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David Stirling
Served initially in the Scots Guards and came out to the Middle East with Layforce in No.8 Commando. After Crete, in May 1941, facing disbandment, Stirling met Jock Lewes who had obtained a few parachutes. Stirling was injured in that first jump and hospitalised. There he worked out his 'first principles' written in pencil. Rank of Lieutenant. At some time in July he had his first meeting with Richie at MEHQ. Result was promotion to Captain in command of L. Detachment of Special Air Service Brigade, the latter a pure deception ruse. Authority to recruit from Layforce, six officers and sixty O/R's and troops to be ready for ops. in November (Crusader).
Went by sea to Tobruk and persuaded Lewis to join. Officers included Mayne, Fraser, McGonical, Bonnington and Thomas. NCO's included Bennett, Cooper, Seekings, Rose and Lilley. All based at Geneifa. Camp was set up at Kabrit mainly from stolen equipment. Lewis i/c training. End of October, the 'raid on Heraklion.
The First Raid
Aim to destroy aircraft at Gazala-Tmimi the night before the opening of Crusader on 18th. November 1941. Drop to be made the evening of 16th. After dropping they were to hide up on the escarpment and observe targets. Night of the 17th. creep down and place bombs. RV 45 miles out in the desert with LRDG. from there to Siwa oasis where aircraft would return them to Kabrit. In spite of poor weather reports the five Bombay aircraft took off. Out of 45 men and seven officers who had taken part, 18 men and four officers were left (Stirling, Mayne, Lewes and Fraser). Rest PoW or missing.
Reorganisation
Back at HQ. Stirling met brigadier Marriott, commanding 22 Guards Brigade. The latter suggested SAS attach themselves to Brigadier Reid who had captured Jalo oasis, 150 miles inland. There, Stirling met Major Steele, OC of A Squadron LRDG, who agreed to provide transport for raids. It would seem that at this stage MEHQ had no idea of their whereabouts.
Reid's aim was to proceed at the end of December towards the coast to join in operations against Benghazi. Stirling promised to knock out Agedabia airfield in support of this on the night of the 21st. The plan was for two raids on the night of 14/15 - Jock Lewis to Agheila, Stirling and Mayne to Sirte. Bill fraser to go to Agedabia on 21st. All carried by LRDG.
The Second Raid's
Mike Sadler, a Rhodesian, navigated the Stirling/Mayne group. They were bombed on the way in without losses. Split up on the coast road. Stirling set off for Sirte with Sgt. Brough, and Mayne took the rest to Tamit airfield. Stirling observed aircraft the following day, but by night the place was evacuated. Accounted for a truck on the coast road.
Mayne, plus Bennett and Seekings, had accounted for 24 aircraft without opposition. Both groups then returned to Jalo. Lewis had not found aircraft at Agheila but using a captured Lancia had shot up an Italian roadhouse.
Fraser's party had managed to destroy 37 aircraft at Agedabia.
All were safely back at Jalo on the night of 23rd. The following morning, Stirling and Mayne intended to return to Sirte and Tamit. Lewes was to raid Nofilia, with Fraser going straight back to raid Marble Arch airfield. In the previous raid, Cooper had been with David, and this time he was joined by Seekings, forming the famous team.
Stirling's party were delayed and failed to reach the airfield on time, but shot up enemy transport along the coast road. Mayne plus six men managed to destroy a further 27 planes at Tamit. Lewes' party got to Nofilia and destroyed one plane, but it blew up prematurely alarming the garrison. They had just reached the RV and set for Marble Arch to pick up Fraser. Spotted and attacked by aircraft, Lewes was killed. Got one truck going and left for Jalo.
Fraser's party found Marble Arch deserted, waited six days to be picked up and decided to march 300 miles back to British positions. Fraser, Sgt's Tait and DuVivier, Privates Byrne and Tait. Stealing a German car on the way, they made it back on 10th. January 1942.
Kabrit
L. Detachment returned to Kabrit, having accounted for ninety aircraft in two weeks. With only three officers left, Stirling had to seek permission to recruit. Meeting Auchinleck, he outlined plans to raid the port of Bouerat, being used by the Germans for supply runs. Stirling promoted to Major and authorised to recruit six officers and 30/40 men, set up his base at his brother Peter's flat in Cairo.
At this point the 50 french parachutists under Berge were recruited in Alexandria. Also joining at the time was Sapper officer, Bill Cumper. Wings and Cap Badge introduced. Another recruit was Fitzroy Maclean. A later recruit, Peter Oldfield, was at that time in charge of air reconnaissance. Randolph Churchill also joined for a short while. Stirling went to Beirut to obtain permission from De Gaulle? to enlist the French under British Command.
The Bouerat Raid
Leaving Mayne behind to take charge of training, Stirling left for Jalo with 11 men on 11th. January 1942. He was accompanied by Captain Duncan and Cpl. Barr of Special Boat section, with a Folboat. The latter was damaged during the approach and the wireless truck was lost. This meant that they were unable to go for shipping but decided to raid the harbour installations instead.
Travelling in one truck navigated by Sadler, they drove to a point one mile out of the town. The SBS men plus Rose detached to attack a radio station. The rest divided into two parties of six and seven. Stirling took one, and Sgt. Major Riley the other. All targets were destroyed including the radio station, and no casualties. Raid on the night of 23/24 January 1942. By the time they got back to Jalo, they discovered that their efforts had been in vain.
Kabrit
Needing a moonless period, the next operations had to be planned for early March 1942. It was decided to raid airfields in the Benghazi area between 8 and 13 march. Frazer to Barce, Dodds (a new officer) to Slonta, Mayne and Stirling to Berka and Benina. Also in mind was a raid on Benghazi itself with an SBS detachment. Sutherland and Allot were assigned.
First Bengazi Raid
The party left Siwa on 15th. March, Stirling using for the first time his Ford station wagon, bearing German markings. Sutherland travelled in a genuine German staff car. 400 miles to target area. Sutherland's car mined, wounded in the hand and evacuated to Siwa with Sgt Moss. 40 miles south of Benghazi the group lay up in the Jebel range. Stirling set off for Benghazi with Cooper, Seekings, Allott, two SBS corporals and Alston, an Intelligence Officer. In the Ford, they simply drove into the town at night.
The canoe was useless as a part was missing, and anyway, the sea was too rough. Lack of any worthwhile targets caused Stirling to abandon the operation. Later, Stirling went twice to Benina airfield, only to find it deserted. Dodds was unable to get into Slonta and Alston lost his way to Berka. Fraser destroyed one aircraft and some trucks at Barce. Mayne got 15 aircraft at Berka satellite.
Second Benghazi Raid
21st May. Stirling, accompanied by Cooper, Seekings, Fitzroy Maclean with an inflatable, Corporal Rose, Alston and Randolph Churchill. drove from Siwa to Jebel in the ford, plus an LRDG patrol. Maclean, who spoke Italian, bluffed them past a road block. In the harbour area it was discovered that both inflatables were punctured, and deciding not to reveal their presence, the mission was once again aborted. After their return to Siwa, Stirling crashed the car between Alexandria and Cairo. Maclean suffered a fractured skull, Randolph was sent home with back injuries and a war correspondant was killed.
Cairo
On his return to Cairo, the retreat to Alamein was in full swing. Stirling was informed that it was intended to run a vital convoy to Malta in the middle of June. Stirling decided toraid eight airfields during the night 13/14 June - seven in the desert and the eigtht at Heraklion in Crete.
This was to be the first french operation, with Berge leading the Crete raid and his 2 i/c, Jordan, taking three patrols to derna-Martuba.
Another French patrol under Zirnheld would tackle Barce. Stirling, Mayne and Jacquier would operate in the Benghazi area. As Jordan's area was full of Germans, it was decided to enlist the help of the 'Germans' from the Special Interrogation Group (Seymour refers to it as the Special Identification Group).
The Malta Convoy Raids
Jordans party left Siwa on 6 June, accompanied by SIS men and travelling in German vehicles. The French were concealed in the back once the coast area was reached. The 'Germans' managed to get the group through several checkpoints without problems. Their targets were in the Derna area. (Two at Derna and two at Martuba).
Jordans party was betrayed by one of the 'Germans' and a fire fight ensued. The traitor was well rewarded and only Jordan survived.
Stirling, Mayne and Zirnheld attacked three Benghazi airfields the same night (13 June). Stirling, Cooper and seekings went to Benina where they destroyed hangers, machinery and aircraft, plus shooting up the guardroom. Three men armed with sixty Lewes bombs had demonstrated the validity of the 'first principles'.
Mayne accompanied by Lilley, Warburton and Storey, had no luck. At Berka satellite, all the planes were guarded and the alarm was given. They managed to destroy only one. At the same time, the RAF raided the place. On leaving they set out to walk to the escarpment and wandered into a German camp. Warburton was lost. On returning to the RV, Stirling and Mayne decided to have a look at the damage.
Taking a LRDG truck and accompanied by Cooper, Seeking, Lilley and a 'German', they drove down onto the coast. There they bluffed their way through two roadblocks and shot up transport, placing charges all over the place. Managing to escape back onto the escarpment, the truck was blown up by an accidental detonation.
Cairo
The various patrols arrived back at Siwa on 21 June, only to find that it was about to be evacuated - in view of the German advance. The 8th. Army had decided to make a stand at El. Alamein. At this stage the regiment numbered about 100 men. In addition, 15 jeeps had been added to the strength, to which for the first time, the twin Vickers K were added. The aim was to make a deep raid behind the lines to disrupt Rommel's communications. The only way to get round the end of the line, however, was to cross the Quattara depression to the south.
Stirling was asked to destroy as many aircraft as possible. They left on 1 July 1942. 35 vehicles packed for three weeks in the desert. The whole group reached their RV with the LRDG.
The July Airfield Raids
The plans were: -
- Two patrols to attack Fuka. (Fraser and Jordan)
- One patrol to raid another strip in the area. (Laurie, Pike and RAF)
- Stirling and Mayne to attack Bagush.
- Lt. Schott and Lt. Warr to aim for Sidi Barrani.
- Jellicoe and Zirnheld to El Daba.
Mayne and Stirling set off int he staff car, a jeep and a 3 tonner full of stores. While Stirling manned an ambush on the amin road, Myane managed to destroy 22 aircraft, but on others, the bombs failed to explode. So they returned with the vehicles and shot up the remaining aircraft. A total of 37 destroyed. On the way back, the truck and car were strafed and burnt out. The others had mixed success. Jordan accounted for eight fighters, and others demolished a considerable amount of MT>
This was followed by a furhter series of raids on 12/13 July. Jordan, Fraser and Mayne went back to Fuka field. Martin and Jellicoe went to El Daba. Mayne got 15 and Jordan 7. Jellicoe's party was attacked from the air and two out of three jeeps were destroyed. After 2 weeks away from the main base, eight vehicles had been lost and supplies were running low. Stirling decided to leave a holding force at the desert base and return to Cairo, which meant traversing the Depression, as the Germans had cut the track to the north which they had used on the way in. A week later Stirling was back, with 20 new jeeps and plenty of supplies.
The Jeep Attack
The plan was to raid Sidi Haeish airfield, near Fuka, which was Rommel's main forward air base. Eighteen jeeps were to be used. The fire power of 68 guns in two lines abreast. Mike Sadler navigated. After successful action they split into two groups for the trip back. Most made it, but Zirnheld was killed. After this, most of the regiment was collected by Bombay and flown back to Kabrit. The remaining transport was to return via the Despression.
The Tobruk and Benghaze Commando Raids
This was the series of large scale raids to destroy Rommel's supply ports.
- Operation Tulip was to recapture Jalo
- Operation Hyacinth was an LRDG raid on Barce
- Operation Daffodil was the Tobruk raid
- Operation Snowdrop meant Benghazi
800 miles to Kufra and a further 800 miles to Benghazi.
Stirling had over 200 men, his own and a group of commandos. 40 jeeps and some 40 3 ton supply trucks. They left Kufra in the early part of September, and arrived intact in the Jebel. Local intelligence made it plain that the enemy had been warned. The attempt to get into the town ended in disaster and the operation was called off. A quarter of the force was killed and three quarters of the vehicles lost. Yet on his return, Stirling discovered that he had been promoted to Lt. Col. It would seem that at this stage, full regimental status was achieved.
Cairo
G raiding force at MEHQ commanded ny Hackett. Alamein was being planned and it was vital for Rommel's supply lines to be harried. Stirling decided to stay behind to recruit more experienced men, and sent Mayne. This force had to travel nearly a thousand miles via the Sand Sea to get in behind the German lines. With a rear base at Kufra, Sadler took the group through the Sand Sea and set up a forward base 150 miles south of the coast.
The Alamein Series
In six weeks, Mayne's group constantly raided along the coast road, blew up six trains and destroyed the track. A new recruit, Sillito, walked 180 miles back to the forward base when he was separated from his mates.
Kabrit
By this stage, Stirling was back at base, his command swollen to some 800 men, the greek Sacred Squadron, the SBS and the remnants of ME Commando having been added. Brother Bill had raised 2 SAS in England and was on his way out to North Africa.
Stirlings plan was to send 220 men behind the lines, strung out in sixteen patrols along the road between Tripoli and Agheila, where Rommel had halted. To start in december to coincide with MOntgomery's renewal of the offensive.
The Road
Mayne took A Squadron comprised of the experienced men, to a forward base. David followed on with B Squadron, mainly part trained newcomers. Many others were still training at Kebrit, where Jellicoe was left as 2 i/c. Stirling should not have gone and Hackett protested. Stirling's column consisted of 90 men, 30 jeeps and a dozen lorries. Each jeep carried - 2 men, 2 Vickers K, 12 mines, 1 rifle, 1 sten, 35 gallons petrol, 40 gallons water, 20 days rations, kit etc. They joined up with Mayne at Bir Zelten on 29 November.
A Squadron was to patrol between Agheila and Bouerat, and B Squadron from there to Tripoli. Stirling had to return to HQ, and was driven back by Sadler. In his absence, most of B Squadron came to grief. As far as A Squadron was concerned, the advance was so rapid that after a few demolitions, they were told to lay off - as there was no point in damaging communications that would soon be British. At Christmas, Stirling ordered Mayne to return to Kabrit and prepare for a move to Lebanon.
Tripolitania
One of the few survivors of B Sqaudron to return was Seekings. Three officers were still operating, Thesiger, Alston and Martin, (French) but were running low on supplies. Stirling ordered them to retire to a desert rendevous on 5 January 1943.
*th. Army offensive to breach the Mareth Line was planned for 15 January. Stirling's plan was as follows: - Jordan totake three French patrols to raid communications between Sfax and Gabes. A second group to make a strong demonstration to the West of Tunisto to try to panic the enemy. A third group would recce the Mareth Line, and a fourth group under Stirling, would move into Northern Tunisia and link up with 1st. Army.
Stirling's party left on 10 January (Cooper, Sadler, McDermott).. Harry Poat, a new recruit, was in charge of the Tunis raid. From the desert RV they moved to Soltane, only 30miles from the Mareth Line. While they were on route in the desert, Tripoli fell, and thus the raids on the ports of Sousse and Sfax were vital. Jordan had to go through the Gabes Gapo as fast as possible.
Instead of taking the safer way to the south and outflanking the Mareth Line, Stirling decided to go through the gap behind Jordan. The latter left with nine jeeps bu twa sslowed down by bad sand conditions. Down to three jeeps they got through the Gap and mined the main railway, but most were eventually captured.
Stirling left the day after Jordan with 5 jeeps and 14 men. While hiding up in a Wadi, David with Mcdermott, Cooper, Taxis (french) and Sadler got away. David escaped but betrayed by an arab, was retaken. The other three finally managed to contact the American. Also toget through was Martin with three me
To be continued...........................................
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