The unbelievable SAS mission that remained secret for 80 years

[@ronaldfraser2789]

Respect to all who have served in the sas. Glad you guys are on our side.

[@andydudley1775]

respect to all servicemen .

[@TerryKnight-hw3pg]

My father was in the SAS during WW2 served in France, Belgium, Norway, Holland. I think he would have enjoyed this war story he also had some great stories.

[@WyeExplorer]

Like my father I imagine he was a decent man - we got the best of the bunch. Peace.

[@regolith1350]

This story reminds me so much of the old 1965 film Von Ryan's Express, starring Frank Sinatra and Trevor Howard. Although it's a very different story, it does involve the escape of Allied prisoners of war from a detention camp in Italy using a commandeered train running through Nazi-controlled territory. I wonder if someone involved in this raid worked on the script or whispered some secrets to one of the writers.

[@GLYDR]

Great movie

[@andrewlongcake6446]

all stories have an elimante of truth in them. Its very possible that the writers of the dilm had heard of the raid and thought that would make a good plot

[@jimmorrish6771]

thought the very same thing

[@keithprinn720]

often the movie makers made US involved in so many events and ops not involved.

[@sanctifiedandsaved5298]

Yes, this account sounded like Von Ryan's express in reverse😃

[@dtaylor10chuckufarle]

They were the Greatest Generation... we stand on the shoulders of giants. 🇬🇧

[@tomellis487]

We sit at their feet.

[@asanulsterman1025]

Paddy Mayne an Ulsterman to be proud of

[@haroldkane9714]

The entire allied world should be grateful for Sir Paddy Mayne, was in the thick of action before America even entered the War.....proud to be British because of the likes of Sir Paddy

[@williamrobinson7435]

This is another in the list of distinguished acts of inventive heroism in the history of The SAS. In re not getting even the famous 'little oak leaf badge' for the effort, at least my old dad, being a staff sergeant in a less glamorous outfit but the same Italian show, got his, for nagging his world-weary captain into letting him drag a Bren gun in a canvas bag a distance forward by night, digging himself in and, with the aid of an improvised (premeditated) blind periscope, shooting up a square encampment of white tents containing some 50 or so each Hitler Youth & Waffen SS officers.. Interestingly, I've seen a photo of the world weary captain, who was my dad's good friend and he looked a lot like E. Blackadder 😅.. Thanks for posting this. I bet those lads, had it been possible, would've been pleased with a Mention In Dispatches, these were highly prized. The gallantry of The SAS is conspicuous, even if the gongs aren't. To all present serving members and all, a belated Happy New Year. ⭐👍

[@dalisdavies3326]

Let's hope that if ever they make a film of this train rescue, it's more Spielberg than Richie.

[@kourtourafi]

If one takes into consideration the insanely disproportionate ratio of unit size to range of missions - achievements - impact on enemy morale and how Stirling's 'baby' essentially became a role model for all the special forces that followed in many countries, I think it's safe to say that the SAS is the most iconic, legendary and impactful unit not only of WWII but of warfare since the dawn of time...

[@nedkelly9688]

Might want to study Australia Sparrow Force and Special Z Force.. most daring of rowing fold out canoes in to Singapore and sinking Japanese ships was more daring. Sparrow Force most successful longest behind enemy lines of WW2 special Forces had to eat off the land as supplies were barely able to reach them Even today out of 120 Special Z Force missions are top secret classified. Sparrow Force so successful Japanese said needed 10 times the men to defeat them and sent whole Divisions to Timor that were meant for the Aussies on New Guinea. Vietnam Australia SASR were most feared even being named Ma Rung Phantoms of the Jungles and can see why by their missions. their tactics were trained to Navy seals and famous MACV GROM and even members of it who to this day none have publicly gone on interviews and many have tried. British SAS leaders even came to Nui Dat SASR HQ and studied their tactics.. Was a report Stirling came to Australia and studied Sparrow Force tactics.. not all is British SAS lol British SAS changed a tactic of shoot and scoot.. meaning fire and run away once in contact after a investigation of them leaving one dead SAS member behind and leaving a Aussie SASR soldier behind because SASR did not have a tactic or run away and stayed and fought.. he had to evade Indonesians for 2 days and lucky made it to the extraction zone.

[@kourtourafi]

@@highcountrydelatite Why not say toddlers? They are younger and more clueless than kids...

[@brigitteschauble6311]

What? Hallo, Deutschland ist der alleinige Schuldige und Verlierer mit ca 80 Millionen Einwohnern und die Alliierten hatten zusammen ( ALLE ANDEREN UNSCHULDIGEN) sicherlich mehrere hundert Millionen. Da seh ich irgendwie keine Übermacht???? Wie die Wahrnehmung doch differieren kann.

[@Mercmad]

@@nedkelly9688 What is never mentioned is the fact that New Zealand Troops were in fact formed into the LRDG ,before the British. The Kiwis (one of my Uncles was amongst them) volunteered to become a Mobile group whose job was to head into the desert and seek out German and Italian groups and either raid them Guerrilla style or report their position .None of them ever received any decorations etc as there presence was also meant to be a secret. The Movie,Ice cold in Alex has a very very brief mention of LRDG setting a fuel dump hidden in an oasis. I think it's only time they were ever mentioned in a movie.

[@alwynvanwyk1851]

And now a NZer jumps into the "wannabe wall of fame, 80 years later...

[@MrJhughs1]

SAS above any other unit. Intelligence with action gave incredible success!!!

[@paulfitz61]

All credit to Damien Lewis for his research and writing this story which needs to be told, I am ordering my copy, Damien's book are excellent

[@t5ruxlee210]

The initial new Chevy trucks of the SAS were procured from the GM branch office in Cairo. They were built at the Oshawa plant in Canada and shipped in to pay in part for raw cotton imports used in Canada's textile mills. Needless to say, Canadian tourists visiting USA in those days were stunned by the high quality and low prices of forbidden American cotton products. Great Depression economics and international trade were often fairly nightmarish for ordinary shoppers with thin wallets.

[@alwynvanwyk1851]

​ What did I miss? Where are you falling out with the trucks and cotton story... You are missing the train, bro...

[@garyjohnstone6422]

What men they were. Such flair and heroism.

[@nickm-rack8561]

Thankfully, the brave soldiers who took on this incredible mission weren't picked by the same person who decided the narrator's mad, jolly over the top tone was absolutely spot on for such serious content.

[@patrickpaganini]

During the war, there were narrators with extremely jolly and over the top tones - I don't think you should be to hard here, I thought the narrator sounded good.

[@Jeffybonbon]

My father was in the Desert and he said the Higher ups had no time for the SAS and listening to this I think he was correct If this had been the paras or the Commandos the story would have been told long before now

[@charlieyerrell9146]

The higher ups in the British army were an ignorant bunch of armchair officers. After the wars end we now know that some of them were the most useless officers in the British army.

[@abody499]

nonsense. it was behind enemy lines raids that won north africa and let them move on to sicily. if any higher ups "had no time" for them, it was through jealousy of losing good soldiers to other units.

[@Jeffybonbon]

I think your answer is infront of you the SAS was just about disbanded after WW2 why was that who cut them back and why I quote this as factAt the end of the war the British government saw no further need for the force and disbanded it on 8 October 1945 @@abody499

[@sugarkane4830]

Of course they had no time for them. Because they were mavericks and didn’t have a lot of time for authority. And thank goodness for them.

[@Jeffybonbon]

They were different from any other unit and thats why they were so special the staff at the time were old school guardsmen ect who did not understand the work they would carry out and i think envy was at the bottom of the issues @@sugarkane4830

[@What_If_We_Tried]

Not British, but I've always had massive respect for the SAS.

[@Caroline.123]

In those days they were English men not British.

[@ralphraffles1394]

@@Caroline.123They were commanded by an Ulsterman at this point, previously by a Scot.

[@bluerock4456]

​@@Caroline.123David Stirling was a Scot.

[@portaltwo]

Incredible that this remained buried for so long. I was a voracious reader when I was young and I used to get a carefully chosen hardcover book from my father on every birthday. For my 12th (just looked at the inscription - Oct, 1962) he gave me "The Phantom Major", by Virginia Cowles. It tells the story of David Stirling and the formation of the SAS. I almost never reread a book, but I did for that one.

[@klackon1]

Cracking book, which I read years ago.

[@JohnFairchild-w3i]

May. God. Save. The. King& Queen. And. America. Bob13

[@nedkelly9688]

@@highcountrydelatite Even Stirling came to Australia and studied Sparrow Force and Special Z Force tactics in late 1950's. Sparrow Force was longest behind enemy lines and most successful of all special forces in WW2. Australia SASR still to this day are most elite at jungle warfare and long recon units in the world those tactics what made them most feared in Vietnam also. And even in Afghanistan held record for longest out on patrol special forces of 50 days straight, Have to wonder if SASR did what Bravo Two Zero did in Iraq if would of succeeded in the mission. They did similar in Iraq 2003 inside Iraq on 18th 2 days before invasion with no losses or any incidents..

[@nedkelly9688]

@@highcountrydelatite Nice need more telling Australia stories as even today most think USA did more in South Pacific then Australia. Yes Navy and Airforce but ground troops Australia outnumbered USA until Germany war was over and then they flooded in

[@e.chambers2973]

A hagiography and a David Stirling puff piece (The Virginia Cowles' effort) according to Gavin Mortimer. He convincingly dissects Stirling in his book, David Stirling The Phoney Major: the Life, Times and Truth about the Founder of the SAS. Claims David Stirling, a charming idea man short on execution abilities, mischeviously elevated his role in SAS history by minimizing and in some cases ignoring the efforts and importance of his own brother, Bill, and Blair (Paddy) Mayne.

[@DanBeech-ht7sw]

But why was this raid carried out? The SAS were used to attack targets of military value. This raid is very different indeed. There must have been people in this concentration camp who had real value for the war effort. That's the real gem of information and it's missing. What was the purpose of the raid? If it was purely humanitarian, then it would have been publicized.

[@tombristowe846]

It all sounds a bit over-hyped to me.

[@rowanshole]

Someone very important they couldn't risk taking out alone and having easily identified if they were recaptured- "oh- who is this person you did all of this to rescue"- so they took the whole crew.

[@DanBeech-ht7sw]

@@rowanshole but why the secrecy after all this time?

[@tombristowe846]

Guys; there's a difference between evidence and what might be called "constructing a narrative around known facts". I suspect it was just a small affair in the middle of a huge operation.

[@DanBeech-ht7sw]

@@tombristowe846 like enough, but it's a very odd mission for the war time SAS who were used to damage the enemy's ability to wage war. I don't doubt that this raid happened, or that it achieved its objectives. But for the life of me I don't see what the military result was.

[@tonys1636]

Operations are often classified for periods of 50, 80 or 100 years not just for National Security but often for the safety and security of those who took part and their families, children and grandchildren for years after.

[@IHZ3185]

Almost correct

[@cacambo589]

...and to avoid prosecutions?!?

[@stuartmccall5474]

@@cacambo589 : Just be glad there are shadowy people that allow you to sleep soundly in bed at night.

[@EeeEee-bm5gx]

​@@stuartmccall5474lol. Maybe caca is the one who doesn't sleep soundly knowing that SAS may raid concentration camps he supports

[@nedkelly9688]

Special Z Force WW2 over 120 missions and only 2 or 3 are public and rest are still classified. google say only operated in Pacific region but they did missions in Malaysia and Phillipines also. Australia SASR are ranked 9th and barely mentioned but even Vietnam were most feared of all and nicknamed Ma Rung by Vietnamese. Iraq 2003 SASR were inside Iraq on 18th 2 days before invasion only made public not long ago and still barely talked about. Afghanistan SASR not talked about and some say are rubbish but heavily awarded by USA with medals of honor and gallantry awards. .Even Australia 2nd Commando unit who recently had 2nd longest sniper record is barely spoken about Australia very secret.

[@parallelsuns1]

Keeping the SAS, SBS, reconnaissance or any other special forces group secretive is pretty important and the British seemed to have sussed this. Nobody had really heard of the SAS until the Iranian hostage seige for instance

[@abody499]

I knew about them before that. It's not "nobody".

[@plebius]

Their exploits were widely published. Raids were used for propaganda all the time by both sides. They were then widely known, however all their exploits weren't published. There is a big difference. For example Operation Chariot was widely purported to be a failure at the time by the Germans. They ran a broadcast on the radio explaining how it failed and had Soldiers from the SAS being interviewed on it. (There is some murkiness in this, as the soldiers claim that they thought they were being interviewed by the Red Cross for sending messages home and were being recorded secretly.) This whole propaganda by the Germans at the time was a bluff as they had knocked the Docks out of use when the HMS Campbeltown blew up.

[@H4CK61]

HOW?​@@highcountrydelatite

[@seedy80]

Meanwhile, every SEAL has a book deal as part of their enlistment.

[@midas61]

Absolute rubbish. The SAS were well known over here in the UK I was reading about them when I was a kid in the 1960's

[@laurencehastings7473]

There have been so many full feature films depicting heroic events during WWII both purely fictional and based on true events but this one was apparently swept under the carpet, or at least into a corner and forgotten about. It's time this was mission is filmed and the true story shown to the whole world. In a world where fascism and authoritoryism is on the uprise it must be shown to be possible that a small unit of heroes can make an enormous impact. The heroic efforts of Ukrainians during this ongoing war with Russia are starting to be filmed now , so someone has to get in quick, verify the mission, collect the history and data, write a script and produce the film. Events like these should never be forgotten.

[@JelMain]

My friends in the Regiment (I'm an oddity, they asked me to join them, I said no because their political leadership had killed the guy whose job I was to fill) would hate that. The amount of fake macho that surrounds them is not their way.

[@scallopohare9431]

Ya just had to bring current events into this. Could you not just appreciate the accomplishment?💩

[@laurencehastings7473]

@@scallopohare9431 It's because I appreciate the accomplishment that I think it should be brought to the attention of everyone now, not lie forgotten somewhere and the best way to do that now would be a film or documentary.

[@norbertrossi7925]

Ron Munsterman includes a depiction of this event in his fictional WWII “Sgt. Dunn” series.

[@beverleyparkey6388]

@@norbertrossi7925 looked it up and adding to my list. Thanks for sharing. Saw recent obit for Mike Sadler. Last of SAS died at 103.

[@j.johnson3520]

This needs to be done as a movie. It'll give the chaps involved the recognition that they so thoroughly deserve.

[@raypurchase801]

Couldn't make the movie today unless Idris Elba played the commander. With a subplot about transgender SAS soldiers seeking acceptance in the face of transphobia.

[@j.johnson3520]

😅 That's a bit jaded. I can't see the next Bond movie reflecting that. But I get your point.

[@robsilvester3068]

Impossible it would have include a transgender major, 3 black troopers and a non -binery medic.

[@j.johnson3520]

So that means that the gay medic in the movie Wild Geese was quite forward thinking for a seventies movie. It hadn't even crossed my mind. But proves it was being done nearly 50 years ago. I think a movie that simply reflects the reality would suffice.

[@robsilvester3068]

@@j.johnson3520 sas mission was ww2 wild geese was 70s, it was legal then.

[@connell212]

I tried reading the book, and it meanders around so much, that it was difficult to find out what the raid actually was/was about. Gave up. So nice to get this where it is all described succinctly.

[@The-Spanish-Inquisition490]

Just when you think your sick of Britain and what its become...... you here tale like this..... makes you proud to be british again. It makes me think we can be that proud nation we once was. Regardless of your race we stand united and this tiny island will overcome anything!

[@YARROWS9]

The SAS, was all British hands to the pumps🇬🇧.🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿☘️🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@NiSiochainGanSaoirse]

Speak for yourself. The Bradford I knew and loved is as divided as it can get, and yes, race IS a huge dividing factor.

[@petermoreton5313]

'Once were' - not 'once was' - PLEASE.

[@philipprice171]

​@@petermoreton5313Oh Peter, stop picking nits and instead concentrate on the sentiment of the post. Regards

[@brianpilley3801]

Kiwis and Aussies plus others also.

[@Sociologist66]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing it with us.

[@chrismadge5472]

I would still like to see a film based on Christopher Lee The famous actors involvement was with the SAS during the war and after too. From what i have read, he was the real deal, just incredible story you would never had guessed or knew about.

[@mentalcog2187]

Such an utterly amazing feet of heroism and panache! The families of these brave souls should be alerted of their family's significant history, ancestry and pride. When I learned of my great grandfather's deeds, Medal of Honor and then my own father's medal received for saving lives,.. it warms my heart to know I'm from, represent and stand for a family legacy worthy of handing down giving strength to those that follow. Absolutely brilliant story of history!

[@Stumblebum-lc4zu]

I think the reason this was kept secret is that if you broadcast the success of the mission, then the enemy will take precautions to prevent similar missions in the future. Unfortunately they kept this one so secret that they forgot about it.

[@sblack48]

and I bet inter service jealousy and politics played a role. It always has. The SAS were not popular. They bypassed normal channels.

[@eizol568]

Great men of our time!

[@kevindelaney1951]

A brilliant operation hidden for far too long. Excellent post.

[@TheMilpitasguy]

But what about the prisoners liberated? Wouldn't they have spoken out about it beforehand?

[@NeilLewis77]

Literally millions of liberated prisoners have told their stories and to be honest I've barely ever heard one from Italian concentration camps.

[@fastair8546]

Italian guards vs the SAS, that must have been messy.

[@robsin2810]

All involved, should be given the recognition they deserve 🙏🙏🇦🇺👍

[@GregoryFoster-e8i]

this event absolutely needs to be made into a movie

[@noonsight2010]

A tale of true heroes.

[@fToo]

it's one thing not giving medals at the time - but surely medals should have been awarded at the end of the war?

[@DeclanShanahan-f7g]

The SAS were disbanded after the war, they weren't like by the top brass. Paddy Mayne was never given a VC when he probably earned the right to 3. They were seen as thieves, pirates, chancers who went against the stiff upper lip Sandhurst tradition. They were appalled that Mayne shot a load a German pilots eating their dinner one night in their mess. Never mind that these same pilots would be shooting down Allied planes and Soldiers the very next morning. They basically embarrassed the officer class in North Africa and Italy with what they achieved in small numbers. They got away with it because Churchill loved their unorthodox tactics and organisations like SOE. The SAS caused more damage on foot in small jeeps then what the RAF did in the air in North Africa.

[@sblack48]

@@DeclanShanahan-f7g absolutely. politics killed careers and decorations all the time.

[@ttnyny]

I have always admired the audacious exploits of the WW2 SAS, and this raid is yet another example, but I take exception to the suggestion that there was "nothing else like it" in WW2. What about the Slovene Partisans, Special Operations Executive (SOE), and MI9 raid at Ožbalt in Aug. 1944? And the Filipino guerrilla and 11th Airborne Division raid on Los Baños in Feb. 1945?

[@dravmtp385]

Well the guy being interviewed isn't promoting a book he wrote about any of those, so take his hyperbole with a large serving of salt

[@nedkelly9688]

Also Australia Special Z Force Operation Jaywick rowed little fold out canoes in to Singapore sinking 4 Japanese ships. think weight was 30,000 tonnes. Did over 120 missions throughout Pacific Asia and still most are classified. Australia Sparrow Force said to be most successful longest behind enemy lines of any special forces of WW2 18 men against whole Divisions of Japanese doing jungle warfare. they had to eat off the land even at times sat hiding waiting for Japanese to cook food before killing them all and sitting and eating their food. Australia SASR still train to do long recon missions and eating off the land and became most feared and successful in Vietnam because of this. Europe, Africa special force missions look like normal battle missions compared to Pacific war. Food was not a issue so much in Europe.

[@floydisnutz8443]

And look what Australians have become. Sad. Just like the British.

[@namesake-mx9nl]

Absolutely amazing , truly the stuff of legends , and nobody knew about it until now .

[@Buckbury]

Wow, what a story, what bravery and what a subject for the book and a block buster film.

[@GreasyBelcher]

I met a former SAS man, who was in his 60s about 10years ago. I asked him what he did in the SAS and he asked if I had ever heard of the “Raid on Entebbe?” I knew nothing about it at the time. He explained how idi Amin was giving refuge to terrorists who had captured a plane full of Jewish passengers and were making demands from Entebbe airport in Uganda. Israelis wanted to send in some anti terror personnel, but they had no jungle combat skills. The SAS guy I spoke with, said he was one of 4 SAS men sent to work out the best plan of attack. The SAS men formulated a plan to drive into the airport in cars with dark windows posing as Idi Amin and his entourage. They instructed the Israeli special forces to ignore all attempts to stop the vehicles and drive through all checkpoints without stopping, as the terrorists would never shoot the vehicles if they suspected a car contained Idi Amin. The plan faltered when one of the Israelis stopped at a checkpoint and a firefight started at a distance from the compound enclosure where the hostages were. It turned into pandemonium, but ended well with almost all of the hostages Fred’s and all of the terrorists killed. The SAS involvement could not be acknowledged at this would have involved Britain in potential reprisals.

[@ORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR13]

Why did they need jungle experience for?? They we're on a PLANE which was at the AIRPORT TERMINAL yes they moved some of the passengers but to housing nothing to do with any jungle the guy you talked too probably read it in a book and isn't SAS..

[@GreasyBelcher]

@@ORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR13 There’s no official record of the SAS being involved. It was too politically sensitive for the British to be known to be involved. The initial thought was an attack in darkness coming out of the foliage to avoid roads in case the terrorists had people on lookout along aproach roots. In the end the decided the fastest way was to speed into the airport with Idi Amins flags on cars with blacked out windows. I understand your skepticism but the guy telling me this was wearing shorts and a tee shirt, he told me he had been shot 6 times during his army career, and I could see the scar tissue where he had been hit once in the leg. I spoke with him at his house, there were military crests, memorabilia on the wall. The reason he told me these things is initially he was asking me about the real estate market as he wanted to know if his wife out be OK after he died. He told me he was terminally ill with cancer, when I expressed my condolences he said, “I just want to set things up for my wife, I’m not worried about myself at all”. I asked how he could be so together under that weight. Then he told me about being in the SAS, getting shot etc.”. I asked what he did and that’s when Entebbe came up. He wasn’t boasting, he just told me to look it up.

[@orbiradio2465]

@@ORDEROFTHEKNIGHTSTEMPLAR13 It was probably not about jungle experience at all. It is well known, that the SAS supported the German GSG9 in Mogadischu one year later. Apparently the SAS had a detailed plan how to storm a plane.

[@wobby1516]

Masterful and amazing, god bless those brilliant brave soldiers.

[@price724]

Needs to be a movie

[@midas61]

That guys logic as to why this was kept secret is totally flawed. It was already public knowledge about the concentration camps when this happened. Successes like this would demoralise the enemy which is the opposite of what this guy thinks. Someone needs to dig deeper into this and find the real reason behind it being kept secret for all these years.

[@Trebor74]

Pretty simple,the only reason the Brits would know would be a leak. That could lead to the Germans searching for a source and that could lead to them finding out about ultra intercepts. It almost happened after Churchill reported the death camps and the amount of deaths that had occurred in them. That's the Reason no more reporting on death camps was allowed.

[@Squeamous]

Their exploits were supposed to be secret. Nobody was supposed to know who it was coming out of nowhere from the darkness.

[@wessexdruid7598]

'This guy' - Damien Lewis - is a war correspondent and author, who has had long-term access to SAS archives. He has long-standing and deep knowledge of both historic and current SF operations, has many contacts in SF and many books about the SAS and UK Special Operations to his name. What's your expertise?

[@midas61]

@@wessexdruid7598 Doesn't change what I said. Read it again.

[@wessexdruid7598]

'midas61 replied: "Wessex Druid "this guy" that makes the comments I refer to in the video is NOT Damian Lewis. You should probably be quiet as you obviously have NO idea what you are talking about." ' Ah - so you can't spell, either.

[@liamato1]

This should surely be made into a film, depicting the heroic actions of those involved.

[@darkmatter6714]

SAS Rogue Heroes - mini series on BBC

[@liamato1]

@@darkmatter6714, I saw that, very enjoyable. I was suggesting a film about that rescue operation, it’s incredible.

[@trevor9934]

I find it curious that the reason claimed for there being no record, decorations etc. is to stop people demonizing the Germans and increasing their resistance, given that at the Casablanca conference, held in January of that year, so many months before, had called for 'unconditional surrender' from the Axis powers. This, combined with the oath of loyalty to Hitler personally that each serviceman had to make, pretty much guaranteed that this was already pretty much guaranteed that same result.

[@robbie9629]

I agree, his explanation does not ring true.

[@avineshalex281]

LEGENDS

[@mikehughes4969]

This absolutely needs to be a movie.

[@unclescipio3136]

I wonder if the SAS would even exist right now if the founders hadn't been mad as a brush.

[@MrDREWASIDE]

Amazing. Imagine the shock of anyone on the platform at pisticci. A train steams in and all hell breaks loose.

[@tomhenry897]

Will never know all that they did

[@BanIslam-j6p]

We need people like that today to take Britain back

[@garthwick19]

RIP Mike Sadler. Til Valhalla.

[@davidmiller3709]

There are missions that will remain unacknowledged in the official record, that is the nature of these operations. And not just special forces. A modern opponent would glean information from the the details of the conduct, so satisfying the curiosity of the public is a balancing act.

[@mikejohnston4265]

I am so glad see this video. Kudos to those brave men. This made my day.

[@oldguy8177able]

what a great story

[@robinlogan8099]

The SAS are legendary then & now. These are extraordinary people.

[@neddyseagoon9601]

As a kid living in Caterham Barracks, with a dad in a Guards Regiment, this tale was, among many others, heard when dads were nattering while we played. The story hinged around an assault in Italy using a captured steam train... I don't recall if the objective was mentioned with young kids around... Another bit of 1960s common knowledge was the "nuclear bombing" by V bombers of America... To explain... There were still many older veterans of WWII still in the army and they knew of or were involved in so called secret actions... Look up Dougie Wright MM... A Grenadier and SBS and SAS veteran commanded at times by Anders Lassen VC of Operation Postmaster fame... I briefly knew Dougie Wright to talk to, through my dad, as a kid...

[@greva2904]

I read one of Damian Lewis’s SAS books once. He’s very given to over the top hyperbole, which belittles the actual achievements of the men he’s writing about. Avoid.

[@copferthat]

Is hyperbole possible when dealing with such men and their exploits?

[@sblack48]

well he is trying to sell books

[@Who.Knew-The.Salt.MustFlow]

Real life Howling Commandos

[@willkerslake8820]

Good on you for scouring thr archives.

[@stankygeorge]

You never tell the enemy how you defeated them, because your next enemy will learn from the mistakes of your last enemy and they will defeat you with that knowledge.

[@conradnelson5283]

That is an incredible story. Reminds me of the mission to free. I think it was MacArthur‘s son or nephew, or son-in-law, in the Philippines, which did not go over near as smoothly as this one. Would love to hear more.

[@kiwifruit27]

Sounds like Pattons mission to rescue his son in law in Europe. It didn’t go so well though

[@drscopeify]

Fantastic thanks for the report on this daring operation!

[@merrylmarsh9037]

Fabulous!!! Hope Damien can drive this venture to make it a movie. 🤞

[@user-vv6sy2ox4q]

The MoD owes these men official recognition, through awards, memorials etc...

[@andrewcharles459]

Now I need to go watch "Von Ryan's Express" again for about the hundredth time....

[@Sociologist66]

The late British journalist and author Charles Foley mentioned this mission in his book "Commando Extraordinary" in the last part of this novel, dedicated to the British SAS and Commandos.

[@pauloakes6952]

Those men were likely volunteers doing it because it was the right thing to do. They weren’t doing it for recognition. It might have been completely “off the books” anyways.

[@ProfessorJayTee]

Here's my upvote, since my upvote button won't work anymore.

[@KM-ABZ]

The SAS the ultimate fighting force.....

[@Newsopathy-gf2ug]

What a fantastic story of heroism, and so succinct!

[@richardshort3914]

There were men in those days.

[@danielcrawford4042]

Reminded me also of Von Ryan's Express, but it would still be a good movie.

[@drumcdoo9050]

It's amazing how the Ninja warriers from the 12th centuary used the same tactics of speed, aggression and suprise, combined with espionage, infiltration, evasion and deception for their primary methods of both defence and attack in exactly the same way as the SAS...

[@williamarmstrong1050]

puts a whole new light on Von Ryan's Express always thought that was a strange story but cool

[@jameshunter3867]

...My Great Grandfather was in SAS during the war...he had been sworn to secrecy, so I never really got to hear any of his endeavors.

[@USNveteran]

Kind of reminds me of the Ritchie Boys and some of their stories which are pretty amazing. There is a special on I believe netflix or prime called camp confidential, and there is also a 60 minutes story about them. To me the SAS is the grand daddy of the special forces of all free nations, and this just furthers their motto of "Who dares wins". FLY NAVY!!!

[@mikegriffiths4300]

I used to cook for a gentleman called Angel Garcia but later changed his name to Patino. He was born in Liverpool to spannish parents. He was in the SAS during WW2. His wife told me he was one of the first to join. He used to get a Christmas hamper off the SAS association every year. There would be a card with it with a picture of David Stirling on the front and a message inside of it. I never heard Angel speak until his wife said to him, "Who is this?" He replied, "The boss meaning David Stirling. She said he won an MM, which I did see. He lost his list his lower left leg if I remember rightly but I'm not sure where, though Arnham comes to mind. We got on very well as I am my self an ex Welsh Guardsman. I did see photos of Angel in the SAS, but I could never find his name anywhere. I did show him a photo of Paddy Mayne, and he just let a long breath out and smiled and nodded his head.

[@heatpump8566]

Formidable men, we should never forget them

[@JohnPerry-h3l]

Brilliant soldiers..as were they all .....golden generation ,

[@anthonyburke5656]

No one mentions the “Great Heist” that was pulled-off immediately post-war in Denmark, nor has the loot ever been recovered. The “planner” was cunning, he involved so many people of various nationalities, that the embarrassment of multiple governments was guaranteed if it came to light.

[@martinkemp9397]

More please This was brilliant

[@noosadave1]

I remember reading a book called the phamtom magor when i was a young teen i will allways remember paddy mayne and david sterling a lot of old photos in it as well.

[@user-buck-b7j]

I don't find this "incredible" or "unbelievable" difficult assaults on targets is part of what the SAS were trained for.The men involved should have been decorated after the war by the british and in 1948 by the isrealis.They risked their lives they should be recognized for it.I've always had high respect for the SAS and their famous motto,who cares who wins 😁

[@philhawley1219]

I hate that ridiculous statement "Who cares who wins". These soldiers care very much about winning, if you don't win you are killed. That is the sad fact about war, people die.

[@phildudu6564]

SAS' motto is "Who dares wins".

[@user-buck-b7j]

@@phildudu6564 no kidding,thank god you're here to state the obvious

[@dionbryant330]

Tom McD, would be rolling in his grave, probably a typo, it's "Dares".

[@user-buck-b7j]

@@dionbryant330 its called sarcasm they not have that in your village?

[@robert-trading-as-Bob69]

The reason given for not publicizing the raid does not make sense. The Axis powers were well aware that the Allies would only accept their unconditional surrender. When the Allies liberated the concentration camps, many of the liberators said they now knew why they were fighting. It strengthened their resolve. I think there was some other reason for the radio silence.

[@robert-trading-as-Bob69]

@@highcountrydelatite Really? You think I've never served in the military... I joined the SADF on 3 February 1989, serving in the Armoured Corps until 1994. In about 1996 or 97 I volunteered for the Infantry, the 2nd Battalion Transvaal Scottish with whom I served as a reserve force member on and off for about 8 years, depending on where in South Africa my work took me. Does that meet your criteria for military service, or does serving in 2 different branches of the army make me an armchair warrior in your opinion? Does reading books on military subjects for over 40 years disqualify me from having an opinion on military matters? I read on average 3 or 4 books a week too, so it's not like a read a single book a year...

[@jimmyyu2184]

@2:28 So the train reached its maximum carry? What did SAS do with the rest? Left them behind? And if so, how was the rescuees determined? Health and physical conditions?

[@elviramcintosh9878]

Amazing story! Thanks for sharing it.

[@asicdathens]

Rogue Heroes season 2 is about the Italian campaign, so I expect a reenactment of this operation

[@dmac3183]

Yea that sounds cool, looking forward to it. I suppose some liberties are taken for drama purposes but Series 1 gave a good sense of what those warriors got up to.

[@cozmcwillie7897]

I can understand keeping quiet until wars end, for the reasons you mention, but not 80 years.

[@AirWick694]

"the ministry of ungentlemanly warfare" depicts this

[@James-C24]

Sounds like a bit like Von Ryan's express in a way.

[@patryan1375]

@thebooster14. Don't you mean that Von Ryan's Express is like this raid? The movie is fiction.

[@ciarandoyle4349]

I would be interested to know how the conditions in the Italian concentration camp at Pisticci compared with those at Ferramonte. The latter, in the "toe" of Italy, was quickly liberated during the Allied invasion of the Italian mainland: conditions there were more benign than in German or Russian concentration camps.

[@maverick4177]

“But who ye in rotten rags, you’re dirty, bearded and blocking the way……we are the pilgrims master….and we will go always a little further”

[@properjob2311]

this needs to be a movie

[@marvinc9994]

But Hollywood would insist on certain 'changes' - and I'm sure you can picture them with your mind's eye!

[@muricans4ukraine]

It's interesting that free countries produce the kind of men who succeed in these kinds of missions. It takes people who are used to thinking for themselves to conduct a Doolittle Raid or a rescue mission like this.

[@daniadejonghe4980]

this story would make a great movie!

[@raydrexler5868]

The pride and joy of my knife collection is an sas Fairbairn Sykes Dagger that served in North Africa and Italy. Given to me by it’s owner’s granddaughter

[@bipolarbear9917]

There was a movie called ‘Von Ryan’s Express’ starring Frank Sinatra and Trevor Howard, that could have been inspired by this secret mission.

[@WhatWeDoChannel]

Wow! That really should be made into a movie!

[@MarlonSardini]

Goes to show that those 80s action movies weren't that far fetched after all 😅

[@velvetindigonight]

Hope Steve Knight got to hear of this and added it to the second series?….. Fab nuggett. Thank you

[@andyzehner3347]

Thanks for this nice report, about a great mission. There is a precedent: The Great Locomotive Raid of 1862, during the American Civil War.

[@centamangila1217]

But unlike that raid, this one was a successful one.

[@62swampboy62]

WOW. What a discovery.