History Extra Podcast Summary: "The SAS in WW2: Everything You Wanted to Know"

Release Date: December 28, 2024

The History Extra Podcast, produced by Immediate Media and the team behind BBC History Magazine, presents an in-depth exploration of the Special Air Service (SAS) during World War II in the episode titled "The SAS in WW2: Everything You Wanted to Know." Hosted by David Stirling, the founding member of the SAS, the episode features insightful discussions with author Joshua Levine, who delves into the formation, missions, and legacy of this elite military unit. The conversation captures the complexities, challenges, and triumphs of the SAS, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of its pivotal role in the war.

1. Formation of the SAS

Key Points:

• The creation of the SAS was not the result of a single individual's vision but rather a confluence of various influences and contributions from multiple figures.
• Influences included T.E. Lawrence's guerrilla tactics during World War I and Ralph Bagnold's establishment of the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG).

Notable Quotes:

• Joshua Levine [02:54]: "There was a lot of influences. A lot goes into the DNA of the wartime SAS."
• Levine [08:43]: "It wasn't just a simple, you know, one man had an idea and two days later, you know, was sent a load of parachutes and it wasn't that simple."

The SAS's formation was heavily influenced by pre-existing units and strategic minds. Figures like Dudley Clark introduced elements of strategic deception, exemplified by Operation Abeam, which involved creating a fake SAS unit to mislead enemy intelligence. This multifaceted genesis ensured that the SAS inherited a blend of tactical innovation and practical reconnaissance skills.

2. Early Missions and Challenges

Key Points:

• The SAS's inaugural mission, Operation Squatter, was a significant failure due to adverse weather conditions, leading to heavy casualties and initial doubts about the unit's viability.
• Lessons learned from early setbacks prompted strategic reevaluations, such as reconsidering parachute insertions and leveraging the LRDG for logistical support.

Notable Quotes:

• Levine [10:36]: "There was a complete disaster. Not a single party even made it to their target."
• Levine [13:43]: "He started questioning whether it should be parachuted in, whether the desert was really the right place for parachuting into position."

Despite the disastrous outcome of their first mission, the SAS persisted, adapting their strategies to improve mission success rates. This resilience underscored the unit's commitment to overcoming adversity and refining their operational tactics.

3. Impact of the Long Range Desert Group

Key Points:

• The LRDG significantly influenced the SAS's operational methods, including desert navigation, vehicle usage, and survival techniques.
• Personnel exchange between the LRDG and SAS enriched the latter's capabilities, exemplified by the recruitment of expert navigators like Mike Sadler.

Notable Quotes:

• Levine [15:23]: "The SAS would end up using its own vehicles and it was using methods like the sun compass and the sand mats [...] all the things that had sort of originally been worked out for the desert by the LRDG."
• Levine [18:02]: "They were still just shooting prisoners. And we got hold of all these officers and we lined them up."

The collaboration between the LRDG and SAS fostered a transfer of critical survival and reconnaissance skills, enhancing the SAS's effectiveness in desert warfare and beyond.

4. Role in the Italian Campaign and D-Day

Key Points:

• In the Italian Campaign, the SAS diversified into commando-style raids under the Special Raiding Squadron (SRS), adapting to the demands of urban warfare.
• During D-Day, the SAS shifted back to their core sabotage and reconnaissance roles, orchestrating operations like Operation Titanic to disrupt German defenses and supply lines.

Notable Quotes:

• Levine [18:10]: "They do all the kind of commando actions that David Stirling was really trying to get the SAS away from."
• Levine [20:23]: "The idea was to drop people behind enemy lines... to slow the German move towards Normandy."

These campaigns highlighted the SAS's versatility and strategic importance, demonstrating their ability to adapt to varying combat environments while maintaining their primary mission objectives.

5. Liberation of Bergen-Belsen

Key Points:

• The SAS played a crucial role in the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, being among the first Allied forces to witness the atrocities committed there.
• The encounter had a profound emotional impact on the SAS members, emphasizing the moral imperative behind their missions.

Notable Quotes:

• Levine [22:08]: "They were greeted by Joseph Kramer, Bisted Belson, the man in charge, and by Irma Greaves, who was the female commandant."
• Levine [24:41]: "They were wholly shocked, horrified by what they saw."

This harrowing experience underscored the human cost of war and reinforced the SAS's role not only as combatants but also as liberators confronting unimaginable horrors.

6. Training and Selection

Key Points:

• SAS training was rigorous, emphasizing physical endurance, weapon proficiency, and tactical ingenuity. It involved challenging parachute training, desert marches, and mental acuity tests.
• The unit fostered a meritocratic environment where initiative and problem-solving were highly valued.

Notable Quotes:

• Levine [24:51]: "There was a great deal of very distinctive training that went in... endurance, a lot of it was to do with weaponry."
• Levine [26:58]: "There were, I can think immediately of three, well, two and a half incredibly important members of the SAS who weren't there to fight."

Training not only prepared SAS members for the physical demands of their missions but also cultivated the strategic mindset necessary for successful sabotage and reconnaissance operations.

7. Composition and Roles within the SAS

Key Points:

• Not all SAS members were frontline fighters. Critical support roles included navigators, medical officers, and chaplains, who provided essential services that enabled combat operations.
• These support personnel were highly respected and integral to the unit's overall effectiveness.

Notable Quotes:

• Levine [26:58]: "The SAS was a fighting unit, absolutely. But certainly not the case that, you know, every member of the SAS fought."
• Levine [30:43]: "They had to be totally secretive... but they had to be known about for the enemy to fear them."

The diverse roles within the SAS highlighted the complexity and interdependence of its operations, illustrating that success depended on both combatants and their support networks.

8. Secrecy and Intelligence

Key Points:

• The SAS maintained a delicate balance between operational secrecy and public recognition to instill fear in enemy forces while safeguarding their missions.
• Intelligence breaches, such as the compromised Operation Titanic, demonstrated the challenges of maintaining operational security.

Notable Quotes:

• Levine [30:53]: "They were feared, terribly feared, because they were attacking all of these aerodromes along the coast."
• Levine [34:02]: "The American military attache... was getting almost complete information from the British, and he was sending it back to Roosevelt."

The operational secrecy of the SAS was pivotal in their effectiveness, yet incidents of compromised intelligence underscored the inherent risks in covert operations.

9. Foreign SAS Units and Collaborations

Key Points:

• The SAS incorporated foreign units and individuals, including French, Belgian, Greek regiments, and even German soldiers, enhancing their operational diversity and expertise.
• These collaborations often involved specialized sabotage missions tailored to specific regional contexts.

Notable Quotes:

• Levine [34:09]: "There were even German soldiers... they were sent out with these German Jews to carry out sabotage in the Middle East."
• Levine [36:04]: "Yes, the SAS did have all kinds of foreigners, including Germans."

These international collaborations enriched the SAS's tactical repertoire, enabling more effective and culturally nuanced operations across various theaters of war.

10. Disbandment and Legacy

Key Points:

• The SAS was officially disbanded at the end of World War II, perceived as fulfilling its wartime purpose.
• However, elements such as war crimes investigation teams and continued reconnaissance operations maintained the SAS's legacy until the establishment of the 21st SAS Regiment in 1947.

Notable Quotes:

• Levine [36:12]: "There was a war crimes investigation team... these all kept going."
• Levine [37:05]: "Reports of the SAS's death were slightly exaggerated."

The disbandment was more of a transition than an end, as the foundational principles and personnel continued to influence post-war special operations units.

11. Key Contributors to the SAS

Key Points:

• Founders and key figures such as David Stirling, Jock Lewis, and Paddy Mayne each played distinct roles in shaping the SAS's identity and operational success.
• Their diverse backgrounds and skill sets—from artistic creativity to tactical genius—contributed to the unique dynamic of the SAS.

Notable Quotes:

• Levine [37:19]: "Sterling was a persuader, a politician... Lewis was a technician, a man who could train people up."
• Levine [39:38]: "Paddy Mayne was a frustrated writer... He was a great fighter himself, but he was an inspiration to the people around him."

The collaborative efforts and complementary strengths of these leaders were instrumental in developing the SAS into a formidable special forces unit.

12. Misconceptions about the SAS

Key Points:

• The SAS is often mythologized as an invincible force, overlooking the operational failures and the diverse roles within the unit.
• Internal misconceptions, such as overestimating their own prowess, sometimes led to strategic missteps.

Notable Quotes:

• Levine [42:34]: "They weren't necessarily the only or even the first SAS in the desert."
• Levine [44:54]: "They had misconceptions about themselves... they really were from the SAS."

Understanding these misconceptions provides a more nuanced view of the SAS, recognizing both their achievements and the challenges they faced.

Conclusion

"The SAS in WW2: Everything You Wanted to Know" offers a meticulous examination of the SAS's evolution, operations, and enduring impact on military history. Through Joshua Levine's detailed narratives and David Stirling's probing questions, listeners gain a rich understanding of the SAS's strategic innovations, the resilience of its members, and the complex interplay of secrecy and effectiveness that defined their wartime contributions. This episode not only celebrates the legacy of the SAS but also invites reflection on the multifaceted nature of special operations forces in shaping the outcomes of global conflicts.

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