Paddy Mayne
Robert Blair “Paddy” Mayne was one of the most extraordinary and enigmatic figures to emerge from the Second World War. Born on January 11, 1915, in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland, Mayne grew up in a respectable Presbyterian family. From an early age, he exhibited a unique mix of athletic prowess and a fiercely independent spirit. Towering and powerful, he became an accomplished sportsman, excelling in boxing and rugby. He played international rugby for Ireland and was part of the 1938 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa. A qualified solicitor, he seemed destined for a conventional and successful life—until war changed everything.
With the outbreak of the Second World War, Mayne joined the Royal Ulster Rifles, later transferring to the Royal Artillery and eventually volunteering for the elite No. 11 (Scottish) Commando. It was during this time, in the Middle East, that his courage and effectiveness in combat came to the attention of higher command. After a series of daring missions in the Syria–Lebanon campaign, he was approached by a young officer named David Stirling, who was assembling a new type of special forces unit to operate behind enemy lines. This unit would become the Special Air Service—better known today as the SAS.
Mayne’s entry into the SAS is surrounded by colorful legend. According to one popular account, Stirling found him in a military prison after an altercation with a superior officer and promptly recruited him. Whether or not this story is entirely accurate, it is true that Mayne quickly became one of the most vital members of the new unit. In the deserts of North Africa, he developed a reputation for fearlessness, ingenuity, and unrelenting aggression.
One of Mayne’s earliest and most celebrated exploits was the raid on Tamet airfield in Libya in December 1941. Penetrating deep into Axis-controlled territory, he and his men destroyed 24 enemy aircraft on the ground, sabotaged fuel depots, and escaped without loss. His physical strength was legendary—on one occasion, he reportedly tore the radio panel out of an Italian aircraft with his bare hands. These early missions helped validate Stirling’s concept of a mobile, deep-penetration strike force and secured the future of the SAS.
In July 1942, Mayne participated in one of the most iconic operations of the North African campaign: the Sidi Haneish airfield raid. Leading a convoy of 18 jeeps fitted with machine guns, Mayne and his men stormed the airfield under the cover of darkness, destroying between 30 and 40 enemy aircraft in a matter of minutes. It was a masterclass in speed, surprise, and violence of action—principles that would define SAS tactics for decades to come.
Mayne’s personal combat record in North Africa became the stuff of myth. He was credited with destroying over 100 aircraft himself, making him one of the most effective individual saboteurs in the war. But his contributions extended beyond battlefield destruction. He was a natural leader, fiercely loyal to his men, and utterly committed to the SAS ethos.
When David Stirling was captured in early 1943, Mayne assumed command of the Special Raiding Squadron, the SAS's new operational unit. He led it during the invasions of Sicily and Italy, where his tactical brilliance came to the fore once again. At Capo Murro di Porco, he led a successful assault to neutralize coastal gun batteries, paving the way for Allied landings. His performance earned him a Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and later a bar to that award—one of several decorations he would receive during the war.
As the war progressed into Western Europe, Mayne was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and placed in command of the 1st SAS Regiment. Under his leadership, the unit conducted daring raids across France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, often working closely with resistance groups. Mayne took a personal interest in training and planning, insisting on the highest standards. He played a crucial role in preparing the regiment for missions behind enemy lines in support of the D-Day landings.
In the closing stages of the war, Mayne led Operation Howard, a reconnaissance mission in support of the Canadian advance into northern Germany. Under heavy fire, he repeatedly put himself in danger to rescue wounded soldiers and suppress enemy positions. He was nominated for the Victoria Cross for his actions during this operation, with endorsements from senior officers including Field Marshal Montgomery. The recommendation was ultimately denied and downgraded to yet another DSO—the fourth awarded to Mayne, making him one of the most decorated British officers of the war.
Mayne’s post-war years were quieter but no less complex. He returned to his legal profession in Northern Ireland, serving as Secretary to the Law Society. Yet he struggled with chronic pain from wartime injuries and the emotional toll of his experiences. He rarely spoke about the war. On December 13, 1955, he died in a car accident near his home. He was 40 years old.
In the years since his death, Mayne has become a symbol of wartime courage and the fighting spirit of the SAS. Statues and memorials commemorate his achievements, particularly in his hometown of Newtownards. Despite continued efforts, including parliamentary petitions, he has never been posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Yet to those who served with him, and to military historians who have studied his life, his valor remains unquestioned.
