Major Mike Sadler, a legendary World War II navigator known for his extraordinary skills in guiding Britain’s first special forces across the Sahara, passed away at 103 in a Cambridge nursing home. A key figure in the Special Air Service (S.A.S.), Sadler’s navigation talents were pivotal in numerous behind-the-lines raids against the Axis powers in North Africa, contributing to the destruction of enemy aircraft and troops. His ability to navigate vast, featureless desert expanses was likened to maritime navigation. Sadler’s remarkable life included adventures in Southern Rhodesia before the war, critical roles in the S.A.S., and post-war service with the British Foreign Office. His death marks the end of an era, being the last surviving member of the S.A.S. from its founding year, 1941.
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