ABSTRACT
Regimental history The 1st Special Air Service Regiment was created in January 1943, although the regiment can trace its origins back to July 1941 and the formation in North Africa of special raiding parties under the designation 'L' Detachment, Special Air Service Brigade. Another British SAS regiment was raised in 1943, and in 1944 an SAS Brigade was created to control the activities of the two British, two French and one Belgian SAS regiments. In 1946 the British regiments were disbanded, and the French and Belgian regiments were taken onto the strength of the French and Belgian armies. In 1947 a Territorial Army SAS unit was raised as the 21st Special Air Service (Artists) Regiment, and in the early 1960s the demands of the Malayan Emergency led to the creation of the Malayan Scouts from 21st SAS volunteers. The Malayan Scouts became part of the British army regular establishment in 1952 as the 22nd Special Air Service Regiment, now The Special Air Service Regiment. A second TA regiment was created in 1959 as the 23rd Special Air Service Regiment.
