Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 4:54:25-4:55:06

Naval commandos are likelier to emerge than the SAS

Commandos and an SBS-type maritime force remain plausible, while the SAS depends more on the North African campaign's particular circumstances.

CommandosNorth African CampaignRoyal NavySpecial Boat ServiceSpecial Forces
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Question

Would the SAS and related British special-operations forces still form in a delayed war?

Short answer

Commandos and an SBS-type maritime force remain plausible, while the SAS depends more on the North African campaign's particular circumstances.

Notes

Existing Royal Navy units supplied elements from which a maritime special-operations organisation could develop. Those roots make an SBS-type force plausible even with a different war. Commandos also had grounds for emergence beyond one particular campaign. The SAS is less certain because its historical development depended more heavily on the North African setting.