SAS War Diary: 1941–1945

SAS War Diary: 1941–1945 – Extraordinary Editions – Special Air Service Regimental Association (London, United Kingdom)

England — 1946

The last mission of a surviving SAS soldier: the retrospective, chronological compilation of top-secret documents of the Special Air Service Brigade from the Second World War by a member of the special forces unit

  1. The Special Air Service Brigade (SAS) was founded in 1941 by Lieutenant David Sterling for special operations in the North African campaign

  2. After the special forces unit was disbanded, a former SAS soldier compiled dozens of documents about its missions

  3. The resulting retrospective war diary includes top-secret correspondence and reports, military maps and 300 historical photographs

SAS War Diary: 1941–1945

  1. Description
  2. Facsimile Editions (7)
Description
SAS War Diary: 1941–1945

The SAS War Diary: 1941–1945 is a unique document of the activities of the British Special Air Service Brigade (SAS) during the Second World War. The chronological compilation and documentation was created in 1946 by an SAS soldier who wanted to record the history of the special forces unit before the secret documents were destroyed. The subsequent “diary” contains, among other things, 25 maps and 300 photographs of military operations as well as secret correspondence and reports. The compiler finally bound his historical work in leather originating from Nazi Germany. The SAS was originally set up by Lieutenant David Sterling in 1941 during the so-called North African campaign to commit acts of sabotage behind the front of the German Afrika Korps. The unit was given its name with the suffix “Air” simply to deceive the German military - it was not part of the air force. Later in the Second World War, the SAS was also deployed in Sicily and Italy, during the Normandy landings (D-Day) and in Germany.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Kriegstagebuch des Special Air Service: 1941–1945
SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Anniversary Edition
SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Services Edition
SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Navigator's Edition
SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Veteran's Edition
SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Victoria Cross Edition
SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Originals Edition
SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Exemplary Edition
Size / Format
600 pages / 43.0 × 31.0 cm
Date
1946
Language
Illustrations
More than 25 maps and 300 photographs
Content
Collection of documents, reports, photographs and maps concerning the history of the Special Air Service (SAS) of the British Army during World War II

Available facsimile editions:
SAS War Diary: 1941–1945 – Extraordinary Editions – Special Air Service Regimental Association (London, United Kingdom)
Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011
Limited Edition: 22 copies

SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Navigator's Edition
Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011
Limited Edition: 150 copies

SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Originals Edition
Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011
Limited Edition: 100 copies

SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Veteran's Edition
Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011
Limited Edition: 150 copies

SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Victoria Cross Edition
Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011
Limited Edition: 150 copies

SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Anniversary Edition
Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011
Limited Edition: 3450 copies

SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Services Edition
Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011
Limited Edition: 1000 copies
Facsimile Editions

#1 SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Exemplary Edition

Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011

Publisher: Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011
Limited Edition: 22 copies
Binding: Full-leather binding with SAS stamping; three-sided gilt edges; the facsimile comes in a presentation box with silver cornerpieces, lined with Cambridge blue silk and covered with Oxford blue leather (the colors of the regiment), with the SAS crest inset on the lid; the edition comes in a wooden ammunition box lined with silk.
Commentary: 1 volume
Language: English
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Each of the only 22 facsimiles is handmade to come as close as possible to the original. Each copy can be personalized with a dedication and calligraphy.

#2 SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Navigator's Edition

Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011

Publisher: Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011
Limited Edition: 150 copies
Binding: Leather binding with leather closing flap, imitating the binding of the original
Commentary: 1 volume
Language: English
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding. The facsimile edition is signed by Major W.M. Sadler MC, MM, navigator with the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) and later the SAS.

#3 SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Originals Edition

Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011

Publisher: Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011
Limited Edition: 100 copies
Binding: Leather binding with leather closing flap, imitating the binding of the original; the facsimile comes in an ammunition box that can be converted into a reading and exhibition desk
Commentary: 1 volume
Language: English
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding. The facsimile edition is signed by Jimmy Storie, one of the so-called "Originals" who survived the first SAS operation.

#4 SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Veteran's Edition

Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011

Publisher: Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011
Limited Edition: 150 copies
Binding: Leather binding with leather closing flap, imitating the binding of the original
Commentary: 1 volume
Language: English
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding. The facsimile edition is signed by Major A.J. Schofield MBE, who wore the SAS badge continuously for 45 years, the longest ever.

#5 SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Victoria Cross Edition

Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011

Publisher: Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011
Limited Edition: 150 copies
Binding: Leather binding with leather closing flap, imitating the binding of the original; the facsimile comes in an ammunition box that can be converted into a reading and exhibition desk
Commentary: 1 volume
Language: English
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding. The facsimile edition is signed by all three SAS holders of the Victoria Cross - Corporal Willie Apiata, Corporal Mark Donaldson, Corporal Benjamin Roberts.

#6 SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Anniversary Edition

Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011

Publisher: Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011
Limited Edition: 3450 copies
Binding: Full-leather binding with SAS stamping and three metalworks
Commentary: 1 volume
Language: English
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.

#7 SAS War Diary. 1941-1945 - The Services Edition

Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011

Publisher: Extraordinary Editions – London, 2011
Limited Edition: 1000 copies
Binding: Full-leather binding with SAS stamping and three metalworks
Commentary: 1 volume
Language: English
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding. This facsimile edition is reserved for members of the Armed Forces, the wider Services family, military institutions and libraries. It also contains an additional chapter on the immediate post-war activities of the SAS, which, despite having been officially disbanded, maintained a War Crimes Investigation Team.
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