Editing Special Operations Executive (section)

===Training and operations===
The training establishments, and properties used by country sections, were designated by Arabic numbers and were widely distributed.{{Sfn|Boyce|Everett|2003|p=13}} The initial training centres of SOE were at country houses such as [[Wanborough Manor]], [[Guildford]]. Agents destined to serve in the field underwent [[commando]] training at [[Arisaig]] in Scotland, where they were taught armed and unarmed combat skills by [[William E. Fairbairn]] and [[Eric A. Sykes]], former Inspectors in the [[Shanghai Municipal Police]]. Those who passed this course received [[parachute]] training by STS 51 and 51a situated near [[Altrincham]], Cheshire with the assistance of No.1 Parachute Training School RAF,{{Sfn|MacKay|2005|p=}}{{page needed|date=August 2017}} at [[RAF Ringway]] (which later became [[Manchester Airport]]). They then attended courses in security and [[Tradecraft]] at Group B schools around [[Beaulieu, Hampshire|Beaulieu]] in Hampshire.{{sfn|Bailey|2008|p=43}} Finally, depending on their intended role, they received specialist training in skills such as [[demolition]] techniques or [[Morse code]] [[telegraphy]] at various country houses in England.

SOE's Cairo branch established a commando and parachute training school numbered STS 102 at [[Ramat David]] near [[Haifa]]. This school trained agents who joined SOE from among the armed forces stationed in the Middle East, and also members of the [[Special Air Service]] and Greek [[Sacred Band (World War II)|Sacred Squadron]].{{sfn|Bailey|2008|pp=61–64}}

A [[Camp X|commando training centre]] similar to Arisaig and run by Fairbairn{{Sfn|Foot|2004|p=65}} was later set up at [[Oshawa]], for Canadian members of SOE and members of the newly created American organisation, the [[Office of Strategic Services]].