SAS 1944

We are pleased to have received a new Lava Stone Panel in honour of the men of the French Squadron 2nd SAS Regiment.

“Those Forgotten Heroes”

“THEY STAY ALIVE AS LONG AS WE REMEMBER THEM”

This will be installed in the Special Air Service Garden in the Grove. Its new location can be see below.

Fr Sqn 2nd SAS Regt
The French Squadron Lava Stone panel soon to be installed in the Special Air Service Garden in the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove.
  • Memorial Text
  • The men of the French Squadron 2nd. SAS Regt.
  • Those forgotten heroes.
  • Only a few men chose to join the ranks of the SAS in 1943, when the 2nd SAS regiment was created in North Africa by Lt. Col. William Bill Stirling from the original No.62 Commando Small Scale Raiding Force. (SSRF)
  • The French Squadron 2nd. SAS regiment was officially created on the 1st April 1943. Commanded by Capt. Raymond COURAUD, alias LEE.
  • The French Squadron was made up of volunteers from various French army units including the Foreign Legion, Zouaves, Tirailleurs, a few dozen men at most.
  • The French Squadron took part in the first operations with their regiment in North Africa, Italy, and finally in Europe; France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Norway for those who chose to stay.
  • In June 1943 during Operation Buttercup LEE and around fifteen of his men took part in a raid on the Island of Lampedusa. They also took part in other operations in Italy, including landing at Taranto on the 10th. September 1943.
  • On the 14th. September 1943 it was the French Squadron 2nd SAS that prepared and led a train requisitioned for the liberation of the PISTICCI PoW camp in Southern Italy, and freed some 180 prisoners who were taken to Taranto.
  • During the Italian campaign several operations were carried out behind enemy lines.
  • When the 2nd. SAS Regiment returned to the UK in March1944, most of the men were posted to the 3rd SAS Regiment (French), Only a few would continue operations in Europe with the 2nd. SAS Regt.
  • At this point the French Squadron 2nd. SAS Regt. ceased to exist in its original form.
  • The few remaining French men and others including Spaniards, Germans, Canadians, Russians and one from Luxembourg were fully integrated into the 2nd SAS Regt.
  • They continued to battle for the liberation of Europe until the end of the war and the eventual disbandment of the whole SAS Brigade.
  • “THEY STAY ALIVE AS LONG AS WE REMEMBER THEM”
  • Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove (2025/2026)
A temporary Foamex panel has been located where the memorial will be installed once a frame is completed.

8th November 2025. We have planted a Stone Pine that will eventually form a Canopy above the memorial in quite a few years though!

The Special Air Service memorial garden is situated close to the Sun Room.

PAGE UPDATED 26TH OCTOBER 2025