The Desert Raiders (SAS) 1 5

UK Special Forces SAS was raised by then Lieutenant Archibald David Stirling, (a Supplementary Reserve officer of the Scots Guards) during World War II as 'L' Detachment, SAS Brigade, (so named from August 24, 1941) adding to the pre-existing 'J' and 'K' Detachments of the notional Special Air Service Brigade. Given the acting rank of Captain by the Commander in Chief, Middle East Forces and an initial authorised strength of 68 All Ranks, Stirling's No 1 Special Service Unit was originally created as an all volunteer airborne force to conduct raids and sabotage far behind enemy lines in the desert on the model of a concept worked out by Lieutenant John Steel Lewes. Lewes, an experienced Weapons Training Instructor with the Welsh Guards prior to service with No 8 Commando, became the Detachment's first chief instructor. 'L' Detachment operated in conjunction with the pre-existing Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Guy Lennox Prendergast, Royal Tank Regiment (who later became Deputy Commander of the SAS Brigade in North West Europe in 1944)[N]. Stirling (also formerly of No. 3 and 8 Commando) selected recruits by personal interview and recruited from the disbanding Layforce and from officers and men of other units of the British Army stationed in Egypt awaiting posting at the Infantry Base Depot at Geneifa. The name 'Special Air Service' was used as a part of a deception operation (Operation Abeam; mounted by the specialist deception organisation 'A' Force) to suggest that Britain had increased its airborne forces capabilities over and above the single 11 SAS Bn then in existence. The unit also adopted the basic rank style of Parachutist, abbreviated 'Pct', which continued in use until succeeded by Trooper, abbreviated 'Tpr' from 1944[N]. On June 30, 1984, at the opening of the new SAS base at Stirling Lines, Hereford Sir David Stirling declared in his opening speech, published in his authorised biography: