SAS: Phantoms of War A History of the Australian Special Air Service

by Horner, David

• ISBN13: 9781865086477
• ISBN10: 1865086479
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-09-01
• Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Summary

This definitive history recounts the secretive operations and strategies of one of the world's most elite fighting forces. The Special Air Service (SAS) operated deep behind enemy lines, conducting surveillance at close range, poised to spring into action at a moment's notice. This Australian military classic tells the story of the formation of the military known to the Viet Cong as "phantoms of the jungle," its secret role in Borneo during confrontation with Indonesia, and its operations in Vietnam. After its involvement in Vietnam, the SAS formed a crack counter-terrorist force that saw action in Somalia, Kuwait, and East Timor and in the security of the 2000 Olympic Games.

Author Biography

David Horner is a professor of Australian defense history in the Strategic and Defense Studies Centre. He is the author of numerous books on military command, operations, and strategy including Inside the War Cabinet and The Gunners, and editor of Battles That Shaped Australia and The Army and the Future.

Table of Contents

Preface to the 2002 edition	xiii
Preface to the 1989 edition	xiv
Abbreviations	xviii
The tractor job: 2 Squadron, March 1968	1	(18)
Towards special forces: Australia, 1940-1957	19	(17)
The 1st SAS Company: Swanbourne, 1957-1962	36	(24)
To Borneo: Formation of the regiment, 1963-1964	60	(21)
Hearts and minds: 1 Squadron, February-May 1965	81	(17)
Across the border: 1 Squadron, May-June 1965	98	(12)
The rogue: I Squadron, May-June 1965	110	(12)
Contact: 1 Squadron, June-July 1965	122	(15)
Preparing for action: 2 Squadron, September 1964-February 1966	137	(17)
The Sarawak operations: 2 Squadron, February-July 1966	154	(16)
Eyes and ears of the Task Force: 3 Squadron, June-July 1966	170	(21)
Long Tan and after: 3 Squadron, August 1966-March 1967	191	(17)
Fighting for information: 1 Squadron, March 1967-February 1968	208	(25)
Phantoms of the jungle: Vietnam patrolling, 1966-1968	233	(18)
Dominating the rear areas: 2 Squadron, February-October 1968	251	(26)
A matter of training: 2 Squadron, October 1968-February 1969	277	(19)
The regimental base: Swanbourne, 1968-1972	296	(16)
The lure of the May Taos: 3 Squadron, February 1969-August 1969	312	(21)
Into the May Taos: 3 Squadron, September 1969-February 1970	333	(15)
Flexibility and frustration: 1 Squadron, February 1970-February 1971	348	(23)
Withdrawal from Vietnam: 2 Squadron, February-October 1971	371	(21)
The defence of Australia: 1972-1981	392	(27)
Counter-terrorism: 1978-1988	419	(27)
Phantoms of the operations: 1987-1999	446	(37)
The force of choice: 1999-2000	483	(36)
Notes	519	(13)
Bibliography	532	(42)
Appendixes:
A. Awards, Borneo and South Vietnam	541	(1)
B. Active service nominal roll, Borneo and Vietnam	542	(29)
C. Awards, East Timor	571	(1)
D. SAS Roll of Honour	572	(2)
Index	574