Bravo Two Zero: SAS Veteran On Being Part Of The Failed Gulf War Mission

[@hanktheblesseddeejay]

One thing I’ve learnt from all these special ops interviews over the years is, avoid goat herders

[@beetleything1864]

Good one. 🤣🙏🏻

[@kevinparker461]

Or if you are a poacher, peoples dogs. You have to hope they are just being walked & are not the Gamekeepers!!

[@brimstone33]

One thing that never seems to get taken seriously in modern Western military training is that the most likely environment will be low or mid-intensity and there WILL be civilians around that have to be dealt with..."you don't operate in a vacuum".

[@hanktheblesseddeejay]

@@brimstone33 that is unless of course you’re a member of the U.S Army Astronaut Detachment.

[@adamsosa]

True dat! The least friendly of all farming careers 😂

[@helenjenkins9829]

I've had the privilege of meeting 'Chris', and seeing him at his most vulnerable with a loved one - such a lovely, warm man. Bravo Two Zero had a huge impact on me when I first watched it. The Gulf war was one of the reasons why I finally decided to become a Nurse, as I felt so helpless at that time.

[@chrisbarton6760]

I would absolutely LOVE to meet Chris and sit listening to him tell me stories or his days in service. He’s from a village about half a mile from me, just south west of Newcastle city centre. I’ve no idea if he still lives there

[@michaelwilson4316]

@@chrisbarton6760 there is no villages half a mile from the centre..there called estates lol

[@chrisbarton6760]

@@michaelwilson4316 I didn’t say half a mile from the centre. I said half a mile from me.

[@michaelwilson4316]

@@chrisbarton6760 sorry dude..I miss red..

[@chrisbarton6760]

@@michaelwilson4316 no worries. Technically you weren’t wrong 😂👌

[@PIRANHA_MAN]

When an ex SAS soldier admits to laying on the floor crying in an extreme crisis and admits to mental issues from it, it makes you realise we are all human and males should not be encouraged to bottle up emotions

[@allandobbs7059]

He was delirious through lack of food and water!

[@rtturkish1734]

Here here

[@StimParavane]

Learn to manage your emotions in difficult situations so you can think clearly and not be overwhelmed by them. Don't get drawn in by the feminist narrative which encourages people to vent their negative emotions. All this does is create bad karma. Instead, learn to dissolve negative emotions using meditation.

[@G58]

He’s a self pitying narcissistic liar. His books are dreadful ghostwritten fiction.

[@grrr.9998]

Hahaha 😂

[@jasonpayne1240]

This is the second installment of this series I’ve seen and as a proud USAF OIF & OEF veteran I’m deeply touched and inspired by the courage and professionalism displayed by our British counterparts in Desert Storm. I never did anything spectacular, but when I feel the experience I had becomes unpleasant to remember I value stories like this knowing that so many people had far worse than me I feel it is my duty to keep things in perspective and grow from the experience. Thanks 🇺🇸 🇬🇧

[@lansdown041]

Except this story is false and was proven to be BS.

[@Mr196710]

@@lansdown041 YOU are the only one to ever say this.

[@lansdown041]

There's plenty of proof and videos on KZbin. Check it out for yourselves.

[@richiewarren547]

@@lansdown041 there’s plenty of videos on KZbin ‘proving’ the earth is flat. It’s just for nimrods like you that lap it up 😂

[@cosmo10973ify]

@@lansdown041 Andy mcnabs version of events in Bravo two zero was exaggerated but Chris Ryan's recollection was pretty spot on.

[@paleamigo8575]

7 days without food, 3 days without water, while walking ~25 miles per day. Despite how people feel about war and governments, more people should hear these stories and think twice about how bad things may be in their life.

[@Phoneixghost]

These guys are trained to live THREE months in the middle of Nowhere with no supplies psychologically trained to ignore pain and hunger these aren’t REGULAR ppl

[@weidles]

What's the show we have, Nacked and afraid for 21 days, no clothes, not professionals and a lot of them prevail.

[@johnmellor932]

Training no doubt saved his life. But civilians are capable of remarkable feats of survival. What about the girl who walked out of the Amazon after falling 3000 feet when her plane broke apart.

[@angloaust1575]

Jesus and Moses fasted 40 days!

[@angloaust1575]

Jesus and Moses fasted 40 days!

[@maximusplebius9992]

I was deployed there at the same time, the weather was shocking. What Chris did was remarkable. I don't think it will ever be matched.

[@maximusplebius9992]

@Sverð Skjöld More like when Iraq went into Kuwait.

[@habichiblah7534]

It will be matched, or surpassed, by the next person who makes up a similar story.

[@colinwilliamgraham]

@@habichiblah7534 The distance he covered to get out of there was not made up.

[@habichiblah7534]

@@colinwilliamgraham hehe, yeah, right you are

[@peternagy-im4be]

@@zx7-rr486 amazing how the internet warriors know it all eh?

[@Panzerbeast]

22 SAS RSM Peter Ratcliffe, Questioned both books as their debriefs didn't talk about contacts etc, especially Chris Ryan's account of taking on a vehicle. You need to read all available books to get a real feel of the whole thing. Soldier Five is a must read and The Real Bravo Two Zero.

[@ukbackyardmma]

Watch the Michael Asher show where he retraced their steps and speaks to the locals in the area, it's free on KZbin

[@pauldavison7105]

What the books say isn't relevant. The books can be fictionalised as these guys don't need to report the facts to you. This has come up a lot since. Its well documented the official debrief does not match the books and it doesn't need to.

[@nigelliam153]

Soldier 5 was taken off the shelf. Very hard to get a copy now.

[@Obi-Wan81]

'The Real Bravo 2 Zero' is a key read. It discloses the first name of Andy McNab - 'Steven' in it. Something which 'Andy McNab' tried to stop being printed in that book...

[@nigelliam153]

@@Obi-Wan81 Wikipedia also discloses the real names of McNab and Ryan.

[@henrygrey346]

Chris's last comments speak volumes of the highest standards of his training. So much wisdom that only comes with the most bitter of experiences. All my respects to him and his mates.

[@kingrobert7246]

No; true wisdom comes from getting a PhD in Lesbian Dance Theory from the University of Fairyland

[@paulgreen758]

great respect ive never served but I appreciate what you guys go through, and much credence to you Chris for carrying on and getting home

[@rob03tt46]

this is why sas selection is so hard to prepare you the unknown like this

[@BoSSLeVeLs]

180+ miles walking no food no water not sure a lot can prep you for that 🤯

[@rob03tt46]

@@BoSSLeVeLs that's why there's not many sas

[@bountyhuntermk2520]

Shhhhh little man

[@mudskipper0075]

Kinda puts Philip Schofields brave coming out into perspective...👍

[@G58]

Really? So how come Colin (aka ‘Chris’) claims they only had two weapons and he lost his pack? What part of their training is being deployed there? This video is littered with utter fabrication. Even without specialist background knowledge, his body language gives him away.

[@ppgedez]

Goats and kids the nemesis of the Special Forces.

[@1anre]

Lone Survivor was the same fate too eh?

[@ppgedez]

@@1anre yeah thats another one that got stumbled upon by goats and goat herders. 🙂

[@shaungilmartin1505]

and dogs

[@G58]

Yeshua Is Lord Then lied about there being 250 of them in books to profit from their ineptitude. No one in the SF community respects them. Only idiots on the internet believe them.

[@ssgus3682]

@@G58 whatever the numbers their plan was faulty. The entire SEAL platoon should have deployed, and set up a patrol base with a retrans site at the top of the mountain.

[@willfoster2635]

Absolutely outstanding how he survived. I have several of his books. Amazing reads. Defo get Chris Ryan's 'SAS Fitness Book'.

[@hodsontony121]

Massive respect to a fellow North Easterner for surviving an almost unsurvivable situation. Still a guy you’d want with you in a fight. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@THE-BUNKEN-DRUM]

HAWAY THE LADS!

[@MichielFrackers]

Only the greatest respect to Chris and his mates at the special forces.

[@seanbarker9272]

Incredible story you should get his book, Andy McNabb's books are really good to 👍

[@Military872]

@@seanbarker9272 hahaha, they are B.S.

[@seanbarker9272]

@@Military872 the SAS have to go through hell on selection please don't type anything else you're embarrassing yourself and showing ignorance

[@Military872]

@@seanbarker9272 Your lack of knowledge shows, Mc Nabbs books were full of nonsense, and i can write what i want.

[@lracfilib]

@@Military872 You seem to know alot. Please enlighten me.

[@davidmuir6849]

I read bravo two zero when it first came out and just watched the clip, you and all your colleagues are true modern day heroes Regards Dave from Scotland

[@ralfsta]

Huge respect and thank you's for your service Chris.

[@kf8575]

Thank you's?? Its been proven more than once that this guy along with mcnab are a pair of liars

[@coops9871]

@Justin? Who’s Justin.? No he's correct.....embellished a story.....I know dinger and he cringes at this.

[@scarto3887]

@Justin? Who’s Justin.? clearly you need to do more research and reading.The failed Bravo two zero "story" was completely debunked years a go.the guy is FOS.Your Tour of duty gaming console awaits you Brolio

[@nige3801]

@@kf8575 he said a flock of goats lol...flock is birds, herd is goats lol

[@davepritchard283]

I met a couple of SAS guys on adventure training in Bavaria. I was PS at Haus Panzer near Kranzegg and they were doing their own thing. I was training for my Ast. PTI's course. I was doing altitude training running 9km in the morning and 9 km in the early evening. One of the guys I only knew as 'Geordie' asked me why I was training so hard on a cushy posting. I told him and he was like, well mate you need to get your upper body strength up to standard! You can obviously run like a f**king gazelle but you need to do this that and the other. He gave me great advice and I passed the course no probs, no small part played by his help. I know who he was now (no it wasn't Chris) and am ever indebted for his advice. Those guys are very good at what they do. Came in contact with a few in N.I. S.Armagh about the time Desert Storm kicked off. Very proffessional and very humble with it.

[@G58]

Did he have the decency to give you a reach around?

[@HerbertTowers]

You won't have met this liar though.

[@JamesFaulds-g3g]

Billy Billingham served in 1 Para Reg't in the 80s.

[@nicolasetherton2534]

⁠No he didn’t, it was 3 Para.

[@buckbumble]

These men are not normal. They are special. It’s in the name. I would have given up way before I had done 100th of what they went through. An amazing and yet a very sad story.

[@Stanly-Stud]

Are they aliens?

[@jesserivas1387]

Such brave men, much respect for all of you. And sorry about your mates!

[@dovidell]

this ex-pat Brit living in Israel during the ( first) gulf war ,wishes to thank the SAS and its support units , for its part in defeating Saddam Hussein

[@bobbuilder7542]

5 dancing israelis

[@somtimesieat2411]

@@bobbuilder7542 cut that out

[@bobbuilder7542]

@@somtimesieat2411 why? Israel lied to MI6 and the uk about Saddam's weapons of mass destruction so we would take one of there enemies out

[@dovidell]

@Ron Jeremy - no sisters , but I know your mother's middle name !!!

[@COIcultist]

@@bobbuilder7542 Everyone lies if we were lied to in the Gulf War II it's because we wanted to be. Somewhere on KZbin there is or was a documentary by Max Hastings on the legacy of The Falklands. Without The Falklands Factor Margaret Thatcher's performance in the next election would have been a failure. The next by-election after The Falklands saw a desperately trounced Labour Party lose to a newly resurgent Conservative Party. The Labour candidate who lost was one Tony Blair. He was always impressed by the idea of short successful popular wars. Methinks we wanted to be lied to.

[@Azzi_0161]

The stories these men tell is absolutely insane. Absolute legends the lot of the. RIP those who past on that mission. 🙏❤️

[@edwardmorley5273]

Met this guy some years ago and he was absolutely full of tales of his Time in the the regiment.

[@tommy4244]

I bet he was…….

[@bobbybrian9295]

The guys that serve in the SAS have all my appreciation & respect but Bravo Two Zero (The story, The subsequent movie & Their accounts) were filled with Lies, Dodgy accounts & unchecked equipment. Sad that the mission went so wrong but mistakes happen & I'm sure the SAS will learn from them.

[@johnnydiamondsmusic1673]

The RSM is on record saying that both himself & the CO told Mcnab to take vehicles but he refused. Also they told HQ their escape route would be to go south but they changed their mind and headed to Syria so searching forces were looking in completely the wrong area. In the debriefing B20 gave back at Hereford there was no mention of the huge fire fights they claimed in the book.

[@lesflynn4455]

Who knows what was lies and what wasn't? I wasn't there. The guy who went to Iraq to "find the truth," Robin Whatsisname, wasn't on the Bravo 2 Zero patrol. He was an ex officer, many years out of the army. Who knows if the people he spoke to were there at the time either? I'm guessing he handed out cash for information, and god knows who told him what. I think the McNab and Ryan books are about as close to the truth as any of us will ever get. I'm happy enough with that. They're good yarns. I've read them both more than once.

[@trident1314]

@@johnnydiamondsmusic1673 well according to soldier 5s account there wasn't enough vehicles available, the mistakes were made at all levels

[@andyb6866]

Bravo Two Zero by Andy McNab. The One That Got Away by Chris Ryan. Soldier Five by Mike Coburn. The Real Braco Two Zero by Michael Asher. I read those. Are there other published accounts, anyone?

[@aidanscully1575]

@@andyb6866 Eye of the Storm by the then RSM Peter Ratcliffe I think

[@Stubear22374]

If I ever get the chance to meet him I’d buy him a few pints, imagine the stories he could tell you, massive respect for all soldiers.

[@stuartwhyman1]

Or, imagine the stories he couldn't tell, they're the ones we really want to hear.

[@robinward4056]

michael asher pretty much destroyed Mcnabb's version of events

[@henrycornwell7591]

How so?

[@robinward4056]

@@henrycornwell7591 asher pretty much lives in the desert he went all the places listed in B2Zero talked to locals let's just say mc nabb used alot of artistic licence to make himself look good

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

So did Mike Coburn who was on the same patrol as him

[@NatFacker]

He did the same regarding T. E. Lawrence’s accounts too.

[@robinward4056]

@@NatFacker yeah I watched that was really interesting

[@tonyjames5444]

Also worth looking into the conduct of the SAS in the retaking of South Georgia in 1982, their arrogance and refusal to listen to arctic warfare trained Royal Marines, (who recently returned from winter training in Norway), resulted in the crashing of two helicopters after insisting on being dropped on a glacier against the advice of Maj Sheridon a RM mountain & arctic warfare expert.

[@type1krush205]

Yes I believe it was the Fortuna Glacier from what I read in Eye of the Storm Peter RATCLIFFES SAS RSM Book ? Also if I'm right the Heli pilot who rescued them was a true maverick who pretty much defied the incredible odds stacked against them in flying out massively overloaded ?

[@robtaylor5041]

Yep, good call Capt sensible. Trouble is, if they listened to people like you, they would never leave the hanger. I met Sheridan when he jumped out of a heli with a 9mm pistol and tried to take prisoner a four man Brit patrol - who he obviously thought were Argies. He didn't seem much of an expert then and perhaps he may displayed a touch of arrogance!

[@stevenobrien557]

SAS made themselves very unpopular with the rest of the army in the Falklands campaign. They were said to be in danger of being disbanded until the Iran embassy siege.

[@1anre]

So why wasn’t this mission/gaffe popularly spoken about?

[@tonyjames5444]

@@1anre Basically politics, the mistakes made were common knowledge at the time, I wish they were limited to South Georgia but there were more serious decisions made in the Falkands resulting in a great many deaths, these decisions were made by Army top brass and covered up by Army top brass.

[@mike18699-e]

I think it's been fairly well established that both Ryan and McNab's books greatly exaggerate the firefights they are supposed to have got into. For me, the patrol members who've come out of this with the most credibility are those who didn't have books to sell.

[@mikewinston8709]

Correct. Michael Asher has proved them both to be fantasists and common liars.

[@robert-trading-as-Bob69]

You based your opinion on Michael Ashers book; The Real Bravo Two Zero didn't you? Well, read his novel Code of Combat and explain the glaring errors Asher makes there, and consider that The Real Bravo Two Zero is just as flawed. He makes mistakes no soldier would make, like pulling hand grenade pins with his teeth. If that is his level of competency after supposedly being in the British Army, then I begin to doubt his 'research.'

[@robthomas2216]

I served with 21Sqn SAS (TA) for 2.5 years back in the 90’s. My opinion of the job as carried out by McNab was boys leading men. It has also been shown by Michael Asher, another ex-regiment soldier, that very little as described by both McNab and Ryan actually occurred as they claimed. In fact Asher wrote a book about what he found. Michael Asher was a well respected Blade in his day. However I digress, setting out and finding your Sigs weren’t not going to work, isn’t something I recognise from my time as a serving soldier. Checks would have been made and retested to ensure the type of signals failure as claimed would not have happened. Moreover, Bravo 2 zero wasn’t the only call sign that inserted into Iraq that night. None of the other 2 made the decision to stick around in the conditions they found themselves. McNab did not have the necessary skills to make the command decisions necessary to complete the mission. The books they both wrote are a very good fiction of events. I enjoyed (aside from the Makie-Uppie stuff) the mission for what it was a work of fantasy. But if you choose to read or re-read the books, please have an open mind. And I do implore you to read Michael Asher’s book as well.

[@cheekboy7247]

Well Mcnab lead them through the toughest conditions and some heavy firefights. Michael Asher story is very easy to pick apart.

[@robthomas2216]

Least you misunderstand, Asher proved that nothing (or very little at best) actually took place as McNab (Steven Mitchel, by the way) claimed. The detritus which is common throughout world battle fields was missing. If you go to Libya, where the Battle of Tobrook (sorry about the spelling), in which the Allies defeated the Germans during WW2, is still littered with hulks of destroyed tanks and field pieces from the battle, some 70odd years later. When Asher went to where McNab claimed his major punch up with Iraqi forces took place, there was none of the scars of war. The lay up point, they claimed they used, didn’t offer any of the observation they claimed. RSM Ratclife, in his book about the Bravo 2 Zero also cast doubt about the veracity of Mr Mitchell’s version. However, don’t get me wrong, he wrote a great book and I have read a lot of what he has written. As battle action books they are as good as they get and un put down able. But let’s not get confused, the SAS use force as a last resort. The ROE of the regiment is to avoid engagement with the enemy, to seek information and reconnoiter the environment. It is their habit of putting themselves in places that other soldiers don’t tread that leads to responses as described by Steven. But don’t get carried away with what the Regiment do and don’t do, if they behaved in the way that Mitchell claimed they did, then they ‘death’ rate of those who failed to beat the clock would be massive and need more than a single clock to record. However, you could find out for yourself, the SAS TA are always looking for quality recruits. Give it a go and find out for yourself what they do and don’t do? I did, and I did it on the basis that I will take 1 day at a time and when they don’t want me anymore that will be the end of it. 2.5 years later, I reached that point.

[@cheekboy7247]

@@robthomas2216 Well dont get me wrong , I Dont believe mcnabs story. I believe coburn and chris ryans stories. Asher story is very very easy to pick apart. In fact, asher proved chris ryan was right.

[@nigelliam153]

Well stated. The decision not to take pinkies proved to be catastrophic. I believe the fabricated stories are to cover their guilt.

[@twothreebravo2374]

Des Powells book sheds more light on the decision to deploy on foot. The thing with Asher’s documentary is hes quick to dismiss anything the Bravo Two Zero lads say but then takes anything said by Iraqis as gospel

[@vadikturgenev5175]

To see this, and knowing about the B20 operation, fills me with melancholy nostalgia. To see the new British Army tv advert fills me with utter anger and rage!!

[@24Mossberg]

Terrible loss. True grit. Condolences to the unit and family members.

[@irvsstella]

You made it out in one piece, that's a plus in my books. Good job Sir, rest easy . From a Sapper, God Bless.

[@tracya4087]

hear hear

[@cheekboy7247]

@Blob B And could not have kids anymore. Also some type of blood disorder.

[@ExMAB4]

Chris Asher would not agree...... The REAL Bravo Two Zero gives a convincing alternative story to this guys account.

[@Eolopolo]

What a man, and thank goodness he lived as what an author as well. I've loved reading his stories.

[@marka4204]

That’s all it is … stories, especially the one that got away.

[@JonDunnmusician]

What a remarkably strong individual to go through all of that and still have this sense of compassion- extraordinary man

[@TheStevenWhiting]

30 years ago! 30 YEARS!!!!! Where has time gone!

[@charleneclark1817]

Do you remember the gulf war I was very young at the time

[@mmcg968]

I spent 18 months working in the Western Desert of Iraq during 1989 to 1991, living in a camp close to Al Qaim and Akashat and all the way to Ramadi and Fallujah. It was for a British company construction company. It's tragic that no one in the MOD had the sense to research or contact the company and the employees. We could have all told you about the terrain, the roads network, the weather and the location of check points, guard posts and missile batteries. Invaluable information that may have saved lives.

[@johnwiddowson5695]

Security. Unless you are certain of your informants.

[@stanleybuchan4610]

The services rarely ask civvies for advice even if you're "ex" and you've been in location for a while.

[@metaloutlander]

His will to live is just amazing. Some humans can do amazing things.

[@pathegarty4757]

Real men! Thankyou, God bless. 🇬🇧😀

[@Karl-Benny]

Real Men stay home and look after their families not travel overseas to kill

[@resnonverba137]

@@Karl-Benny Who does the dirty work so that they are able to do that?

[@hkpr-ro6ui]

@@Karl-Benny Next time we have threats like the Nazis I assume we can rely on you to stay at home being a “real man” and leave the difficult work to someone else…

[@Peoples_Republic_of_Devonshire]

Chris Ryan and Andy McNab both slandered Vince Phillips and blamed every one of the patrols faults on him to make themselves look good. They accused him of cowardice and incompetance amongst other things His father died of a broken heart. His children were bullied at school. All so Steven Mitchell (McNab) and Colin Armstrong (Ryan) could look good

[@robinward4056]

Armstrong and Mitchell are just scumbags Vincent was a veteran soldier if anyone of the team couldn't hack it , it was Armstrong and Mitchell Vincent was a legend

[@gregtaylor6146]

@@robinward4056 - 'scumbags?' .... expand please?

[@robinward4056]

@@gregtaylor6146 both lied to make themselves look good, Mitchell lied about Vince who had years more experience than Mitchell and was a veteran of the sas unlike Mitchell who was nothing but a glory hunter and a liar watch Michael asher in the real bravo two zero documentary he retraced the route spoke to the locals who lived in the area at the time

[@gregtaylor6146]

@@robinward4056 - The British army is littered with low-ranked aged 'veterans' who simply plod-on year after year making the same mistakes while younger/fitter/capable men overtake and outrank them, don't blame SM for that, it's just the way it is. Calling either of these ranked/badged time-served individuals 'scumbags' from behind a computer screen strikes me as cowardly in the extreme .... sleep well.

[@bodge6886]

I cannot imagine how hellish that walk must have been and after all that he is man enough to say he cried, what a guy👍

[@Bovey100]

So much respect for you and your team Chris. God bless you all.

[@tuningemporium]

Utmost Respect Chris, bad enough driving 180 miles let alone walking 👍

[@walterwilliams9191]

How is it that the book reports a large number of enemy combatants were killed but the Squadron sergeant major said their was no mention of this large body count during the debriefing after the prisoners where released

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Because the book is half fiction.

[@moderatefkr6666]

​@@snowflakemelter1172 Half? That's a conservative estimate.

[@cheekboy7247]

@@snowflakemelter1172 not true

[@cheekboy7247]

Well you talking about Andy mcnab

[@ronaldmarcks1842]

What a dude. Respect. Sorry about everything, mate.

[@simonlloyd7557]

SAS...the absolute pinnacle of any military force on Earth.

[@howzegoinlad1336]

yeah but not enough kit ;-)

[@youknow227]

​@@howzegoinlad1336Because they rely on themselves and surroundings

[@bobnichols3233]

This dude is hardcore! The SAS are some of the most elite soldiers on the planet hands down!

[@kingrobert7246]

They’re not elite, they just work hard and can endure extreme pain like no other people

[@Truck_98]

@@kingrobert7246 how aren’t the SAS elite ? 🤣 dumbest thing iv read in a while

[@markrunnalls7215]

They are the most elite

[@justluke8836]

I remember being in HMP prison and Chris came in with his stories. Interesting.

[@AGxAG]

You do get some interesting visitor/talk in the jail. The best one ive been to inside was a Scottish football ref!

[@andrewmonteith8794]

I have heard so many versions of this story it's hard to know which one to believe.

[@Jafmanz]

Don't believe any of them. All that matters is that men died and suffered and some lived to tell tales. Thus humanity continues, love, hatred, peace and war ad finatum.

[@habichiblah7534]

I like the version where they all rode out on elephants firing cap-guns, dressed as different cast members from Les Miserables. I think that's the true one.

[@G58]

Not this one, that’s for sure.

[@vidskakuma]

@@G58 Chris may be a brave man. And the SAS too. But after hearing him say '' he hallucinated '' , can I assume that he does NOT remember well how many kilometers he walked per day?

[@G58]

Joel Wakayima You wrote: “G58 Chris may be a brave man.” It it bravery or bravado? There’s a difference. “And the SAS too.” Ditto “But after hearing him say '' he hallucinated '' , can I assume that he does NOT remember well how many kilometers he walked per day?” I would imagine you can assume pretty much anything you care to about this thing, it will most likely be as as reliable as any version peddled by anyone involved, except of course not dead ones, they know what really happened...! Peace

[@jonathanlegg4308]

Massive respect to Chris and the lads for all you did and to the guys who are operating right now.

[@JrRickard]

Thank you and all who served. Thank you for service. God bless you all.

[@buckshotaaa]

Total respect and gratitude for our armed forces past and present.

[@25pence]

If you haven’t read the book or had a listen on audible I would 100% suggest it. Such a good story and book and fills in all the missing details. It’s written by Andy mcnab, one of the 4 captured, his story is crazy

[@carlbernsen1290]

There’s always a goatherd...every SF mission planning should start with the question “What do we do about the goatherd?”

[@garyharper4188]

This is so true!

[@G58]

Make sure we blame them for our mistakes.

[@simonc61]

Yep, Lone Survivor... damn goats again.

[@cheekboy7247]

They did.

[@scaleyback217]

If the choice is going without a cup of tea for a week or him getting to grips with some virgins - what would you do? I call to mind a quote from a source I can't recall now but someone involved with a similar incident (unsure where or when I heard/read this but it has always stuck in my mind) We're the SAS not the SS. Long may they live up to that statement whoever made it.

[@Ladzlad]

I’ve read both Chris Ryan’s book and Andy McNabs book of that patrol. Brilliant books both of them.

[@jonpalmer8172]

read "Soldier Five" by Mike Coburn, he was also on the 8 man bravo two zero mission

[@bobbybrian9295]

Might be good books but both full of lies

[@jonpalmer8172]

@@bobbybrian9295 I would agree with you about Ryan and McNab - "Soldier five" is a very interesting read

[@mangata4244]

Read “25 years in the sas”

[@lesflynn4455]

@@jonpalmer8172 Was that Kiwi?

[@brussels13207]

How could they not know how cold it can get in the dessert at night?

[@owainmeurig]

What makes you think they didn't?

[@tonysoprano9370]

It was the worse weather the region had in 30 years. Can’t predict that. Plus the job still needed to be done

[@brussels13207]

@@owainmeurig some of the team died from the cold due to lack of proper clothing.

[@owainmeurig]

@@brussels13207 In a way yes but they really died because they had to flee their camp, if they hadn't have been discovered the snow storm would not have killed them becuase I suspect they had enough shelter and supplies to survive.

[@5starcomment]

Especially those cheesecakes...

[@marka4204]

Dinger is my uncle, take it from me this guy and McNab talk rubbish. Don’t get me wrong all of them are true warriors and heroes but McNab and Ryan over exaggerated their stories massively. I also hate the way Ryan threw shade on Vince, saying he was too old and past it for the job and he held them up, disgusting, should be brothers until the bitter end and beyond. Why do you think my uncle has stayed silent all these years? And he only broke his silence by helping Kiwi write the book “Soldier 5”, that book is as close to the truth as you will get which is why the MOD tried everything they could to put the blockers on it … because it reveals the whole truth and shows the people in command up for what they really are. My uncle would never put his name to a book that was full of lies which is why he distanced himself from B2Z and The one that got away, he wouldn’t even acknowledge them.

[@soway3509]

Lots of lies in the books and proved by other members of the SAS ... lost loads of respect for both McNab and the regiment going Walter Mitty .... terrible planning and should of been stopped at base by the rsm and Ruperts

[@thecuttingsark5094]

So Way that’s not completely true. In the SAS, patrol commanders are given more freedom to make decisions. The decision to go on foot rests with McNab.

[@jameswilliamtaylor-hu9ex]

In one book I read, the RSM & McNab had a blazing row before the patrol set out about the amount of gear they were carrying & whether to use vehicles or go on foot. McNab took them off on foot & ignored recall orders.

[@michaelmaglier3915]

I pray they study this hard and learn from it. Hats off to you brother served in Northern Iraq in 1991 and was picturing the terrain in my head. Most people think of sand however the snow and cold up North is a killer. Those mountains as a Marine straight up sucked. Running out of water sucked. Carrying a 5 gallon water jug every 4th man sucked. I can’t imagine the hell you suffered. Days without water it is a miracle that you survived. I am sure mate that your daughter had a lot to do with your drive to survive. Your story took me back in time to the Kurds in Northern Iraq. Semper Fidelis and I am glad your daughter has her daddy!

[@dscapes1]

Read "The one that got away" years ago. Never forget it. Incredible story .

[@Human12234]

It was depressing tho.

[@zeissOholic]

Wrong radio frequency, wrong clothing. Certainly depressing. Agree, an amazing story of survival.

[@habichiblah7534]

Someone else, a third party, should write a book about their exploits. I vote 'The Men Who Made it Up' as a working title.

[@cheekboy7247]

@@habichiblah7534 Your brainwatched

[@habichiblah7534]

@@cheekboy7247 Brainwatched isn't a real word. If you're prone to making things up as you go along, maybe you should join forces with 'Chris and Andy' and write some fairy stories.

[@Horizon344]

They're getting a bit of mileage out of this op aren't they?

[@dovidell]

this is the op ( pretty much) everyone has heard about , I'm sure there are MANY that don't make the headlines that WERE successful

[@johnwiddowson5695]

Well you’re watching it.

[@pamberinehondo9447]

@PompierCanadien What was he convicted of?

[@brucer81]

Thanks to them all for their sacrifice. God bless you all.

[@jorgezuniga988]

Strength and positive thinking got him through

[@sc0ttishnutj0b75]

Read up on the Bravo two zero mission from the survivors. Best I can describe it is like the film Blade Runner. There are 4 different versions of the same story

[@deeeeeeeench1209]

Yeah and the villagers who found them even have a documentary contradicing all of them.

[@sc0ttishnutj0b75]

@@deeeeeeeench1209 Even the Lone survivor guy wrote that his team of 4 went up against 80 to over a hundred taliban but the footage shot by the taliban showed between 9 and 11 men

[@deeeeeeeench1209]

@@sc0ttishnutj0b75 watch the documentary it goes to the locations and features the goater who came across them and then returned with 2 or 3 others and they have the gear the SAS left behind for more evidence. Chris said in his book they wounded 250 army its just ridiculous and they threw one of their own under the bus. The documentary is really good it covers it all.

[@moderatefkr6666]

​@@deeeeeeeench1209 Great points. Empirical evidence does not lie. Thank you for sharing the truth here.

[@sc0ttishnutj0b75]

@@deeeeeeeench1209 Worst thing was it overwhelmed the SAS with too many applicants. The wrong people trying to get in. I think Chris Ryan's version of events was more authentic but he was left in a predicament because Andy mcnabs book before him contradicted everything

[@truthmediarebel5816]

As ex B Squadron before the Gulf war I would love to know what was said on the debrief and did any officers get RTU'D for their incomitance?

[@jimbop4499]

Ratcliff flew in and took over from a lacklustre officer.

[@hanshanson9932]

Dave and Tommy both Falklands vets with D Sqd took Andy and Chris to one side and asked them to change their plan for the mission. Andy would not contemplate it and the rest is history Tommy later lead the resupply convoy into Iraq

[@chronic.vitriolic.blessings]

I was friends with vince Phillips nephew and and he told me that no one in the family or any of his SAS comrades believed the official story of how he died. Obviously I cannot comment cos I never knew him.

[@John.Spandli]

That's true. There is a doc about it. Lots of people saying the stories of B20 is BS. There is book I'm yet to read by the Kiwi guy who other members say is the real truth of B20.

[@redsgomarchingin457]

Chris Ryan number 1 SAS legend no body else comes close

[@dangerousdavecox]

I've met Chris Ryan. He said there's a lot of rubbish written about the mission

[@MOOSEDOWNUNDER]

By Mcnab or whom?

[@alienrobbeing8294]

dangerousdave cox last time I seen Chris he was Shooting Rabbits 🐰.

[@G58]

Impossible. There’s no such person. There’s no such person. Chris Ryan is a character played by the discredited liar Colin Armstrong.

[@teeceemoo]

THANK YOU

[@simontuffs4106]

He says they had no idea about the terrain or weather, then we are told two sister patrols had been there previously.

[@Sam-ky1fr]

Yes but they aborted on arrival.

[@colin...101]

Maybe Chris Ryan's section had more balls than the other 2. Who knows.

[@Yes-then]

The physical and mental stress these men are taught to deal with is something that the everyday person cannot comprehend. They have been taken to the darkest corner of the darkest nightmare one could think of. After service they are expected to just switch from the weapon they have become to a normal civilian without support. The trauma these people go through months and years later needs to be addressed by the government. For any service person reading this, who is struggling with the aftermath of conflict and service to the country. Who is dealing with PTSD, flash backs, depression, and mental torture. Please go and have a look at what the organisation MAPS are doing for people like you. They can help, or they can assist you to the nearest research centre.

[@mattharte7334]

Chris Ryan’s book on this was fascinating to read. His account of this patrol felt very credible.

[@allenjinu8139]

i was reading somewhere that there's alot of mistakes

[@snowflakemelter1172]

Half of it is fiction to spice it up. The people involved on both sides have rubbished his account of what happened.

[@allenjinu8139]

@SavageCube 053 on purpose nobody is going to blame themselves are they when something goes wrong and people will always exaggerate things I'm not disrespecting him or anything however the other books I have read about it gives a different perspective so its hard to know what the exact truth is

[@allenjinu8139]

@Lionel Rich Tea what was said wrong lmao what did u serve in the youtube keyboard army?

[@XLC-zd8dn]

@@snowflakemelter1172 _ there are errors in the people that said Ryan’s accounts were rubbish. First off was a relative of one of the men who died was upset about comments made about this SAS soldier were defamatory and shouldn’t have been said. So ironically he made it his mission to defame Ryan and McNabb. So given the hypocritical agenda I do not trust those individuals maligning Ryan’s story. Also, Ryan is remembering his story. Half starved, dieting of dehydration half the time, and suffering from near hypothermia hi mind and recollection will not be perfect. So for that I understand and take him at his word that that is how HE remembers the events. I can’t remember half the events that occurred during my year in Afghanistan. And if I recall details incorrectly are you going to call me a liar or just a normal person making a possible error due to the foils of memory. And I was never half starved, dehydrated, or hypothermic.

[@bosoerjadi2838]

Why didn't B2-0 abort on arrival as the two other teams had? I've read Chris Ryan's book on the mission, but it seems they didn't even consider it? What was the difference between B2-0 and the other teams?

[@G58]

Run by an idiot and a liar?

[@davidogle7568]

High risk ops without the proper kit or back up. Sometimes luck runs out.

[@resnonverba137]

Surprisingly open. My respect and thanks to our armed forces.

[@paulc2886]

Read "The Real Bravo Two Zero" by Michael Asher. Puts a different perspective on this story, particularly why their books differed so much from the post-patrol debriefings of the authors.

[@johnkonrad5040]

True dat. Ditto for Michael Asher's Channel 4 documentary as well. I can respect Chris Ryan for making the escape... But the rest of the story and the patrol's need to stick to it is disappointing. There was no battle, no running escape, and Ryan didn't blow up an Iraqi tank while making his march. The patrol just got lost.

[@charliepoodle5151]

What you have to remember Paul, is we/ military, are only allowed to tell a quarter of the truth ( oppsec) the rest is “embellished “ so the regiment is not compromised. Books are books, not recollection of events. Steve’s account is more credible than Chris’s.(imho)

[@johnkonrad5040]

@@charliepoodle5151 As much I can respect OPSEC consideration... Remember that folks naturally embellish with war stories. Especially if they are out there to sell books, like most ex-SOFs do. Having a financial incentive only increases the reasons to portray a badly planned op as some sort of noble failed saga.

[@charliepoodle5151]

@@johnkonrad5040 my point exactly John, these accounts ( and also those of B30 and B19) are almost “fictional “ as they need to be. We are pilgrims.

[@zeramoke]

What I didnt like about Asher is that he just took the Iraqi locals word as truth, there was no investigation just whatever they said was total fact, ok the RSM also said that on the debrief there was no mention of hundreds of killed Iraqi troops but none of us were on that patrol, the only people that know the truth are the surviviors of B20 and even though that patrol was doomed they all deserve respect for their service, they went into that as basically a suicide mission and every member of that patrol got on that chinook

[@francisjtuk]

There was another book that came out much later by a guy called Michael Asher I believe who himself was territorial SAS. It was called the real bravo two zero and casts some doubt on the details but agreed with the general storyline. Hard to know what to think of this whole thing.

[@Danny-lz1ek]

What a waste of men and money, fighting pointless wars for armchair politicians

[@أثربعدعين-ع4ر]

Their Blood were paid off By Local currency So you can say waste of just men .

[@infeedel7706]

Sorry for your losses Chris and thanks for your service. My close relative joined the Regiment during Operation Storm. I found this out when I was showing him Australia and we were talking about where we'd each been in the Middle East a mere six years ago lol.

[@jeffe5367]

"Chris" thank you for sharing.

[@Mr75044]

Nice one Chris. Salute you and the lads. Respect mate

[@dannywlm63]

Fascinating insight to a civi and just shows me why I am so proud of our armed services . I was withing an inch of joining at the old recruiting office opposite Charing x Station. I still wish I did .

[@conmcgrath7502]

Yeah, I was gonnta join as a Corporal but then I went to Hogwarths instead!

[@markholt2160]

Is it true that none of you tested your radios with the relevant passwords/frequencies etc before you were deployed?

[@G58]

Good question.

[@markholt2160]

@@G58 It doesn't come across as 'elite', does it?

[@escalpha8435]

I think special forces should earn more than any professional Footballer

[@microsoftword213]

Yeah tons of people deserve to earn more than footballers tbh

[@comedychannels]

What a gentleman ... and a true fighter

[@wrexshunt]

The one that got away" was the first book about survival I read - great it was . Thanks

[@tommy4244]

You mean “The one that ran away”

[@wrexshunt]

tommy4244 congratulations on your comment

[@orlandohenao1318]

The man who made the record for escape and evasion for the long march

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

Met Chris Ryan in ‘96, seemed a nice bloke.

[@fpvnwv1493]

I was under impression the sas succeeded in knocking out a couple sites In that one.

[@nordan00]

Great book! Read it a long time ago!

[@broke_dongle]

He and Andy are legend. And to have that repeat with the Lone Survivor. Hard lessons learned.

[@G58]

Is that why Steven Billy Mitchell isn’t welcome at ‘Hereford’ or the SF Club? And why does Colin Armstrong still call himself “Chris Ryan”? When I met him at Henley, DLB claimed he gave them their operational cover names. Are they still operating...? The word ‘legend’ has more than one meaning. Look it up. And stop worshiping professional liars.

[@craigfield6497]

Thank you for your service 🙏

[@tattyheid7279]

If Chris Ryan was wearing a smock of second world war vintage then it was by choice. He would have far more modern kit at his disposal.

[@EvenWaysMusic]

I agree. Not only do they have access the the latest British kit, but they can have anything American, Canadian etc too

[@paddy864]

Photos of the patrol taken on the ramp of the Chinook that took them into Iraq show them all dressed in modern clothing, not the WW2 pattern Wind-proof smocks that he's talking about there. The problems was that they'd had to abandon their bergens which contained their warm clothing and food, not the age of their kit. Vince’s hypothermia was probably caused by the fact that when they were compromised and had to run for it he was wearing his thermal jacket and trousers and didn’t have time to take them off before they had to exfiltrate. He would have been sweating heavily in a very short time and when they slowed down hours later he would have been dehydrated and drenched with sweat. Theirs would have frozen on his body and rapidly led to to exposure.

[@karlmuller4067]

@@EvenWaysMusic I believe the only piece of WW2 kit he wore was a M41 German Afrika Korps cap and that was his own personal headware choice.

[@northdevonpictures826]

@@paddy864 Now don't you be bringing sense and experience into the debate ;)

[@moderatefkr6666]

​@@paddy864 True. Armstrong is a pathetic liar.

[@TATCHIWONG]

Vince Philips had ete contact with the Iraqi boy....He spoiled the whole show.....😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@griffdaz1982]

Wow 30 years feels like 5. It really was so cold at night. The bizarre thing is we (UK troops) turned up in UK gear (unless you grabbed some tropics gear) from Germany in September 40° then as December come we were frozen in the light desert cam. Luckily the US marines loved British pattern DPM camouflage (so much one guy offered his wife for Gore-tex smock 🤣) and gave me a thick parka. It was cool pattern which didn't show up through night sites. There's tons and tons of personal kit just left there dug in the ground that we couldn't carry back (including the odd brand new Ak-47s with folding spike).

[@alenzimohammad]

All thanks, appreciation and respect to our brothers who helped us liberate my country, Kuwait. A Kuwaiti passed through here

[@andrewrice4513]

God, his story gets more fantastical as time goes on...

[@moderatefkr6666]

Watch his body language too. He's a tortured soul. Lying for a living does that to them. Politicians are the same.

[@tinkertime7165]

I don’t think so. He documented his experience shortly afterwards. Seems to be the same now as was then.

[@nzgunnie]

Regardless of what else may or may not have happened, he still walked a lot further than you could.

[@jamesdavies25]

Fact is Chris Ryan crossed the border. That is just a fact. Tremendous perseverance and fitness

[@graemeking4178]

Chris mate, most respect in the world for you chaps, especially you're self having tabbed the distance you did and obstacles you uncounted mate👍🙏❤️

[@justindoonerwind6076]

I hate the fact the Ryan and McNab hid behind their pseudonyms, But were prepared to use the real names of the three men that died. The book, The real Bravo Two Zero, by Michael Asher and You Tube video is great

[@stevenobrien557]

@Blob B lol

[@G58]

Blob B Utter nonsense

[@jac6733]

Jeeese that was emotional bless you 🙏❤glad you made it Chris

[@littlebull8881]

Anythjng to add about the vilification of Vince ?

[@andreedowns4561]

YES CHRIS ...FIGHT AND PASS IT ON.....AMAZING TO SEE YOU WALK AROUND THE GRAVES...YOU BEAT THE CLOCK...TO SERVE OTHERS ...!!!!