Major Mike Sadler was the last surviving wartime member of the SAS's founding generation.
Here's all you need to know about him.
Identity and early years
Major Willis Michael "Mike" Sadler MC MM was born in London on February 22, 1920.
His family moved to Gloucestershire, and at 17, he emigrated to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) to work on a farm.
When the Second World War began in 1939, he joined the Rhodesian Army and served as an anti-tank gunner in East Africa and North Africa.
Long Range Desert Group
In 1941, Sadler joined the Long Range Desert Group (LRDG), a deep-desert reconnaissance and raiding force.
He quickly became a "first navigator," one of the unit's senior navigation specialists.
Becoming an SAS Original
Sadler played a crucial role in the SAS's early days, helping to collect survivors from the failed Operation Squatter in 1941.
He demonstrated his navigation skills by safely guiding Paddy Mayne 300 miles behind German lines.
First successful SAS raid
Sadler navigated the SAS on its first successful operation against the Sirte and Tamet airfields in December 1941.
His convoy carried both David Stirling and Paddy Mayne towards the targets; Mayne’s force destroyed 24 aircraft and a fuel dump at Tamet.
Sidi Haneish raid
Before the July 1942 attack on Sidi Haneish Aerodrome in Egypt, Sadler navigated a large force of SAS jeeps across the desert at night without headlights or maps.
His precise navigation led to a successful assault that destroyed a substantial number of Axis aircraft.
Capture and great escape
In January 1943, Sadler was ambushed by German troops but managed to escape with two colleagues.
He navigated the group for more than 100 miles over five days and four nights, reaching the British-American First Army.
He was awarded the Military Medal for his desert service.
France and the Military Cross
Sadler served in Italy and France, parachuting into the Loire Valley in August 1944 to support SAS units operating behind German lines.
He was awarded the Military Cross for his wartime actions in France.
Read more
All you need to know about SAS officer Gavin Hamilton
All you need to know about SAS officer Timothy William Burlis
All you need to know about Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba who was key for the SAS
Intelligence and war crimes work
During the later stages of the war, Sadler became intelligence officer to Paddy Mayne and investigated German war crimes against captured SAS personnel.
Post-war life
After the war, Sadler worked in Antarctica with the Falkland Islands Dependencies Survey and was awarded the Polar Medal for his work.
He also worked for MI6 in later life.
In his 80s, he began losing his sight, becoming completely blind in 2019 at the age of 99, but continued to engage with veterans' organisations and public commemorations.
Share