|
| |
 |
|
The SAS emblem. This is a post-war collar badge. The motto is WHO DARES
WINS (not WHO CARES WHO WINS as some might joke - but NEVER within
earshot of an SAS solider!). The winged edged weapon is NOT a dagger as
many people think, it is EXCALIBER, King Arthur's sword. Their parachute badge was
parachute wings with an Egyptian style. This was because the original
SAS started up in Egypt with the British. Usually worn on the sleeve and then for
those who had made combat jumps, they could be worn on the left
breast.
|
The Special Air Service
Founded by David Stirling in the North Africa during World War II, this unit
became famous for its daring raids behind enemy lines.
The jeep was their main transportation and they modified jeeps extensively
for raiding. They added machineguns and other gear.
 |
|
David Stirling's "Blitz Buggy", a Ford V-8 staff
car that he had converted to look like an enemy staff car, for use on the
raid on Benghazi. It later his a small mine, lost a wheel, was salvaged,
and later shot up and burned by an Italian CR42 fighter. Left to right:
Seekings, Rose, Colonel Stirling and Cooper. Note the SAS crest on the
door. (Johnny Cooper photo from ONE OF THE ORIGINALS - The Story of a
Founder member of the SAS.)
|
 |
|
SAS jeep in France during Operation Bullbasket, Poitiers, June 1944.
|
|
 |
|
SAS jeep in Germany, 1945. It is nicknamed the "GENERAL".
|
|
 |
|
5 SAS (Belgian SAS Company) jeep in North West Europe in 1944-45.
Colonel Eddie Blondeel was the CO and the men that formed this unit had
trained in Canada during the earlier part of the war. Courtesy of a
Belgian collector.
|
|
 |
|
Paddy Mayne and 1 SAS prepare to leave England for Norway in May,
1945.
|
|
 |
|
Summer of 1945 - the SAS at Stavanger Airport in Norway. Left to right:
Major Pat Gart (?); Paddy Mayne and Roy Farran.
|
|
 |
|
SAS canoeists in training. (Photo from THIS IS THE SAS by Tony Geraghty?)
|
|
 |
|
SAS soldiers landing by canoe in training or for a publicity photo. Note
that the lead man is carrying a silenced Sterling L34A1 9mm
sub-machinegun. (From THIS IS THE SAS by Tony Geraghty?)
|
|
|
|
Today, the SAS are the World's BEST soldiers. I always want them on
OUR side!
LINKS:
and another Rhodesian unit, the Selous Scouts http://members.tripod.com/selousscouts/home_page.htm
http://www.ozjokes.com/jokes.asp?jokeid=990 |
