John Jolliffe

Derring-do in the desert

Ben Macintyre marvellously evokes the romance and bravado of David Stirling’s tiny crack corps, which created havoc for Rommel in the North African desert

issue 08 October 2016

The SAS was the first unit to be granted regimental status for generations. Its chief aim was to damage the enemy from behind their lines in the North African desert. It was an entirely independent unit, not answerable to any superior command and therefore anathema to the regular army mind.

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