Special Forces: The originals

Join curator Justin Saddington to discover the stories of the individuals who founded the British Special Forces.
Soldiers planning a dessert operations, 1941
Join curator Justin Saddington to discover the stories of the individuals who founded the British Special Forces.

Justin Saddington will discuss the founding fathers of the UK special forces. He will explore the daring exploits of these intrepid mavericks and examine how they developed a new form of warfare.

Justin is one of the curators of the National Army Museum's Special Forces: In the Shadows exhibition.

Terms and conditions of ticket sales

Explore further

Story

David Stirling: The Phantom Major

Colonel David Stirling was a pioneer of British Special Forces. In 1941, he founded the Special Air Service (SAS) in Egypt to undertake small-scale raids behind enemy lines.

Story

Origins of the Special Forces

During the Second World War, Britain created a range of special units who undertook a variety of daring operations against the Axis Powers. The bravery and commitment of these forces has become the stuff of legend.

Story

The Commandos

In 1940, the British established a new raiding and reconnaissance force. Well-trained and highly mobile, they were to carry on the war against the Axis after the evacuation from Dunkirk.

story

Desert innovator: Bagnold's sun-compass

The Long Range Desert Group were masters of navigation. They owed much of their success to the scientific talents of Major Ralph Bagnold, whose sun-compass invention revolutionised desert travel.