David Stirling

Colonel Sir David Stirling, OBE, DSO (November 15, 1915 - November 4, 1990) was a Scottish laird, keen mountaineer, officer in the British Army during World War 2, and the founder of the Special Air Service.

Related Topics:
Colonel - Sir - OBE - DSO - November 15 - 1915 - November 4 - 1990 - British Army - World War 2 - Special Air Service

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Archibald David Stirling was born at his family's ancestral home, Kier House near Doune, the son of Brigadier General Archibald Stirling of Keir and Margaret Fraser, daughter of Simon Fraser, the Lord Lovat. He was educated at Ampleforth College and the University of Cambridge.

Related Topics:
Doune - Brigadier General - Simon Fraser - Lord Lovat - Ampleforth College - University of Cambridge

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David Stirling joined the Scots Guards as a subaltern in 1939, and in June 1940 volunteered for the new No.8 Commando under Lt. Col. Robert Laycock which became part of Force Z (later named "Layforce"). After Layforce (and No.8 Commando) were disbanded on 1 August 1941, Stirling remained convinced that due to the mechanised nature of war a small team of highly trained soldiers with the advantage of surprise could exact greater damage to the enemies ability to fight than an entire platoon.

Related Topics:
Scots Guards - Subaltern - 1939 - 1940 - Commando - Lt. Col. - Robert Laycock - Layforce - 1 August - 1941

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Aware that going through the chain of command would not work Stirling decided to go straight to the top. On crutches following a parachuting accident he sneaked into Army headquarters in a effort to see Commander-in-Chief General Claude Auchinleck. Taking cover in an office Stirling came face to face with Deputy Commander Middle East General Ritchie. Stirling explained his plan to Ritchie and Ritchie convinced Auchinleck to allow Stirling to form a new Special Forces unit. The unit was given the deliberately misleadingly name "L Detachment, Special Air Service Brigade" to enforce an existing deception of a parachute brigade existing in North Africa.

Related Topics:
Commander-in-Chief - General - Claude Auchinleck - General Ritchie - North Africa

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His initial attempts of attack from parachute landing were disasterous and resulted in a high percentage of his men being killed or wounded. Escaping only with the help of the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) he devised that approaching by desert under the cover of night would not only be the safest but also the most effective means of approach. As quickly as possible he organised raids on ports using this simple method, often driving through checkpost under cover of night using the language skills of some of his soldiers to bluff the guards.

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Stirling was captured by the Italians in January 1943. He escaped on four occasions, before being sent to Colditz Castle, where he remained for the rest of the war.

Related Topics:
1943 - Colditz Castle

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He was knighted in 1990, and died later that year.

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In 2002 the SAS memorial, a statue of Stirling standing on a rock, was opened on the Hill of Row near his family's estate at Park of Keir.

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During World War Two his height was recorded as 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m).

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