'We're not a bunch of military monks': Ex-SAS commander attacks 'unhelpful' myths about obscure special forces skills causing jealousy among regular squaddies

  • Lieutenant-General Sir Cedric Delves said there were a lot of myths around SAS
  • Said writing about them became exaggerated after 1980 Iranian embassy siege 
  • His book Across An Angry Sea recounts his experiences during the Falklands

The SAS are shown to be 'a bunch of military monks' but this is far from the truth, a former special forces commander has said.

Lieutenant-General Sir Cedric Delves, 71, said that the special force troops were normal people too and that 'inventive writing' about the force were exacerbated following the 1980 Iranian embassy siege in London

Following the raid at the South Kensington building, tales of the SAS became wildly exaggerated according to Sir Cedric.

Lieutenant-General Sir Cedric Delves, 71, said that the SAS were not always painted accurately and that there was a lot of 'inventive writing' about the force. (Stock photo of Falklands Conflict)

Lieutenant-General Sir Cedric Delves, 71, said that the SAS were not always painted accurately and that there was a lot of 'inventive writing' about the force. (Stock photo of Falklands Conflict)

The former SAS Commander said that troops are usually placed up on a pedestal which can become unhelpful. 

He told The Times: 'It was absurd some of it. It didn't help. It distorts the relationship with our colleagues.'

Sir Cedric joined the Army in 1966 and later joined the SAS, which he commanded at every level. 

He led the Special Forces before serving as Commander of the Field Army.

The former SAS Commander said that myths about the force became exaggerated following the 1980 Iranian embassy siege in London. (Stock photo of Falklands Conflict)

The former SAS Commander said that myths about the force became exaggerated following the 1980 Iranian embassy siege in London. (Stock photo of Falklands Conflict)

In 2003, he was medically discharged after losing a leg to a drunk driver.

His book Across an Angry Sea gives a first person narrative of the Falklands War and recounts his experiences of commanding D Squadron.

Aiming to give an accurate portrayal of those on the front line Sir Cedric said he has tried to be honest in his book. 

His new book Across an Angry Sea gives an honest account of life in the SAS  during the Falklands War and recounts the his experiences of commanding D Squadron

His new book Across an Angry Sea gives an honest account of life in the SAS  during the Falklands War and recounts the his experiences of commanding D Squadron

He told The Times: 'Ultimately that's more helpful. Then people have the right expectation of their forces, whether they're special forces or conventional forces.

'We are not a bunch of occidental military monks and particularly brutal with it. We're quite normal.'

He added that while it took special skills to become a troop, the force retained their humanity in a way the public can be proud of. 

Across An Angry Sea chronicles Sir Cedric's honest account  of events during the Falklands War and reflects on the tight-knit band of brothers that belonged to the SAS.

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