How realistic is the BBC's SAS: Rogue Heroes?

In 1941, facing defeat in North Africa, British officer David Stirling formed a daring special unit to carry out ‘butcher and bolt’ raids on air bases and supply convoys deep behind enemy lines.
It was named the Special Air Service.
Damien Lewis, author of ‘SAS Brothers in Arms’, assesses the portrayal of the early exploits dramatised in the BBC’s ‘SAS: Rogue Heroes’.
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[@lamb-chops]

I am proud to say that my Grandad was a member of the 1st SAS regiment. He started as a Corporal and then later a Sergeant. He was mentioned in dispatched twice for his actions in Egypt. His name was Thomas Sargent (yes he really became Sergeant Sargent) . When I was growing up he used to tell me lots of stories about the training, the men and the action they saw in the North Africa campaign and from what he told me the TV series portrayed a pretty accurate representation of what these brave men went through. His tales of Paddy made your hair stand on end. On one early mission my grandad was shot and wounded by an Italian and had to be in a field hospital for 4 weeks, the regiment left him behind and told him he would have to use his initiative to catch up with them weeks later. He ended up having steal a German Jeep and drive for 3 days across the desert but found them and continued to fight for another few years. I still have his cap, badges and medals which he left to me when he died after a long and happy life aged 85. Funnily enough for the rest of his life he would never step foot onto any beach when we went on family holidays as he always used to say that he had experienced enough sand in Egypt to last him a lifetime and hated the feel of the sand in his feet. I never understood it at the time. My family are very proud that he was part of such an elite group of men and part of the beginning of such an historic regiment.

[@alisonrandall3039]

Wow what an amazing story thank you.

[@willevans985]

Thanks for the insight into your granddads time served.

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

You lie about your real name. I don't believe a single word of what you wrote.

[@lamb-chops]

@@MichaelKingsfordGray Luckily I won't lose any sleep about you believing me or not . Judging by your other insignificant comments on this channel your just a sad little troll.

[@kevinlewis3029]

My Grandfather was in North Africa during WW2, he was a desert rat. He died when I was young so I never got to hear his stories which might not be a bad thing as I think he had what is now called PTSD and I wouldn't have wanted to upset him ,his friend was blown up next to him. my grandad ended up in hospital his friend was killed out right. But also from what you said about the dislike of sand my dad told me that my grandad also hated the beach it's probably the same for all the soldiers who fought in the desert.

[@robertscully9686]

My uncle , seargent Christopher Dowd, fought and died with these heroes. His story, his sacrifice, always honored and remembered here in the family.

[@jamiewulfyr4607]

I recognise the name. I've read about your Uncle in history books. A vehicle got hit in Italy if I'm remembering correctly?

[@titan4110]

That name sounds awfully familiar

[@timcuencaaarum2690]

He is burning in hell. Hope you are happy with what Europe looks like thanks to him and the people like him.

[@vs_vulcan]

​@timcuencaaarum2690 for what reason is his uncle burning in hell for. Killing fascists who were allowing the genocide and destruction of many Europe's ethnic and cultural groups. The same fascists who actively destroyed European culture across the many countries that they occupied. If so I think his uncle did more to save europe than your beloved Nazis ever did.

[@doom-generation4109]

"I think they've done a stirling job." I see what you did there 😉

[@Mark.G475]

Yes! Cheers from your cousins across the pond 🇺🇲Wisconsin.

[@deborahrunnells8222]

from .Massachusetts as well allies until the end🇹🇫🇺🇲🇺🇲🇹🇫🇻🇬🇺🇲🇺🇲🇹🇦

[@zh2266]

Go away yank

[@Mark.G475]

@@zh2266 nice picture handsome 😂.

[@maconescotland8996]

It would be a STERLING job surely ?

[@jaegermeister1968]

My great-uncle fought under Rommel in the Afrika Korps and survived the war. He didn't die until I was a teenager. He always spoke of the former enemy with respect.

[@jonathanwalker8730]

The story of Erwin Rommel is terribly sad.

[@jaegermeister1968]

@@jonathanwalker8730 Rommel was one of the greatest generals in history, but unfortunately he served under a criminal regime that also forced him to commit suicide.

[@jaegermeister1968]

@@northscrow9316 I have respect for every soldier who fights for his country, no matter where or when. The soldier neither seeks war nor wants it, war is caused by those who never stand on the battlefield.

[@jonathanwalker8730]

@@jaegermeister1968 I agree, there's no questioning his exemplary military career, and it's widely reported (as you know) that he was not sympathetic to the concept of Nazism itself. Being effectively forced into suicide, given that his alternatives at the end would have resulted in his unceremonious execution anyway, is a lousy way for a soldier like that to die.

[@jonathanwalker8730]

@@jaegermeister1968 Lions led by donkeys, as the saying goes. Couldn't be truer.

[@TheDeecue]

Here in America the series has just started. Probably my favorite series right now. Respect to the SAS and all the men who founded it. Some badass individuals for sure....

[@conradgibson5660]

We are very proud of are paddy here in northern Ireland. Many a fine soldier has served the crown from our tiny country.

[@hughmckendrick3018]

I enjoy military history, well read on the subject, so am fully aware of Robert Blair Mayne. Outside of Newtownards, until the recent tv show, many are not.

[@henalihenali]

My mother was born in Dublin and is 99. Mention Paddy Mayne to her generation and they all know of him and hold him in awe.

[@ralphraffles1394]

Remember Montgomery himself was of Ulster Scots descent.

[@bazthejazz]

Over 50 years ago, my dad took us for our annual summer holiday to Portrush, County Antrim. While there, he took me with him to visit an old colleague from their Queen's University Belfast days. He was Douglas Mayne, brother of Blair. I have been fascinated by the story of "Paddy" ever since. Also, it was touching to see the recent video of Tom Glynn-Carney meeting the last survivor of that campaign, 102-year-old Mike Sadler, who he plays in the series. Excellent stuff!

[@ruthgorst5731]

Saw that too. Very special video.

[@andrewgent5887]

An elderly relative of mine served with the original SAS but no one not even his family knew, other than he was in the army in WW11. It only came to light at his funeral when a member of the current regiment came to pay his respects. I can can only guess that his view was “what happened in the desert, stays in the desert”!

[@popcornfilms1]

it’s II, ii-> II

[@andrewgent5887]

@@popcornfilms1 👍 my error.

[@markshrimpton3138]

Similarly, an uncle of mine during the war was serving in the Parachute Regiment. He was actually in the Special Operations Executive (SOE). After the war he quietly returned to civilian life in Cornwall and never even told his wife: not one word.

[@Defiant1940]

I wasn't sure about this series because of the heavy metal soundtrack, despite being an old headbanger at heart. But now I see just how brilliantly the music fits each scene, and can't now imagine it without AC/DC or Motorhead pumping out as they charge across the desert! These men were legends, and anything that opens up their stories to a new generation can only be applauded.

[@andyg6967]

My only complaint on the AC/DC tracks is that they didn’t use Shoot To Thrill.😂

[@dazmac159]

We're on th highway to hell!

[@CL-vz6ch]

I didn't like the choice, I'm afraid.

[@timothybearne147]

Also, The Cure, Sham 69, The Stranglers, The Clash, The Damned, Killing Joke, Cockney Rejects, The Fall. Together with the metal of that most rebellious of musical eras, they fit the series’ tone well in my opinion. After Peaky Blinders, we knew it wouldn’t just be period music.

[@grahamjordan1040]

It’s so out of place the music wasn’t around then they may as well have jumped from a Globe master and as for those sun glasses 😎😎

[@vipertwenty249]

I had the enormous honour of meeting and even drinking with one of the Originals back in '79, when I was but a 20 year old spotty youth. I was introduced to him by Stirling Moss, no less, who had given him the nickname Mr Toad, because of his love of cars, his short rotund build and nearly bald pate, and his thick round glasses. Mr Toad insisted I call him Mr Toad, so I don't remember his real name at this stretch of over 40 years, nor that of the tall elegant elderly chap with severe burn scars on one side of his face from being shot down in a Hurricane in the Battle of Britain, but it was in this amazing company that I drank my share of the bottle of Sloe Wine 1945 that I'd found whilst clearing out the cellar of the wine shop (Victoria Wine) in Tring high street. He zeroed my air rifle for me in 3 shots and then swore when he shot the head off a red matchstick free standing at 20 yards because he'd intended to light it. Unsurprisingly, never forgotten. I think of him every remembrance day.

[@jonathanwalker8730]

My neighbour, a semi-retired aircraft engineer at Birmingham airport, met Douglas Bader when he was an air cadet. He describes him as a miserable old man who smelt very strongly of whisky. But I guess if you've lost both of your legs and still gone on to be an aerial war hero you've pretty much earned your right to be miserable and smell of whisky. 😊

[@raftonpounder6696]

@@jonathanwalker8730 no. Bader was a complete git. Read about what he did to his former batman after the war.

[@CanadianBardbuddy]

Hi, Canadian here, and I have a degree in history but was never interested in historical warfare. When I saw the advertisement for SAS Rogue Heroes, I couldn't wait to see it -- and I was not disappointed. Since its first airing, I have voraciously hunted down special forces video, audio, books, whatever, to learn more about the world's elite armies. I'm fascinated, and hooked. You're right, these events and their consequences should be studied and discussed: it's too easy to forget the unimaginable sacrifices these soldiers made so that today people in our countries can enjoy real freedom. (Apologies for the length -- couldn't stop talking. 🙂)

[@webbsmotorhomeadventures1231]

Paddy mayne was a unbelievable soldier what a man

[@pexxajohannes1506]

Only person not accurate. Paddy Mane character makes good TV character but reality is he was superb leader and anything but psycho.

[@henalihenali]

He also came from an aristocratic family and before the War he had already qualified as a lawyer and played rugby for Ireland and The British Lions. A very accomplished man not as depicted here

[@pexxajohannes1506]

@@henalihenali Paddy Mane reminds me of my all time super soldiers Larry Thorne. He looked like recless but he was anything but. A key point between psycho and hero was when Paddy pulled attck off when it was compromised. A Psycho would never do such thing. What ever you think of British war HQ, they put their money on Paddy and it was money well spent.

[@cillianmclaverty9392]

His accent should have been more posh

[@pexxajohannes1506]

@@cillianmclaverty9392 ah, only native english speaker can find such fault in what was othervise a gigant of a irishman.

[@nigelbagguley7606]

A frequent comment was that it was safer to meet Mayne in battle than on the rugby pitch.

[@ad______3436]

Few people can claim the level of courage and noblesse oblige of David Sterling, Jock Lewes, and the men of the SAS. In fact, Jock Lewes died the epitome of his own belief “never run away” - still strapped in his lorry while enemy aircraft strafed his unit returning to camp after a raid, Jock Lewes never ran away. He died of blood loss from a bullet that hit a main artery in his leg. In my third novel, “Sheol’s Ransom,” Jock Lewes’ sacrifice and courage take a whole new meaning of what it means to be brave. I salute this new drama as it brings some much needed pomp and circumstance to such unparalleled valor. I certainly tried to sing their praise in my London to Cairo trilogy. -Alex David

[@silentwitness247]

Having read much about the SAS, and watched the series back to back, you have confirmed my view that this is a pivotal historic account of the formation, strategy and tactics of the SAS. Fantastic and very moving. Respect.

[@ronmatthews1738]

Have you watched SAS: Rogue Warriors? It is a documentary series that uses dramatic reconstructions of SAS operations in World War II along with interviews and recordings of former members of the regiment. The men are humble about their achievements. I find it a far better tribute to their achievements than this heavily fictionalised meretricious series.

[@silentwitness247]

@@ronmatthews1738 Hi, that’s a good reference - I will look it up. Thanks. Recently I saw Damien Lewis presenting a number of critiques on various WW2 films and documentaries including the recent BBC prog: Rogue Hero’s. He was quite complementary regarding its authenticity. I’m no expert on this but have a good understanding of what happened and a vivid imagination when it comes to visualising the situations and challenges these men experienced. I have nothing but the utmost respect for them and their achievements. Thanks again.

[@markcynic808]

University educated Paddy Mayne was misrepresented as a yob. Born in a country house, his father was a landowner and local businessman running several retail outlets.

[@TheBuckspygmy]

Paddy Mayne was a dangerous psychopath; however, such people are needed during war as long as they are on your side.

[@markcynic808]

@@TheBuckspygmy True, and in peacetime are nothing but a nuisance to society.

[@TheBuckspygmy]

@@markcynic808 Like the Clint Eastwood film "Heartbreak Ridge," "Gunny you should be in glass case with a notice on it break glass in the event of war."

[@smacwhinnie]

So the “Paddy” accent is not correct?

[@barry5787]

The 1/2 ton Chevys were good to see, though none survived the war but there is the remnants of one in the IWM. So someone made a good replica and there is a very good replica in New Zealand. Loved the series, very moving in places.Vive La France and that's something I didn't know about. Plus the Chevys were only 2 wheel drive.

[@wor53lg50]

Theres is a few still about, just not SAS documented there LRDG... a couple still are running..

[@phillipyoung9299]

These Chevys are the third type used by the LRDG (and the SAS). The one in the IWM is a Chevy WA (its wrongly called a Chevy WB) were the first to be used by the LRP (LRDG). The second was a 4 wheel drive Ford.

[@jonathanwalker8730]

Just my opinion, but I thought the vehicles were the only good thing about the show. 🤔

[@alextonarelli2141]

@@jonathanwalker8730 apart from the tank in the last scene..

[@jonathanwalker8730]

@@alextonarelli2141 The 'Tiger' tank at the end of Saving Private Ryan did my head in; the wheel configuration is absolutely not right for a Tiger, it's clearly the hull of something else. Re: the same film. Omaha beach is huge, not like Curraghcloe Beach, Wexford, where the landing scene was filmed. Taking Omaha took at least seven hours, not 20 minutes. Snipers do not fire from bell towers, nor do their rifles contain an endless supply of bullets. Etc etc.

[@mateo1726]

Even if it isn’t 100% accurate it helps spread the great story of the SAS

[@alastairhenderson6709]

Served in Rhodesia in the same Reg. as Reg Seekings who was by then middle aged and a Reserve training officer. Didn't know him personally but often saw him in his corner of the Reserve pub, The Copper Pot when I was back in town and having a beer. My 15 mins claim to fame lol.

[@ivanconnolly7332]

On a very cold Easter Sunday morning 1949 a bloodied Paddy Mayne and 2 other men all reeking of whisky knocked on the door of Doctor Mc Shannons house in Bangor , my late father in law John Mc Shannon aged 14 assisted as Maynes tongue was stitched. As Mayne left he threw 2 pounds to Doctor Mc Shannon, the Doctor refused the payment to Colonel Mayne and was promptly lifted by the lapels and hoisted up the wall.

[@MRMK24]

Did he hurt him?

[@ivanconnolly7332]

He was not injured just shocked!.

[@jonreally7315]

Blair mayne was a big man and a legend

[@henalihenali]

Already a British Lions second row....

[@sammni]

Blair Mayne in reality was 6,3 and 18 stone

[@trueblue3719]

Robert Blair Mayne💂🏻‍♀️Legend 🇬🇧

[@hatjodelka]

I much preferred the Ben Macintyre documentary series. It's obviously a drama and some things have been changed but I worry that dramas are taken as complete fact, when they're not. The 1970s aviator sunglasses annoyed me too.

[@duncanbrowne9079]

Yanks had aviators from the 30s and invented roughly the ones depicted in '41. TV version of Stirling I can imagine quite happily swiping them off a drunk American.

[@davidsummer8631]

You can't have World War II drama without someone being told that someone they love has died in a plane crash

[@villagernumber9233]

Some reason I really liked the parts where the guys fire up their jeeps and you hear them revving the engines.

[@jonathanwalker8730]

The vehicles are the only good thing about this series.

[@CoffeeFiend1]

These days it's less about whether they had good consultancy but more about whether or not they actually listen to said consultancy. A lot of generic action films that tell military themed stories have former military consultants, often specialists, often former special forces of some kind. If they were always listened to we would have a lot of realistic television and cinema but unfortunately a lot of them get ignored for tropes.

[@Tazza81]

Let's face it though. If military TV shows and movies were realistic civvy viewers would get bored and would start complaining about "Where are the explosions?"

[@jimgordon3206]

According to the series the SAS was originally a fictitious unit. The guy who started it was a British colonel, I think. He recruited a guy who took it seriously and ran with it. It’s a pretty good show. Now that I know it’s also mostly true I like it even more.

[@Brother_Jack]

As soon as you hear the words "make relevant" used, you can assume that historical accuracy has been tossed out to make room for it.

[@jjw2632]

what I still dont get is how they worked out the best camouflage colour to use in the desert to not be spotted from the air was pink .( Yes they painted their Landrover's pink) Just extraordinary.

[@pondlife1952]

I’m enjoying the current tv showing; my dad who died in 2020 aged 103 was in the 8th Army - North Africa and whole of the Italian campaign, an English man in the Gordon Highlanders. When I read Tony Geraghty’s official history of the SAS back in the 1970s I asked my old man about the SAS and he’d never ever heard of them. All he knew was the LRDG, who he described as suicidal. He said those “same chaps got up to all sorts of mischief too in Italy”. Funny old world. You don’t always know what’s going on around you. The people he spoke about most were the Poles he was with at Cassino. He thought they were real heroes.

[@johnford6967]

My dad Flt Sgt G.E Ford DFM was involved in the early Training of the SAS Flying with 216 squadron RAF in Egypt

[@timlockett1116]

The Union Flag on the thumbnail is upside down for a start! The series was FANTASTIC! We want more!

[@chrismccarthy1455]

The US tv series The Rat Patrol was very loosely based on their exploits. Artistic licence was rampant. Many UK veterans were less than pleased with the depiction of their work as American. Even the Australians were offended by Sgt. Troy, the team leader, wearing an Aussie slouch hat. But, that said, this is how daring, brave and effective they were in reality.

[@romeisfallingagain]

i watched the first episode the other night at one of my veteran friends house with him. we thought it was a documentary before we watched it. even though it turned out to be a drama, i thought it was excellent. really lovable characters. long live the SAS

[@gerrypowell2748]

Copied and admired throughout the military world👌

[@tombristowe846]

The real SAS maybe, but not the people who made this nonsense.

[@him050]

Was a great show. The only glaring inaccuracies are them depicting all of their early raids as successes, when they weren't. Another thing worth noting might be Paddy shooting all of those pilots. That did happen but he was quite heavily chastised for doing so because the point of the SAS wasn't to be blood thirsty killers, it was to run around the desert and wreak havoc. I think if they had shown Paddy getting a scalding, it would have got that across to the viewer well.

[@skylineuk1485]

Paddy had the view that pilots were murdering civilians while the brass at the time viewed them as honourable chaps. I hear it said he believed that for every pilot he killed he was saving a hell of a lot more on his side.

[@stewartw.9151]

@@skylineuk1485 He was correct in his belief there! Total was tends to be...total! The brass were far too "gentlemanly".

[@edsmith4821]

Stephen knight Tom Shankland another series please . Just loved this series totally invested in the characters I felt like I was in the camp and on missions with the boys and i fell in love with them a great tribute to the SAS 👑

[@TheFubz]

i been waiting so long to learn more detail about the sas and it was delivered

[@Enl1thened1]

And to play AC-DC on top, absolute genius, who else, they suit each other, just can't believe its a BBC programme 😲 just sublime 👌

[@mattdurkin68]

I apologise for my language. Any tv show showing the heroism and comradeship of these men should be celebrated. I am in awe and respect all service men who protected us then and now

[@davidg4026]

Great series! Loved every minute of it!!

[@JuvyThaKid]

Love that Damien Lewis is discussing this! Big fan of his books on the SAS. Churchill's Secret Warriors was a great introduction to what they were doing in WWII. I hope we gets to see Anders Lassen at some point in the series.

[@artisaprimus6306]

I don't care if the producers use artistic license. These men were incredibly brave men who deserve recognition, even after all these years.

[@iatsd]

The SAS: basically a lower skilled LRDG knock off, but with much better public marketing

[@JammyDodger45]

100% incorrect. The LRDG was a Recce force with no Strike role, the SAS was purely a Strike force.

[@scotthaskins1264]

Bravo Zulu to all involved with the making. Superb show. As you say chief, opens it up for the pups and informs another generation. Absolutely loved it! 💪⚓️🇬🇧

[@thingme9941]

Authentic yarn but portrays Paddy Mayne as a psycho. The swearing is simply over the top. Anything but. BUT makes for good television.

[@gazof-the-north5708]

Jock Lewes really was killed in a strafing attack from the air.

[@Richard-pe4cx]

i wathed the first episode but i found it to light hearted for the want of a better term

[@adrianbanks2089]

A Great Clip ! ( I WENT TO BENGHAZI LIBYA IN 1965 FOR THE WAR OFFICE ! ) GREAT TIMES GREAT WEATHER !

[@dbibbyma]

Bravo! Read the book. Can't wait to watch it.

[@barry5787]

Just a quick one. Any thoughts on why AC/DC was featured so much? My thinking it is a nod to the Aussies at Tobruk. Glad they included Thunderstruck .

[@tonykennedy8483]

I would imagine that ACDC is simply awesome and it is the only appropriate soundtrack to properly convey the awesomeness of those men

[@inigobantok1579]

Steven Knight is known for his bombastic musics

[@Sergeant_Fury]

The background music may be okay at a rock concert, but in a WW2 movie? Give me a break. Stupid.

[@NautiusMaximus]

I love AC/DC but I found their music out of place in the series

[@RobBCactive]

There's been some coverage of Ukrainian Kharkiv offensive "thunder runs", penetrating lines then going at speed in light vehicles causing chaos and panic in rear areas and then the Russian front collapsed. It reminds me of some accounts of later SAS operations in France '44, which were also linking up with resistance. Certainly they appeared to be much less heavily equipped than the US columns which cut through the centre of Baghdad.

[@Invicta556]

The size comprasion of forces compared too WW2 is vastly diffrent. I've noticed with the Ukraine War is both sides suffer with huge manpower problems. The freeedom of maneuver is there but not like North Africa 1941-1943 at all. SAS did alot of deep infiltration very much so in France as you mentioned. With Ukraine the resistance is no where near what the FFL had. Most sabotage (Carried out by SBU Cells) behind Russian lines, which is very small in scale again compared to most WW2 sabotage actions. I feel most Ukrainian battlegroups or Brigade elements have conducted "Force in Recon" in the Manor the USMC Force Recon did particularly in Gulf 2. At times Ukrainians have lost entire columns trying this as the Russians have too hence why the conflict is falling into a horrific attrtional war.

[@olliephelan]

When that was done in Ireland in 1919-21 , they were called "terrorists" and hung. 24 villages and one city centre were burnt down in one single reprisal. In revenge for a single mornings action that the SAS would have been proud of. They learnt what to do in Ireland. The idea that it was seen as "ungentlemanly or piratical" was complete nonsense.

[@jeggiejegmeister8720]

Should liken it to the Blitzkrieg, really, since the attackers are bedecked in Swastikas.

[@scratchy996]

The Kharkiv offensive "thunder runs" are what Rommel did in France.

[@RobBCactive]

@@Invicta556 interesting I am glad somebody could add a perspective on this, as the nimble light vehicle approach seemed more comparable with 1944 than the Iraq invasion, except in using speed to evade coordinated response behind the lines

[@mikewright447]

it was good to see they used orig footage of them falling out of the back of a lorry and survivors said they did at 20mph and stirling said faster so then it was 30mph then 40mph it was only when they started to break bones it was stopped. my dad used to collect books when he was younger and he had one called the phantom major i have no idea when it was written but it detailed the story of the beginning and david stirling and to me that is the best book i have ever read about the formation of the sas.

[@abdulmismail]

I thought the show was fantastic but was wondering why there was so much rock music - until I realised the guy who is Producer also produced "Peaky Blinders".

[@neilwilson5785]

No Nick Cave this time, but I did pick out sham 69 and the Fall, which was great. Oh, and Vera Lynn

[@philippepalmer2968]

@@neilwilson5785 I also picked out The Stranglers

[@george70cook]

Not that they could have listened to that stuff back then...obviously. But a lot of our special forces have one or two favourite rock/heavy metal tunes that the play before a hot deployment, wither it be real or war games. The pathfinders jump out of hercs, A400M atlas and C17's with ACDC's Thunderstruck belting out the planes speakers. I like that these pioneers of warfare may also have listened to this genre of music before going on a mission, if it had existed in their time!

[@ohyeah2816]

My old man was in the Second SAS, volunteering in Algeria and ending up at the base near Philipville. He was one of the armourers. His CO was David Stirling's brother. We used to get the odd story, most well known was he was part of a stick where most of the men were executed. He and another were stopped jumping, so were saved. It didn't sound like army routine. The First paid them a visit after a run across the desert. He said Winston Churchills son was with them. Not sure that would be true. Don't know if there's reference to someone like him. Was court martialed and given a lighter than expected sentence and caught malaria. Name of Mogford. After the war he was asked if he wanted to go to Malaya, but he'd had enough.

[@alisonrandall3039]

I believe the story about Winston Churchill son is true. I read it in a history book somewhere.

[@patrickh9937]

@@alisonrandall3039 the Churchill story is in the book Rogue Heroes and also in Eastern Approaches by Fitzroy Maclean. (It's in the tv series, too, but that's not so accurate.)

[@MrNotradamus]

At least some came to know such men lived. At the very least, I hope one will join the regiment..

[@therealkevan8158]

I was hoping that they would show something about Bagnold's sun compass

[@grahamjordan1040]

Oh yes how exciting yippee doooooo

[@peanuts2105]

I read somewhere there was a private screening at Hereford. It got a big thumbs up from the regiment which is certainly an achievement 👍

[@owensmith7530]

Checking the time pencils for the bombs to go off against a stopwatch and saying "1 minute!" is wrong. Time pencils were notoriously inaccurate by at least a factor of 2 in each direction, being affected by many things including temperature (which varied a lot in the desert).

[@edgleason8918]

There was an era of American made WWII movies that put interpersonal conflict in the foreground while making the war itself a mere backdrop. I was afraid this series would be the same after seeing the trailer, but this man's "sterling" (Stirling?) review has made me more open-minded.

[@julianmhall]

Stirling :)

[@abdi-fatahmoussa5214]

I will serve until my last breath. God Bless Our Devoted Service Man and Women, God Bless Our SAS at Home And Away. Ameen To Our ❤️

[@johnbeck5795]

I've watched and enjoyed the series. I'm bemused however why they failed to understand that when they parachuted in gale force winds, they were going to be torn to shreds when dragged along the sand by the parachutes. Should have had knifes at the ready to cut the harnesses.

[@grahamjordan1040]

I’m no parachutist but I don’t think even the sas would jump in those conditions

[@johnbeck5795]

I believe they were just too head strong and had little experience of parachute jumps. Had just one of them had the thought of having knifes at the ready to cut the harness when landing, it would have changed events. I have unreserved respect for the SAS Originals.

[@claireauroramagic8476]

@@grahamjordan1040 The point was that the politics of them 'even surviving as a new unit' was literally hanging in the balance. They HAD to go to they WOULD be disbanded. By GOING even with their tragic losses, they PROVED the concept of getting near to the airports and had other things been right (no damp fuses) then they COULD have blown up some planes. One book I recently read says very clearly that there is a clear report which shows that Eoin McGonigal's (which he had led) group (or some of them) DID in fact cause some planes to be blown up and did get to the airport (verified sometime later). Making it their first success, not Mayne's at Tamit. So because they went in spite of the atrocious weather and they DID all agree to go anyway, they had the chance to make the SAS come into being, and so to go again. After the 1st attempt they actually all went back to Kabrit (E of Cairo) and regrouped and got more ammo and then went off back to strafe and cause mayhem. It was Stirling's 'job' to liaise with HQ and he did so for most of the time. They seem to do many raids themselves, and add to a raid when opportunities presented, but a lot were planned and authorised, and time-sensitive. They did stick to a lot of 'proper' Army discipline too, unlike how the TV show portrays. I'm not (now) as happy as I was with the TV show portrayal, and why not be more realistic, however, I do still like it a lot. I too think they did an incredible job and I have the upmost respect for every single person who helped in every way in WWII. To have convinced people at that time to allow this new regiment, was a massive step and never to be belittled. Mayne was able to keep it going and fought hard for it after Stirling's unfortunate capture. (Not as the TV show portrays!). Having now read a number of books I'd advise others to do the same too ... The Johnny Cooper's book is also a good read, (borrowed out of a library). :D But many other books also help to add bit by bit to the whole picture. :D

[@EugVR6]

My only gripe is paddy mayne, he was a giant of a man but in the show, he's a short guy.

[@vitaliyvyntu4566]

Thank You so much

[@daviddavies2072]

Great job done , very much enjoyed watching the TV program on the sas, makes one wonder , what I would of done , if called up .

[@drxym]

I liked the series and thought it succeeded pretty well. Although the French spy romance was a silly conceit and there was some obvious issues with the budget. Some of the dialogue was also very clunky and expository - there are far more effective ways to keep the viewer clued in without without a character practically monologuing at them.

[@doug6500]

This.

[@jockstrapp21]

You need to make a concise tv series without 200 books & 7000 personal accounts to tell the story

[@williamgardiner2010]

The fictional Algerian spy in the series was modelled on women such as Noor Inayat Khan or Virginia Hall who did indeed exist. 😊

[@tombristowe846]

@@williamgardiner2010 Neither of them had anything to do with the North Africa campaign. Completely gratuitous inclusion of a "bit of skirt" into the film.

[@ardshielcomplex8917]

It devalued the movie IMO

[@larss337]

Why is there no mention of Fitzroy Maclean? In his book "Eastern Approaches", Maclean spends almost a hundred pages on his exploits with Stirling and the SAS. He details two missions against Bengazi, the first a recon patrol into the city, the second a full-scale attack (has to be aborted because of fierce resistance). Is there some controversy over Maclean that I'm not aware of?

[@smaug3045]

Watched the first one, then binge watched the rest. Thought it was brilliant usually have my mobile in my hand, not when I watched this though.

[@nigelpearce703]

My father in law served with them in LRDG. Heard many stories including one about a reunion which my father in law attended only to return to Shropshire blind drunk on a train with a cardboard sign strung round his neck with his address on, false teeth in top pocket. I would have paid money to be a fly on the wall.🤣🤣

[@MiketheMadness]

As a soldier I found they show to be pretty faithful to the story of the SAS. Only issues I found were little technical mistakes like saluting with the wrong hand or indoors, using terms like 'chalk' for airborne platoons (Which wasn't used until Overlord in 1944) and little tidbits like that. Silly fun watch and telling an important story. Also not that i particularly love the French, but there was a strong contingent of French commandos in the original SAS, and they seem to have been wiped from the story for a random American soldier, I'm not sure who he based on.

[@oddballsok]

Aaaah, the always present Brittannia rules All and everything and the uk singlehandedly won ww2, type bbc mythmaking…

[@saschiver]

That's right, the French resistance played a great role. Member it's there country, they know it and speak it. They were highly regarded. Dont know why not now. Even a story of a SS guy threaten to shoot his wife if he didnt point him out, he didnt and hasn't said a word.

[@MrAndywills]

My wife said this was like a badly acted school play

[@paulmulvey8016]

I agree very week and unconvinced stopped watching after two episodes

[@samwallace7313]

Your wife is 100% correct sir.

[@grahamjordan1040]

It is very poor

[@sammni]

I did enjoy it. But you're right and it's not the way I would've done it to be honest

[@mcollins1401]

I'm no expert on school plays...but I did like the SAS series...😊

[@mortonbartlett8233]

LRDG was operating from June 1940, similar work

[@Jin-Ro]

Looks interesting, I'll have to give it a watch.

[@hughn]

At 0:53, isn't he holding the Union Flag upside-down when showing it to the other guy?

[@phoebebrown2883]

I think it is very good.

[@colinbarron4]

I enjoyed the series but I thought there were a number of technical and historical errors. Dakotas were shown being used as parachute dropping planes. In reality the aircraft were Bristol Bombays and the mission was a flop. When the LRDG rescue the SAS they are using a mixture of jeeps and Chevys. But the LRDG didn't start using jeeps until after the SAS began using them. The SAS didn't start using jeeps till mid -1942. In the airfield attack scene using jeeps in Ep 6 ,the SAS only use 4 or 5 jeeps. In reality the SAS normally used 18 jeeps for a machine gun attack on parked aircraft. in Ep 6 the jeep and Vickers machine gun are portrayed as new weapons for the SAS but we saw jeeps with Vickers fitted in earlier episodes. There should have been a full explanation of what the Lewes bomb consisted of. In the last episode Sirling is captured after confronting a tank. In reality he and his colleagues went for a sleep among some rocks and failed to post sentries. As a result they were captured with ease. Also the Benghazi raid is portrayed as a great success with many ships sunk when in fact it was a total failure. Also Stirling's 'Blitz Buggy' was the vehicle actually used on this raid, not a captured German lorry. Later in the episode it was described as an 'Opel Blitz' but a different model of lorry was used in these scenes.

[@TheSloppyGuitarist]

Hi Colin, I doubt there were any production 'errors'. The series wasn't a documentary. It was a historical drama. Each episode began with a disclaimer that the depiction was 'based' on true events and were 'mostly' true. The details you mention, whether factually accurate or not don't detract from the historical significance of those events and how we should remember the men and their sacrifices. I for one learned something I didn't know before watching the series.

[@robjmorse]

You are right about the Dakotas, my Dad was in the 2nd SAS and he always said they only used Dakotas when training with the Americans late in 1943. He did not like the Dakotas because you jumped out of the side door and not through the floor.

[@chairmanalf7856]

The ‘German’ tank also appeared to be a post-war Soviet tank, which always dampens things for me. There are enough replica and genuine, still running, German tanks in the UK that could have been used.

[@colinbarron4]

@@chairmanalf7856 I looked at the footage again and the tank looks to me like an American M60. Look at the gun barrel which looks like the Us version of the British L7 105mm gun which the M60 has.

[@colinbarron4]

Further to above. 'Rogue Heroes' was filmed in Morocoo with the help of the Moroccan Army. Morocco uses US rather than Soviet equipment. e.g. the military hardware in the Bond film 'The Living Daylights' which was filmed in Morocco.

[@Ramdapanda]

Recently watched episode 3 which portrays the units first mission. What I'm wondering though is stirling and lewes was as reckles as portrayed with going through with parachuting during a sandstorm in the middle of the night, effectivly causing the death of half the unit for no reason what so ever. In the show it gets extra confusing as it seems like they could have just gone with the Long Range Desert Group from the start without any real risk.

[@mrright8794]

Paddy Mayne, Newtownards hero. Visit the town if you get chance and see his statue.

[@ivanconnolly7332]

The Game of thrones Donegal actor Michael Mc Elhatton bears a remarkable facial likeness to Paddy , I dont know if was considered for the part.

[@raymondwoods2410]

As a professional military modeler. My very first win ! Was a SAS 1/32 scale desert model of 1/2 Chevy and jeeps capturing a German pilot after " They shot down.His Me .109 E. My complaint about this series ! Is the fact ,the actors look to clean cut .When fact ,the real SAS soldiers definitely dress in local clothing with full beards! I waited for decades ! For full blown factual movie to made about those true rogue heros of WW2 !

[@meme4one]

Absolutely, anyone whose spent time in the desert, especially back then when water was in short supply and a beard protects your face from the sun and sand. As soon as you are away from HQ, you'd have a beard and uniform would be a bit tatty soon after.

[@flybobbie1449]

@@meme4one Yes they all needed a good tan.

[@GlynBryan]

My Uncle was in 44RTR and served under Wavell and right through the Desert War. I asked him (when I was a young boy) if he'd met any of the SAS. He said that yes he had, but his only recollection was that "you wouldn't want to stand down wind of them."

[@cowansimstudio]

For Blair Mayne to come from Newtownards he has a very Irish Accent lol. No TV show bar Derry Girls can get a Northern Irish Accent right lol

[@AtheAetheling]

Does seem to be they always struggle; I'm English myself but I have a few mates from NI and even I can tell when the accent just isn't right. I feel like they picked the actor because he has an Irish dad, but his dad is from the Republic of Ireland, and way down south at that. Remember the 1997 Titanic movie where they didn't even bother to give Thomas Andrews a Northern Irish accent?

[@ralphraffles1394]

@@AtheAetheling The accent was almost ridiculous.

[@jimir68]

Yes I agree, the accent is the usual cringe worthy poor attempt at a Northern Irish accent. Blair Mayne was 6’ 4” the actor portraying him is a bit short.

[@Yogimaxi]

@@jimir68 He was a second row (lock) for Ireland and the Lions - definitely a different stature to the actor playing him!

[@thesaint8400]

I couldn't agree more. Blair Mayne was middle-to-upper middle class, went to Regent Grammar and trained as a solicitor. He undoubtedly had a much softer NI accent that what was depicted.

[@johnrussell9468]

Was the loss of 2/3 of their strength in the disastrous sandstorm night jump accurate? Or just to cut the cast down to a more manageable 20 or so men?

[@GazpachoTabletop]

I didn't realise how decorated Paddy was. Very interesting

[@chrismoll6862]

Good to showcase this history

[@thegit8698]

What is the poem "Paddy" was reciting in the cell?

[@ingmarsen]

The thing is though , it wasn't the SAS as such it was the Long Range Desert Group who were the forerunners and the Special Air Service have carried it on !!!

[@owensmith7530]

That was my understanding too.

[@claireauroramagic8476]

Not really they mostly did observations to verify facts and actions of enemy movements. This top HQ in the UK could then verify what the Enigima was telling them to verify what was going on, on the ground. The LRDG gave heaps of reports from all sorts of locations. Started from Baghold research about deserts and how to survive. (Thank god he did this!). The LRDG did a little destruction but communications mostly. The SAS did the main damage to all the planes so crucial to stopping the attacks on 'our lads'! Also by doing ALL their raiding, Rommel HAD to divert more and more essential manpower from the front lines, to protect the airports and at crucial times. This ALL helped to destroy the enemy.

[@ridletta9]

Loving the Program spoiled by the rock music.

[@henalihenali]

Stirling was an aristocrat. I knew his generation oc his family, the same generation as my father, and he would not use the foul language that he does here.

[@howzegoinlad1336]

I`m sure butter wouldn`t melt in his mouth ;-)

[@henalihenali]

@@howzegoinlad1336 Of course....if you are not aware his cousin was Shimi Lovat (Lord Lovat) Probably a greater war hero and also a true gentleman

[@johnsessions1389]

As an advisor to Film & TV (Military) for the last 35 years, I must say that overall the series was fantastic, I noticed a few wrong glitches in the series but it would be being very picky so I am not calling them out, they did wonderful. even down to the removal of the vertical bars on the Jeeps Radiator Grill. The LRDG did this to allow greater cooling, nobody else did this mod, they would also run with only half inflated tyres because it gives better traction in the sand,

[@verticalpharms]

Name the errors! I'll pass em along

[@johnsessions1389]

@@verticalpharms Not worth calling them out for, they were so minimal I dont think its worth mentioning them, I loved the Programme, and all the weapons were spot on and accurate, also the drill was good, I did all the Weapons Instruction and Safety Instruction. Military Drill, on a few War Films/ Programmes, like the first Brideshead Revisited, Fortunes of War (Also filmed in Egypt with genuine weapons,) also many drama series. and I must say that the SAS Rogue Hero's was so very well researched on its weapons and drill, I was very impressed. they did fantastic and all credit to the producer and Weapons Advisors...

[@tjhurson2493]

will this show tell us what color the boathouse at Hereford is?

[@charlieboffin2432]

I doubt it bears much resemblance to actual events or those who served in those units . It's a shame people like Reg etc aren't here to give their opinion .

[@jonreally7315]

Think they left a lot for what I’ve read but still tells the story

[@pierevojzola9737]

Hi, the series tells a good story and equipment and arms are correct for the times. There is an unusual tendency to tear the ass out of each character (very un British). The first static jump showed the stupidity of raw courage over information and the resulting casualties have haunted the Regiment since. Cheers mate. Harera

[@daisybelle1025]

Oh god....thank you for this....as men that have never fought, never left their sofas....are legit angry 🤣🤣🤣🤣 show Is great, Mayne is a a Irish hero to me....and seeing people actually wanna learn about the SAS and its creation is what's right.....

[@TheRealDarrylStrawberry]

The writing in this show is top notch.

[@adrianbay1496]

Wonderful !

[@rhysthomas2876]

This was a very well researched and realistic show. I was impressed that they even had the BF 108 recon plane. It was all going well until the final episode when, WTF was that tank!! I think it was an American M60 masquerading as a German tank? It looked so out of place in a show that did everything else so well. Clearly it was filmed in Egypt or the Middle East and this was the closest working Cold War era American tank that was sold off to some random military. Seems they could get it and paint a few iron crosses on it. It was so jarring! Would have preferred a CGI Panzer III or something to that monstrosity

[@Luddite1]

It’s a fantastic series absolutely loved it

[@solentbum]

I watched episode one. That failed to grab me. As for the muzac!

[@tennysonfordblackbird2087]

Great series and Paddy survived the War and sadly died in a Car crash in 1955.!