Stirling is the subject of the BBC’s latest drama (Pictures: IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM/Rory Mulvey/Kudos)
The BBC’s latest gripping drama SAS Rogue Heroes follows the beginnings of the elite British military force.
The six-part drama focuses particularly on Scottish aristocrat David Stirling, founder of the force.
In the new series, Stirling is played by Sex Education star Connor Swindells.
Archibald David Stirling, born November 15, 1915, was a Scottish officer in the army and the founder of the Special Air Service (SAS).
He was nicknamed Giant Sloth for his 6’6 (1.98m) stature.
Stirling formed the SAS (Picture: Wayne Hutchinson/Farm Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
From an aristocratic background, he was born to Brigadier-General Archibald Stirling and Margaret Fraser, who was a descendant of King Charles II.
Stirling was educated at the Catholic boarding school Ampleforth College and got into Cambridge University – however, he dropped out after just a year to be an artist in Paris.
His intrepid nature then steered him into becoming a mountaineer and a reservist in the Scots Guards.
The then-26-year-old was training to climb Mount Everest – with the ambition to be the first man to do so – when the Second World War broke out. He volunteered for a commando unit in the Middle East.
While recovering from serious spinal and leg injuries after a botched experimental parachute jump, Stirling, along with close comrade Lieutenant ‘Jock’ Lewes, hatched the idea to use small teams of expert soldiers to undertake acts of sabotage behind enemy lines.
Stirling used his social connections and charm to get his ideas endorsed by Middle East Headquarters, taking on 67 recruits from the Commandos of the recently defunct Layforce.
The new unit, designated ‘L Detachment Special Air Service Brigade’, was set up in the North African desert as a new way to hit back at German and Italian forces.
The SAS would operate deep behind enemy lines, destroying aircraft and supply links before safely getting away – before their opponents had time to respond.
The now-famous unit had a disastrous first mission. It was tasked with parachuting behind the lines in Libya to destroy enemy aircraft on the ground in support of a forthcoming British offensive.
Launching into an unrelenting storm, the mission proved fatal, with only 21 of the 55 men who took part returning.
But the crack team of soldiers didn’t give up, and worked hard to prove their worth.
They showed their metal in December 1941 by raiding a German airfield in Libya and blowing up 24 enemy aircraft.
Stirling was knighted before his death in 1990 (Picture: Terry Disney/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
In just over a year, the SAS destroyed hundreds of enemy vehicles and more than 250 aircraft, as well as countless supply dumps, railways, and telecommunications networks.
And in September 1942, the SAS achieved regimental status.
Its ethos was encapsulated in its motto, ‘Who Dares Wins’, personally chosen by Stirling. The motto is used by a Channel 4 reality TV show ‘SAS: Who Dares Wins’ which sees members of the public test their limits by undertaking intensive SAS training.
What is the SAS?
The Special Air Service (SAS) is famous around the world. Its highly trained men are renowned for their skills in covert surveillance, close-combat fighting, and hostage rescue.
The Regiment refers to three regiments known as the 21st SAS Regiment, 22nd SAS Regiment, and 23rd SAS Regiment. The 22nd SAS Regiment is a part of the Regular Army, while the 22nd and 23 regiments are a part of the reserve Territorial Army.
Having been dubbed ‘The Phantom Major’ by his German adversaries, they found great delight in capturing Stirling during a mission in Tunisia 1943. He escaped and was recaptured by the Italians.
Four more escape attempts later and he was sent to the infamously escape-proof Colditz prison, where he remained until the end of the war.
Transferred to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers in 1947, Stirling was granted the honorary rank of lieutenant-colonel on his retirement in 1965.
Stirling received a knighthood and numerous military awards before his death on November 4, 1990, aged 74.
SAS Rogue Heroes starts tonight at 9pm on BBC One.
MORE : SAS: Rogue Heroes starry cast alongside real-life soldiers they play
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BBC’s newest drama is based on his unbelievable life.