Greek Sacred Squadron

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Our Allies in Combined Operations

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Commander Ryder VC (centre), L. Col. Newman VC (right).

Date: 18/06/2010 Views: 10721 Owner: Pete Rogers (Admin)

Greek Sacred Squadron

Formed in Palestine in 1942 from Greek Officers and cadets fighting at the time in the Middle East and originally under the command of Major Antonios Stefanakis. When its new commander Col. Christodoulos Tsigantes took over he changed the role to one of a Special Forces nature and they trained at the SAS base in Cairo. Also known as "Sacred Band" and increased in size to 400 men, the unit fought with General Leclerc's Free French forces in Tunisia, the SAS in the Libyan desert, and with the SAS and SBS in the Aegean. In 1944 it is increased to Regiment strength and put under the command of British Raiding Forces. It is involved in combat operations with the combined SAS/SBS raiding forces on the islands of the northern Aegean sea and the Dodecanese. Notable among the many operations - July 1944 a combined Greek-British raiding force catures the German garrison on the island of Simi. Under Brigadier Turnbull's overall command, Lt. Col. John Neilson 'Ian' Lapraik, DSO, OBE, MC and bar, played a leading role commanding the British Special Forces (Force 142 a combined SAS/SBS force) involved. Throughout the months of 1944 and 1945 it continues in successful operations against the German garrisons on other islands. On the 7th August 1945 the unit disbands at a parade in Athens.

The photos are from a collection courtesy of Gary Cootes. They are believed to have been taken by one of the British SBS/SAS raiders who is pictured in the 2 individual photos titled unknown (1) and (1a) within the collection.

The full history of the Squadron is now available here The Sacred Squadron

Date: 28/01/2012

Size: 34 items

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Lt. Col.Lapraik DSO, OBE, MC and bar and German Kommandant leave conference at Atimakeyer

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes

Date: 03/02/2012

General Von Wagner at Simi for the surrender treaty (1)

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes

Date: 03/02/2012

General Von Wagner at Simi for the surrender treaty (2)

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes

Date: 03/02/2012

The German Commandent of Atimakyer Kos arrives for the surrender

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

Lt. Col. Lapraik of the SBS being welcomed on Cos

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

An article about the Greek Sacred Squadron and the SAS/SBS in the Aegean

From Soldier Magazine 27th May 1994. Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

Unknown SBS (1)

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

Unknown SBS (2)

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

Unknown -Greek Sacred Sqn.

Note the Greek Sacred Sqn badge on right breast. Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

George ? - Greek Sacred Squadron

Photo courtesy of Jayne Jones

Date: 03/06/2016

Two from the Raiding Forces on Calino Eago 1945

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

Church parade given for the liberators of Cos Eago 45

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

2 unknown from the SAS/SBS raiders

At a Greek friends house on Kios 1945. Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

Church parade on quay at Cos in honour of 5 parachutists killed in raid on sept 44

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

Harbour on Cos

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

Members of the SAS/SBS raiding forces on a Caique

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

Greek caique Armadila leaving Cos

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

Some of the Wolves of the Aegean

Open for names. Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

Comments: 1

Crown Prince and Princess of Greece

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

The Farewell parade of "Raiding Forces" and the Greek Sacred Squadron

Gen Sir Bernard Paget C in C MEF inspecting. Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

Ski troops of Raiding Forces

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

Raiding Forces Signal Squadron marches past the C in C ME

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

Greek Sacred Squadron Disbandment Parade 1945 (1)

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

Greek Sacred Squadron Disbandment Parade 1945 (2)

Photo courtesy of Gary Cootes.

Date: 03/02/2012

SBS in the Aegean operating with Greek Sacred Sqn. and ML1283 crew

Photo courtesy of Jayne Jones

Date: 23/01/2020

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