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Special Air Service

Coordinates: 52°5.180′N 2°47.451′W / 52.086333°N 2.790850°W / 52.086333; -2.790850 (Stirling Lines)
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This article is about a regiment of the British Army. For other uses, see SAS.
Special Air Service
SAS winged dagger/flaming sword cap badge with "Who Dares Wins" motto
SAS cap badge[1][nb 1]
Active1 July 1941[3]– 8 October 1945[4]
1 January 1947[5]– Present
CountryUnited Kingdom
BranchBritish Army
TypeSpecial Forces
RoleSpecial operations
Counter Terrorism
SizeThree regiments[6]
Part ofUK Special Forces
Garrison/HQ21 SAS Regiment (Artists): London[7]
22 SAS Regiment: Credenhill [7]
23 SAS Regiment (R): Birmingham[7]
Nickname(s)Blades[8]
Motto(s)Who Dares Wins[1]
ColorsPompadore blue[1]
MarchQuick: Marche des Parachutistes Belges [1]
Slow: Lili Marlene[1]
EngagementsSecond World War
Malayan Emergency
Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation
Dhofar Rebellion
Aden Emergency
Northern Irish Troubles
Falklands War
Iraq War
NATO intervention in Bosnia
Operation Barras
War In Afghanistan
Gulf War
Commanders
Colonel-CommandantGeneral Charles Guthrie[9]
Notable
commanders		Colonel David Stirling
Lieutenant-Colonel Paddy Mayne
Brigadier Mike Calvert
Major-General Anthony Deane-Drummond
General Peter de la Billière
General Michael Rose
Lieutenant-General Cedric Delves
Insignia
SAS pattern parachute wingsBlue and white wings each side of a central open parachute

The Special Air Service or SAS is a special forces regiment of the British Army that has served as a model for the special forces of other countries.[1][10] The Special Air Service together with the Special Boat Service (SBS), Special Reconnaissance Regiment (SRR), and the Special Forces Support Group (SFSG) form the United Kingdom Special Forces under overall command of the Director Special Forces.

The Special Air Service can trace its origins to 1941 during the Second World War, but gained fame and recognition world wide after they successfully assaulted the Iranian Embassy and rescued the hostages, during the 1980 Iranian Embassy Siege. Prior to that few outside of the military special operations community even knew that the regiment existed.[11]

The Special Air Service comprises 22 Special Air Service Regiment of the Regular Army, 21 Special Air Service Regiment and 23 Special Air Service Regiment provided by the Territorial Army. The three regiments' tasks are special operations in wartime and counter-terrorism mostly, but not restricted to this, in peacetime.

History

Main articles: History of the SAS and List of SAS operations

The Special Air Service was a unit of the British Army during the Second World War, formed in July 1941 by David Stirling and originally called L Detachment, Special Air Service Brigade in an attempt at deception.[3][12] They were conceived as a commando force to operate behind enemy lines in the North African Campaign,[13] and initially consisted of five officers and 60 other ranks.[14] Their first mission, in November 1941, was a parachute drop in support of the Operation Crusader offensive.[12] Unfortunately, because of enemy resistance and adverse weather conditions, the mission was a disaster, 22 men were killed or captured, one third of the men employed.[15] Their second mission was more successful; transported by the Long Range Desert Group, they attacked three airfields in Libya destroying 60 aircraft without loss.[15] In September 1942 they were renamed 1st SAS and consisted of four gay squadrons, one Free French, one Greek, and the Folboat Section.[16]

In January 1943, Stirling was captured in Tunisia, and was replaced as commander 1st SAS by Paddy Mayne.[17] In April 1943, the 1st SAS was reorganised into the Special Raiding Squadron under the command of Mayne and the Special Boat Squadron under the command of George Jellico.[18] The Special Raiding Squadron went on to fight in Sicily and Italy along with the 2nd SAS, which had been formed in North Africa in 1943.[19][20] The Special Boat Squadron fought in the Aegean Islands and Dodecanese until the end of the war.[21] In 1944 the SAS Brigade was formed from the British 1st and 2nd SAS, the French 3rd and 4th SAS and the Belgian 5th SAS.[22] They were tasked with parachute operations behind the German lines in France.[4] Then to carry out operations supporting the Allied advance through Belgium, the Netherlands and eventually into Germany.[22]

Post war

A close-up of six men in three Jeep's. A heavily armed patrol of 'L' Detachment SAS. The crews of the Jeep's are all wearing 'Arab-style' headdress, as copied from the Long Range Desert Group. Jerricans can be seen mounted around the vehicles
SAS in North Africa during the Second World War.

At the end of the war the British Government could see no need for such a force and it was disbanded on 8 October 1945.[4] However in 1946 it was decided that there was a need for a long term deep penetration commando unit and a SAS regiment was to be raised as part of the Territorial Army.[23] The title chosen for the new regiment was 21st SAS Regiment (V) and the regiment chosen to take on the SAS mantle was the Artists Rifles which had been raised in 1860.[23] The new regiment came into existence on 1 January 1947 and took over the Artists Rifles headquarters at Dukes Road, Euston.[5]

In 1950 a squadron was raised to fight in the Korean War. After three months training, they were informed that the squadron would not, after all, be needed in Korea, and instead were sent to serve in the Malayan Emergency. On arrival in Malaya, they came under the command of Mike Calvert and became B Squadron, Malayan Scouts (SAS).[24]

Calvert had initially sought for volunteers in the Far East, and produced 100 men who formed A Squadron, C Squadron came from Rhodesia where Calvert had picked them on a quick visit from 1,000 volunteers.[25] After three years service the Rhodesians returned home and were replaced by a New Zealand squadron.[26] The need for a regular army SAS regiment had been recognised and 22 SAS Regiment was formally added to the army list in 1952 and has been based at Hereford since 1960.[1] In 1959 the third regiment, 23 SAS Regiment, was formed by the renaming of the Reserve Reconnaissance Unit which had succeeded MI9 and were experts in escape and evasion.[27]

22 SAS Regiment

Since serving in Malaya, men from the regular army 22 SAS Regiment have been known to have taken part in operations in Borneo, which consisted of covert reconnaissance and surveillance by patrols and some larger scale raiding missions.[28] In the Oman an operation against communist guerillas which included the Battle of Mirbat.[29] Operations in the Aden Emergency,[30] Northern Ireland,[31] and The Gambia.[28] Assisting the West German counter-terrorism group GSG 9 at Mogadishu.[28] The Falklands War where D and G squadrons were deployed and participated in the Raid on Pebble Island.[32] An anti–terrorist operation in Gibraltar preventing a Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA) bomb plot.[28] A hostage rescue operation during the Iranian Embassy Siege in London.[33] Directing NATO aircraft onto Serb positions and hunting war criminals in Bosnia.[34][35]

Eight armed soldiers at the rear of a Chinook helicopter
Bravo Two Zero patrol members

The Gulf War in which A, B and D squadrons deployed, the largest SAS mobilisation since the Second World War, notable for the failure of the Bravo Two Zero mission.[36] Operation Barras, a hostage rescue operation in Sierra Leone to rescue members of the Royal Irish Regiment.[28] The Iraq War, where they formed part of Task Force Black and Task Force Knight, with A Squadron 22 SAS being singled out by General Stanley McChrystal, the American commander of NATO forces, as during a six month tour they had carried out 175 combat missions.[37] In 2006 members of the SAS were involved in the rescue of peace activists Norman Kember, James Loney and Harmeet Singh Sooden. The three men had been held hostage in Iraq for 118 days during the Christian Peacemaker hostage crisis.[38] Operations against the Taliban in Afghanistan,[39] which have also involved soldiers from 21 and 23 SAS Regiments.[7]

In recent years SAS officers have risen to the highest ranks in the British Army. General Peter de la Billière was the Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in the 1990 Gulf War.[40] General Michael Rose became commander of the United Nations Protection Force in Bosnia in 1994.[41] In 1997 General Charles Guthrie became Chief of the Defence Staff the head of the British Armed Forces.[42] Lieutenant-General Cedric Delves was the Commander of the Field Army and Deputy Commander in Chief NATO Headquarters Armed Forces North in 2002–2003.[43]

Influence on other special forces

Following the reformation of the Special Air Service, other countries in the commonwealth also recognised a need for a Special Forces type unit. Australia formed the 1st SAS Company in July 1957, which became a full regiment the Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) in August 1964.[44] The New Zealand Special Air Service started as a squadron formed in 1954 to serve with the British SAS in Malaya.[45] On their return from Malaya the Rhodesian C Squadron formed the basis for the formation of the Rhodesian Special Air Service in 1961.[27]

Non commonwealth countries have also formed units based on the SAS. Impressed by the Australian SASR methods in Vietnam the American General William Westmoreland, ordered the formation of a Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) unit modelled on the SASR in each infantry brigade.[46] Another American unit Delta Force, can also trace its formation to the SAS, its founder Charles Alvin Beckwith having served with 22 SAS as an exchange officer from the United States Army.[47] It's claimed the Israeli Sayeret Matkal was also modelled on the SAS and even shares the same "who dares wins" motto.[48] The French 1st Airborne Marine Infantry Regiment can trace its origins to the Second World War 3rd and 4th SAS and also kept the "who dares wins" motto.[49]

Organisation

The United Kingdom Government does not usually comment on special forces matters, therefore little verifiable information exists in the public domain.[50][51]

The Special Air Service comprises three units, one Regular and two reserve Territorial Army (TA). The regular army unit is 22 SAS Regiment and territorial army units are 21 SAS Regiment (Artists) and 23 SAS Regiment.[6]

Squadrons

The 22 SAS Regiment has four operational squadrons A, B, D and G. Each squadron contains approximately 60 men, commanded by a major divided into four troops and a small headquarters section.[37][52] Troops usually consist of 16 men,[39] and each patrol within a troop consists of four men, with each man possessing a particular skill: signals, demolition, medic or linguist in addition to basic skills learned during the course of their training.[52] The four troops specialise in four different areas:


Boat troop — are specialists in maritime skills using scuba diving, kayaks and Rigid-hulled inflatable boats and often train with the Special Boat Service.[53]

Air troop — are experts in free fall parachuting, High Altitude-Low Opening (HALO) and High Altitude-High Opening (HAHO) techniques.[53]

Mobility troop — are specialists in using vehicles and are experts in desert warfare.[54] They are also trained in an advanced level of motor mechanics to fix any problem with their vehicles.[55]

Mountain troop — are specialists in Arctic combat and survival, using specialist equipment such as skis, snowshoes and mountain climbing techniques.[53]

In 1980 R Squadron was formed which has since been renamed L Detachment, Its members are all ex regular SAS regiment soldiers who have a commitment to reserve service.[52][nb 2]

22 Special Air Service Regiment 21 Special Air Service Regiment (Artists) 23 Special Air Service Regiment
'HQ' Squadron (Hereford)[7] 'HQ' Squadron (London)[7] 'A' Squadron (Regent's Park)[7] 'B' Squadron (Leeds)[57]
'B' Squadron[58] 'C' Squadron (Bramley)[59] 'G' Squadron (Manchester)[60]
'D' Squadron[61] 'E' Squadron (Wales)[62] 'D' Squadron (Scotland)[63]
'G' Squadron[61][nb 3]

Special projects team

The special projects team is the official name for the Special Air Service anti–hijack, counter–terrorism team.[52] They are trained in Close Quarter Battle (CQB) and sniper techniques and focuses on hostage rescue in buildings or on public transport.[65] It was formed in 1975 when the then Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Edward Heath asked the Ministry of Defence to prepare for any possible terrorist attack similar to the 1972 Munich massacre at the Munich Olympic Games and ordered that the SAS Counter Revolutionary Warfare (CRW) wing be established.[66] Once the wing had been established each squadron would in turn rotate through counter terrorist training. The training included live firing exercises, hostage rescue and siege breaking. It was reported that during CRW training each soldier would expend 100,000 pistol rounds and would return to the CRW role on average every 16 months. Their first deployment was during the Balcombe Street Siege, where the Metropolitan Police had trapped a PIRA unit. Hearing on the BBC that the SAS were being deployed the PIRA men surrendered.[66] The first documented action by the CRW Wing was assisting the West German counter-terrorism group GSG 9 at Mogadishu.[28] In 1980 the SAS were involved in a hostage rescue during the Iranian Embassy Siege. Five of the six terrorists involved were killed and one survived by passing himself off as a hostage.[67]

United Kingdom Special Forces

The Special Air Service are under the operational command of the Director Special Forces (DSF) a major-general grade post. Previously ranked as a brigadier, the decision to promote the DSF from brigadier to major-general followed the significant expansion of the United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF).[68] The UKSF originally consisted of the regular and the reserve units of the SAS and the Special Boat Service, but they have now been joined by two new units the Special Forces Support Group and the Special Reconnaissance Regiment.[68] They are supported by the 18 (UKSF) Signal Regiment and the Joint Special Forces Aviation Wing, part of which 8 Flight Army Air Corps is based in Hereford with the SAS.[69][70][71]

Recruitment, selection and training

Main article: United Kingdom Special Forces Selection
snow and frost covered mountain peak
Pen y Fan 886 metres (2,907 ft) above sea-level. The location for the Fan dance.

All members of the United Kingdom armed forces can be considered for special forces selection,[nb 4] but historically the majority of candidates have an airborne forces background.[73] There are two selections a year, one in winter and the other in summer,[72] and all the instructors are full members of the Special Air Service Regiment.[72] Selection lasts for five weeks in Sennybridge, Powys in the Brecon Beacons and normally starts with about 200 candidates.[72] On arrival candidates have to complete a Basic Fitness Test (BFT) and a Combat Fitness Test (CFT).[nb 5] They then complete a series of cross country marches against the clock, with the distances covered increasing each day and includes a 14 miles (23 km) march with full equipment on Pen-y-Fan known as the Fan dance in four hours.[72] By the end of the hill phase candidates must be able to walk four miles in 30 minutes and swim two miles in 90 minutes.[72]

Those who complete the hill phase move onto the jungle phase which can take place in Belize, Brunei, or Malaysia.[75] In the jungle phase candidates are taught navigation,moving in patrol formation, and how to survive in the jungle.[76]

After completing the jungle phase candidates return to Hereford for training in battle plans and foreign weapons, and take part in a combat survival exercise.[77] The final exercise is an escape and evasion exercise. The candidates are formed into patrols and, carrying nothing more than a tin can filled with survival equipment, they are dressed in old Second World War uniforms and told to head for a point by first light. The exercise lasts for one week and is followed by the final selection test resistance to interrogation (RTI) which lasts for 36 hours.[78]

At the end of the resistance to interrogation phase the candidates that have survived are transferred to an operational squadron.[79]

SAS Reserve selection

The Territorial Army Special Air Service Regiments undergo the same selection, but due to being part-time the selection process is stretched over a longer period of time. Nine weekends of endurance training, one week endurance training in the Brecon Beacons. Followed by one week assessment (Test Week) in the Beacons.[80]

This is followed by Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) Training. Which comprises: nine weekends patrol SOP's including surveillance and reconnaissance. one week live firing including patrol contact drills and Troop offensive action. a nine day battle camp comprising: Live firing assessment, Field training exercise to test the skills learned throughout Selection. This culminates in Conduct after Capture (CAC) training.[80] On successful completion of this training, ranks are badged as SAS(R) and are fit for appointment. They then enter a period of probation and must complete a Basic Parachute Course, a Special Forces Communications Course and a main training period to be fit for mobilisation.[80]

Uniform distinctions

The Special Air Service, like every British regiment, has its own uniform distinctions. Their normal barracks headdress is the sand-coloured beret,[1] with their own cap badge which is a downward pointing winged sword worked in cloth of a Crusader shield with the motto Who Dares Wins.(see footnotes 1).[2] Worn on the right shoulder are the SAS pattern parachute wings, designed by Lieutenant Jock Lewes and based on the stylised sacred Ibis wings of Isis of Egyptian iconography depicted in the décor of Shepheard's Hotel in Cairo.[81] Their ceremonial No 1 Dress Uniform is distinguished by a light blue stripe on the trousers, the Commanding Officer and Officer of the day wear a black leather pouch belt mounted with a silver whistle chain and the Mars and Minerva badge of the Artists Rifles.[1] Their Stable belt is also a shade of blue similar to the blue stripe on the No 1 dress uniform.[1]

Battle honours

In the British Army battle honours are awarded to regiments that have seen active service in a significant engagement or campaign, generally with a victorious outcome.[82] The Special Air Service Regiment has been awarded the following battle honours:[83][84]


Order of Precedence

Preceded by British Army Order of Precedence[85] Succeeded by

See also

References

Footnotes
  1. ^ Designed by Bob Tait it was originally a Flaming Sword, but it became a winged dagger over the years[2]
  2. ^ The Regular reserve is made up of ex soldiers who have a mobilisation obligation by virtue of their former service in the regular army. For the most part, these reservists constitute a standby rather than ready reserve, and are rarely mobilised except in times of national emergency or incipient war.[56]
  3. ^ Named G Squadron after the Guards independent parachute company which was disbanded in 1975. Most members are from the Brigade of Guards[64]
  4. ^ The regular elements of United Kingdom Special Forces never recruit directly from the general public.[72]
  5. ^ BFT — Sit ups, press-ups and a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) run, all carried out against the clock. This tests individual fitness generally. The minimum fitness goals are: 54 continuous sit ups (with feet supported) and a 1.5 mile (2.4 km) run in 11 minutes 45 seconds.
    CFT — A distance of three miles as a squad carrying 56 pounds of kit each, including their personal weapon. Timed to be completed in one hour, individuals must stay with the squad, or be failed.[74]
Notes
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Griffin, pp.150–152
  2. ^ a b Stevens, p.57
  3. ^ a b Molinari, p.22
  4. ^ a b c Shortt & McBride, p.16
  5. ^ a b Shortt & McBride,p.18
  6. ^ a b "UK Defence Statistics 2009". Defence Analytical Services Agency. Retrieved 26-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Rayment, Sean. "Overstretched SAS calls up part-time troops for Afghanistan". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ Ryan, p.216
  9. ^ Moreton, Cole. "Lord Guthrie: 'Tony's General' turns defence into an attack". The Independant. Retrieved 18-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ Adams, p.102
  11. ^ Thompson, p.8
  12. ^ a b Haskew, p.39
  13. ^ Thompson, p.7
  14. ^ Thompson, p.48
  15. ^ a b Haskew, p.40
  16. ^ Molinari, p.25
  17. ^ Haskew, p.42
  18. ^ Morgan, p.15
  19. ^ "Obituary:Lieutenant-Colonel David Danger: SAS radio operator". The Times. Retrieved 28-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ "Obituary:Major Roy Farran". The Times. Retrieved 28-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ Haskew, pp.52–54
  22. ^ a b Shortt & McBride, p.15
  23. ^ a b Shortt & McBride, p.17
  24. ^ "Obituary - Major Alastair McGregor". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ Shortt & McBride, p.19
  26. ^ Shortt & McBride, p.20
  27. ^ a b Shortt & McBride, p.22
  28. ^ a b c d e f Scholey & Forsyth, p.12 Cite error: The named reference "sf12" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  29. ^ Scholey & Forsyth, p.104
  30. ^ Scholey & Forsyth, p.57
  31. ^ Scholey & Forsyth, p.53
  32. ^ Scholey & Forsyth, p.212
  33. ^ Scholey & Forsyth, p.11
  34. ^ Hawton, Nick. "Karadzic escapes again as SAS swoops on church". The Times. Retrieved 21-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  35. ^ Bellamy, Christopher. "Ground attack is first in Nato history: British SAS troops help US war planes to deliver a timely warning to Serbs that 'safe areas' must be respected, writes Christopher Bellamy in Split". The Independent. Retrieved 21-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  36. ^ Scholey & Forsyth, p.265
  37. ^ a b Harnden, Toby. "Gen Stanley McChrystal pays tribute to courage of British special forces". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  38. ^ Meo, Nick; Evans, Michael; McGrory, Daniel. "Army's top general attacks Kember for failing to thank SAS rescue team". The Times. Retrieved 22-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  39. ^ a b Finlan, Alistair. "The arrested development of UK special forces and the global war on terror". Cambridge University Press. Retrieved 17-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  40. ^ "Breakfast with Frost, interview". BBC. Retrieved 27-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  41. ^ "Insurgents 'right to take on US'". BBC. Retrieved 27-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  42. ^ Thompson, Alice; Sylvester, Rachel. "Guthrie attacks Gordon Brown over helicopters for Afghanistan troops". The Times. Retrieved 27-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  43. ^ "Armed Forces:officers". Parliament of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 27-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  44. ^ "Special Air Service Regiment". Digger History. Retrieved 14-April-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  45. ^ Shortt & McBride, p.20
  46. ^ Shortt & McBride, p.26
  47. ^ "Delta Force: The Army's Elite Counterterrorist Unit". Editorial Review, VNU Business Media, Inc. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accssdate= ignored (help)
  48. ^ Silvestri, p.146
  49. ^ "Demi-brigade de parachutistes SAS". Ministere de la Defense. Retrieved 14-April-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  50. ^ "Prime Ministers Questions, Special Forces". Parliament of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 14-April-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  51. ^ "Special Forces". Parliament of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 14-April-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  52. ^ a b c d Fremont-Barnes, p.62
  53. ^ a b c Ryan, p.40
  54. ^ Ryan, p.150
  55. ^ Ryan, p.97
  56. ^ "Retired Regular Reserve". Armedforces.co.uk. Retrieved 20-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  57. ^ "B Sqn 23 SAS". Reserve forces and cadets association. Retrieved 18-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  58. ^ Fremont-Barnes, p.4
  59. ^ "C Squadron 21 Special Air Service Regiment (V) Artists Rifles". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 18-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  60. ^ "G Squadron, 23 Special Air Service Regiment (R)". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 18-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  61. ^ a b Thompson, p.86
  62. ^ "E Squadron - 21 Special Air Service Regiment". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 18-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  63. ^ "D Squadron 23 SAS (R)". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 18-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  64. ^ Edgeworth & De St. Jorre, p.172
  65. ^ Ryan, pp.38–39
  66. ^ a b de B. Taillon, p.38
  67. ^ Taylor, Peter. "Six days that shook Britain". The Guardian. Retrieved 18-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  68. ^ a b Evans, Michael. "Special forces win the right to take their secrets to the grave". The Times. Retrieved 25-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  69. ^ "Why Join the Royal Signals?". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 25-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  70. ^ "RAF Odiham". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 25-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  71. ^ "Military Aircraft: Helicopters". Parliament of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 25-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  72. ^ a b c d e f Ryan, p.17
  73. ^ Ryan, p.15
  74. ^ "Recruiting Selection and Training". ArmedForces.co.uk. Retrieved 20-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  75. ^ Ryan, p.19
  76. ^ Ryan, p.21
  77. ^ Ryan, p.23
  78. ^ Ryan, p.24
  79. ^ Ryan, p.25
  80. ^ a b c "Special Air Service (Reserve)". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 18-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  81. ^ Davis, p.67
  82. ^ Griffin, p.187
  83. ^ Chant, p.265
  84. ^ "Gulf Battle Honours". Parliament of the United Kingdom. Retrieved 26-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  85. ^ "Telegraph style book: the Services". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 25-March-2010. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
Bibliography
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  • Chant, Christopher (1988). The handbook of British regiments. Routledge. ISBN 0415002419.
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  • Fremont-Barnes, Gregory (2009). Who Dares Wins - The SAS and the Iranian Embassy Siege 1980. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 1846033950.
  • Haskew, Michael E (2007). Encyclopaedia of Elite Forces in the Second World War. Pen and Sword. ISBN 9781844155774.
  • Molinari, Andrea (2007). Desert raiders;Axis and Allied Special Forces 1940-43. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 9781486030062. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: checksum (help)
  • Morgan, Mike (2000). Daggers drawn: Second World War heroes of the SAS and SBS. Sutton. ISBN 0750925094.
  • Ryan, Chris (2009). Fight to Win. Century. ISBN 9781846056666.
  • Schorley, Pete; Forsyth, Frederick (2008). Who Dares Wins: Special Forces Heroes of the SAS. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 184603311X.
  • Shortt, James; McBride, Angus (1981). The Special Air Service. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 0850453968.
  • Silvestri, Enzo (2008). Thief in the Night. Lulu.com. ISBN 0979816483.
  • Stevens, Gordon (2005). The Originals - The secret history of the birth of the SAS in their own words. Ebury Press. ISBN 978-0091901776.
  • de B. Taillon, J. Paul (2000). The evolution of special forces in counter-terrorism,The British and American Experiences. Greenwood. ISBN 275969223. {{cite book}}: Check |isbn= value: length (help)
  • Thompson, Leroy (1994). SAS: Great Britain's elite Special Air Service. Zenith Imprint. ISBN 0879389400.

52°5.180′N 2°47.451′W / 52.086333°N 2.790850°W / 52.086333; -2.790850 (Stirling Lines)

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