the first half of the Second World War had gone quite badly for the Allies and most of Europe had been taken over, the British knew that it would not be long until the Germans crossed the canal over to British soil. The Germans had this intent for a long time, however, they were stopped in the first half by naval superiority until the Germans launched their new U2 submarines that had taken over half of the canal in 1941 and in the second half by air superiority as the British were loaded with good planes that we’re able to outmaneuver the BF-109’s and FW-190’s which were the fierce fighter planes.
Even if the British had defensive superiority they knew it was a matter of time until the German forces moved their focus from the Eastern Front to conquering the rest of Europe. A big problem in the second half of the war was that there was little communication between world leaders and Allies, therefore, Churchill did not know the actual state that the Russians were in or the number of soldiers the Germans were losing trying to take the Soviet Union over in the winter of 1943. Therefore there was a lot of uncertainty about how the tides of war would unfold in the second part of the war and Churchill wanted to be prepared for the possibility of a German invasion.
Churchill was a calculated man that wanted to make sure the population of Britain was safe in case the German troops would set foot on British soil, therefore, he wanted to prepare a special force ready to defend Dover. Most of the British troops were sent to fight on the African front so there weren’t many soldiers left on actual British land, therefore, Churchill wanted a “one-man army” type of troops that would be able to handle hoards of enemies and have the ability to overcome the enemy through tactics and military strategies.
This unit of men had to be prepared to have a wide knowledge of military tactics as well as experience in combat with different weapons. A unit that would defeat their enemies by using the weakness of their enemies as their best advantage. Soldiers that are highly skilled in the mastery of warfare and are prepared for the worst that is to come.
Most of the soldiers that had been left on British soil were from the air force as only pilots were required to defend the land from bombers. Despite the knowledge of most soldiers, air force soldiers would train to have great aim with the rifle before becoming pilots as well as outstanding soldiers in case they would end up behind enemy lines if shot down.
The reason for this was that many pilots would end up having to parachute out of their planes above enemy ground alone, this meant that they had to be prepared to escape and fight their way out, brave souls that would not accept the word of surrender.
The first special force unit
In cooperation with the air force, Major General Dudley Johnson and Lieutenant General Noel Irwin formed the S.A.S (Special Air Service) as the first military special force. Their job was to handpick candidates that were the best of the best at what they were doing. This new type of unit would have a squadron of five special force soldiers and one unit sergeant that would coordinate the team. These were to be specialized in night combat and special operations that would have specific objects.
The standards were raised higher than anything seen in the army before. These soldiers were pushed to two times their possible limits with vigorous training to be prepared for what is to come. As mentioned before, Churchill wanted a special type of unit that would be prepared for anything and could handle any task given, the type of soldier that hasn’t been seen before.
The standards were raised higher than anything seen in the army before. These soldiers were pushed to two times their possible limits with vigorous training to be prepared for what is to come. As mentioned before, Churchill wanted a special type of unit that would be prepared for anything and could handle any task given, the type of soldier that hasn’t been seen before.
After two months of training, the first unit of S.A.S troops was ready for combat, however, no threat to the motherland. There was a dire need for reinforcements on the African front, therefore, they were sent there. This is the unit that won over the African front for good by allowing the Allied troops a better chance of fighting in difficult terrain with innovating warfare tactics brought by the S.A.S.
This unit was designated to infiltrate enemy compounds and destroy their weaponry as well as secure important intel in order to use it against the enemy. Every soldier was very well equipped with lots of ammo as well as explosives in case they needed to breach their way out of any situation.
As the second part of the war approached, the Germans were being pushed back, the threat of a German invasion was lowered, and Churchill decided that he would send all of the rest of the special troops into Italy to make a push onto the south European front. This special force unit would prove vital to the African front and the coordination of Allied forces.
Today this unit of soldiers has been the inspiration of many special force units around the world. However, the S.A.S is still known as the best of the best around the world, not necessarily because they are the first unit of special forces but because of their experience throughout time with various events.
This unit is working right now in coordination with MI6 (British Secret Service) to combat terrorism and other threats brought around the world.
If it wasn’t for the events of the Second World War this unit may have not been formed and it wouldn’t have had the chance to influence special operation units and task forces. Not to forget winning over the African front.
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