85 Years Ago: SAS Cleared Hot

Below, signed 10 November 1941, is the Eight Army order for Operation Squatter, the first SAS mission, which was to be executed on the 16th-18th November, with men drawn from “L” Section, 1 S.A.S. Bde. Conceived by Lt. David Stirling, the 57-man raid began with a clandestine parachute drop via five twin-engined Bristol Bombay transports behind Axis lines to destroy German and Italian aircraft on the ground at forward airfields (Gazala and Timimi), in support of the planned British Operation Crusader offensive. SAS volunteers jumping from steel gantries while undergoing parachute training at Kabrit, Egypt. 7 November 1941. Smith, Albert Norman Mitchell and Clements, Harold John K.P., No. 1 Army Film and Photo Section, Army Film and Photographic Unit. IWM (E 6390) SAS volunteers emplane into an RAF Bristol Bombay transport aircraft prior to a practice jump while undergoing parachute training at Kabrit, Egypt. 7 November 1941. Smith, Albert Norman Mitchell and Clements, Harold John K.P.…

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