The SAS at War 1941-45, Book Review

The Special Air Service were formed by David Stirling in the summer of 1941. Sketched out during a period in hospital, he was able to gather 50 recruits in July 1941 and train them for strategic operations behind enemy lines. The book covers the Regiments first operations in the Desert, often working with the Long Range Desert Group, where they built up their expertise in attacking enemy airfields and lines of communications. The unit had to constantly struggle against the poor support from staff officers but they were able to gain the equipment they needed and more recruits.

In January 1943, Stirling was captured (and eventually sent to Colditz) but the SAS went on to fight in Sicily and Italy. Their operations there are covered in detail, again with mixed results.

Deployed in France during the summer of 1944, SAS units were responsible for identifying targets for allied bombers, as well as sabotage and raids in the German rear areas. They worked with French Resistance groups, and helped delay units such as 2nd SS Panzer Division, Das Reich, from reaching the front line. Their actions also lead to large numbers of troops being deployed to track them down, another example of their strategic impact.

Operations in Germany were not as successful because of the lack of friendly civilians to help the SAS behind the enemy front line. The SAS were sent to Norway following the German surrender to help disarm the German occupation forces there.

Finally, the book covers the disbandment of the regular regiment and it's replacement with Territorial Regiment until the units special skills were needed again.

This is an excellent and detailed book about  the  formation of  one of the worlds elite fighting forces.