The Pink War: How the SAS Conquered the Desert

(To Gianluca Celentano)
07/01/25

With the acronym SAS (Special Air Service), the idea of ​​high-risk operations in the field immediately comes to mind. Just saying these three letters evokes missions top secret, where efficiency counts more than chatter. A bit like our paratroopers of the 9th regiment: training and physical resistance make the difference, but the man and his enlightenment are always at the center.

SAS: no introduction needed

Let's stay on the "materials" and, with a touch of lightness, let's talk about a really curious episode. The news comes from Coffee or Die Magazine and the testimony is by Chris Ryan (aka Colin Armstrong), a former SAS sergeant, now a security consultant and television presenter. The SAS's uniqueness lies not only in its physical preparation, but also in its ability to advance without being noticed. During the Second World War, in North Africa, this ability changed the fate of many operations, thanks to vehicles adapted for reconnaissance missions.

And here comes the twist: these vehicles were not just off-road vehicles, but real "Pink Panthers". Yes, you understood correctly, it has nothing to do with it Pink Panther cartoons, but a truly unexpected choice: pink as camouflage. Yes, pink.

Despite initial disbelief, the color matched the desert tones perfectly, with the pink hues of the rocks. Armstrong says that in Yemen and Jordan, the pink blended into the landscape, making the vehicles invisible in a hostile environment.

The change from military green to pink occurred because green, too visible in the desert, did not offer the necessary coverage. The choice was not accidental: it is said that the idea of ​​pink came from a plane painted this color to be easily identified in the event of a crash in the desert. Too bad that the pink plane was almost impossible to find ... but, once on the ground, the pink camouflaged perfectly. And so, the "Pinkies" were born.

Stripped military lands

The Land Rover 109s, adapted for SAS use, were completely dismantled: no roof, no doors, modified suspension and chassis. Each vehicle was a small fort, equipped with machine guns, fuel - about 450 liters - for over 1600 km and water reserves. And, yes, the spare wheel or wheels were not just an accessory, but a shield in case of accidents.

The 'Pinkies' were not only visually striking, they were also extremely effective. So much so that during the Gulf War in 1991, the SAS replaced the pink vehicles with sand-coloured models, but retained the legendary name. However, new members of the unit still wondered why the beige off-road vehicles were called Pinkies. At that point, the answer was simple: "read some history, son!"

Breakdowns?

Detailed manuals gave SAS operators precise instructions on what to do in the event of damage. For example, a bullet hole in the tank was sealed with a screw, taken from somewhere on the Land Rover and screwed forcefully into the hole. A leak from a pipe, on the other hand, could be stopped with chewing gum, while in the radiator a lot of tobacco was used, stolen from the English pipes.

Photo: web