Some information on the tan beret gleaned from a number of National Archives files. And a photo of the chocolate brown RSR beret.
Jon
The initial suggestion that on operations the SAS and Raiding Forces were entitled to wear green berets – in the absence of Ordnance-issued items in the Middle East to be made by the Tel Aviv firm Misha – was quickly stamped on by the Chief of Combined Operations who on 13th May 1943 pointed out to C-in-C Middle East that as the SAS were ‘in no way under my control or that of the Brigadier, Special Service Brigade’ he could not agree to the SAS Regiment wearing green berets. Just over a week after receiving this reply GHQ Middle East informed HQ Raiding Forces that beige berets, first discussed for 1st SAS Regiment on 27th July, had been approved and were being made. Middle East General Order 750 dated 11th June 1943 states ‘Approval is given for the issue of “Caps, 1 SAS Regt MEF” to personnel of 1 SAS Regt. Of beret type and beige in colour. Caps, FS in possession are to be to be withdrawn’. The Deputy Chief of the General Staff was subsequently asked to publish official authority ‘for the wearing of the beige beret by all units of Special Raiding Forces, Middle East” . The release of 200 beige berets was authorised by HQ Raiding Forces on 27th August 1943, 50 of them earmarked for what by then had become the Special Raiding Squadron.
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