Malayan Scouts (Special Air Service Regiment)

This article is about special forces during the Malayan Emergency era. For the scouting movement, see Malaysian Scouts Association.

Malayan Scouts (Special Air Service Regiment)
Founded	June 1950
Disbanded	1960 (End of the Malayan Emergency)
Country	Malaya / British Malaya (1950–December 1951) United Kingdom (from 22 December 1951)
Branch	Federation of Malaya security forces (1950–December 1951); British Army (from 22 December 1951)
Type	Special forces
Size	5 combat squadrons, 1 manhunt squadron, and 3 support company (HQ, Logistics, and Intelligence)
Part of	Malaya Command
Headquarters	Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur
Nickname(s)	Malayan Scouts (SAS), Malay Scouts, Tentera Bersayap (Malay for 'Winged Soldiers')
Engagements	Malayan Emergency Operation Termite
Commanders
Notable commanders	Mike Calvert, George Lea, Tony Deane-Drummond

The Malayan Scouts (Special Air Service Regiment), commonly referred to as the Malayan Scouts, was a temporary special forces unit established in 1950 by the British de facto protectorate government of the Federation of Malaya during the Malayan Emergency. Tasked primarily with conducting guerrilla warfare in dense rainforest terrain, the unit's mission was to locate, harass, and neutralise insurgents from the Malayan Communist Party.

The Malayan Scouts were formed as a successor to the Ferret Force, an earlier but short-lived special force. Unlike the 21st Special Air Service Regiment (21 SAS) based in the United Kingdom, the Malayan Scouts initially operated as an independent entity with no formal affiliation to the existing SAS. However, their effectiveness in counterinsurgency operations quickly earned them official recognition. On 22 December 1951, the British Army formally incorporated the unit into its order of battle, renaming it the 22nd Special Air Service Regiment (22 SAS).

Despite the official renaming, the unit continued to be widely known as the Malayan Scouts throughout its operations in Malaya. It was only formally recognised as 22 SAS after its headquarters was relocated from Sungai Besi, Kuala Lumpur, to Worcestershire in 1958 and later to Herefordshire in 1960.

The success of the Malayan Scouts played a pivotal role in shaping the future of British special operations. At the time, the British government had considered disbanding the SAS following the conclusion of World War II. However, the Scouts' performance during the Emergency demonstrated the enduring relevance and effectiveness of special forces in modern conflicts, ultimately securing the SAS's survival. Moreover, the Malayan Scouts served as the foundational model for several elite units around the world, including the Rhodesian SAS, the New Zealand SAS, and the Australian SAS.

History

Origins and evolution of the Malayan Scouts

Main articles: Malayan Emergency and Ferret Force

In 1945, Malaya plunged into armed conflict when one of Britain's former World War II allies, the Malayan Communist Party (MCP), launched an anti-colonial campaign against British rule. The insurgency was fuelled by various factors, including economic instability, high unemployment, and the MCP's desire to establish a communist state. The MCP's paramilitary wing, the Malayan Peoples' Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA), which had fought alongside the British against Japanese occupation, was reorganised as the Malayan Peoples' Anti-British Army and later renamed the Malayan Races Liberation Army (MRLA). The MRLA began targeting British colonial assets, attacking government buildings, rubber plantations, and tin mines.

The turning point came in April 1948, when MRLA insurgents assassinated three European rubber plantation managers in Sungai Siput, Perak. In response, the British de facto protectorate government of the Federation of Malaya declared a state of emergency in June 1948, marking the beginning of the Malayan Emergency.

The MRLA, well-versed in guerrilla and jungle warfare and trained by the British Special Operations Executive's Far East branch, Force 136, proved to be a formidable force. Recognising the need for an effective counterinsurgency unit, Lieutenant Colonel Walter Walker, GSO1 of Malaya District Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, sought approval to form a specialised force to combat the MCP guerrillas. A veteran of the Burma Campaign, Walker aimed to leverage the experience of recently demobilised Force 136 operatives.

Established in July 1948, this unit—known as Ferret Force—was composed of former Force 136 commandos, including two troops each from the Royal Malay Regiment and Gurkha Rifles, as well as a combat support detachment consisting of Royal Signals personnel, trackers from the Sarawak Rangers, and Chinese interpreters from Hong Kong.

Ferret Force proved highly effective, destroying at least 12 MRLA jungle camps and eliminating 27 insurgents in just six months. However, the British administration in Malaya was hesitant to support military action against the MRLA, preferring instead to win over insurgents through negotiations. There were also concerns that some former Force 136 members might sympathise with the MCP due to their wartime alliance. As a result, Ferret Force was disbanded in December 1948.

Despite this shift in strategy, efforts to peacefully integrate the MRLA into the government failed, and the conflict worsened. Eventually, the authorities reverted to a more aggressive military approach.

Mike Calvert assesses the situation in Malaya

General Sir John Harding, Commander-in-Chief of the British Far East Command, sought officers with expertise in jungle warfare. Among those who volunteered was Major Michael "Mad Mike" Calvert, a veteran of the Chindits—a British India special forces unit active during World War II—and the last wartime commanding officer of the SAS.

Calvert had commanded the Special Air Service Troops—a brigade-sized SAS formation—during the war but was demoted from Brigadier to Major as part of post-war military downsizing. At the time, he was serving as a G1 Air Training Officer in Hong Kong.

Over the course of six months, Calvert conducted an extensive assessment of the insurgency, gathering intelligence from diverse sources. His methods included visits to Malay sultans' palaces, local brothels, and even posing as a prisoner. Covering an estimated 1,500 miles (2,400 km), his findings proved invaluable in shaping British counterinsurgency strategies.

The Briggs Plan and the reorganisation of counterinsurgency operations

Main article: Briggs Plan

Major Calvert presented his report to Lieutenant General Harold Rawdon Briggs, Director of Operations (Malaya). He advised the police and military to revise their standard operating procedures for patrols and recommended the creation of a specialised deep-penetration patrol unit similar to the dissolved Ferret Force. This unit would be tasked with locating and destroying enemy camps as well as conducting reconnaissance to support conventional military forces.

In 1950, Lieutenant General Briggs incorporated these recommendations into the Briggs Plan, a comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy. However, due to declining health, he was unable to witness its full implementation and passed away in 1952.

Reviving the SAS: The formation of the Malayan Scouts

In 1950, as part of the British Malayan government's implementation of the Briggs Plan during the Malayan Emergency, approval was granted for the creation of a special forces unit specifically designed for deep-jungle operations. Although initially intended as a temporary measure, this initiative gave Major Mike Calvert the opportunity to revive the Special Air Service (SAS) under a new identity. He named the unit the Malayan Scouts (Special Air Service Regiment), establishing its first headquarters in Kota Tinggi, Johor.

Unlike earlier iterations of the SAS, the Malayan Scouts were established directly under the authority of the Federation of Malaya's government and placed under Malaya Command, with operational support from the Far East Land Forces—the successor to the Far East Command. This arrangement effectively made the Malayan Scouts a security force of the Malayan government, akin to the Federal Malayan Police Force, a British colonial paramilitary and law enforcement body. However, this structure also imposed strict recruitment limitations on Calvert, restricting him to personnel already stationed in the Far East or those involved in the region's security services or colonial administration.

Despite these constraints, Calvert successfully assembled an initial force of around 100 men. The core of this force was drawn from former Chindits and veterans of the Ferret Force, both of which had experience in jungle warfare. He also recruited a small number of ex-SAS operatives from his wartime Special Air Service Troops, as well as trusted colleagues based in Hong Kong. Additionally, he incorporated a handful of deserters from the French Foreign Legion in French Indochina, along with select military and police personnel from the Malaya Command. These men would become the founding members of the Malayan Scouts.

Recruitment beyond the Far East

Recognising the unit's early successes, the British protectorate government in Malaya granted Lieutenant Colonel Calvert—who had since been promoted—permission to recruit soldiers from outside the Far East in 1951.

His first stop was the United Kingdom, where he recruited Z Squadron of 21 SAS, a unit recently formed for the Korean War. This squadron was subsequently integrated into the Malayan Scouts as B Squadron.

Next, he travelled to Southern Rhodesia, where he conducted a rigorous selection process involving 1,000 applicants. From this pool, he selected 120 Rhodesian World War II veterans, forming C Squadron of the Malayan Scouts.

Upon their arrival in Malaya, B Squadron members were dismayed by A Squadron's indiscipline, including reports of drunkenness and unprofessional behaviour both in and out of the jungle. Complaints were escalated to 21 SAS headquarters in Britain, tarnishing the Malayan Scouts' reputation. To resolve tensions, A Squadron was relocated to Ipoh, Perak, while B and C Squadrons remained in Kota Tinggi, Johor.

In June 1951, Lieutenant Colonel Calvert was hospitalised with hepatomegaly. His condition worsened, leading to his evacuation to military hospitals in Singapore and later Britain. This ended his service in the Malayan Emergency. On 27 July 1951, Lieutenant Colonel John Sloane of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders who just finished his tour of duty at Korean War took command of the Malayan Scouts. An infantry officer with no special forces or jungle warfare background, Sloane enforced stricter discipline and military regulations within the unit.

During Sloane's tenure, the headquarters of the Malayan Scouts was relocated to Sungai Besi—a site that would later become known as Sungai Besi Camp in 1959.

Trailblazers of Heliborne Special Operations

In response to the formidable challenges posed by Malaya's dense jungles, General Sir John Harding, Commander of the Far East Land Forces, formally requested helicopters from the British Ministry of Defence on 8 March 1948. The ministry responded by dispatching three experimental Westland Dragonfly helicopters, which were delivered to Malaya and assembled in the Colony of Singapore by April 1950. Initially intended for medical evacuation, their first operational mission took place on 14 June 1950. However, British forces quickly recognised the broader utility of helicopters. By January 1951, Dragonflies were being employed on reconnaissance missions along the Perak–Kelantan border, supporting early warning systems for infrastructure projects such as road construction.

The first operational use of helicopters in direct support of special forces occurred during Operation Helsby in February 1952. This joint offensive in the remote Belum Valley near the Malaya–Thailand border involved the Royal Marines, Malayan Scouts, and Malayan Police. Approximately 60 troopers from B Squadron of the Malayan Scouts were inserted by parachute from both aircraft and helicopters to secure strategic positions. They were later joined by A and C Squadrons, along with the remainder of B Squadron, who advanced overland with their Royal Marine and police counterparts. The operation concluded on 9 March 1952 and featured extensive Westland Dragonflies use for medical evacuation and close air support. It marked a pivotal moment in integrating rotary-wing aircraft into special operations missions.

Recognising their operational value, Malayan Command permanently assigned several Dragonflies—and later Sikorsky S-55s—to the Malayan Scouts starting on 29 October 1952. This deployment marked one of the earliest sustained uses of helicopters in special operations, predating similar tactics employed during the Vietnam War by over a decade.

Formal integration into the British Army

Despite facing internal discipline issues, the Malayan Scouts quickly gained a reputation as masters of jungle warfare. Their effectiveness during the Malayan Emergency was highly praised by the General Headquarters, Far East Land Forces, which described them to the Under Secretary of State at the War Office in London as the Corps d'Elite and the most valuable force in the conflict.

As a result, on 22 December 1951, the Malayan Scouts were officially absorbed into the British Army and designated 22nd Special Air Service Regiment (22 SAS). Although formally renamed, they continued to be referred to as the Malayan Scouts until the end of the Emergency in 1960. To mark their new status, they were issued the maroon beret of the Parachute Regiment, but with the SAS cap badge.

Expansion and structural changes

With official backing from British Army leadership, Major John Woodhouse, a founding member, was sent to Britain in 1952 to establish a selection and training program for future SAS candidates. His efforts laid the foundation for the modern UK Joint Special Forces Selection.

In 1953, C (Rhodesia) Squadron returned home, leaving only A and B Squadrons in Malaya. In early 1955, the Malayan Scouts expanded recruitment to soldiers from New Zealand, Australia, and Britain's Parachute Regiment, leading to the formation of three additional squadrons by the end of the year.

That same year, General Gerald Templer, the High Commissioner of Malaya, submitted a request to the War Office in London for the formation of a second regiment of Malayan Scouts to intensify counterinsurgency efforts during the Malayan Emergency. However, the request was denied. In response, General Templer sought alternative means of increasing manpower and initiated the formation of an auxiliary special forces comprising indigenous Orang Asli tribesmen to support the Malayan Scouts.

Relocation to Britain

On 15 November 1958, the headquarters of 22 SAS was relocated from Sungai Besi, Malaya, to Worcestershire and later, in 1960, to the renowned Stirling Lines in Herefordshire, United Kingdom. Following this move, the unit was increasingly referred to by its official designation—22 SAS—rather than its former name, the Malayan Scouts.

Although the Malayan Emergency officially ended in 1960, at least one squadron of 22 SAS remained in Malaya. Their continued presence involved routine deep jungle patrols and overseeing operations at the British Army's Jungle Warfare Training School, which had served as a key training centre for the SAS since the establishment of the Malayan Scouts in 1950.

Structures

During the Malayan Emergency

Structure of the Malayan Scouts (SAS) as of 1955

Name	Functions/Roles	EST.	Notes
A Section (later HQ Company)	Administrative and operational support	1950
Q Section	Logistics, acquisition, and ordnances support	1950
Int Section	Intelligence and training support	1950
A Squadron	Special forces	1950
B Squadron	Special forces	1951
C Squadron	Special forces	1951
D Squadron	Special forces	1955
Independent Parachute Regiment Squadron	Special forces	1955
SAS Auxiliary Forces (Senoi Praaq)	Special forces (tracker)	1955

A Section

The A Section, short for Administration Section, served as the headquarters company of the Malayan Scouts. Established in 1950, it was one of the four original components of the unit. As the name suggests, it was responsible for both administrative and operational support. Over time, A Section evolved into the Headquarters Company of the 22nd Special Air Service Regiment (HQ Coy, 22 SAS).

In the early days of the Malayan Scouts, the unit was initially seen as a temporary formation. Consequently, the personnel assigned to A Section and Q Section by the Malayan Command, often did not meet Major Mike Calvert's high standards. Nevertheless, Calvert made the most of the available manpower, provided the unit remained effective in operations. After the formal integration of the Malayan Scouts into the British Army in 1951, both sections saw an influx of more capable and experienced personnel.

Q Section

The Q Section, short for Quartermaster Section, was tasked with logistics and supply duties for the Malayan Scouts. Like A Section, it was one of the four founding elements of the unit, established in 1950.

In its early days, Q Section faced significant logistical challenges, as the Malayan Scouts lacked sufficient assets to sustain operations during the Malayan Emergency. However, as the unit gained support from the British military and Commonwealth allies, including helicopter and aeroplane support, its logistical capabilities improved considerably.

Int Section

Established in 1950, the Int Section (short for Intelligence Section) was another founding component of the Malayan Scouts. Major Calvert personally recruited Captain John Woodhouse of the Dorset Regiment, who was then serving as G3 Intelligence for the 40th Division in Hong Kong, to lead the section as its first Officer Commanding (OC). In addition to its military intelligence responsibilities, the Int Section also played a key role in conducting selection and training for the Malayan Scouts.

To mitigate the risk of infiltration by Communist agents or sympathisers, Calvert and Woodhouse enlisted several Chinese interpreters from Hong Kong. Most members of this section were drawn from the Special Branch of the British Military Administration (Malaya), consisting primarily of European and Malay intelligence officers stationed in Johor. In his 1964 book, Fighting Mad: One Man's Guerrilla War, Calvert praised Woodhouse and the Int Section, describing them as the best recruits he had secured for the Malayan Scouts.

A Squadron

Established in 1950, A Squadron was the first combat unit of the Malayan Scouts. Due to initial recruitment restrictions, Major Calvert was only permitted to enlist personnel already stationed in the Far East. As a result, A Squadron was primarily composed of former members of the Chindits—a special forces unit of the British Indian Army during World War II—and veterans of Ferret Force, which included former Special Operations Executive (SOE) agents and jungle warfare specialists from the Royal Malay Regiment and the Gurkha Rifles.

Additionally, Calvert recruited deserters from the French Foreign Legion—soldiers stranded in French Indochina who refused to return to their unit after the war. He also brought in former SAS members who had served under him when he commanded the Special Air Service Troops at the end of the war. As a result, A Squadron became a multinational special forces unit, featuring a unique blend of mercenaries and regular military personnel.

Many of the original members returned to their home countries after completing their two-year service in the Malayan Scouts. However, some chose to remain, transferring to other squadrons to help standardise training and operational effectiveness across the unit.

B Squadron

Formed in 1951, B Squadron was created by absorbing the newly established Z Squadron of the 21st Special Air Service Regiment. Although initially intended for deployment to the Korean War, the squadron was instead redirected to Malaya. This unit marked the first time that Calvert was granted permission by the British Malayan colonial government to recruit personnel from outside the Far East. During its training phase under Calvert's command, the squadron was renamed M Squadron, 21 SAS, with "M" standing for "Malaya Squadron".

Upon completing its training, the squadron was fully absorbed into the Malayan Scouts and reorganised as B Squadron, Malayan Scouts (SAS). It was later redesignated as B Squadron, 22 SAS, when the Malayan Scouts were officially integrated into the British Army in December 1951. Unlike A Squadron, which consisted of experienced veterans, many members of B Squadron were reservists with no prior combat experience, having enlisted after World War II. The squadron's first Officer Commanding was Major Anthony Greville-Bell.

C Squadron

After recruiting personnel in Britain, Calvert travelled to Southern Rhodesia, where he received over 1,000 applications from the Rhodesia region. After a rigorous selection process, 120 World War II veterans were chosen and brought to Malaya, where they were retrained as special forces operators and designated as C Squadron, Malayan Scouts (SAS). The first OC of C Squadron was Major Peter Walls. The unit was later redesignated as C (Rhodesia) Squadron, 22 SAS. It was dissolved in March 1953 when its members returned to Rhodesia at the end of their tour of duty.

At the end of 1955, following a major recruitment drive across three Commonwealth nations, C Squadron was reformed with soldiers recruited entirely from New Zealand. It was officially renamed C (New Zealand) Squadron, 22 SAS. Approximately one-third of its members were Māori, and its first OC after reformation was Major Frank Rennie.

D Squadron

Officially named D (Australia) Squadron, 22 SAS, this squadron was composed entirely of Australian recruits as part of the 1955 Commonwealth recruitment drive. It was commanded by Major John Woodhouse, a founding member of the Malayan Scouts, who returned to Malaya after completing his tenure in Britain as the head SAS training officer.

Independent Parachute Regiment Squadron

The idea to incorporate personnel from the Parachute Regiment into the Malayan Scouts originated with General Sir Geoffrey Bourne, then Commander of Malayan Command. However, the proposal initially sparked tension and hostility between the two units. The clandestine nature of the SAS's operations during WWII meant that their contributions remained largely unknown. As a result, many within the Parachute Regiment were unaware of the SAS's wartime achievements. In an interview conducted in August 2004 with Alastair MacKenzie, John Woodhouse recounted that paratroopers at the time often regarded themselves as superior to the SAS. The absence of parachute qualification wings on the Malayan Scouts' uniforms was perceived as a mark of inferiority, making the prospect of serving under what they viewed as an obscure and unproven unit, like the SAS, difficult to accept.

Nevertheless, the Malayan Scouts were grappling with serious manpower shortages, and the need for reinforcements outweighed inter-unit rivalry. The first round of selection was conducted at the Airborne Forces Depot in Aldershot, where paratroopers from all three battalions of the Parachute Regiment underwent evaluation. Most passed the rigorous selection process and were subsequently assigned to the Malayan Scouts as its fifth squadron. This new unit was officially designated the Independent Parachute Regiment Squadron, 22 SAS, under the command of Major Dudley Coventry.

Following their selection, the newly formed squadron was sent to the British Army Jungle Warfare Training School in Malaya. There, they underwent intensive training to shift from conventional airborne infantry tactics to the specialised operational style of the SAS. As the training progressed, mutual respect began to grow between the two units. Nonetheless, a degree of rivalry persisted, particularly between the Independent Parachute Regiment Squadron and C (New Zealand) Squadron.

SAS Auxiliary Forces

In early 1955, General Sir Gerald Templer, the British High Commissioner in Malaya, requested the formation of a second regiment of Malayan Scouts to bolster the counterinsurgency campaign and alleviate the operational burden on the existing unit. However, the War Office in London rejected the proposal. In response, the British Malayan administration was compelled to consider alternative strategies to meet the increasing demand for personnel in special operations.

One such strategy revived a proposal originally put forward by Colonel Richard O.D. Noone, a British military intelligence officer who was, at the time, serving as Director of the Department of Orang Asli. Noone had long advocated for the creation of a centralised, armed force composed entirely of indigenous Orang Asli tribesmen. Until then, Orang Asli trackers had only been employed on a mission-by-mission basis and had never been formally organised into a permanent unit. The War Office’s refusal to authorise a second Malayan Scouts regiment opened the door for Noone’s long-standing plan to be realised.

On 16 March 1955, a dedicated special forces unit composed exclusively of Orang Asli personnel was formally established. Officially named the SAS Auxiliary Forces, the unit would later become better known by its Semai name, Senoi Praaq, meaning "War People". Colonel Noone was appointed as its first commanding officer.

The Senoi Praaq quickly demonstrated exceptional effectiveness in jungle warfare. Their unparalleled tracking abilities, deep familiarity with the terrain, and natural stealth made them an indispensable asset in counterinsurgency operations throughout the Malayan Emergency. Their success was so noteworthy that several members of the unit—including Colonel Noone—were later seconded to the Central Intelligence Agency during the Vietnam War, where they played a key role in training the Montagnard Scouts, a U.S.-backed special forces unit composed of indigenous highland tribesmen in Vietnam.

Identity and uniform distinctions

Maroon beret

The formal headdress of the Malayan Scouts was the maroon beret, worn with the Special Air Service (SAS) cap badge. They were officially authorised to wear this combination on 22 December 1951, following their formal absorption into the British Army. The maroon beret had been in use by the SAS since World War II, when the regiment began operating in Europe. Prior to that, during their campaigns in North Africa, SAS personnel wore white berets, later replaced by sand-coloured ones. The Malayan Scouts, and later 22 SAS, continued to wear the maroon beret until 1963, when they were deployed to the Middle East and reverted to the sand-coloured beret to reflect the region's desert environment.

SAS pattern parachute wings

As a regiment within the British SAS structure, the Malayan Scouts wore the SAS-pattern parachute wings on the right shoulder of their uniform. This distinctive insignia signified their airborne qualification and alignment with the broader SAS tradition.

Malayan Scouts tactical recognition flash

Originally, as a combat unit under Malayan Command, the Malayan Scouts wore the standard green Malayan Command formation insignia on their uniforms. This insignia featured a yellow keris (a traditional Malay dagger) set against a green background. The Malayan Scouts—later redesignated as 22 SAS—adapted this design by changing the background colour to maroon or purplish tones. This modified insignia became their Tactical Recognition Flash, distinguishing them from other units while maintaining a link to their operational origins in Malaya.

Malayan Scouts (SAS) and the continuity of the SAS and UK Special Forces

The Malayan Scouts played a crucial role in ensuring the survival and continuity of the Special Air Service (SAS) and UK Special Forces as a whole. At the end of World War II, the SAS Regiments—1st Special Air Service (1 SAS) and 2nd Special Air Service (2 SAS)—along with their parent brigade, the Special Air Service Troops, were disbanded in 1945. Although the SAS was revived in January 1947 as the 21st Special Air Service Regiment (Artists Rifles) and incorporated into The Rifle Brigade, it was initially set to be converted into a conventional Territorial Army infantry unit.

In July of the same year, 21 SAS was transferred to the Army Air Corps (AAC), possibly intended as a reconnaissance element. However, with the disbandment of the AAC in 1949, 21 SAS was left as an independent unit with no clear purpose. The turning point came during the Malayan Emergency when Major Mike Calvert, a brigadier and the last Commanding Officer (CO) of the Special Air Service Troops, took the opportunity to revive the SAS and restore its role as a special forces unit. The success of the Malayan Scouts during the conflict solidified its future as a permanent part of the British Army. As a result, the Malayan Scouts were officially renamed the 22nd Special Air Service Regiment (22 SAS) on 22 December 1951.

Despite securing its status as a regular army unit, the SAS once again faced an uncertain future after the Malayan Emergency ended in 1960. British military leadership questioned the necessity of a dedicated special forces unit and considered absorbing 22 SAS into the Parachute Regiment as an airborne infantry battalion. However, John Woodhouse, then the OC of the Malayan Scouts/22 SAS, deployed the regiment to the Middle East during the communist insurgencies of the Dhofar War. This deployment reaffirmed the SAS's value in modern warfare and convinced military leadership that a specialised force like the SAS was essential. From that point forward, the SAS cemented its place as an integral part of the British Army Special Forces—and the rest is history.

Commanders

From its formation in 1950 until the end of the Malayan Emergency in 1960, the Malayan Scouts were led by five commanders:

Commanding Officers of the Malayan Scouts (SAS)/22nd Special Air Service Regiment

Rank	Name	Years of service	Previous unit	Previous WWII unit(s)	Fate
Lieutenant Colonel	Mike Calvert	1950–1951	40th Division	Chindits; Special Air Service Troops	Mike Calvert was dismissed from the British Army in 1952 after being convicted of sexual indecency stemming from an incident in 1951.
Lieutenant Colonel	John Sloane	1951–1953	Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders	Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders	John Bramley Malet Sloane retired with the rank of Major General, marking a distinguished career.
Lieutenant Colonel	Oliver Brooke	1953–1955	Welch Regiment	10th Battalion, Parachute Regiment	Oliver Brooke, a promising officer, suffered a severe back injury in early 1955 after parachuting into trees during an operation with the Malayan Scouts; the injury left him permanently crippled and led to his medical retirement.
Lieutenant Colonel	George Lea	1955–1957	11th Battalion, Parachute Regiment	4th Parachute Brigade	George Lea rose to the rank of Lieutenant General, ending his military service as Head of the British Defence Staff in Washington, D.C., before later being appointed Lieutenant of the Tower of London.
Lieutenant Colonel	Tony Deane-Drummond	1957 onwards	Royal Military Academy Sandhurst	3rd Parachute Brigade	Tony Deane-Drummond also retired as a Major General, with his final role being the Colonel Commandant of the Royal Signals.

Technically, Lieutenant Colonel John Sloane was the first official Commanding Officer of 22 SAS, as the Malayan Scouts were only integrated into the British Army and officially designated as 22 SAS on 22 December 1951—about six months after Mike Calvert was replaced.

Fate of the Malayan Scouts

Although officially redesignated as the 22nd Special Air Service Regiment (22 SAS) on 22 December 1951, the Malayan Scouts continued to be referred to by their original name until their headquarters was relocated from Sungai Besi, to Worcestershire in 1958 and later to Herefordshire in 1960.

Following this relocation, only Headquarters Company and four of the five operational squadrons were formally absorbed into 22 SAS. The fifth unit, known as the Independent Parachute Regiment Squadron, was returned to the Parachute Regiment and reverted to the role of a conventional airborne formation. Meanwhile, the SAS Auxiliary Forces, the Senoi Praaq, remained in Malaya. They were placed under the Malayan government’s department responsible for indigenous affairs and, in 1968, were formally integrated into the infantry branch of the Malaysian federal police.

There are no records detailing the fate of the Quartermaster Section, but the Intelligence Section was reintegrated into the Malayan police force. It played a key role in the development of the Special Branch, which later evolved into a domestic intelligence agency similar to MI5 and the FBI.

Legacy

Formation of successor special forces units

The Malayan Scouts left a profound legacy that reshaped global perceptions of modern special forces. One of their most direct contributions was the establishment of Special Air Service (SAS) regiments in Australia, New Zealand, and Rhodesia. These nations, whose military personnel initially served as squadrons within the Malayan Scouts, later formed their own elite units: the Australian Special Air Service Regiment, the New Zealand Special Air Service, and the Rhodesian Special Air Service—each bearing the SAS name and ethos.

The influence of the Malayan Scouts extended well beyond the Commonwealth. They played a pivotal, albeit indirect, role in inspiring the creation of other elite formations, such as the U.S. Army's Delta Force, the French Army Light Aviation, and Malaysia's Gerak Khas. Charles Beckwith, the founder of Delta Force, served with the Malayan Scouts/22 SAS as an exchange officer during the Malayan Emergency. His experiences convinced him of the need for a comparable American unit, which led to the establishment of Delta Force in 1977.

Similarly, in 1952, French Army Captain Déodat du Puy-Montbrun served for one year as an exchange officer with the Malayan Scouts/22 SAS. Drawing on his experiences in Malaya, he proposed the integration of helicopters into French commando operations—mirroring the tactics employed by the Scouts. His proposal was accepted, resulting in the creation of the Helicopter Commando Unit in 1954, where he was appointed second-in-command. This unit later evolved into the French Army Light Aviation and became a pioneer in French air assault tactics that would eventually serve as a model for U.S. helicopter operations during the Vietnam War.

In Southeast Asia, the Malaysian Special Service Unit—now known as Gerak Khas—was founded in 1965. Initially selected and trained by 40 Commando Royal Marines, the unit's development was further shaped through training provided by veterans of the Malayan Scouts/22 SAS at the British Army Jungle Warfare Training School. Both Delta Force and Gerak Khas adopted operational frameworks and training doctrines rooted in the experience and innovations of the Malayan Scouts, underscoring their foundational role in shaping modern special operations forces worldwide.

Influence on special operations doctrine

The modern British SAS and the broader United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) owe much of their current structure and doctrine to John Woodhouse, an intelligence officer who was recruited into the Malayan Scouts. Woodhouse played a key role in reshaping how special forces operated, persuading British Army leadership that intelligence capabilities were as critical as combat skills.

Drawing from his operational experience in Malaya, Woodhouse restructured the SAS selection and training processes—many elements of which remain in use today. Among his most lasting contributions was the permanent integration of jungle warfare into the selection process, now known as the "Jungle Phase" of UKSF Selection. Chris Ryan, in The History of the SAS: As Told by the Men on the Ground, credits Woodhouse as the architect of the modern SAS.

Pioneering innovations in warfare tactics and equipment

Beyond training and doctrine, the Malayan Scouts also transformed military tactics and equipment, particularly in jungle warfare, tree-jumping insertions, helicopter operations, and combat uniforms. Their experiences in Malaya directly influenced the development of the Tropical Combat Uniform (commonly known as jungle fatigues), which was later adopted by the U.S. military in 1964.

The birth of helicopter warfare

The first documented use of helicopters in military operations occurred on 25 April 1944, when a YR-4B helicopter from the U.S. Army Air Forces' 1st Air Commando Group was deployed to rescue three Chindit commandos during the Burma Campaign in World War II. Although the mission was successful, it was considered an extraordinary feat due to the primitive state of helicopter technology at the time. The YR-4B, a two-seater and the first mass-produced helicopter, was designed primarily for evaluation and testing. It was not intended for combat and could only carry one pilot and one passenger. As such, this mission is viewed as an isolated event rather than a standard military operation.

In contrast, the Malayan Emergency marked the first sustained and effective use of helicopters as a strategic asset in military operations. According to Greek military historian and journalist Stavros Atlamazoglou in 2021, the Malayan Scouts were the first combat unit to permanently incorporate helicopters into active operations, beginning on 29 October 1952.

Although historians such as Charles R. Shrader (The First Helicopter War: Logistics and Mobility in Algeria, 1954–1962, 1999) and Walter J. Boyne (How the Helicopter Changed Modern Warfare, 2011) have credited the French Army with pioneering helicopter warfare during the Algerian War, Atlamazoglou argues that it was actually the British who first operationalised these tactics during the Malayan Emergency. This perspective is supported by Dr Stephen Rookes of the Centre de recherche de l'École de l'air in France. In his 2025 study, The Evolution of Heliborne Operations in the Cold War Conflicts of Algeria, Angola and Rhodesia, 1954–1979, Rookes notes that in 1952, the French military sent observers—including Captain Déodat du Puy-Montbrun—to Malaya specifically to study the helicopter warfare techniques employed by the Malayan Scouts. Similar assessments appear in RAF Helicopters: The First Twenty Years (1992) by John Dowling and Accomplishments of Airpower in the Malayan Emergency, 1948–1960 (2015) by Arthur D. Barontes, both of which support Atlamazoglou's conclusions.

The Malayan Emergency also saw one of the earliest uses of helicopters in a combat support role. In 1953, a Westland Dragonfly was modified to carry chemical agents for use in herbicidal warfare. The first operation took place on 31 August 1953 in the Kluang and Labis regions of Johor, where toxic agents were sprayed to destroy communist agricultural plots hidden in the jungle. Due to the effectiveness of these missions, the British increased the number of deployed helicopters, with eighteen Dragonflies in service by the end of 1953, forming the core of No. 194 Squadron RAF.

However, the French are still widely credited with developing the first true attack helicopters. During the Algerian War in 1956, two French officers—Colonel Félix Brunet of Escadre d'Hélicoptères 2 (EH2) and Colonel Alexis Santini of the French Army Helicopter Training Division—independently modified helicopters to permanently mount firearms, paving the way for dedicated helicopter gunships.

The growing demand for air mobility led to the deployment of larger aircraft such as the British-built Westland Whirlwind, a British adaptation of the Sikorsky S-55. Of the ten Westland Whirlwind helicopters assigned to 848 Naval Air Squadron, several were permanently allocated to the Malayan Scouts. These aircraft played critical roles in resupply, troop insertion, close air support, and medical evacuation.

Operating under extreme conditions in the dense jungles of Malaya and under constant threat from communist insurgents, British helicopter pilots developed and refined air mobility tactics that were still considered experimental elsewhere. While the U.S. Marine Corps had conceptualised helicopter assault strategies as early as 1947 during the Korean War, these ideas were not fully implemented until the early 1960s—years after British forces had already demonstrated their effectiveness in the Malayan theatre.

Preservation of legacy within the modern SAS

Today, the legacy of the Malayan Scouts lives on within the British SAS, particularly in D Squadron of 22 SAS. The squadron's badge features a keris, a traditional Malay weapon, symbolising its historical roots in the Malayan Emergency. This design is inspired by the formation insignia of the former British Malayan Command, which depicted a yellow keris on a green background. Malayan Scouts/22 SAS adapted the design, changing the background colour to maroon or purplish tones, and continues to use it as a symbol of its heritage and enduring connection to the Malayan Scouts.

Notable members

• Anthony Greville-Bell – Anthony Greville-Bell, DSO, was an Australian-born British Army engineer, SAS officer, scriptwriter, and sculptor. Commissioned into the Royal Engineers in WWII, he later served in the 2nd SAS under Bill Stirling. In 1950, he joined the Malayan Scouts and became the first OC of B Squadron in 1951. His screenwriting credits include Perfect Friday, The Strange Vengeance of Rosalie, and Theatre of Blood. He died on 4 March 2008 at 87 and was portrayed by Stuart Thompson in the BBC series SAS: Rogue Heroes.
• Déodat of Puy-Montbrun – Déodat du Puy-Montbrun, LoH, GC, was a decorated French special forces commando, resistance fighter, and pioneer of military helicopter use. An WWII SOE operative trained by the SAS, he served behind enemy lines and later helped found key French special units, including the 11th Shock Parachute Regiment, the Mixed Airborne Commando Group, and the Helicopter Commando Unit, which later evolved into the French Army Light Aviation. In 1952, he joined the Malayan Scouts as an exchange officer, which inspired his advocacy for helicopter use in special operations. He later served as a helicopter pilot in the Algerian War and, post-military, became a journalist and novelist. In 2009, EMIA honoured him with a badge and chant in his name.
• Frank Rennie – Frank Rennie, CBE MC, was a highly respected New Zealand Army officer and the founding father of the New Zealand SAS. After serving in the Pacific and Italian theatres under ANZAC during WWII, he was given authority by the Malayan Scouts in 1955 to conduct SAS selection in New Zealand. He became the first OC of C (New Zealand) Squadron, 22 SAS, later that year. For his role in the Malayan Emergency, he was awarded the Military Cross in 1958. Rennie died on 17 November 1992 at the age of 74.
• George Lea – Sir George Harris Lea, KCB DSO MBE, was a senior British Army officer and the fourth Commanding Officer of the Malayan Scouts (1955–1957). Commissioned before WWII, he commanded the 11th Battalion, Parachute Regiment, and was captured during Operation Market Garden. After retiring in 1970, he served as Lieutenant of the Tower of London. He died on 27 December 1990, aged 77.
• John Slim – John Douglas Slim, 2nd Viscount Slim, OBE DL FRGS, was a British nobleman, military officer, and veteran of WWII, the Korean War, and the Malayan Emergency. Commissioned in 1944, he served with the 6th Gurkha Rifles in Burma, later joining the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He volunteered for the Malayan Scouts (SAS) in 1952, served for a decade, and became Commander of 22 SAS in 1967. In 1970, he was appointed Chief of Staff (Special Forces) for UK Land Forces, a role equivalent to the modern-day Director of Special Forces. He died on 12 January 2019, aged 91.
• John Woodhouse – John Michael Woodhouse, MBE MC, was a key figure in shaping the modern SAS. A WWII veteran and former POW, he joined the Malayan Scouts in 1950 and later revolutionised SAS training and selection. He served in senior roles with 21 and 22 SAS, becoming CO of 22 SAS in 1962. The Times recognised him as the second most influential figure in SAS history after David Stirling. He died on 15 February 2008, aged 85.
• Mike Calvert – James Michael Calvert, DSO & Bar, was a British Army and British Indian Army officer crucial to preserving the SAS during its near-disbandment. Commissioned into the Royal Engineers in 1933, he trained as a commando in 1939, fought in Norway, and helped form early commando units in Hong Kong and Australia. In the Burma campaign, he ran a jungle warfare school before joining the Chindits, where he was wounded and sent back to the UK. Promoted to brigadier in 1945, he became the final commander of the SAS before its wartime dissolution. Demoted to major postwar, he was posted to Hong Kong in 1949 and later invited by General Sir John Harding to assist in Malaya, where he founded the Malayan Scouts. In 1952, he was dismissed from the army after a controversial conviction for sexual misconduct, which he denied until his death. He moved to Australia, returned to England, and became a research fellow at the University of Manchester in 1971, sharing his expertise in irregular warfare. His later years were troubled by alcoholism and personal issues, and he died on 26 November 1998 at the age of 85.
• Peter Walls – George Peter Walls, GLM DCD MBE, was a Rhodesian military officer and the former Commander of the Rhodesian Armed Forces during the Bush War. Commissioned into the Black Watch in 1946 after training at Sandhurst, he later joined the Northern Rhodesia Regiment. In 1951, he passed Malayan Scouts selection and became OC of C (Rhodesia) Squadron, 22 SAS. Exiled to South Africa after Zimbabwe's independence, he died on 10 July 2010 at age 83.
• Ronald Reid-Daly – Ronald Francis Reid-Daly, CLM DMM MBE, was the founder of the Selous Scouts and a pioneer of bush warfare during the Rhodesian Bush War. Selected for the Malayan Scouts in 1951 despite no prior military experience, he served in Malaya for three years. Returning to Rhodesia, he became an instructor at School of Infantry and the first Regimental Sergeant Major of the Rhodesian Light Infantry before commissioning in 1964. In 1975, he proposed and led the Selous Scouts until 1979, earning acclaim as a top unconventional warfare leader.
• Tony Deane-Drummond – Anthony John Deane-Drummond, CB DSO MC & Bar, was a British Army signals officer and airborne pioneer. He volunteered for No. 2 Commando, which became the 11th SAS Battalion, and took part in the first British WWII airborne operation, Operation Colossus. He later became an instructor and, in 1957, the final commander of the Malayan Scouts. Deane-Drummond is credited with keeping the SAS independent from the Parachute Regiment and led 22 SAS in the Jebel Akhdar War, solidifying its special forces role. His career was featured on BBC's This Is Your Life in 1960.