The New Zealand Special Air Service
By Leon Harrison
NZSAS

New Zealanders were involved in the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG), 
the forerunner of the SAS, during WWII.  It wasn't until 1955 when 
the Army decided it time to form a Special Forces, airborne unit of 
this nature. In Malaya the New Zealand SAS squadron served for two 
years, where upon it was replaced by Victory Company 1RNZIR. By the 
time New Zealand units entered service in Vietnam the Kiwis had been 
involved in the South East Asia region for over ten years including 
Borneo and Malaya.

Since its creation in June 1955 the New Zealand SAS has only been 
disbanded for a period of nine months.  This occurred after the unit 
left Malaya in December of 1957.  It was reinstated as a platoon sized 
force soon to be raised to Squadron strength.  In 1960 a 40 man NZSAS 
detachment was sent to Thailand to work alongside US Special Forces.  
There the Kiwis trained Thai Rangers and Border Patrol personnel in 
anti-guerilla tactics.

It is a little known fact that the New Zealand Special Air Service were 
chosen by the Israelis to assist in their Air Marshal program during the 
70s. This can quite convincingly be construed by the prudence of the 
Israeli officials as one of absolute security.  Being that New Zealand 
is known for its quite professionalism and effectiveness, this can be seen 
to be combined. with the reduction in attention such a force would provide.  

Some would also suggest that a New Zealander, from a foreigners point of 
view, can so easily be mistaken for an Australian thus shaking the sences 
of any exploitation of such a mission.

In Vietnam, combined with Australian Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) 
elements, the Anzacs' had over 500 confirmed enemy kills for the loss of 
one trooper, Sgt G.J. Campbell of 4Tp NZSAS in 1970.  The Viet Cong called 
the SAS men Ma Rung which means 'Jungle ghost'. A price was put on their 
heads, $US 5000 dead or alive.As with then, now, Ambush recce operations 
are a field forte of this elite unit.  Aggressive patrolling actions in 
close country and light infantry recce remain a focus in New Zealand 
doctrine where each regular force (RF) Infantry Battalion has a Recce 
Company.  The various Territorial Force (TF) Battalions also have Recce 
units.  Combat tracking has and will continue to form a vital component 
to this arsenal of skills where a small force is able to hunt down a 
evasive enemy.  New Zealand is reputed by many to have some of the best, 
if not the best, combat trackers in the world.  NZSAS members train all 
manner of foreign Special Forces in these skills including their British 
and Australian cousins and the US Special Forces.  This is a vitally 
essential contribution to the international scene.

Private D.J.E. Fisher of 'J' Troop, 3 SASR is recorded as MIA.  His name 
appears on the Vietnam Memorial, Anzac Avenue in Canberra.

Soldiers of the NZSAS were deployed to Kuwait during the late 90's in 
'Operation Griffen' whereby they were charged with CSAR missions, working 
alongside the Australians, and most likely US Special Forces.  As there 
was minimal need for these taskings it was used as a key opportunity for 
training.

A word or two on the current situation

Currently troopers of the NZSAS are deployed in Afghanistan where their 
skills in tracking are being used to good effect in hunting down members 
of the Al Qaeda terrorist network.  The US has always been keen for New 
Zealand support in the past and the current War on Terrorism is no 
exception. New Zealand SAS soldiers have had extensive experience in the 
Middle East including fighting Islamic fundamentalist groups at the 
invitation of the Sheik of Oman.  Missions in various capacities have 
existed in a on going fashion since the the 70's, through to the Gulf War 
and to the present day.  More recently, A 'clash' with Abu Sayaff in the 
Philippines ended in another successful contact for the NZSAS. Currently 
NZSAS personnel are working alongside Australian SASR soldiers in the 
Anzac tradition.  It can be deduced they are also working alongside their US 
counterparts, though, like in Vietnam most operations will be independent, 
and in smaller units.  The 30 men of NZSAS are being provided logistical 
support from two RNZAF C130 Hercules'. Undoubtedly as history has shown 
taskings will include training of local Anti-Taliban Afghan forces, deep 
reconnaissance and, where required, offensive operations.

Operating in traditionally small units of no more than five men the NZSAS 
has been operating covertly at very high altitudes, above Al Qaeda positions.  
They have been guiding in the 1500 Allied troops involved in 'Operation Anaconda'.

Recommended Reading;

Frank Rennie, Regular Soldier - A Life in the New Zealand Army, 
Endeavour Press, ISBN : 0 86481 170 5

W.D. Baker, Dare to Win : The Story of the New Zealand Special Air Service, 
Battery Press, ISBN: 0898391024

Mike Coburn, Soldier Five, Hodder & Stoughton, 
ISBN: 0340750286

'Soldier Five' deals with the events of the already well published Bravo Two Zero 
mission in the Gulf.  This is from the viewpoint of the New Zealander in that 
operation, known as 'Mark the Kiwi' in Andy McNab's book.

(The Publisher would like to thank Leon Harrison for his submittal of this 
excellent article.)

Related Sites Of Interest

New Zealand Special Air Service

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