Limited Edition 'S T E A L T H' series

Introduction to the “Special Boat Service”

'By Strength & Guile'

The legendary British SBS were formed in July 1940, 12 months prior to the inception of the SAS (Special Air Service), by Commando officer, Roger Courtney.

After an unsuccessful attempt to convince Admiral of the Fleet, Sir Roger Keyes, that his idea of a folding kayak brigade would be effective. Courtney decided a practical demonstration might have a greater impact and proceeded to infiltrate the HMS Glengyle, a landing ship, infantry anchored in the River Clyde, by canoeing to the vessel, climbing aboard undetected, writing his initials on the door of the captain's cabin, and stealing a deck gun, which he then presented still wet to a group of high ranking Royal Navy officers meeting at a nearby Inver ray hotel. Courtney was promoted to captain, and given command of twelve men, which were to form 1 SBS. The SBS have been successfully engaged in amphibious warfare + covert operations worldwide ever since.

The reluctance of the Ministry of Defence to comment on their special forces operations has ensured little verifiable information exists on the SBS within the public domain, and when compared to its SAS counterparts, remains a relative enigma. Specifically trained for black operations and they are believed to act as the private army for the British Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) + MI6. (Which of course James Bond was former SBS Operative)

Until the last decade the SBS remained so secretive they did not have an official emblem, preferring to use the unofficial frog, paddles + parachute design (representing their expertise as canoeists’, frogman and parachutists) under the original motto of “Not By Strength, By Guile”, and then later “By Strength and Guile”. Based in Poole Dorset, the SBS today form part of the UKSF, and are made up of 4 active squadrons:

C Squadron
Swimmer & Canoe operations.

M Squadron
Maritime anti-terrorism incl. the “The Black Group”, a counter–terrorist team specializing in helicopter assault

S Squadron
Water borne craft & Mini-sub operations.

X Squadron
Combined unit of SAS & SBS operatives     

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