Equipment Check: SAS Hostage Rescue

[@TacticalHyve]

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[@DataGeek903]

U guys should reach out to Rusty Firmin SAS , he's the dude without gloves.

[@Dr.Ian-Plect]

25:30 in regard to you stating the FS is 'associated with the SAS'... The FS was widely distributed across the British Army during WW2, and of course some SAS members would have used it. Beyond that, and relating to your pic of SAS wings, cap badge and the FS. The weapon in the cap badge is NOT an FS, it is an Excalibur, of King Arthur lore. So if that's your point of association, it's incorrect. Another aspect that is frequently misattributed is the design on each side of the sword. Often called the 'winged dagger' design, it's actually the aforementioned Excalibur wreathed in flames. What the FS _is_ firmly associated with is the Commando dagger insignia of the Royal Marines.

[@Dr.Ian-Plect]

TacticalHyve As regards all your queries about the kit at the time of Nimrod, get in contact with Rusty Firmin! He is ex-22 and took part in the operation as blue team leader. He has a KZbin channel!

[@davidlauder-qi5zv]

Your video deals, as we know, with the British Army's special forces unit, the Special Air Service (SAS). But you need to also be aware of the Royal Navy's special forces unit, the Special Boat Service (SBS). The SBS is the equivalent of DEVGRU (SEAL Team 6).

[@hazed1009]

​@@davidlauder-qi5zvthey say that SBS is even harder to get into than the incredibly hard SAS. I have heard some say they have actually had more successful missions etc too. Not sure if this has any truth to it but I know a couple of x army types and they say SBS are even better. Amazingly

[@dfnffc]

My Uncle Sgt Malcolm Atkinson (Akker) was in the SAS and part of this operation. Unfortunately he died in the Falklands in 1982 when their Sea King helicopter crashed which resulted in the biggest loss of life suffered by the SAS, 21 in total. RIP Uncle Malc ❤

[@bigfrankfraser1391]

weird how ive seen 8 different people across dozens of sas videos say the same thing, i have trouble believing any of them, this one included

[@BadgerUKvideo]

@@bigfrankfraser1391 Thank you for your input. I'll record your opinion in my book of "Very Important Information".

[@liamhennelly3961]

@@BadgerUKvideo 😂😂😂

[@TheIvanMilky]

I had never heard of this incident before but just did some research on it thanks to your comment. I read some of the guys who survived with injuries went on to continue fighting in the Falklands conflict (including one with suspected broken neck) - absolutely different breed altogether. It reminded me, although different circumstances, of Extortion 17. Your uncle sounded like a legend amongst legends.

[@apintofbeer1667]

The last words from the pilot to the co-pilot were turn the fan off it`s too hot

[@Paul_F_C]

Being a Brit at my age of 53 I remember this clearly as I was sat with my parents watching a John Wayne western on TV and it was interrupted to watch it live and it was amazing watching it live on TV watching the SAS do their thing , will never ever forget that moment in my life

[@seniorslaphead8336]

Same age, same experience... although I was watching the snooker, of course.

[@LastOnSunday]

It wasn't a western. It was Brannigan. I remember as I was 7 & being allowed to stay up late to watch a John Wayne movie was a treat & then being able to watch this unfold on TV was amazing.

[@matj8819]

No definitely a John Wayne film I was also similar age when it was interupted for this on the news. Although didn't really see much, it was thrilling

[@davidjacksmith7171]

It actually wasn't shown live. There was a delay agreed with the TV news so as not to warn the terrorists who might have been watching TV.

[@WhoWouldWantThisName]

@@davidjacksmith7171 Thank you. I do remember that coming out afterwards. I'm sure I didn't appreciate it all nearly enough due mostly to my young age and also probably partly due to not being British. Sorry but it was a bit larger world in those days. Across the pond was truly a different world to most of us back then.

[@lold6130]

The most famous balcony scene since Romeo & Juliet.

[@bensmith5413]

One of my dad's sailing buddies was an OG SAS officer back in the late 70s and early 80s. Dad said he was an intense guy but an absolute gentleman and generous to his friends.

[@davidlauder-qi5zv]

What does OG stand for?

[@Jorgen87]

@@davidlauder-qi5zv Its being used as "Orginals".. All though,, the real "OG" is from the WW2 :)

[@andsowot]

The old sas " my dad's friend" story. Very common here 🤦🧐🇬🇧

[@cardiffpicker1]

@@andsowot I'm my case it's the guy who taught me locksmithing, backdoor Bob.

[@WyeExplorer]

Good to see you guys reflecting back on the regiment (SAS). Lofty Wiseman and his close colleague my father Terry Jickells pioneered the counter terror team after Munich - others too of course. My father was the demolitions guy - he worked to pioneer techniques for many years and it was said by Lofty he was the best demolitions man in special forces. Respect to you both for exposing the systems and technical details. Mark

[@benjaminmajor5144]

this week of lying to strangers on the internet...

[@f82dot]

@@benjaminmajor5144Just because it’s on KZbin it’s a lie? Also, I find that someone who’s father was SAS and sees there is a video about 22 SAS, their going to watch and comment. Not that crazy of a thing dude! Go elsewhere with your negativity and worthless comment

[@DataGeek903]

Rusty firmin talks about this on his site too. He was blue team leader and friend of legendary John McAleese (trooper who set the frame charge and blew it because they were compromised, despite being way too close). They used store bought ropes cos they were short on equipment and the Fijian trooper got caught in them and got burned badly, got cut off Dropped 2 floors, got up and ran in to finish the job with 3rd degree burns on his legs.

[@f82dot]

Such incredible resilience and determination!!I expect nothing less from guys like those of the SAS

[@sword-and-shield]

0:17 McAleese was a beast setting off that charge that close.

[@MartyM-ol8ig]

I think McDonald who set the explosive off after McAleese put the frame in the window

[@Nigel-wu5lj]

He had the strongest hand grip in his entire team !

[@lewisb85]

@@MartyM-ol8ig It was mac and mel according to the channel 4 documentary, mac used the biggest charge he had because he didn't know which windows were armoured.

[@Gaz258th]

The original vests worn on the day barely lasted the day and apparently fell apart . The gloves were leather and suede gloves made in Worcester (near Hereford) and I'm lucky to have a pair . The belts and pouches were made by a guy called Paul evers who later went on to make loads of kit for both them and the police. The wrist pistol mag pouch was called "wrist rocket" . They were very short on breaching kit and took to shooting locks with the mp5 . John Mac who places the frame charge on the window did say in interview that they over cooked the charge as they were not sure how strong the windows were so went for "P for plenty" which resulted in a portion of the balcony collapsing. The embassy stayed empty and burnt out for years after as the insurance was apparently out of date which was noticed by one of the troopers after the evacuation and he grabbed the certificate off the wall

[@williamfalcon7351]

Paul Evers, lovely man and very helpful to supplying a lot of equipment

[@kooksies5712]

On one of the window breaches the pointman's mp5 jammed and had to switch to his browning! I believe the stun grenades also set fire to the curtains. They used bungee cord on full extension to get stability on their mp5ks, the bungee cord also helped keep their MP5s close and tight to their bodies when rappelling. The flashlights were the MVPs of their kit, used to both signal friendlies around corners (by sweeping the floor) and obviously IDing hostiles in rooms, but also they were zeroed and used as aiming reticules due to the brighter centre compared the flooding corona. John Mac's gas mask was loose and when they used tear gas it caused him to throw up in his mask but he just continued as if nothing happened. One trooper got tangled in his rappelle above a burning window and ended up having to cut his cord with a knife, apparently his leg was burnt up.

[@kooksies5712]

Further on the flashlight, a rookie almost entered a corridor without flashlight signalling (which was SOP on that op) but the more experienced 2nd man (TL) pulled him back before he turned the corner and the rookie said it saved potentially his life as another team started blind firing the corridor seconds later. Suppressing corridors before moving down them was also SOP on that op due to low visibility and low probablity of hostages which were localised to one or two rooms.

[@lynchetts]

It was the distraction charge that was dropped through the skylight that set the building on fire - end result was the UK Gov had to pay for the building to be repaired.

[@jameswroe2403]

​@@lynchetts the curtains were set alight by the flashbangs ( which were an SAS invention and first used at Mogadishu in 77.

[@kez0o9]

My ex Mrs uncle was in the SAS Only met him a few times he had left the regiment by then never really wanted to speak about his military experiences he was more interested in breeding his racing dogs He died a few years ago and it came out he was involved in a lot of big operations including the Nimrod op it was only when his old service pals turned up at the funeral that any of the family became aware of his exploits

[@overwatchdesigns8969]

Gotta love more Coch and Dorr! You had me rolling with your “if you didn’t keep yourself in check you could be like throwing rice at a wedding!” 29:22

[@liamhennelly3961]

As a Brit I am so proud we have the SAS to protect our country. They are the best of the best imo. Hats off to each and every one of them for putting their lives on the line to save others✌🏻. Hats off to you two retired Seals too for putting your lives on the line too to protect people, respect 👍🏻✌🏻

[@ethantyler4711]

SAS. Number 1 special forces in the world!

[@Diamondmine212]

I watch the SAS going into the Embassy LIVE on the TV. The reporter was just stood outside talking about what had been reported earlier ,when right behind her these men in black started zooming down ropes ,I couldn’t help but shout at the tele’ get out of the way ,get out of the way’ .She didn’t even realise it until the first stun grenade was thrown through the window and all hell broke loose. What a sight it all was. 😳😳😳

[@ljdellar]

Bloody hell, chaps! You made me vicariously proud to be British in this one. All respect to you and your brothers in Service in the US. I don't mind admitting I got a little choked up when I watched a good friend of mine pass out into the USMC and gain his US citizenship in the same ceremony a good few years ago now. Now he is a master sergeant / firearms instructor. Thank you both for your service.

[@Matty_UK]

44:25 A young Billy Billingham. Legend.

[@hammyh1165]

I was at primary school when Nimrod went down and overnight we all went from playing traditional soldiers to all being SAS troopers. We were abseiling out of trees with homemade harnesses and going on night recon missions and carrying out covert surveillance of random members of the public 😂. Good times. That seige probably did more for recruitment to the military than any advert .

[@Echowhiskeyone]

Minute by minute is good, but hearing you two puts this into perspective. I would love to hear more break downs like this.

[@thewesties8725]

The SAS operated in Northern Ireland for years and achieved some tremendous results against the IRA.

[@madeinengland1212]

Yes i was told a story about concealment, observation, diving, retreival. Cool

[@mickser101]

Ya they murdered many, many innocent civilians.

[@deanofivetimes]

Sgt Palmer died in N.I

[@sergeantstandpipe4887]

Guys! A lot of your stills are from the Film “Six Days” which had numerous inaccuracies in kit. The most notable was in the basic coverall suit. In the film it almost looks like hoodie fabric. In actual fact in 1980 they wore British army tank crew coveralls which were simply loose fitting poly cotton. The hood was cut from a Mk1 NBC suit. With the one team member hung up and getting burned they quickly changed to Nomex suits by around 1983/4.

[@stevetheduck1425]

RAF from 1976 to 1986. The Mk.1 NBC suit had trousers, smock and a separate hood. All were green and dark grey pieces depending on where sewn together, and the hoods were green outside and charcoal grey inside, not the medium grey seen in the video and photographs of the Iranian Embassy event. I wonder now if they put them on inside out to be more visible in case of mistaken identity...

[@shooter505]

My MP5 operator and instructor classes were taught by SAS member Phil Singleton who was on Nimrod. Great guy, great trainer. Mad respect.

[@kennethbaker5223]

I LOVED this video, guys! There is no one that I respect more than special forces units that put themselves in harms way to save lives! The equipment just gets better, but the men that do this type of work have always been top notch!

[@scootertart]

Brilliant stuff lads, I remember seeing this all unfold on the BBC (newsflash!) as a young boy. Always been fascinated by the SAS/SBS ever since and always interested in both your takes as Tier 1 operators ( and your funny af as well ). All the best from the UK.

[@DaveWalker58]

Excellent series of videos in general. This one specifically is fascinating due to historic content. Couple of points - First, a buddy who served 5 tours in Vietnam - mentioned he carried a Browning HP in Vietnam as a Green Beret while working w/Montagnards. Second, the SAS individual is not carrying a Tomahawk. He is possibly a Gurkha troop, but he is definitely carrying a Kukri. Also known as a Gurkha Blade - an all-purpose fighting/cutting tool from Nepal. The series might benefit from an occasional interview w/SAS or similar - there are probably a couple hanging around San Diego watching rugby games at British themed pubs/bars.

[@colindegrow1475]

This is a great idea for a series of videos. I assume this is on the docket, but definitely do Air France flight 8969. Give that Manurhin MR 73 some love. Great video 👍

[@ClassicRiki]

0:22 I Know one of the guys on those balconies. I’m privileged to have met and now keep in touch with one of them. I grew up with Operation Nimrod as my entire knowledge of the SAS and I genuinely feel honoured to shake one of those men’s hands. He gave me some unique things that you just can’t buy and I’m so grateful. He’s an absolute legend. If you’re wondering…I have no doubt he can still lay me out without breaking a sweat.

[@davidcochrane9287]

John McAlesse .S.A.S Warrior on that mission. REST IN PEACE SIR. LEGEND

[@3211SD]

Cool to see Dave Grohl has interests outside the foo fighter. Especially In times like these I might stick around

[@phillipwinstanley286]

Thoroughly enjoyed this, thank you. In regards to the respirators on your arm, it wasn't just to the SAS. I was in the Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) Field Surgical Teams (FST) wether in a Porten Liner (NBC Pressurised Bubble Tent) or increased NBC threat we would have the respiratory on our upper arms. The RAF Medical Services followed the same SOPs. All three services provided a 3 man Medical Team to support the SAS & SF,s consisting of an Anaesthetist/Intentsifist/Emergency Consultant, Operating Department Practitioner & ITU Nurse. They were on site at the embassy at the back. 😷

[@granitesevan6243]

MP5 Kurtz variants were used by some soldiers at the Embassy. One of the few casualties sustained by the SAS was a trooper losing his fingertip after accidentally positioning it over the end of the muzzle in the heat of contact

[@DowntownDeuce2]

47:00 WITH REGARD TO LEFT VERSUS RIGHT WHEN TRANSITIONING FROM THE MP5 TO THE PISTOL: THE PISTOL WAS FIRED WITH THE WEAK NON-DOMINANT HAND, WHILE THE EMPTY / DISABLED MP5 WAS STILL BEING HELD ON TARGET SO THAT THE MAGLITE WOULD ELIMINATE THE TARGET. ESSENTIALLY, THEY WERE DOUBLE FISTING. THE MP5 MAGLITE COMBO WAS DROPPED FROM THE STRONG SIDE TO ACCOMMODATE RELOADING, WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR THE SPARE MAGAZINE BEING ON THE LEFT WRIST. THIS WAS SAS AND SBS DOCTRINE WELL INTO THE 1990'S. ST2 MCPO JIM "MAD DOG" MADISON IS WELL-VERSED IN AND EXPLAINS THE PROCEDURE FROM HIS TIME (EXCHANGE) PROGRAM.

[@cocowonderdog]

That was Awesome! Operation Nimrod was the Coolest thing I saw as a teenager at the start of the 80s. The other coolest thing I heard of was Red Cell under the command of Richard Marcinco. Maybe Koch has heard of him?

[@benstoyles1297]

Mad thing with the hi-power was that Browning didn't want the double stack mag or understand why people wanted more than 8 rounds. The importantance of Dieudonné Saive cannot be understated.

[@SuperTyrannical1]

Another thing about the gas usage on the day is that the operator who got caught in his rappel line was also lit on fire. In putting out his fire he ripped his gas mask off, got free and clear and still made entry into a room full of gas and took down 2 targets. The reason for the "lot of boom" was because intel revealed the windows were armoured. Hence the butt clenching amount of boom. 😐

[@ShinjitsuKK]

Brilliant. I've read multiple sas books on this and stories vary as Always! It must have been a hard video to make but I belive you did a good job 👍👍

[@pinkyfish64]

Awesome, I remember this so well. The newspapers put out special editions with who these guys were and how they did it, and I have still learnt new things from two amazing professionals who know exactly what they are talking about. Total 100% respect to two warriors who's knowledge and insight are needed more than ever.

[@jorgebuzzi940]

El SAS actuó en Malvinas en 1982, podrían comparar el equipo que el SAS utilizó con el de ustedes, eso sería muy interesante. Saludos desde Argentina.

[@rogerkretzschmar8280]

Interesting video. There's actually a tenuous connection with The Duke . As a teenager Dad and I were watching El Dorado with John Wayne in the UK when the BBC cut the film to go to live transmission of the operation. Remember being a bit annoyed at the time , Dad and I were big John Wayne fans 😀

[@davidwatts-hw2dh]

IT IS NOT THE GUN, it is the guts of the guy behind it.

[@johnned4848]

I read that the hoods used were actually Royal Navy flash protection hoods for personnel on deck to protect against fire and explosion.Great case study! A lot of fun. Can't wait to see more.

[@telstar4772]

I saw an interview with Rusty Firmin, he said they were the hoods and shoulders cut off Nuclear and Biological warfare suits.

[@markward3242]

Great discussion guys. The regiment spent hours on the range with the mp and hp putting thousands of rounds down range to perfect their skills they can do heads shots almost with muscle memory and a quick double tap

[@jasonpalmlund8630]

Dorr and his flashlight in the eye reenactment cracked me up 😅

[@sladeb6036]

Me too. He goes from chill to very animated pretty fast lol.

[@benstoyles1297]

On the topic of mag alignment in the SAS, it does appear there was a trend for pistol mags pointed backwards in the 90's. I understand the argument for this was that you would strip the empty mag from the pistol with a down stroke of your arm, than as your arm swung back you would draw the fresh mag and reload. In the context of early killhouses where the CQB principles that are taught as standard today were literally being invented i could see it making sense to throw empties behind you to avoid creating trip hazards.

[@EvanEverhart911]

Excellent video! Much appreciated! Im an American, but as an appreciator of all things military and special forces, I have always found this incident and the SAS as well as the Seals and Green Berets, fascinating. My Uncle was a Green Beret in MACVSOG in Vietnam. Coolest man Ive ever known, genuine bad ass with some crazy stories. May he rest in peace. Thanks for all of the excellent and informative videos which you produce. Always reminds me of Uncle Bruce.

[@Sam-pg9sr]

The series ‘SAS Survival Secrets’ has full episodes on YT and it’s a great series, multiple episodes focused on the black kit CT stuff. Great show and nostalgic to boot.

[@benstoyles1297]

Dont want to do the "as a brit, big respect" thing, because its cringe as fuck, but as a brit, big respect. Coch and Dorr examined this without ego, which is saying a lot given their history. Their appreciation of the history and foundation of CQB as it exists today and where it comes from shines though. There is so much room for "heres how i would've done it" post 20+ years of GWOT and over 50 since Princes Gate. I learned things from this I wasn't expecting . Really great video guys. Can't be understated.

[@Flashhood1425]

Bar brawlers is exactly the right description listening to those OG sas guys interviewed today

[@bionicgeekgrrl]

This was so revolutionary at the time. Not just for their effectiveness, bravery and results, but the fact it was televised live. The existence of the regiments were officially effectively denied at the time (much like how they denied mi6 existed for ages)). Looking at the first sas raids of ww2 and the commando raids (particularly st nazare) would be a good one for you to evaluate compared with how things would be done today.

[@justinbouvier132]

Coc and dork back in action on the videos. Good story time for the long drives….

[@dogwithwigwamz.7320]

That was the day when the World Snooker Championship came to a close. My information is that the first thing one of these chaps asked after the seige was, `whose won the snooker Championship ?` In the debriefing John McAleese ( one of the troops in the storm, I believe ) was amongst many watching the video catching the event. He regails that a woman was blocking his view and so asked her to get her f`king head out of the way. She heard it and moved. She being Margaret Thatcher, British Prime Minister at the time and reckoned to be one of the UK`s most able Prime Ministers, still loved and hated over here in equal measure 45 years after she first took Office in Number 10.

[@PeterRoos]

Lots of respect to the SAS and all the special forces worldwide. We civilians can sleep comfortably at night because we know that there people like you out there to rough things.

[@Winch67]

31:30 The S6 Respirator is not customisable with regard to the Filter/Cannister position. Standard Military issue has the Cannister on the Left to accommodate Right Handed Weapon Shouldering! However there was also Civil Defence version which has the Cannister on the left to facilitate the changing of the Cannister while being worn by personnel who do not need to be able to shoulder a rifle! This is the version you see being used by some of the Pagoda Troop on Operation Nimrod in the photographs!

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

One of the highlights of my relatively brief stint in the Army was a couple of days training with the SAS in Hereford, I say training, we were there to be enemy for them. It was back in the 90s when they were still less known, visited the original Stirling Lines and the training took place at was then RAF Hereford and is now the new Stirling Lines. We did close protection stuff and hostage rescue on train carriages. It was a real eye opener and the SAS guys were great with us, we were all pretty much straight out of basic and didn’t know our arses from our elbows but they were happy chatting with us, answer any questions we had, etc. my mate who was there eventually joined 14 int. he said he was inspired by that couple of days with SAS.

[@adamadams6740]

On the Hipower first pic is Mel Gibson with a 92 pistol,it should be Eddie Murphy from Beverly Hills cop. He rocked a Hipower

[@tacticalhyvecadre1049]

The 92 is the ultimate wonder 9. The HP is a single action only pistol which disqualifies it technically. Thx for posting

[@laceytorske6937]

21:54 This is a valid point that gets overlooked often. On forums(especially reddit) there are constant battles about still clutching their bolt actions claiming how they will never be replaced by semi-autos.

[@bellshooter]

Not involved myself, but have known a few folks who were SBS/SAS or support specialists , always modest and capable individuals. The SAS were used to covert operations from years of IRA counter terrorism, so had skills not found in other special forces at the time. Also had studied the Munich operation.

[@Berserkism]

Imagine a people wanting to be free, ya Bell end.

[@MrG77]

Great to see you bigging up the SAS lads. . The first and best special forces in the world,and the blueprint for all others. Now the Seals and Delta are up there aswell. Respect to all of you.🙏

[@gunnargundersen3787]

The black tank suits would have been obtained from the Royal Tank Regiment (aka the Chav Cav) whose sweaters and berets are black too. As opposed to the posh Donkey Wallopers (cavalry) whose tank overalls are matched to the more peacock flavoured colours of their regiments. Probably a bit like how we in the British Army adopted Multicam - it was what the cool trousers from crye precision with the built in knee pads came in at the time - and it turns out it worked. Interesting video. Having been attached to tier 1 (although 85% of my time was with the seafaring ones) it was a nice trip down memory lane. I have to admit I got a semi when I was issued the MP5 (despite not having an APWT on it) - the HK slap is a thing of beauty.

[@eventingcrazy]

UK regular and cadet forces still use the HK 3 point sling with the SA80 family of weapon systems. It still stands up today as effective.

[@andrzejplocki6438]

An awesome video, thank you for putting this out there.

[@ProCat4displaysPlus]

The CS grenades used, L13A1 anti riot irritant grenade. The modern variant basically unchanged is the Gren Hand Burst Irritant a-riot N225 and N227 and are still used today, plenty of videos of them in use on KZbin if you are interested.

[@johnkane]

I’ve be lucky enough, to meet some of the team on Operation Nimrod. They wrote the book on Counter Terrorism tactics.

[@ianpalmer3516]

Great video. The tomahawk You talked about was in fact a regular firemans axe and the flight gloves are all leather, no nomex. Otherwise You got pretty much everything right. Oh , and the balaclavas You showed are much later and often used as a respirator cover to give it a bit of flame protection.

[@niborski2997]

During that siege the World Snooker Championship was dominating British tv. It was sponsored by Embassy cigarettes. A brilliant Irish snooker player called Hurricane Higgins, chain smoked cigarettes during his matches. The snooker was interrupted by live footage of the siege. A joke came about, that Hurricane Higgins smoked more Embassies the the SAS.

[@niborski2997]

Hurricane Higgins smoked more Embassies than the SAS.

[@mattp7828]

28 was the SOP when I was in, protected the magazine spring and reduced jams, 1st and penultimate round were tracer.

[@stanmil5495]

The windows were armoured so went bigger than they needed. Theres a documentary om youtube where the breacher on the balcony, John Mac states what weight of explosive he used. Truly the beginning of 'tactical'

[@JG-ib7xk]

John Mac who placed the frame charge in the news footage explained that they used way too much plastic explosive on the windows because the ground floor windows were reinforced bullet proof glass, and they didn't know if the the rest of the windows were the same (they weren't) so they used a lot more than they usually would just in case.

[@oslo6661]

The clamp system on the aircrew knife is to help the thing stay attached during the initial gyrations post ejection / abandonment.

[@ClassicRiki]

9:17 your correct. They had the correct hardware. I can confirm

[@AMan-JCIL]

I watched SAS Survival Secrets and one of the SAS guys who used a frame charge on the window (John McAleese - R.I.P.) said he used more explosive than he normally would because he wanted to make sure the windows would go through since they were bulletproof and reinforced or something like that, so he wanted to be sure that it would be enough to do the job so he can get in as quickly as possible and do the business. However he knew that it could have been dangerous for any innocent person in the room at the time but he had to make that call, if one died or was seriously injured it would be better than everyone dying if he failed to breach into the room.

[@Ironlegiontraining]

We had a couple of SD's on the SWAT team that I worked on and at the time the only light kit that was available at the time was a surefire light that actually attached to the suppressor with a form of hose clamp.

[@jamesjohnson8601]

Very informative video.👍 Maybe you could do one on the Israeli raid to rescue hostages at Entebee. Methods& weapons employed plus lessons learned.

[@Brookspirit]

The black overalls they were wearing were originally from the Royal Tank Regiment, they are black to hide oil stains from the tank and they are fire resistant, that's why the SAS used them. Berets are also from Tanks, they offer some head protection in the confines of a tank.

[@priority19]

The sas was one of my biggest inspirations to join the military, later i found out I was one of those pistol left rifle right... made for an easier day... and I was also a helicopter pilot. And right eye dominance really made things interesting... thanks for another great video!

[@richielee5398]

A great review guys. And as you say this was probably the biggest leap forward in anti terrorism warfare/hostage rescue that there has been. A huge array of g3 based 7.62 kit was always available along with the mp5 series. And it was over to the trusty m16 whenever it was jungle based violence required along with the recovery of some islands that were taken over and has to be re taken. The original single point sights were also a great bit of kit for snap shooting.

[@dtw6769]

Great stuff gents!

[@wendyswick9287]

Laine Dixion made the leather holsters and mag pouches for SAS back in 70s early 80s

[@stevetheduck1425]

Not sure if it was mentioned, but the SAS staged through RAF Northolt during the siege, they had an entire small hangar to themselves, and had Scout helicopters standing by there. It's rarely mentioned, as they moved around quite a bit, and inserted by road to the embassy area. The gear they wore included a 'tank suit', the black coverall. Don't know if the ( apparently grey in colour ) hood they used was from the early NBC gear. While the hood was a separate item on the early NBC suits we had issued back then ( grey and green colour, trousers wide at the waist with tapes to tie them up like braces, a smock open at the neck, and a hood that flapped over the neck onto the shoulders, all with thin velcro tapes to close them, white cotton undergloves, longer black overgloves that covered the wrists, overboots that went over the usual boots, and tied on, one size fits all ). The SAS appear to have used other gloves, perhaps the NI patrol gear. The overboots have appeared in Star Wars films, often worn by aliens, as a simple cheap way of providing footwear for extras in an SF movie. Later NBC suits looked like an arctic smock with attatched hood with a drawstring to close it around the respirator, and were all-over green; trousers, smock. Gloves and overboots if different not known by me.

[@taj814]

Love this longer style of video! Keep it up!

[@michaelw2288]

According to some, the urban sniper rifle used at the time was bolt action Tikka M55 in an intermediate varmint cartridge, .22-250.

[@christophermarshall5015]

i remember the day after, everyone going to bn hq to put in app's to go for selection,i was told [much later lol] that the what was called the TA version [now reserve] had so many people that they ran them around a track until they vomited,then ran them so more lol

[@davidmeeker7481]

I read the "Who Dares Wins" written by an SAS operator who participated in that mission, as well as many others.

[@JamesLaserpimpWalsh]

They were using extended mags on their Hi-Powers as well. Quite a lot of photos of them with the extended mags from that era. Cheers for the vid.

[@comanche6943]

Compasses epoxied to carbine stocks for quick reference when patrolling.

[@firstnamelastname9444]

Love these, keep up the great work. Possible future videos: Son Tay raid, MACV SOG recon teams, Eagle Claw, gulf war SCUD Hunters, anything from Grenada, Acid Gambit

[@PaddyInf]

Re. the sniper stuff - Written accounts from guys who were in at the time make reference to G3s being used by CT snipers. They don't go into models, but reasonable to assume they would have been present. The Parker Hale M82 was also being trialled at the time and was issued in limited numbers. There is a single shooters eye picture from one of the snipers which shows a wooden stocked weapon, but it's grainy and you can'tmake out if it has the L42s distinctive metal band on the stock, so could be the M82 or L42.

[@shaundavenport621]

They got hold of the caretaker who informed them that the 1st floor windows were armour plated.They were going to use sledges which just would have bounced off and been catastrophic! He gave them masses of info.They also had the capability of using circular 'rosette' charges for wall breaching which i don't think were used.

[@cardiffpicker1]

Guy I know had to use a sledge because of the trooper hung up above were they were supposed to breach.

[@shaundavenport621]

​@@cardiffpicker1Yes that was round the back.The sad part is the guy that used the sledge round the back was the guy if you remember was homeless in Hereford and the council treated him like shit!Thankfully he,s got a decent place now.Only after All of the coverage on the news and in the papers!If he,d entered the country via a rubber dinghy he would have got a place straight away but that's another story! 👍

[@roberttaylor7451]

Guys, that was outstanding. I have seen the movie and a few other documentaries about the situation but never anything about the gear. Cheers

[@RK57AZ]

Hey guys, Good to see you back on line. The guy with the pistol mag on his left forearm is actually a pez dispenser ( due to patent infringement issues) they made it look like a loaded mag. As always stay safe and healthy. Ps; Sorry for the loss of 2 of your brothers and now 3 members of the army.

[@JG-ib7xk]

They did use MP5SDs and Ks because they didn't have enough A3s. Several SAS who were on the operation have done podcasts where they talked about it. They genuinely didn't have a big budget back then. It was at a time when the British Military budget was being drastically cut.

[@AMan-JCIL]

Those Balaclavas are called Anti-flash hoods and are flame retardant, but I think it was more of a psychological intimidation tactic for the time to shock the enemy as you enter into a room with this sort of tactical looking gear and big bug eye gas masks. The Anti-flash hood is also worn over the gas mask not under it.

[@davidcowley]

Great analysis. I too remember watching this live on TV.

[@DWillis7]

There's an interview with John Mac (RIP) who was on the demolitions on the front on the embassy. He explained that they used way too much explosive on the front windows because they were ballistic rated and didn't really know how tough they were. So rather than get a failed breach, they just went overboard with it

[@PaddyInf]

Yea, they just used the calculation 'P for plenty'.

[@catsamazing338]

Really enjoyed that breakdown of gear and grit. Thanks 👍

[@grinder1804]

Really well presented guys. Thanks for that.

[@tobytaylor2154]

They created the flashbang, when you mentioned the lufthansa raid two members assisted gsg9, one was called Barry Davies and they took flashbangs with them and were used for the 1st time in action at the start of the attack. According to Barry trying to explain what a flashbang does they told them as best they could and then put them in a room and tossed one in to give them a demo 😂. Also, some of the hostages were contestants from a beauty contest and at least one of the two got lucky. Over the yrs I've been fortunate to meet a few of the guys involved and can pick them out in the pics. 😉✌️🇬🇧

[@dphillips4351]

Had a friend involved in that rescue. Great review!

[@CleonSecond]

From what I gather, the SAS on nimrod wore the standard issued NBC suit which were olive green, and they merely turned them inside out, which is why you see the green around the seams and hood especially.

[@PaddyInf]

They had purchased boiler suit-type things, but they didn't have hoods. They cut the hoods off NBC smocks and used these. They talk about it at 35:40

[@bobbobertbobberton1073]

GSG9 weren't the first, the Brits were dealing with and combating terrorism against the IRA and already had a shit tonne of experience. If you know anything about 'the troubles' they'd been fighting terrorism since 1919. The Brits were door kicking way before operation Nimrod, granted nowhere near the same intensity but the world forgets how much was learnt from that war; being the first real major scale insurgency.

[@MikeParrott-w1t]

great job on the SAS gear descriptions! Made more interesting when you two were able to add real life context to it. I have been trying to find information about the “Para Marines” of ww2. They were some of the first parachutists from the marine corps. They were disbanded after a year or two. Any feedback would be helpful. Thanks for a great show!