interwoven with the local community, a

second disaster struck the town.

HMS

Antelope, adopted by a local Hereford pub

and seen by many as a 'Hereford'

was

180

hit

ship,

and sunk by an Argentine bomb.


THE FALKLANDS

No

story of the

SAS

in the Falkland*

can conclude with-

out mentioning Captain John Hamilton.

SAS

in almost every

He was

involved

action of the campaign. As

tain troop officer, he led his

men on

to the

Glacier in the bid to take South Georgia.

He

moun-

Fortuna also took

part in the successful raid against the Argentine airfield

on Pebble Island. Sadlv, he was killed on 10 June when his patrol

was spotted during a

close-target reconnais-

sance. During the fire-fight, although

wounded, he held

the Argentines at bay while the rest of his their

escape.

I

le

men made

was awarded the Military Cross.

Unfortunately, no photographs are available of Captain

Hamilton.

181


CHAPTER TEN

The Gulf War August

2

On

1990,

Hussein ordered

his

Saddam

dictator

Iraqi

army

Then

into neighbouring

Kuwait. The small sheikdom of Kuwait was

largely

unprepared

defend

to

such an act of aggression and could not.

hope

withstand the might

to

Saddam

of

machine. Swiftly overrun. Kuwait appealed

s

with the backing of the

and

nited Nations

I

Saddam

military

One

of their

Scud

to the resl

led

Saddams

states,

almost half a million

sweated

men and women

their time until the order

came

was

and destroy the

to find

Saddam was launching was

intention

SAS

strength

Some would be main supply

thai

to

draw the

against

into the

Israelis

from the

into groups.

split

while others formed themselves

routes,

These columns consisted oi

Tomahawk

forces in order to neutralise the raiders.

amid At

air force

first

ried

were the SAS.

proposed that they might

was

that

was

Iraq

try to rescue the hostages

who

a

unclear.

was

to take

the

SAS

For the It

their role in this conflict

was enough

mayhem

cruise missile strikes. Sitting on the sidelines

this frenetic activity,

it

not as

ing the bitter cold.

be attacked by coalition

aircraft or missiles. This,

this

however, was thought to be a near-impossible task and.

Iraqis, lhe\

it

was

enemy

vehicle

inevitable that they

was approaching. Mistaking the SAS

the Russian-built Gaz 69 drove straight into the

SAS

hide.

In

useful information,

was sent back

is

not the vehicle

in

maps and

to Saudi by helicopter for interrogation.

together with the bodies, was destroyed by placing two bar mines under picture

question,

it

for Iraqi forces,

a short but vicious fire-fight

three of the four Iraqis were killed. The survivor, a Major carrying lots of

other

The Gaz 69,

it.

Although

this

does show the aftermath of a similar encounter.

182

It

was

wore fight-

Most of the photographs shown

should make contact with the enemy. While one column lay camouflaged during the day, the sentry signalled that an

deploy large

The desert terrain of

cases just a few miles from Baghdad.

into Iraq,

much

enemy were everywhere, and

were not fighting the

the)

to

about any-

chapter were taken deep behind the enemy

some

As the SAS fighting columns penetrated ever deeper

a hard war.

harsh cruel place, the

human ly to

would have

just

one normally imagines a desert.

when

being held prisoner in installations like-

on and destroy

Iraqis

was

had been seized and used by Saddam Hussein as shields,

10

motorbikes being used as outriders. The fire-power car-

to

thing they could find. The idea was to create so

For the

I

Strike Vehicles (LSVs). with

and the 17 January 1991 when Iraqi targets first started to come under attack from wave after wave of aircraft and Iraqis.

Israel.

inserted by helicopter to monitor the

Land Rovers and Light

move against the navy, the war began on

was

the Gulf

in

into fighting columns.

of the coalition

out under the scorching desert sun, biding

it

priorities

Arab nations.

Having captured Kuwait. Saddam was now threatenwas here

deep into

for the air force.

thus wrecking the coalitions support

war.

the

l>\

main

missiles

The

it

infiltrate

which were proving problematic

packing.

ing the borders of Saudi Arabia and

would

and carry out search and destroy misdisrupting communications and destroying tar-

sions,

United States, began building an army which would send

that they

gels

world for help and a coalition of Western

of the

was decided

case.

any

in

it

Iraqi territory

against

itself

most of the hostages were released anyway.

ultimately,

in

lines, in


183


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Last-minute training and preparations for the Gulf

took place

in

States, which

War

the Trucial

where

is

this

Squadron photo was taken. Land Rovers were the main vehicles used throughout the conflict

and they

carried

extensive and varied

firepower including the

Browning gun,

heavy machine

.5

GPMGs,

40mm

grenade

launchers and Milan anti-

tank missiles. Thermal

imaging sights were

some Land

fitted to

Rovers, giving

the operator the advantage of being able to see up to

8km even In

in total

darkness.

the picture you can also

see two LSV 'dune buggies'.

These lightweight vehicles were dispensed with they suffered

problems

in

after

reliability

the desert. More

of a success were the

Honda

250 motorbikes which acted as outriders to a fighting

column such as

this,

scouting ahead for signs of

danger and potential

targets.

(P)

184


THE GULF WAR

185


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Preparing to enter Iraq from Saudi Arabia.

When

they were

finally

given

the go-ahead on 20 January, 1991, they simply drove through the Iraqi

defence

lines.

Note the Union Jack spread out on the ground. This was

used to indicate to

allied aircraft that

they were friendly forces.

186

(P)


Till.

GULF WAR

The fighting column on the move. Note the bike which was used as an outrider.

(P)

187


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

To avoid detection, camouflage and concealment were of

vital

importance. From a distance the whole column would blend with the surrounding terrain. (P)

188

in


THE GULF WAR

This picture

was taken

after the previously

mentioned incident with the

enemy

Iraqi

Gaz 69. The

vehicle can be seen underneath the

camouflage soldiers

net.

were

The bodies of the three dead

still

in

Iraqi

the vehicle at this stage. (P)

189


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

As with

men throughout

British fighting

welcome.

It

kept them

long daylight hours.

warm and helped

(P)

190

this century, hot tea

to

keep them

alert

was always during the


Tl IK

GULF WAR

191


SAS:

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Despite the padded clothing, sentry duty lasted no more than two

hours per man, then

it

was back

into the sleeping bag.

The sentries

have an M16 with 203 grenade launcher, a Minimus and a Milan tank missile.

(P)

192

anti-


THEGUL1 WAR

Both pictures demonstrate the vast amount of fire-power carried by the

column. Beside one of the sleeping sniper

rifle.

men

(P)

193

is

an Accuracy International

PM


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

Even during a routine stop, sentry. In this picture

it

was always advisable

to post a look-out

he can be seen sitting on the ridge.

194

(P)


The Gulf War

The

no

Land Rovers carried the fire-power, armed with Browning

machine guns, GPMGs, American Mark Milan anti-tank missiles.

Some were

19,

fitted

which meant that they could be see up to darkness. (P)

195

40mm

.5

heavy

grenade launchers and

with thermal imaging sights.

8km

away, even

in total


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

196


The Gulf War

Keeping warm was a major

was spent

in

priority,

and much of the

soldiers' free time

the 'Green Maggot' (sleeping bag). These

men show

overcoats that were purchased locally and issued after the

The 'shimag' tops

off the native look. (P)

197

first

the Arab

re-supply.


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

198


WAK

TllLGlLI

The 'shimag' headdress was not

campaigns of World War

II,

just for

the soldiers

show. Just as in

in

the desert

the Gulf found that the native

gear was best for keeping out the dust and keeping off the sun.

In

the

flat,

open countryside of

Iraq,

the column

by motorbike out-riders. They would travel

in

(P)

was normally protected

front

and

to the flanks,

constantly searching for the enemy, either as a source of danger or a potential target. (P)

199


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

The machine gun and sights seen

in this

hidden by a protective cover when not desert which

was

a

in

picture

would normally be

use to keep out the dust of the

major cause of weapons' malfunctions.

200

(P)


the Gulf War

-v^

An SAS led

Corporal shot dead

in the

Gulf War. The motorcycle outriders of his fighting column spoi-

two Iraqi trucks laden wilh missiles heading

time to

set

up a proper ambush but pulled

it.

it

was

a

little like

trucks to stop but as the

were caught

in

main

the cross-fire.

towards them. The column did not have

off the road to prepare for a fight.

the two trucks rolled past and the Iraqis sped

described

straight

off.

The motorbike

riders

the Indians chasing the train in the Wild force of

One was

Land Rovers engaged

killed,

and the other

201

Thev were spotted

gave chase. A^ one trooper

Wot. The

bikes forced the

the enemy, two of the

seriously

as

wounded.

men on

bikes


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

This

LSV has broken down and

is

being fixed with parts carried by the

Unimog support

202

vehicle. (P)


Tin:

Serious battle

damage was

Gnu War

repaired

whenever possible beneath the

camouflage nets while the troops rested up during the daytime. During a vehicle re-supply a complete field all

the

SAS

workshop was

vehicles were serviced. (P)

203

set

up inside

Iraq

where


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

**.

u Re-supplying the columns was

done by Chinook and three tonne

204

helicopter,

trucks. (P)


THE GULF WAR

The choppers or trucks never hung around long. Once the re-supply was

dropped

off,

it

was up

to the

column

to sort out the mess. This re-supply

by truck shows the amount of supplies needed to keep a fighting column

on the move. These photographs were taken deep behind

205

Iraqi lines. (P)


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

J-

*ar

p

206

k

>£yi


TllLGlLI

WAK

-'

All

enemy movement was logged and

encoding a message back to base

in

reported. Here the signaller

Saudi Arabia. Once the Scud war

started they were constantly on the look-out for the launchers.

major reasons the

Israelis

is

never entered the war was the

were informed that the SAS were already doing the

One

fact that

of the

they

job. (P)

Opposite: The chest harness worn here contains mainly ammunition. The

main weapon on the Land Rover be

fully

is

a .50 cal

machine gun. The men would

dressed while they were moving or while on sentry duty.

207

(P)


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

A

fighting

column could spread out over quite some distance while

travelling through the desert

and regular stops were made

vehicles together. (P)

208

to

keep

all

the


THE GULF WAR

.___

^v,-*wl.r --/...--

Final preparation before the attack

station

known as

SAS during the are getting

was

carried out by a

whole

largest single attack carried out by the

Gulf War. While

what

-".

on a microwave communications

Victor two. This attack

and was the

fighting column,

'-

some

are planning the attack others

rest they can. (P)

209


SAS: The Illustrated History

Deep behind the forces,

Iraqi lines,

it

is

essential to identify yourself as friendly

hence the Union Jack was always kept handy.

210

(P)


TIIKGULFWAK

>F

wu

u\<

\

The value of having the SAS operating behind the enemy

lines

known

SAS

until after

the war

was

over. Here

members

congratulated by General Norman Schwarzkopf.

211

(P)

of the

was not are being


CHAPTER ELEVEN

Specials and Surprises many

explanation as to

actions around the world and, just sometimes,

Main people more than highly

Over

the years the

SAS has

you can snap a picture ian

is

quite bizarre.

participated in

thai to the

have included

I

short

chapter pictures which

Some

are directly related to the SAS,

sidelines.

They

normal

feel

I

why each picture is special. perceive members of the SAS

civil-

this

in

is

should be shown.

and some touch

are not in any order, but there

is

photographs

the

an

will

for.

Some

and

them are unioue.

of

should

SAS it

soldiers were issued with gold sovereigns to aid their escape,

be necessary. Once the war was over, of course, not

sovereigns were returned.

Some were used

by soldiers

in

all

of the

trouble to buy

vehicles or help, while others were lost along with other (more valuable)

pieces of

During

kit.

my

In

the heat of battle, equipment often has to be ditched.

research for this book,

Winged Dagger.

It

was hand

I

learned of the existence of this Golden

crafted by a master jeweller

East from thirteen gold sovereigns issued to an

took two coins

in

payment and the remaining

soldier are pictured with the dagger.

SAS

believed the coins had been lost with part of his

turned up, the Golden Winged Dagger seemed

212

the Middle

in

soldier.

The jeweller

five coins carried

The soldier

in

by the

question genuinely

kit.

like a

When good

I

little

hope that these few

to a different side of the

of the pictures are sad,

This picture of a solid gold winged dagger hails from the Gulf War. Most

of the

But

open your eyes

regiment. all

be

trained killers and, as a tax payer, that

what you pay

basically

to

they later idea.

some

are funny,


213


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

During the late 60s there was

little for'

training filled the gap, while others

This picture

is

of a

the regiment to do. For many,

went

in

search of

new adventures.

power boat, manned by the SAS during

214

a race.


SPECIALS AND SURPKISKS

These pictures were taken during the

first

army course

on paragliding. One of the

armoured divisions stationed in

Germany

lent a hut to

house the course. NAAFI purchased the parachutes,

and the author organised the

whole event. Paragliding

now

a recognised

adventure

activity in the British

The main picture author

is

is

Army.

of the

flying.

215


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

As a footnote to the 1977 Mogadishu Souhaila Andraws (her married name), order to hear her side of the story, led

me

pilot,

Captain Schumann. Eventually,

would emerge.

In

went to

shows her

in

the

hope

I

visit her.

up

female

in

in

is

currently on

terrorist,

Norway.

What she

told

persuaded Monica Schumann

that

some

trial for

In

me

and the wife of the murdered to

peaceful understanding

December 1995, Souhaila Andraws was flown

Germany, where she picture

finally finished

to interview several of the hostages

meet Souhaila Andraws

right:

I

hijack, the surviving

her part

in

to

the hijack. This

a Norwegian hotel before her extradition.

From

left to

Monica Schumann, myself, Heidi Bache-Wug (Souhaila's lawyer) and

Souhaila Andraws.

216


specials and Surprises

Mrs Thatcher thanking boys

217

in

Northern Ireland.


SAS: THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

A funny

picture of

funny? Well, you

When

a fixed

aircraft

wing

officers with

aircraft

was sent

landing gear.

its

some captured weapons. Why

note the officer on the right has a broken

will

damaged

damaged

two SAS

aircraft out.

became unstable and

As

this

A

in

evacuate this casualty, the

to

helicopter

was sent

to

sky-hook the

was happening the under-slung

a jet fighter

finger.

was dispatched

aircraft

check the

to

undercarriage of the helicopter. The oscillations of the aircraft were ripping the hell out of the helicopter bottom, so they decided to drop the aircraft

and write

if off.

As the

directly into the jet bill

jet

returned to the

engine and the

ran into millions. As far as

driven to hospital

in

I

pilot

airfield,

it

was forced

suffered a bird strike to eject.

In total,

the

can recollect, the officer was eventually

a Land Rover.

218


SPECIALS AND SURPRISKS

At times throughout this

SAS past and The top one

book

I

have referred to the

similarities

present. These two pictures were taken

is

the bottom one

of David Stirling

was taken on

in

the desert and

exercise

in Africa,

219

I

some 40

am

between the years apart.

led to believe that

around the 1980s.


CHAPTER TWELVE

ROLL OF HONOUR special stained-glass

This Church

in

window

in St Martin

numbers) the SAS

s

stands as tribute to

It

is.

It

is

safe

to

say that,

although the regiment continues to be topped up with

Hereford was produced in honour of

the Special Air Service.

really

new

all

SAS men who have died in the service of their country and now lie in the graveyard of the church. What many people will not be aware of is how small (in

has risen

those

1950 the death toll to more than half the regiment s combat The price of democracy, freedom and liberty

recruits passing selection, since

strength.

does not

come cheap.

SAS Casualties 1950 to 1995

MALA1A TPR Pte TPR SCT

TPR TPR

BROWN

1950

G. A. Fisher

1950

T. A.

J.

A.

CTLEARY

0. H. ERNST,

Rhodesian SAS

CPL

J.

B.

W02 CPL

BOY LAN W. F. GARRETT

F.

G.

V. E.

HOWELL

THOMAS New Zealand SAS TPR W R. J. MARSELLE LT A. G. H. DEAN CPL A. G. BUCHANAN New Zealand SAS TPR

1954

WEST MALAYSIA

1956

L Cpl

A. R.

R.

HlNDMARSI

R.

Greenwood

1967

1950 1957

MALAYSIA 1957 1968

1

TPRN.

P.

OI

l

is

1969

1951

1951 1951

Oman

(Jerel Akhdar)

SOUTH ARARIA

VISAGUE,

SAS Fergus

Rhodesian

Tpr A. Maj E. C. R. Barker, rem Tpr J. a. s. Morgan TPR E. DUCKWORTI LT P. B. S. CARTWRICHT TPR B. WATSON 2/Lt f m. Donnelly- Wood LT (QM) F S. TULK CPL K. BANCROFT TPR F WILKINS CPL P. G. R. EAKIN LT J. C. FOTHERINGHAN LT G. J. GOULDING L CPL C. W. BOND TPR B. POWELL

W

1951

DAV1ES,

Rhodesian SAS

TPR

1951

A. W.

1952

1952 1953

CPL D. SWINDELLS, M. M. TPR W. CARTER Tpr a. g. Bembrldge

CAP!

1959

TPR J. N. TPR J. HOLLINCSWORTI TPR M. R. LAMBERT TPR G. F F ILES L CPL A. G. BROWN

1959

1953

1953 1953

EDWARDS WARRURTON

1958

Borneo

R. C.

1964

1964 1964 1966 1967 1967

1953 1953

1953 1953

1953 1953

1953

1954 1954

MAJ H. A. I. THOMPSON Maj r. h. D. Norman, MBE, MC CPL M. P. MURPHY TPR A. CONDON SGT B. BEXTON TPR W. E. WHITE Pte G. PL Hartley

MC

1963

ETHIOPIA 1963 1963

CPL

I.

•

220

MACLEOD

1968

1964 1964

1964

OMAN (MUSANDAM)

1964

L Cpl

1954

A.

p.

reddy

1970


221


SAS: The Illustrated History

OMAN (DHOFAR)

WO

Capt

1971

Cpl Tpr

1971

W02 J.

1971

Maj M.J. A. Kealy,

1972

Sgt

R.

Abbots

1972

Sgt

A.

Baxter

1972

1972

Drummond TprG. Worrall

1974

Cpl

E. Jones

I.

M. Moores

Sgt

J.

Tpr

C. Loin

S.

L Cpl D. R. Ramsden Tpr M. J. Martin CplT. Labalaba, BEM Tpr T P. A. Toppin L Cpl A. Kent APT S. Garthwaite Tpr C. Hennessy L Cpl K. Small Sgt A. E. Gallagher (

1974

:

T

E.

1

Nugent Ann

1908

Martin

1968

R. N. C.

S/Sgt

P.

E.

1968

Daubney

(wounded

in

DSO

1975

L.

P.

1973

Sgt

S. A.

1989

Sgt

J.

FRANCE

P.

I.

1978

Sgt

)8()

1986

L Cpl

J.

1982

1982

Cpl W.J. Begle^

Cpl

>82

1982

(.ins

Jones

P.

( l

( i

Newton

>82

1982

CplS. Sykes

1982

1982

1978

LCplP. Lioiitiooi CplM. McHugh Kit LtC. Hawkins Cpl D. McCormack

1980

CplR.

A. Burns

1982

Palmer,

1983

Cpl W.

C

1982

A.

1984

NORTHERN IRELAND

T

Naden

MM Slater, MM

MC

Hatton

1982 1982 (

1

)82

BELIZE

UK Cpl K. Norry Cpl

R.

Tpr Tpr

P.

C

J.

Hooker

L Cpl L Cpl

Richardson

J.

O'Toole R.

A. C.

Anderson

Lonney

1991

1962 1965 1965 1965 1967 1968

V.

Tpr

R. Consiglio,

Tpr

S.

Tpr

1).

Lane, Denbi

MM

MM in.

1991 ( l

MM

)

(

)l

1991

BOSNIA

1982

1082

M. Benson

1

1982

O'Connor

P.

F.

Westmacott,

Phillips

Sgt

1982

1982

Cpl

R.

1988

1982

Atkinson

\l.

Sot W.J. Hi

Capt H.

Hiii

IR\Q

ssm

S/SGT

J.

P.

1994

1982

1978

S/Sgt D.

1986

)()

Bunker Cpi.E. T. Walpole Tpr R. Armstrong 1972

Arnott Windon

OCM

P.

Pirie

(

BEM

L. Arthi

H. Johnson

Cpl

(

1982

Davidson

S.

S. J.

)

Dhofar 1975)

Ci rrass,

Sgt

Tpr

Cpl

1

MBE

Gallagher,

Sot

Cpl

P.

1986

SOITH ATLANTIC W02

Sgt G. Green

R.

FAR EAST

1975

E. Pickard

Tpr

Farragher

1975

BRUNEI

Maj R. M.

J.

1979 1985 1985 (

(Apr C.J. H win. ion

Sgt

S/Sgt K.

1974

J.

A. Flemmino.

BOTSWANA

L Sgt L. Cobb L Cpl M. D. Richards

1983

1992

MOUNT EVEREST 1984

Cpl A. Swier/.v

222

Cpl E M. Rennie

<) (

)4


SAS Operational History

1941

-

North Africa

14

December Agheila Enemy

21

December Agedabai Enemy

23 July- 10 September Operation Rupert Attacks on railway

communications

airfield raid

25 July Operation Gaff Assassination attempt

airfield raid

<>u

Rommel

27 July- 1 September Operation Hardy Raiding mission

1942

-

NORTH AFRICA

Dijon

Enemy airfield raid Bcrka Enemy airfield raid 25 March Benina Enemy airfield raid 13 June Benina Enemy airfield raid 13 June Berka Enemy airfield raid 7 July Bagoush Enemy Airfield raid El Daha Enemy airfield raid Euka Enemy airfield raid 12 July Euka Enemy airfield raid 26 July Sidi llaneish Enemy airfield raid

28 July-15 August Operation Chaucer Raiding mission

8 March Barce

1943

in

north west 31 July-15 August Operation Shakespeare Raiding mission in

north west 3-15 August Operation Bunyan Raiding mission in north wesl 3-24 August Operation Dunhill Intelligence mission

enemy near Brest August Operation Haggard Engaging enemy at River

5-18 August Operation Deny 10-23 I

10 August-27

Sicily

I

larrassing

j tire

September Operation Samson Raiding mission

south

in the

-

in

11-24 August Operation Marshall General attacks on

enemy

12 July Operation Chestnut Supporting; allied invasion of

12 August-9 October Operation Loyton Intelligence mission

Sicily

13-24 August Operation Snelgrove Supplying arms to resistance

1943

- ITALY

13 August- 19 September Operation Barker Supporting

3

September Operation Baytown Port of Bagnara captured

advance

7

September Operation Speedwell Raid

13 August-24 September Operation llarrod Attacking

in

north east Italy

2-6 October Operation Begonia Aiding British

POWs

troop

enemy

movements

27 October Operation Candytuft Attack on railway

13 August-26

communications

engagement

September Operation Kipling Major enemy

15 August-9 September Operation Jockworth Engaging

1944

- ITALY

7 January Operation

Maple Supporting; Anzio landings

16 August- 13

September Operation Noah Intelligence mission

19 August- 11

September Operation Newton Harassing enemy

19 August- 19 September Operation Wallace Major

1944

enemy

in south east

30 January Operation Baobab Supporting Anzio landings

-

US

France

enemy

engagement

6 June Operation Titanic Raiding mission in

Normandy

26 August-3 September Operation Wolsey Intelligence mission

6 June Operation Dingson Raiding mission in Brittany

28 August- 1 September Operation Benson Intelligence

6-9 June Operation Samwest Raiding mission in Brittany

mission

6-21 June Operation lloundsworth Attacks on railway

29 August- 14 September Operation Spenser Harrassing the

communications

enemy

6 June-3 July Operation Bullbasket Attacks

on railway

15 September-3 October Attacks on railway

communications

communications 6 June- 15 August Operation Gain Attacks

1944

on

communication, south of Paris 7

-

BELGIIM

2 September- 15

June Operation Cooney Attacks on railway

September Operation Brutus Intelligence

mission

communications

6-11 September Operation Caliban Attacks on

23 June- 18 July Operation Lost Raiding mission and arming

communications

Maquis

in Brittany

8 July- 11 August Operation Haft Itelligence

communications

in

1944-45

mission

16 July-7 October Operation Dickens Attacks

on railway

-

HOLLAND

16 September- 14 March Operation Fabian Intelligence

Nantes

19 July-23 August Operation Defoe in

enemy

mission 27 September-17 March Operation Cobbo Intelligence

Reconnaissance mission

Normandy

mission

223


SAS:

1944-1945

-

THE ILLUSTRATED HISTORY

1964-1967

FRANCE

24 December-25 January Operation Franklin Supporting

advance

in

ADEN

Operations against terrorist rebels prior to British

withdrawl

Ardennes

27 December- 15 January Operation Regent Engaging in

US

-

enemy

1969 ONWARDS

Ardennes

-

NORTHERN IRELAND

Operations begin against terrorists

1944-45

in

the province

- ITALY

27 December- 14 February Operation Galia Intelligence

1970-1976

mission

Operations against communist-backed rebels

4

-

OMAN

March-24 April Operation Tombola Engaging enemy

1972 1945

-

HOLLAND

3-18 April Operation Keystone Engaging

1945

-

19 July

enemy

6 April-6

May Operation Howard Engaging enemy

5

1945

-

SAS team

1981

NORWAY

-

leads local force in successful

UK

May Iranian Embassy

30 Julv-6

-

Mirbat

1980

March -May Operation Archway Suporting British advance

May Operation Larkswood Engaging enemy

Oman

defence against vastly superior rebel force

Germany

3 April-8

-

-

Siege.

London

- Tiie Gambia August SAS team puis down coup

against

President Jawara

May Operation Apostle Disarming German forces

1982 British

SAS regiments disbanded October 1945

-

Intelligence

SOUTH ATLANTIC and raiding operations during the halklands

campaign

1950-1960

-

MALAYA

1988

Malayan Scouts (SAS) formed Operations against communist-

backed

guerillas

(>

-

Gibraltar

March SAS team

kills

three terrorists during IK A

bomb

mission

1951

1989 ONWARDS

Formation of 22 SAS

-

CENTRAL AMERICA

Covert and international co-operative operations

1958-1959

-

OMAN

in

the

war

against drugs

November-January Jebel Akhdar Operations against

communist-backed

rebels

1963-1966

-

1991

-

IRAQ

Intelligence, raiding

BORNEO

the Gulf

Operations against rebels and Indonesian forces

224

War

and seek-and- destroy missions during





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