SAS – The First Airdrop

SECOND WORLD WAR | SAS AIRDROP

The Special Air Service was carried into its first operation by antiquated RAF Bombay bomber-transports, as Tom Spencer describes. Additional as material by Gavin Mortimer.

SAS founder, David Stirling; ‘L’ Detachment troopers board a Bombay named ‘Bishopsgate’ for a practice parachute drop at Kabrit in October 1941.
(GAVIN MORTIMER COLLECTION) , (KEY COLLECTION)

In the summer of 1941, the British Army’s Egypt-based Lt David Stirling was proposing the formation of a pioneering unit, one which would hit the enemy deep behind their lines. He knew he could find the men to carry out these hard-hitting raids on airfields, communication lines and Axis outposts – but he needed a way to get them into a position to strike. He envisaged them being delivered by parachute drop.

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