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A heavily-armed patrol of 'L' Detachment SAS in their jeeps, wearing 'Arab-style' headdress, January 1943.

Multimedia Special Air Service

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November 7th, 2023
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March 10th, 2024
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Special Air Service
Order of Battle
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Parachute demonstration at Kabrit, Suez for General Auchinleck of the Special Air Service.
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General Montgomery inspecting the Special Air Service, Parachute Chasseur Regiment.
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Who Dares Wins, Special Air Service puts on a fire-power demonstration, December 18th, 1944.
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Device, Camouflage, No. 15 (Rupert) Drop
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Photographs

L Detachment, Special Air Service Brigade undergoing parachute training at Kabrit, Egypt in July 1941.
PICTURES OF THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE: PARATROOPS IN TRAINING (E 6380) Paratroops in training seen dropping off trucks travelling at a speed of 30 miles an hour Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205234411
PICTURES OF THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE PARATROOPS IN TRAINING (E 6391) Original wartime caption: Men jumping from steel gantrys of various heights, to learn the art of landing at various angles without going injury to themselves. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205490648
THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE (SAS) IN NORTH AFRICA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (E 6390) SAS volunteers jumping from steel gantries while undergoing parachute training at Kabrit, Egypt. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205196754
PICTURES OF THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE PARATROOPS IN TRAINING (E 6420) Original wartime caption: A tractise with the parachute. The men are trained to control their parachutes after landing. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205547454
THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE (SAS) IN NORTH AFRICA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (E 6404) SAS volunteers emplaning into an RAF Bristol Bombay transport aircraft prior to a practice jump while undergoing parachute training at Kabrit, Egypt. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205196755
PICTURES OF THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE PARATROOPS IN TRAINING (E 6400) Original wartime caption: A plane is used on the ground to familiarise the men with jumping out of the door of the plane with their complete kit. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205234408
PICTURES OF THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE PARATROOPS IN TRAINING (E 6414) Original wartime caption: Pictures showing the paratroops descending landing and leaving the planes. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205547448
Cecil Beaton Collection
Members of the Special Air Service during parachute training.
CECIL BEATON IN THE MIDDLE EAST FEBRUARY-JULY 1942 (CBM 2057) Photographic negative Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205489917
Randolph Churchill, David Stirling and others watch Special Air Service parachute training at No. 4 Middle East Training School, RAF Kabrit, near Suez, 1942.
CECIL BEATON IN THE MIDDLE EAST FEBRUARY-JULY 1942 (CBM 1513) Photographic negative Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205489429
CECIL BEATON IN THE MIDDLE EAST FEBRUARY-JULY 1942 (CBM 2222) Randolph Churchill, David Stirling and others watch Special Air Service parachute training at No. 4 Middle East Training School, RAF Kabrit, near Suez, 1942. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205490072
Major David Stirling posing.
CECIL BEATON IN THE MIDDLE EAST FEBRUARY-JULY 1942 (CBM 1515) Photographic negative Copyright: © IWM.
CECIL BEATON IN THE MIDDLE EAST FEBRUARY-JULY 1942 (CBM 1275) Photographic negative Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205489214

Desert Raiders, January 18th, 1943
THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE (SAS) IN NORTH AFRICA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (E 21340) Portrait of Lt Colonel David Stirling DSO. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205125438
THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE (SAS) IN NORTH AFRICA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (E 21340) Portrait of Lt Colonel David Stirling DSO. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205125438
THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE (SAS) IN NORTH AFRICA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (E 20084) Two members of 1 SAS , Captain D C Mather MC, Welsh Guards and Captain G Alston, Royal Artillery (nearest camera) in a heavily loaded jeep. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205196274
THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE (SAS) IN NORTH AFRICA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (E 20084) Two members of 1 SAS , Captain D C Mather MC, Welsh Guards and Captain G Alston, Royal Artillery (nearest camera) in a heavily loaded jeep. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205196274
THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE (SAS) IN NORTH AFRICA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (E 21341) A jeep patrol of the SAS out in the desert Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205220478
THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE (SAS) IN NORTH AFRICA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (E 21341) A jeep patrol of the SAS out in the desert Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205220478
THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE (SAS) IN NORTH AFRICA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (E 21337) A heavily-armed patrol of ‘L’ Detachment SAS in their jeeps, wearing ‘Arab-style’ headdress, January 1943. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205196152
THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE (SAS) IN NORTH AFRICA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (E 21337) A heavily-armed patrol of ‘L’ Detachment SAS in their jeeps, wearing ‘Arab-style’ headdress, January 1943. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205196152
Lieutenant Colonel David Stirling officer commanding the SAS in the Middle East talking to Patrol Commander Lieutenant McDonald.
Lieutenant Colonel David Stirling officer commanding the SAS in the Middle East talking to Patrol Commander Lieutenant McDonald.
Lieutenant Colonel David Stirling officer commanding the SAS in the Middle East talking to Patrol Commander Lieutenant McDonald.
THE CAMPAIGN IN NORTH AFRICA 1940-1943 (E 21338) The Axis Offensive 1941 – 1942: A Special Air Service jeep patrol is greeted by its commander, Colonel David Stirling, on its return from the desert. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205193468
Desert Rats (E 21342) Cpl. Bill Kennedy, of the Royal Scots Greys, at his post in one of the small patrol cars. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205381525
Desert Rats (E 21342) Corporal Bill Kennedy, of the Royal Scots Greys, at his post in one of the small patrol cars. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205381525
Corporal John Henderson of the Scots Guards, originally from Glasgow.
Corporal John Henderson of the Scots Guards, originally from Glasgow.
THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST 1940-1947 (E 21345) Original wartime caption: Men on these long distance patrols are allowed to grow beards, and a good deal of competition ensues. This is Cpl. David Goldie of the Scots Gaurds, from Dumpries. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205629102
THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST 1940-1947 (E 21345) Original wartime caption: Men on these long distance patrols are allowed to grow beards, and a good deal of competition ensues. This is Corporal David Goldie of the Scots Gaurds, from Dumpries. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205629102
THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST 1940-1947 (E 21346) Original wartime caption: Cpl. John Henderson, from Glasgow, of the Scots Guards. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205629103
THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST 1940-1947 (E 21346) Original wartime caption: Corporal John Henderson, from Glasgow, of the Scots Guards. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205629103
DESERT RATS (E 21347) PTE Malcom Mackinnon Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205381524
DESERT RATS (E 21347) Private Malcom Mackinnon Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205381524
Desert Rats (E 21348) Cpl. James McDiarmid, of the Black Watch, comes from Perth. He believes in full cultivation as far as beards are concerned. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205381526
Desert Rats (E 21348) Corporal James McDiarmid, of the Black Watch, comes from Perth. He believes in full cultivation as far as beards are concerned. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205381526
THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST 1940-1947 (E 21344) Original wartime caption: The proper dress for the deep desert life - bus shirt, shorts, sandals, socks rolled down, bare head or covered by Arab headdress. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205629101
THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORTH AFRICA AND THE MIDDLE EAST 1940-1947 (E 21344) Original wartime caption: The proper dress for the deep desert life – bus shirt, shorts, sandals, socks rolled down, bare head or covered by Arab headdress. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205629101
Desert Rats (E 21349) Lieut. Edward McDonald, D.C.M. of the Cameron Highlanders comes from Edinburgh. He is 24 and the leader of one of the long range desert patrols. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205381527
Desert Rats (E 21349) Lieutenant Edward McDonald, D.C.M. of the Cameron Highlanders comes from Edinburgh. He is 24 and the leader of one of the long range desert patrols. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205381527
DESERT RATS (E 21350) A cine-cameraman of the Army film and photo Unit accompanies the patrols to photograph their activities. He is seen here showing a bit of film to the patrol commander Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205234398
DESERT RATS (E 21350) A cine-cameraman of the Army film and photo Unit accompanies the patrols to photograph their activities. He is seen here showing a bit of film to the patrol commander Lieutenant McDonald. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205234398
A cine-cameraman of the Army film and photo Unit accompanies the patrols to photograph their activities. He is seen here showing a bit of film to the patrol commander Lieutenant McDonald.
Desert Life
LONG RANGE DESERT GROUP (HU 69884) David Stirling in his Chevrolet truck ('Blitz-buggy') with three SAS personnel (all Corporals). From left to right: Seekings, Rose and Cooper. Photograph taken in May 1942 at Bir Hacheim Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205046857
LONG RANGE DESERT GROUP (HU 69884) David Stirling with two members of the SAS together with personnel of G Patrol of the Long Range Desert Group: the man at the top back is probably Guardsman G T Blaney (‘Ginger’) LRDG. The rest, from left to right: Guardsman Archie Gibson (LRDG), Reg Seekings (SAS), Guardsman Jack Crossley (LRDG), Johnny Cooper (SAS), David Stirling (SAS), Craftsman R N Scott (LRDG), Rose (LRDG), Guardsman Archie Murray (LRDG). Photograph taken in May 1942 at Bir Hacheim after the raid on Benghazi harbour. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205046857
Special Air Service in 1941 with officers, Lieutenant David Stirling and Jock Lewes.
Special Air Service in 1941 with officers, Lieutenant David Stirling and Jock Lewes.
Trooper Jeffs, Charlie Cattell, Bob Lilley, Malcolm Pleydell and Johnny Wiseman.
Trooper Jeffs, Charlie Cattell, Bob Lilley, Malcolm Pleydell and Johnny Wiseman.
Lieutenant McDonald (right and his gunner.
THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (MH 24415) Portrait of Lt Col Robert Blair ‘Paddy’ Mayne, SAS, in the desert near Kabrit, 1942. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205125352
Official photograph (HU 24994) David Stirling (Officer Commanding Special Air Service) and Don Steele A Squadron W/T Long Range Desert Group. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205234416
Official photograph (HU 24994) David Stirling (Officer Commanding Special Air Service) and Don Steele A Sqn W/T Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205234416
THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE (SAS) IN NORTH AFRICA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (E 19781) A full length portrait of Corporal T Sillito, who was a member of a four-man SAS patrol tasked to blow up the rail line in the enemy's rear, just before the offensive at El Alamein. After a firefight with the enemy, Sillito got separated from the rest of his group, and set out to walk the 100 miles back to the British lines, without food or water, a gruelling week-long experience which he only jus... Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205125570
THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE (SAS) IN NORTH AFRICA DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (E 19781) A full length portrait of Corporal T Sillito, who was a member of a four-man SAS patrol tasked to blow up the rail line in the enemy’s rear, just before the offensive at El Alamein. After a firefight with the enemy, Sillito got separated from the rest of his group, and set out to walk the 100 miles back to the British lines, without food or water, a gruelling week-long experience which he only jus… Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205125570
Corporal John ‘Jack’ William Sillito serves in a four-man SAS patrol of 1 SAS ‘A’ Squadron, tasked with disrupting a strategic railway behind enemy lines before the El Alamein offensive. Separated from his team during a skirmish, Sillito undertakes a challenging trek, covering over 100 miles back to Allied lines over a week, without access to food or water. This photograph is taken after his recuperation in hospital, where he is treated for his feet, still bandaged from the ordeal in November 1942. For his commendable endurance and service, he is awarded the Military Medal and Bar in October 1943, while serving as a Corporal (acting Sergeant) in the Staffordshire Yeomanry, Royal Armoured Corps, with his contributions spanning the campaigns in Africa and Sicily.
A collapsible canoe like was used by the SAS during raids against shipping in Benghazi harbour in 1942.
A collapsible canoe like was used by the SAS during raids against shipping in Benghazi harbour in 1942.
Special Air Service on Parade
THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE (SAS) DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (E 26182) Members of 2 SAS on parade for an inspection by General Montgomery, following their successful participation in the capture, behind enemy lines, of the port of Termoli in Italy. On the left is Major E Scratchley DSO, MC, commanding the SAS detachment. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205196756
THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE (SAS) IN ITALY DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (NA 25417) Men of 2 SAS attend an open-air mass in the Italian town of Cuneo, to celebrate the end of the war in Europe. The SAS troops had spent the previous month assisting partisans behind enemy lines. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205196762
THE SPECIAL AIR SERVICE (SAS) DURING THE SECOND WORLD WAR (B 15783) Brigadier Mike Calvert, Commandant SAS Brigade, at the ceremony marking the passing of 3 and 4 SAS (2 and 3 Regiment de Chasseurs Parachutistes) from the British to the French Army at Tarbes in southern France. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205196763
France

Unidentified Pictures
Group of Special Air Service soldiers during a rest period in operations somewhere in Europe.
Group of Special Air Service soldiers during a rest period in operations somewhere in Europe.