The Daring Desert Raids Of Britain’s SAS | Behind Enemy Lines | War Stories

Experience the gripping tales of Britain's SAS through daring desert raids. Follow elite soldiers behind enemy lines, witnessing their bravery and resourcefulness in high-stakes missions amidst the crucible of war.
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00:00 Introduction
05:20 HH Promo
05:55 Desert Raiders Discover the past on History Hit with ad-free exclusive podcasts and documentaries released weekly presented by world renowned historians Dan Snow, Suzannah Lipscomb, Matt Lewis and more. Get 50% off your first 3 months with code WARSTORIES bit.ly/3rc7nqm

[@darrylpeel1504]

What a great documentary about these soldiers, as I am an ex-SAS Captain I found it very thought-provoking and well-portrayed on the difficulties these chaps had to endure in order to keep the Great in Britain alive and well.👏👏👏

[@hughzapretti-boyden9187]

You are no more an ex SAS Captain than I am the king of Persia.🤡😂

[@RULE3O3]

I was on the Starship Enterprise QRF

[@ricky-leethompson6786]

I was obi wan Kenobi

[@johnathandaviddunster38]

@@hughzapretti-boyden9187 have you been invited to my brother's coronation??

[@user-ne3xp7zw5i]

Ahahahaha dits

[@ThisBloke760]

Hats off to the Australian 9th Division for turning the German flank at El Alamein so saving the Suez

[@glenbatts1019]

They pulled the New Zealand’s and Australians out the night before the attack of El Alamein, and replaced in which British troops The Australian government was complaining, and then one of their guys home

[@ThisBloke760]

@@glenbatts1019 rubbish, my dad was there and lost mates. 2/17 lost 25% the signals corp lost 75%. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHOwkoemmstof6uj

[@BrasherFox]

And the legends continue with the SAS, still active today. Lets not forget the LRDG who where desert navigators supreme without SatNav.

[@edm240b9]

I believe one of the members of L platoon, Mike Sadler, was recruited from the LRDG.

[@strawbsshem3457]

Can't believe they haven't mentioned Paddy Mayne once, bizarre to say the least

[@jonathonjubb6626]

I was thinking exact the same thing.... I'd love to know why.

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

A lot about him was classified until relatively recently

[@strawbsshem3457]

@@Ukraineaissance2014 I was reading about the exploits of Mayne and the desert raiders as a kid nearly 40 years ago

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

@@strawbsshem3457 did you read about his homosexuality as a kid?

[@strawbsshem3457]

@@Ukraineaissance2014 there's no documented evidence of any homosexuality in Maynes's past no matter what Rouge Heroes tried to suggest

[@markwigmore2103]

Good documentary , Sad to hear that Mike Sadler, the last surviving member of the original L Section has just died in the past week. RIP Mike Sadler Much respect.

[@Paul-ot2yc]

Hats off to you guys, amazing bravery.

[@JupiterLune]

Geoffrey Palmer narrating. Such a wonderful voice. Slightly lagubrious, marginally disapproving and yet simulatniously soothing.

[@Codgerism]

Bruh that was a pretty apt appraisal

[@timmellor2599]

The rum cocktail, with sugar and lime, isn't so different from a mojito without mint. It just adds to the Regiment's reputation to think of them sipping cocktails on the battlefield!

[@steven.ghodgson765]

I was born in nov 1941 and am eternally grateful to their exploits and the rest of the services during WW11

[@fotonomad69]

Any wonder they’ve made a great series called “Rogue Heroes” about the exploits of these brave men. This doco gives it real context. Fantastic.

[@mhdphotographys9031]

Fantastic, such an insight to the beginning of two different sections during such times. Thank you to all.

[@KM-ABZ]

Brave brave men, great story...👍🏻🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@gordonclark7632]

An extraordinary documentary about extraordinary brave men.

[@andrewarthurmatthews6685]

Absolutely stunning documentary about these unique soldiers, well told and delivered .

[@pedenmk]

These men lived interesting lives that played a important role in history. Thanks for sharing.

[@nightdaychannel828]

An amazing documentary about the OG's of desert warfare and special operations! Amazing to hear the actual members of the LRDG (aka desert 'taxis') and the SAS 'parashites'! So sad that so many died in WW II due to the political ambitions of so few!

[@alansutton9388]

No mention of Paddy Maine a legend

[@shaundavenport621]

Unbelievably tough men who lived in a Unbelievably tough era!

[@ieuanb8378]

Love these commando stories 👍

[@morgasspy]

Really cool documentary. What an awesome bunch of lads!!!

[@pvtjohntowle4081]

LRDG wasn't the SAS , they were a seperate unit. Title is misleading when it refers to the SAS.

[@HighMaintenancePS]

Sure but many from the LRDG went on into the first SAS unit.

[@harrycurrie9664]

Colonel David Stirling the most despised and hated person by the New Zealand LRDG.

[@whiterabbit1632]

Not even a mention of the last realest hero: Paddy Mayne.

[@16rumpole]

when you realize your grandfather was a serious badass

[@edwinsalau150]

What men! They began a unit that has very few equals!

[@russellchilton5631]

Long range desert group

[@tonyfranks9551]

Thank you.

[@t.l.1610]

35:00 says the vet about incendiary bombs on an airfield, “Oh great fun!” 😂

[@mikekelly6023]

Zero mention of Paddy Mayne well thanks for half a good episode

[@quirkygreece]

It's well known that there was prejudice against Paddy Maine, arguably somewhat justified because of his character, but there's no doubt he was a supreme fighting man and I'm really surprised that there was no mention of him in this video. Has the prejudice continued and spread so far? If so, that's a sad reflection on the military, political and broadcasting services but cannot, in any way, diminish the fact that Paddy was a hero and the exact kind of man needed by the SAS at the time. Paddy Maine, R.I.P.

[@lufe8773]

Paddy Maine? sorry but not familiar but sounds like I should be.

[@quirkygreece]

@@lufe8773 Blair "Paddy" Maine. He was highly decorated and is often referred to as the bravest man never to have been awarded the Victoria Cross.

[@lufe8773]

is A very brave man. I guess many men did not get the recognition they deserved. For me the ones who just did it and got on with it although they were not really cut out for war also deserve praise. I suppose that goes for the majority of men who were called up. At least you have done a bit to bring his name back I will read his history more fully now Have a great day

[@cosminking8516]

BBC IPlayer Series “SAS Rogue Hero’s” is based on these heroic men, if people want to watch a modern adaptation on the founding of the SAS

[@MultiBurger1]

Tis good

[@davidfaulds2960]

@@MultiBurger1 Tis very good,watching that series alone was worth the license fee....

[@johnwatson6164]

My uncle, Roy Watson was in the LRDG. Later Colonel Roy Watson adviser to King Saud and in charge (among others) of the Omani and Trucial scouts. JW

[@bearthomas]

Good video

[@pelonehedd7631]

John Edmonds of Rhodesian Forces Troopie Song’s Fame is responsible for keeping their Memory alive and making the History of the SAS More available and stirring more interest in it and other African History as Well.

[@0ldb1ll]

The success of the SAS lay in the fact that they had members who could navigate the desert. These came from unorthodox, non-army people like archeologists, who formed the Long Range Desert Group and Popski's Private Army. These people were generally hated by the Army for their ability and totally unmilitary methods.

[@simonsmith1974]

I think you mean unorthodox methods.

[@glennwall552]

Great stories of one on return explored the Australian deserts for oil navigation was by the stars he learned in the long range patrols.

[@0ldb1ll]

@@simonsmith1974 No. I mean unmilitary. (Like no rank badges or stealing necessary equipment. Check it out.)

[@kennethward3354]

Respect .

[@thebiglebowski4309]

As an Ulsterman. Very disappointing, no mention of LtCol Blair "Paddy" Mayne. One of the main men I thought.

[@paulreeves1787]

i knew an ex LRDG guy (passed away now rip) who was absorbed into the SAS. he joked about how they used to have bets on who could go the longest without using water and who would have the most on end ex. top bloke. used to get picked up by a driver and taken to the sgts mess every year where they would be served dinner by the current blokes in their 2's.

[@franklinmint7394]

SAS makes American seals look like girl scouts 😅

[@Edgar-bn7zv]

One is a South African one salutes those intrepid men so very brave

[@sirrathersplendid4825]

Made in 2001! Don’t suppose any of those jolly old chaps are alive now. What a fantastic documentary!

[@cowboywoodard2569]

Fantastic group of men,wish I was with them They would love to have a Texan in the group!!!

[@welltender1795]

Wow 👍

[@kerlyn3582]

Brave men

[@gabegrace8333]

Paddy Mayne assumed command after Stirling was captured..

[@kevinpennick3604]

Top men....

[@sillyoldbastard3280]

Legendary men

[@davidshattock9522]

Mike Sadler is still alive at102 in an old folks home he cannot see now but he is alive alive and ,able.to recount his activities ,my question is how can you live in peacetime after war ended .

[@Alecb217]

My uncle Mike. Still doing well in April 2023. I met up with him in December/January 2022/3,

[@MichaelKingsfordGray]

No mention of the SBS?

[@johnathandaviddunster38]

I hate war and WARMONGERS but I have big respect for a medium size country of 80 millions who kept half the world at bay for six years and still can hold onto sunbeds like no other nation on earth

[@stuarthipkins8336]

Very brave heros.

[@josephjackson7269]

Can we pause the war for a cup of tea

[@waceyseufer7083]

10:30 you need to learn how to roll a cigarette, one-handed, behind your back at a full gallop like John Wayne did... cowboy.... 🤣

[@das5813]

It's truly unbelievable but you'd think that they would have learned a lesson but somehow not. I used to deliver to military bases and airfields in the UK and the number of times I just drove through the open gates, nobody in the gatehouse or security, trying to find the contractors is familiar. Just like the german bases in North Africa in the 1940s, I read many bases in Russia and Ukraine also have no defences or security. Where do they get the COs from ?

[@flybobbie1449]

One's i have been to you are photo id'ed before entry. Perhaps a bit lax if they recognise you.

[@das5813]

@@flybobbie1449 Yes, they all do nowadays. But it wasn't always like that.

[@shaundavenport621]

These days they recruit from the local prisons,lol.

[@goodie54321ag]

My dad served armoured reconnaissance in lybian desert was in household cavalry his superior was paddy morrison he went into the lybian desert depression 100 miles 2 up in a Dingo their mission was to last 2 weeks plane spotting to gain co ordinates for airfields the first day they opened their ration packs and had 2 weeks supply of tinned pineapples that's all they had for 2 weeks apart from trading some with Arab shepherd's

[@danlinnell9359]

Haha sounds like the typical wartime logistics stuff up. Wouldn't have been funny at the time though I'd think.😂

[@lufe8773]

Bet your very proud of him as we all should be of men like these

[@billnixon8320]

Pineapple is a wonderful delicious fruit, but tends to have an alaxitive affect on most people who have not consumed it for sometime, so yah a few problems.... I recently watched Rouge Heroes and loved the show. I wasn't aware of them, and their exploites. That is discovering fantastic historical facts, and bringing renewed appreciation to those gallant men, and women.

[@16rumpole]

Libyan

[@charlieunok1785]

Fighting tubruk to tunis is the longest walk ever.

[@1990pommie]

had vet SAS FRIENDS boy they were strange look at them sideways once lol

[@sandroh7573]

SAS: Rogue Heroes on Prime, in case you're curious about details about these units

[@michaelmorahan57]

riding on the the back of the long range desert group

[@sprintershepherd4359]

NOT SURE HOW ACCURATE THAT SERIES IS . AFTER WATCHING THIS IT SEAMS LIKE THEY TOOK THE LIBERTY OF A FAIR BIT OF POETIC LICENCE

[@knightnight1894]

19th of Oct. 1937, China, the campaign of Shanxi, several hundreds of Chinese infantrymen, attacked a Japanese airfield at night, destroyed 24 warplanes on the ground. Those men didn't have special training, didn't have any vehicles, they didn't even have enough machine guns, all they had just rifles and hand grenades, and their determination to protect their country from brutal Japanese invasion.

[@pvtjohntowle4081]

Where is Lt Col David Stirling? Jock Lewes? Paddy Mayne? 20 mins of the way into this video the first mention of David Stirling.

[@maitrehauchecorne846]

As a kid one of My favorite movies was Northwest Passage and In a military History Class I did a report on Major Robert Rogers and Rogers Rangers of America’s French And Indian War fame . Although Loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution He is considered the Father of U.S. Special Forces. I am very Proud that one of My Stepson’s is a Special Forces Doctor. I am very proud and thankful for the accomplishments of The Special Air Service. A Fijian Woman who is a caregiver for My Mom has a Son who served in the SAS and has been a instructor at Sandhurst. I am very proud of Him too and all who serve. It may sound odd but I even admire Our enemies. How many times I have met , worked with or saw My uncles interact with former enemies now U.S. Citizen’s many of whom have raised their Children Here who have or are serving in Our military. My paternal Grandfather was in the Italian Army that was Defeated at Adwa in 1896. He fought there and barely escaped being captured with His Life. His Son’s served in the U.S. Army and fought in WW2 . It is very sad and disgraceful How the U.S. and British commonwealth betrayed Rhodesia , the home of SAS Squadron C . If not For John Edmonds many would not know about the SAS. Songs like Warriors Bold, Pamwe Chette and Who Dares Win’s certainly provoked My interest and research into the exploit’s and service of these Brave soldier’s . Play The Saints and March of the Belgian Parachutist’s loudly!

[@phincampbell1886]

"93 year old Rupert Newman was the photographer of the group..." ?? Seems a bit cruel, sending that old boy out there into the desert!

[@bloodyliar]

In his memoirs he remarked how bad the queue was at the Post Office

[@waleed2431]

Came here after watching sas rouge heroes

[@tobytaylor2154]

Sadler and Cooper from rogue heroes are in this, filmed about mid 90s

[@brucehardwick8824]

We forget these Men at our Peril !!

[@jeremyaarons5577]

No point watching this when Paddy Mayne was the man THEY All KNOW THIS

[@jeffbailey2225]

I just want to say Hi. Jeff

[@dennismckown4951]

probably what the series Desert Rats was based on.

[@sydmccreath4554]

BRITANNIA ! ! ! 🇬🇧

[@shanek6582]

At 2:46, where's the motor in that car? Wtf?

[@gabegrace8333]

Inventor of bomb was killed in action RIP

[@unclemoe6043]

RLTW "Sua Sponte"

[@fredflintstoner596]

Mrs Richards: " I paid for a room with a view!" Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) " That is Torquay, Madam." Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough!" Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically past?..." Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly! I expect to be able to see the sea!" Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky." Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction." Basil: "Why?! Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment ?"

[@menziesdave1263]

Jok's name was Lewes NOT Lewis!!!

[@andrewarthurmatthews6685]

I would like to learn why the US Jeep was preferred to the UK Landrover ? Or were both vehicles used side by side ?

[@davidshattock9522]

Land rover came after ww11

[@chookgaming4887]

British army ordered first land rovers in 1949, jeep was only founded in 1941 amazing how fast war makes us move

[@johnathandaviddunster38]

They also used early Toyota landcruisers and Mercedes g wagons stolen from the desert foxes

[@HighMaintenancePS]

@@johnathandaviddunster38No.

[@johnathandaviddunster38]

The SAS have done a lot of things to be ashamed of northern Ireland comes to mind

[@Ramazdil]

1952-1978

[@kurtschlesinger8257]

They where krazy

[@solrosenberg4529]

I was in the Super Army Soldiers (SAS) but they kicked me out coz I’m too well ‘ard and was making the other SAS men look like little girls.

[@flybobbie1449]

Shame to think they all probably gone now, including the narrator.

[@adventussaxonum448]

Geoffrey Palmer - Royal Marines 👍 (and of course, Uncle Jimmy, in Reginald Perrin ..😄)

[@fandangofandango2022]

MEN of Great Deeds.

[@fraseredk7433]

Interesting addition to the story but you should have mentioned the different Allied countries/colonies from which the first lrdg and sas were formed imo.

[@sprintershepherd4359]

WHO WERE THEY?

[@fraseredk7433]

@@sprintershepherd4359 I think they included Brits, Kiwis, Aussies, Rhodesians and South Africans, and possibly Canadians, not forgetting Paddy Mayne.

[@1990pommie]

rfe aircraft? flasfleshlight with red or blue colour lens solves aircraft problem imo

[@hughzapretti-boyden9187]

The best of the best. Other countries SF are pale imitations.

[@peterjohnston1224]

The SAS is the "Gold-Standard" of Special Forces internationally. Their motto - "Those who Dare, Win" differs from many other mottos. In Canada, the SF motto is: "We Dare". They don't mention "Win" or "Winning" for a reason. Since the Quebecer's got their people in-place, the quality and moral integrity of CANSOFCOM has degraded. The only exception would be JTF2. The level of corruption and amoral activity is endemic and they, like the current Liberal government, are utterly incompetent for the task at hand.

[@nigelwatkins558]

You mean best of New Zealand's ?????????????

[@paulmcewen]

Yes most of these men were Kiwis South Africans and Aussies with a sprinkling of Poms.

[@one4qv4re]

Kiwis tough as nails

[@jaydenritchie1992]

they can wheel them through the sand no worries

[@dukewhitehead6976]

Desert Rats

[@craigrik2699]

The war in the desert was important but lets be clear, there were 3 x German line divisions supporting the Italian Army. The real war was in the East where the Germans lost 8 out of 10 soldiers, basically where the Soviets destroyed them. And to wrap it all up, after taking Berlin, a million man Soviet army was sent to China to support the Chinese. It took them 2 weeks to move this army to the north of China and then less then a month they destroyed the cream of the Japanese army and to be clear, Japan lost their ability to fight a war, all their access to raw materials and manufacturing had been taken from them. Rumors about the Emperor wanting to talk peace with the Americans were very real otherwise the Soviets would have invaded Japan from the West and this out of date Feudal state did not want communists on their lands. The US needed to make a statement, after the Soviets won in Europe and now in the East, the US made a statement which is now history.

[@joelatchison7651]

The runtime of ads is literally twice as long as the show .. how dumb is that .. just one was 36-minutes long

[@sheldonhollies2997]

Please stop calling them britains sas. They are the uk,s sas.

[@GrahamWalters]

Not strictly true, the SAS are recruited from all regiments, even commonwealth regiments are eligible to take the course.

[@elite_riddimzgaming3427]

@@GrahamWalters he's right Britain being great Britain or England the seperate country.....the UK being united Kingdom...which the whole is known as a group

[@simonsmith1974]

At the end of the day it doesn't matter where they come from, they serve King and country (countries) and defend it with all their might. SAS have spawned offshoots in Norway, Australia and New Zealand and others along with training African special forces. That's how we know they're badass

[@glennwall552]

Strange how they never mention the Indian Army in this theatre of war although they made up one third of troops...racism is apparent....

[@fraseredk7433]

The subject is the lrdg in which no Asian troops were members. Away with you and your racism. There are other publications that cover the invaluable contributions of Asian soldiers.

[@394824]

John Masters’s autobiography describes how his Gurkha regiment employed the same techniques in Burma under Orde Wingate, an exponent of the LRDG methods. No racism there, unless you were a local villager crucified by the Japanese.

[@nevermindthebollocks1171]

Brave men living in exciting times...

[@bremnersghost948]

Doubt todays Snowflake Youth would be able to rough it like these Warriors. Most can't read a Road Map never mind use a Compass.

[@MadMiff]

SHAME on the SCUM poster who is trying to make money from the death of so many with the sick ads every 4 minutes.

[@Ukraineaissance2014]

@@bremnersghost948 does some tedious bore have to leave this comment on every single youtube video?

[@cowboywoodard2569]

All comments below say it well. GOD BLESS TO ALL

[@alanlangley7246]

I bet they were Master's with a knife

[@ripvanwinkle1819]

Well, they aren't no fallshirmjager. Real heavy hitters in ww2. These guys hit soft targets highly choreographed. PR stunts.

[@hilti503]

I dont understad this english…