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THUNDER CRASHES
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GALE BLOWS
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On a November night in 1941,
high above the North African desert
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five ancient RAF planes clawed their way
through a ferocious storm.
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00:00:23,040 --> 00:00:25,771
BEN:
Inside. 55 paratroopers
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from a new and intensely secret
combat unit
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were ready to jump over the target.
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BOMBS EXPLODE
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But the planes were lost
far behind enemy lines
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and under heavy fire.
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The pilot turned to the officer in command
and asked: "Should we turn back?"
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Many would not survive the mission.
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All the men knew it.
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None hesitated.
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One by one. they hurled themselves
into the gale.
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These were the first men of the SAS.
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00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:10,882
Today, the Special Air Service is
the world's most famous combat unit
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with the motto 'Who Dares Wins'
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but the story of
how it came into existence
20
00:01:17,240 --> 00:01:21,040
has been. until now.
a closely guarded secret.
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With unprecedented access
to the SAS archives
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unseen footage
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and exclusive interviews
with its founding members
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this series tells the remarkable story
behind an extraordinary fighting force.
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It was essential that some success
should be recorded, and recorded quickly.
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That band of vagabonds had to grasp
what they had to do.
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SEEKINGS: We should never have dropped
under those conditions
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but if we hadn't
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there would never have been an SAS.
That is for sure.
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The SAS is one of the most mysterious
military organisations in the world.
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Its missions are
closely guarded secrets.
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The records are kept
securely locked away.
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Now, for the first time
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the SAS has agreed
to open up its archive
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and allow me to reveal
the true story of their formation
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during the darkest days
of World War Two.
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This is the official image
of the wartime SAS...
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The one-dimensional macho-men
of popular myth.
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But the archive reveals that in truth,
they were. by turns
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00:02:59,720 --> 00:03:04,328
eccentric. resilient. intelligent. amateur
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00:03:04,360 --> 00:03:07,569
and. in some cases,
borderline psychotic.
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The regiment very nearly died at birth.
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It faced as many enemies
inside the British military establishment
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as it did on the battlefield,.
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But these rogues and misfits fought
from the deserts of North Africa
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to the very heart of Nazi Germany
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and recorded it all in the archive's
most revealing artefact.
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Hidden in the SAS Archives is this:
The War Diary.
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00:03:37,320 --> 00:03:41,769
An extraordinary scrapbook of
combat reports and original photographs
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00:03:41,800 --> 00:03:44,724
secretly put together
by the men themselves
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in a leather binder
liberated from Nazi Germany.
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BEN:
It lists every detail of every mission
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but more than that
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it also contains the words and memories
of the men who carried out those missions
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providing a unique insight into the psychology,
character and personalities
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of the people who forged the SAS.
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In the summer of 1941,
at the height of the war in the desert
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00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:31,920
a bored and eccentric
young army officer
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was planning to take on
the German and Italian forces
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with an elaborate scheme
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that was imaginative, radical
and entirely against the rules.
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This young soldier wasn't exactly
the stuff of traditional military heroes.
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He lacked
the most basic military discipline
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he had never seen
any actual fighting
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and he couldn't even march straight.
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He was so tall and so lazy
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his comrades nicknamed him
"the Giant Sloth".
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00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:05,690
David Archibald Stirling was a dreamer
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who had once hoped to be the first man
to climb Mount Everest
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or perhaps become a famous artist.
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00:05:13,520 --> 00:05:17,809
When the war came. Stirling joined
the Commando force in Africa
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hoping to seize military glory.
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His seniors considered this unlikely.
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00:05:23,400 --> 00:05:28,486
One report described him as
“irresponsible and unremarkable...
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00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:33,331
But Stirling wasn't quite the layabout
his commanders thought he was.
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Britain was losing the war?
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And Stirling, who was nothing
if not self-confident
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believed he knew just what to do
to reverse the tide.
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MAN: Film no. 42.
53, take 1.
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In 1987. David Stirling agreed
to tell his complete story on film,.
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Hidden away for decades
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it is an extraordinary first-hand account
from the maverick visionary
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00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:11,768
who dreamed of reinventing
the way war was fought,.
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From the start we knew
we would never make it to a regiment
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unless we succeeded in
establishing a new role.
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It had to be regarded as
a new type of force
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00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:34,406
to extract the very maximum
out of surprise and guile.
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By 1941. the Axis powers of Hitler
and Mussolini had overrun Europe
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and were seeking to dominate
the Mediterranean.
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00:06:45,800 --> 00:06:49,327
Under the command of Hitler's
most formidable general, Erwin Rommel
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they seemed close to achieving just that.
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His aircraft dominated the skies
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effectively halting any counter-attack.
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For the British to break the deadlock
95
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a way had to be found
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00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:12,324
to destroy the enemies' aircraft
on the ground,.
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But with his airfields hundreds of miles
behind the lines in the desert
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massed British Commando raids
were practically impossible,
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Stirling could see
what the generals could not.
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That the Commando force was simply
too large and cumbersome
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to be fit for purpose.
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He began to imagine
what it would be like
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if the unit was split up
into smaller raiding parties.
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These would be far more mobile
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00:07:38,800 --> 00:07:41,849
and could react quickly
to changes in terrain or weather.
106
00:07:42,280 --> 00:07:45,568
They might able to penetrate
deep behind enemy lines
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00:07:45,600 --> 00:07:49,366
and attack several targets at once,
without warning.
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First of all I had to relate it
to an operation
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in order to capture the imagination
of the top command.
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00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:06,529
Stirling knew that the Germans had used
paratroopers to great effect
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00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:10,007
and he believed that the British
should develop a force of their own.
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Parachuting would give him
the advantage of novelty
113
00:08:13,480 --> 00:08:15,448
when selling the idea of his unit
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and it might be quite fun
to try it as well,.
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Stirling acquired
a shipment of parachutes
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and with no training whatever
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00:08:27,680 --> 00:08:30,684
carried out his first experimental jump.
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He simply strapped on a parachute,
and jumped out of a plane.
119
00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:46,010
I was a bit unlucky because
my parachute, when it opened
120
00:08:46,040 --> 00:08:48,611
was attached to the tail plane
121
00:08:48,640 --> 00:08:50,927
and before it broke loose
122
00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:54,646
it took off a panel or two
off the parachute
123
00:08:54,680 --> 00:08:59,368
so I descended a good deal faster
than my companions.
124
00:09:05,720 --> 00:09:12,683
Couldn't move either of my two legs
and went to Alexandria Hospital.
125
00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:15,521
And of course it gave me
a marvellous opportunity
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to do some homework on the project.
127
00:09:19,920 --> 00:09:23,720
Undaunted by his disastrous
first parachute jump
128
00:09:23,760 --> 00:09:27,651
Stirling was inspired to develop his plan
in a different way.
129
00:09:28,680 --> 00:09:31,001
The forces defending the Axis airfields
130
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were expecting to be attacked
from the Mediterranean
131
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and so had all their guns
trained to the north.
132
00:09:37,240 --> 00:09:40,050
What if Stirling and his parachutists
attacked them
133
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from the opposite direction?
134
00:09:50,880 --> 00:09:53,884
To the south. lay the Great Sand Sea
135
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a vast waterless desert
covering 45, 000 square miles.
136
00:10:00,120 --> 00:10:04,091
Temperatures here can reach
120 degrees by day
137
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and plummet to freezing at night.
138
00:10:06,680 --> 00:10:11,811
It is not an easy place to live,
but it is a very easy place to die.
139
00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:17,083
One of the most hostile environments
on earth.
140
00:10:18,640 --> 00:10:22,201
The Germans and Italians considered it
virtually impassable
141
00:10:22,240 --> 00:10:25,369
and therefore left it
largely unprotected.
142
00:10:25,880 --> 00:10:30,727
Stirling observed: "This was one sea
the Hun was not watching, “
143
00:10:31,400 --> 00:10:35,041
From here they could wreak havoc
on the remote airfields
144
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by attacking from where
they were least expected
145
00:10:39,600 --> 00:10:43,810
and then slip back into
the embracing emptiness of the Sand Sea
146
00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:46,320
before the enemy knew
what had hit them.
147
00:10:48,760 --> 00:10:54,051
Stirling had just drawn up the blueprint
for an entirely new type of warfare
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that might be the key
to defeating Rommel.
149
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STIRLING: We would have to have
access to intelligence.
150
00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:03,406
We were going to develop
methods and techniques
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00:11:03,440 --> 00:11:06,569
which were new, in army terms
152
00:11:07,960 --> 00:11:12,841
and therefore we'd have to have
a special status of our own.
153
00:11:16,120 --> 00:11:20,125
But first, this lowly Lieutenant
with no battle experience
154
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would have to persuade High Command
that his idea could actually work.
155
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Housed in a large block
of commandeered flats
156
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and surrounded by barbed wire
157
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British HQ in Cairo was
an impenetrable fortress
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of old-fashioned thinking.
159
00:11:40,480 --> 00:11:43,051
Stirling knew his plan was so radical
160
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that if it passed through
the normal channels
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it would perish on the desk
of the first officer who read it.
162
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In the eyes of some
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00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:52,610
sneaking in by parachute
164
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blowing up planes
in the middle of the night
165
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and then running away
166
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was a job for saboteurs
167
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not soldiers of
His Majesty's Armed Forces.
168
00:12:01,520 --> 00:12:07,243
Well, that meant I had to more or less
ignore the normal rules and regulations
169
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because there was no way that
anybody was going to back the scheme.
170
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Except possibly at the very top.
171
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Stirling's only option
172
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was to get his plan directly
into the hands of the top brass.
173
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How he did so has become
the stuff of myth.
174
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Still on crutches after his accident
175
00:12:30,480 --> 00:12:33,962
Stirling hobbled up to the entrance,
where he was stopped by two guards.
176
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Unfortunately I didn't have a pass
and I was refused admittance.
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So I had to use my crutches
as a kind of ladder
178
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to get over the wire
when the guards weren't looking.
179
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Going as fast as his stiff legs
could carry him
180
00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:53,962
he burst into a room marked
'Adjutant General'.
181
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It was an unfortunate choice.
182
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I'd forgotten he was the same chap
who tried very hard to have me sacked.
183
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I didn't take my military training
very seriously.
184
00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:09,049
So when I appeared
with a paper for him to read
185
00:13:09,080 --> 00:13:11,082
he was absolutely outraged.
186
00:13:13,120 --> 00:13:17,125
Hearing the guard thundering upstairs,
he dashed into the next room.
187
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Which turned out to contain
General Sir Neil Ritchie
188
00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:24,011
the very man he wanted to see.
189
00:13:24,480 --> 00:13:26,528
Took him rather by surprise
190
00:13:26,560 --> 00:13:29,530
and he settled down to read it.
191
00:13:30,120 --> 00:13:32,009
He really got quite engrossed in it
192
00:13:32,040 --> 00:13:35,647
and forgotten the rather irregular way
it had been presented.
193
00:13:36,240 --> 00:13:39,323
He said this is something we can use.
194
00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:43,849
This is an almost perfect Stirling story.
195
00:13:43,880 --> 00:13:48,727
It has the patina of a tale polished,
told and retold after dinner.
196
00:13:49,320 --> 00:13:52,608
It is entirely possible
that the whole thing was invented.
197
00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:54,210
But whatever the truth
198
00:13:54,240 --> 00:13:57,323
of how Stirling got his notes
under the noses of High Command
199
00:13:57,360 --> 00:13:59,647
his timing couldn't have been better.
200
00:14:01,560 --> 00:14:04,769
Ritchie's superior.
General Sir Claude Auchinleck
201
00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:07,531
had recently taken over
as Commander-in-Chief
202
00:14:07,560 --> 00:14:09,927
and was under intense pressure
from Winston Churchill
203
00:14:09,960 --> 00:14:11,724
to strike back at Rommel.
204
00:14:19,440 --> 00:14:22,205
With a major British counter-attack looming
205
00:14:22,240 --> 00:14:26,211
Stirling's plan could hamper enemy airpower
at a critical moment.
206
00:14:27,720 --> 00:14:32,248
And if it failed, all that would be lost
would be a handful of adventurers.
207
00:14:35,160 --> 00:14:39,290
Stirling was a mere Lieutenant,
and an undistinguished one at that
208
00:14:39,320 --> 00:14:40,845
but he had now won permission
209
00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:44,726
to create and command
what looked suspiciously like a private army.
210
00:14:48,520 --> 00:14:51,091
To the fury of many at British HQ
211
00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:53,441
Stirling was promptly promoted
to Captain
212
00:14:53,480 --> 00:14:57,041
and authorised to raise a force
of 6 officers and 60 men.
213
00:14:57,600 --> 00:15:00,922
The Special Air Service,
or SAS, was born.
214
00:15:29,160 --> 00:15:32,767
The name was the brainchild
of Brigadier Dudley Clarke
215
00:15:32,800 --> 00:15:35,485
the Chief of Military Deception
in the Middle East.
216
00:15:36,320 --> 00:15:38,926
Operating from the basement
of a Cairo brothel
217
00:15:38,960 --> 00:15:43,363
Clarke distributed misinformation
to baffle and mislead the enemy.
218
00:15:43,840 --> 00:15:48,926
He was also a master of disguise,
with a taste for cross-dressing.
219
00:15:51,080 --> 00:15:52,923
Clarke wanted to convince the enemy
220
00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:56,043
that the British had
a large airborne force in the area
221
00:15:56,080 --> 00:15:59,004
and so he invented the SAS Brigade
222
00:15:59,040 --> 00:16:03,204
in the form of Stirling's real -
but very small - force of men.
223
00:16:03,800 --> 00:16:06,929
Clarke gave them
the important-sounding title
224
00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:10,442
'L' Detachment,
Special Air Service Brigade.
225
00:16:11,160 --> 00:16:14,881
Stirling would later joke
that the 'L' stood for 'Learner'.
226
00:16:25,680 --> 00:16:28,251
Stirling now set about recruiting men
227
00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:31,762
who would live up to the promise
of the name Clarke had given them.
228
00:16:34,440 --> 00:16:35,646
MAN:
17, take 1.
229
00:16:35,680 --> 00:16:39,401
Those he chose were also
interviewed in 1987.
230
00:16:39,440 --> 00:16:41,488
MAN:
Roll 6. 7, take 1.
231
00:16:43,920 --> 00:16:45,490
MAN:
29. Take 1.
232
00:16:47,720 --> 00:16:49,609
MAN:
41, take 1.
233
00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:56,529
Conventional soldiers
were rejected out of hand.
234
00:16:56,560 --> 00:16:59,450
Stirling was looking for
something rather different:
235
00:16:59,480 --> 00:17:02,723
an ability to think
and react independently.
236
00:17:05,160 --> 00:17:08,607
I heard some what you might term
as idle conversation, that was...
237
00:17:09,000 --> 00:17:11,480
do or die boys are being formed
in Egypt.
238
00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:16,004
You'll get the diehards that have got
a nice comfortable job
239
00:17:16,040 --> 00:17:17,530
polishing their seat.
240
00:17:17,560 --> 00:17:20,769
You was looking for men
that you thought was better?
241
00:17:20,800 --> 00:17:24,202
Than the present ones
that you were serving under.
242
00:17:26,640 --> 00:17:29,450
COOPER: I had a lot of problems
getting into the army
243
00:17:29,480 --> 00:17:31,323
(A) because I was too young
244
00:17:32,080 --> 00:17:35,527
(and B) because they thought
that I wasn't big enough.
245
00:17:35,920 --> 00:17:37,445
Well, I thought I was big enough.
246
00:17:37,480 --> 00:17:39,767
The adjutant sent a message saying:
247
00:17:40,160 --> 00:17:43,209
"There's a Lieutenant Stirling
wants to see you."
248
00:17:43,240 --> 00:17:44,605
Then I realised he had an interest.
249
00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:47,041
He said: "Do you want to do
something special?"
250
00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:52,329
KERSHAW: He said to me:
"What will your wife say
251
00:17:53,320 --> 00:17:57,325
if she finds out that you've joined
this parachute unit?"
252
00:17:57,760 --> 00:17:59,967
I said: "She won't know, sir!"
- HE LAUGHS
253
00:18:00,440 --> 00:18:03,171
"She won't know
anything at all about it."
254
00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:05,407
So I was accepted.
255
00:18:11,160 --> 00:18:16,200
The men he chose were supremely brave
and just short of irresponsible.
256
00:18:17,560 --> 00:18:20,484
Uncomplaining and
unconventional rogues
257
00:18:20,520 --> 00:18:23,729
who could fight
a new and secret sort of war.
258
00:18:26,320 --> 00:18:31,281
STIRLING: In a sense,
they weren't really controllable.
259
00:18:31,320 --> 00:18:34,164
They all had this individuality.
260
00:18:35,560 --> 00:18:39,087
The object was
to give them the same purpose.
261
00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:46,409
Most of them were escaping
from conventional regimental discipline.
262
00:18:47,320 --> 00:18:49,049
They didn't fully appreciate
263
00:18:49,080 --> 00:18:53,085
they were running into
a much more exacting type of discipline.
264
00:18:54,960 --> 00:18:59,329
That band of vagabonds had to grasp
what they had to do.
265
00:19:03,520 --> 00:19:06,171
We had to get down to
training immediately.
266
00:19:11,720 --> 00:19:15,691
Stirling's enemies at British HQ
couldn't stop him
267
00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:18,121
but they could make life
as difficult as possible
268
00:19:18,160 --> 00:19:20,083
for his band of renegades.
269
00:19:22,360 --> 00:19:25,682
The new detachment arrived
at the designated spot
270
00:19:25,720 --> 00:19:29,441
to find a signpost
with the unit's name scrawled on it
271
00:19:29,480 --> 00:19:32,768
a few ragged tents,
and a couple of chairs.
272
00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:35,771
BENNETT: Someone said:
"Well, where's the camp?"
273
00:19:35,800 --> 00:19:39,646
And David said: "Well, that's the first job
you do is to steal one."
274
00:19:43,120 --> 00:19:46,090
STIRLING: It happened that
there was a New Zealand brigade
275
00:19:46,880 --> 00:19:50,646
particularly well supplied
with camp facilities.
276
00:19:51,360 --> 00:19:54,330
Including a grand piano.
277
00:19:56,040 --> 00:20:00,443
So we decided, while the New Zealanders
were out on their march
278
00:20:00,480 --> 00:20:03,529
we would take what we were entitled to.
279
00:20:06,800 --> 00:20:11,886
We stole tents, we stole a piano,
bars, the whole camp.
280
00:20:11,920 --> 00:20:16,448
STIRLING: And by next morning,
we had a really spectacularly effective...
281
00:20:16,480 --> 00:20:19,211
probably the best camp in the area!
282
00:20:20,920 --> 00:20:22,763
BENNETT:
We thought it was great.
283
00:20:22,800 --> 00:20:25,201
We thought:
"This is the unit to be with."
284
00:20:25,240 --> 00:20:29,404
And so started 'L' Detachment.
285
00:20:30,360 --> 00:20:33,091
Forging a new fighting unit
required someone
286
00:20:33,120 --> 00:20:35,851
who understood
the practicalities of combat.
287
00:20:35,880 --> 00:20:39,327
David Stirling was the inspiration
for the SAS
288
00:20:39,360 --> 00:20:42,489
but the man to turn that into
hard military reality
289
00:20:42,520 --> 00:20:45,000
was Lieutenant Jock Lewes.
290
00:20:52,280 --> 00:20:57,081
This is hitherto unseen footage
of Jock Lewes before the war.
291
00:20:57,960 --> 00:21:01,521
Athletic. rich. patriotic and handsome.
292
00:21:02,360 --> 00:21:05,204
A darling of the society magazines.
293
00:21:06,880 --> 00:21:09,963
"Be someone great."
his father had told him
294
00:21:10,000 --> 00:21:14,483
and when war came.
Lewes set about fulfilling that injunction.
295
00:21:18,040 --> 00:21:23,001
Jock was encouraged by his parents
to be someone great.
296
00:21:24,320 --> 00:21:26,448
Ever since he was a child.
297
00:21:27,280 --> 00:21:31,365
Jock had a very clear vision
of what he wanted to do.
298
00:21:31,400 --> 00:21:34,165
He wanted to shorten the war.
299
00:21:35,400 --> 00:21:37,926
He was fulfilling the greatness
300
00:21:37,960 --> 00:21:46,209
that his mother and father
had expected him to rise to.
301
00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:51,246
While Stirling had been planning the SAS
from his hospital bed
302
00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:54,682
Lewes had come to a similar conclusion
on the field of battle.
303
00:21:54,720 --> 00:21:58,008
He was a man Stirling was determined
to have on his team.
304
00:21:58,720 --> 00:22:00,768
STIRLING:
I put him in charge of training.
305
00:22:00,800 --> 00:22:03,167
It's something he'd been longing to do.
306
00:22:03,520 --> 00:22:08,367
He improvised all kinds of
new training techniques.
307
00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:10,448
MEN SHOUT
308
00:22:10,480 --> 00:22:15,407
This is the only footage of
Lewes' unique style of parachute training,.
309
00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:23,171
British paratroopers had never been dropped
into the desert before.
310
00:22:23,640 --> 00:22:28,009
Without a plane available for training.
Lewes decided to improvise,.
311
00:22:28,800 --> 00:22:31,644
RILEY: None of us had ever parachuted
in our lives. Let's get that straight.
312
00:22:31,680 --> 00:22:33,409
None of us had done it.
313
00:22:33,440 --> 00:22:36,842
So he had a brilliant idea -
well, he thought it was, anyway -
314
00:22:36,880 --> 00:22:38,484
and we got some trucks.
315
00:22:41,720 --> 00:22:45,691
The idea was at 10 miles an hour
we'd jump off it backwards.
316
00:22:47,240 --> 00:22:50,084
So we did it, and then he thought
20 miles an hour.
317
00:22:51,720 --> 00:22:54,326
30 miles an hour,
and I'm afraid we gave up.
318
00:22:55,320 --> 00:22:56,446
But Jock went on.
319
00:22:56,480 --> 00:22:57,686
So what could you do?
320
00:22:57,720 --> 00:23:00,246
If he jumps off a truck
at 40 miles an hour
321
00:23:00,280 --> 00:23:02,521
and he asks you to jump off at 30
322
00:23:03,920 --> 00:23:05,490
you just did it.
323
00:23:17,840 --> 00:23:22,448
Lewes' training was harsh. exacting
and extremely dangerous.
324
00:23:23,440 --> 00:23:26,683
Many broke bones.
Including Jock himself.
325
00:23:27,040 --> 00:23:30,840
But his steely determination captured
the imagination of his men.
326
00:23:32,680 --> 00:23:36,969
It was a thing with Jock Lewes' training,
he said: "Never run away"
327
00:23:37,680 --> 00:23:40,843
he says "because once you start running,
you stop thinking."
328
00:23:41,560 --> 00:23:43,289
It was very sound advice.
329
00:23:44,200 --> 00:23:47,283
But there was another, secret side
to Jock Lewes
330
00:23:47,320 --> 00:23:50,767
that would have given Stirling pause,
had he known about it.
331
00:23:51,240 --> 00:23:54,164
Lewes had very nearly become
a Fascist.
332
00:24:03,160 --> 00:24:05,322
Touring Germany before the war
333
00:24:05,360 --> 00:24:07,442
Lewes had become deeply impressed
334
00:24:07,480 --> 00:24:10,848
by the organisation and strength
of the Third Reich.
335
00:24:11,640 --> 00:24:14,962
Lewes even fell in love with
a young German woman.
336
00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:18,163
Senta Adriano was a society beauty
337
00:24:18,200 --> 00:24:20,851
and an enthusiastic Nazi.
338
00:24:24,360 --> 00:24:28,365
Then came Kristallnacht.
'The Night of Broken Glass'
339
00:24:29,160 --> 00:24:32,562
as the Nazis went on the rampage
against the Jews.
340
00:24:35,360 --> 00:24:40,002
And the politically naive Lewes
suddenly saw with horrible clarity
341
00:24:40,040 --> 00:24:44,204
the true nature of the regime
he had so enthused over.
342
00:24:49,400 --> 00:24:53,086
Lewes found a new love.
Mirren Barford
343
00:24:53,120 --> 00:24:58,445
unimpeachably British,
and a woman worth fighting a war for.
344
00:24:59,440 --> 00:25:03,729
From the battle front, Lewes wrote Mirren
ever more loving letters
345
00:25:03,760 --> 00:25:06,081
and she replied with similar passion.
346
00:25:07,120 --> 00:25:10,044
Finally he asked for
her hand in marriage
347
00:25:10,080 --> 00:25:12,606
but not until he had vanquished
the enemy.
348
00:25:13,320 --> 00:25:15,846
"I swear I will not live to see the clay
349
00:25:15,880 --> 00:25:18,884
when Britain hauls down
the colours of her beliefs
350
00:25:18,920 --> 00:25:21,366
before totalitarian aggression.
351
00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:25,209
I willingly take up arms
against Germany."
352
00:25:26,480 --> 00:25:29,245
Lewes' ruthlessness
and determination
353
00:25:29,280 --> 00:25:32,921
his utter dedication to the task
of defeating Germany
354
00:25:32,960 --> 00:25:36,681
was that of a man who had been wronged
by a faithless lover
355
00:25:36,720 --> 00:25:39,166
one who had made a terrible mistake
356
00:25:39,200 --> 00:25:42,010
and was now determined
to make amends.
357
00:25:46,360 --> 00:25:52,322
JOHN LEWES: Jack's letters to Mirren
and her letters back to him
358
00:25:52,360 --> 00:25:58,402
are the incredible love story of
two people who'd only met ten times.
359
00:25:59,880 --> 00:26:04,124
But because he was convinced
that he was going to marry her
360
00:26:05,440 --> 00:26:09,161
he was able to reveal everything to her.
361
00:26:13,320 --> 00:26:17,120
He couldn't tell her
what the military orders were
362
00:26:17,160 --> 00:26:21,961
but he could tell her of
the huge challenges he was facing.
363
00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:26,483
How his faith was really being tested.
364
00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:33,166
He was a Christian,
he didn't enjoy killing
365
00:26:34,200 --> 00:26:39,161
and he had to find a way
of squaring the circle.
366
00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:46,564
These letters and this love affair,
at a distance
367
00:26:46,600 --> 00:26:50,047
was what enabled Jock
to bear the burden.
368
00:26:53,720 --> 00:26:55,927
NEWS ANCHOR: Our paratroops have been
training in the Western Desert
369
00:26:55,960 --> 00:26:57,450
as well as in Britain.
370
00:26:57,840 --> 00:27:02,004
In late 1941 the War Office allowed
a newsreel to be made
371
00:27:02,040 --> 00:27:03,849
of the unit in training
372
00:27:03,880 --> 00:27:08,010
quite possibly as part of Dudley Clarke's
deception operation.
373
00:27:08,280 --> 00:27:11,807
This rare footage shows Stirling -
in shorts -
374
00:27:11,840 --> 00:27:14,650
introducing General Auchinleck
to his men.
375
00:27:14,920 --> 00:27:19,050
RILEY: What we had was chaps
who came from all walks of life
376
00:27:19,960 --> 00:27:22,247
and there was short ones,
tall ones, medium height
377
00:27:22,280 --> 00:27:24,408
and we had to blend all that
into a fighting body.
378
00:27:26,040 --> 00:27:28,327
Stirling said that
although he needed men
379
00:27:28,360 --> 00:27:31,284
who would be prepared to kill
at close quarters
380
00:27:31,320 --> 00:27:33,527
he didn't want psychopaths.
381
00:27:34,160 --> 00:27:38,563
Which was exactly how many people described
Stirling's most challenging recruit.
382
00:27:38,960 --> 00:27:41,645
Lieutenant Blair Mayne,
known as Paddy.
383
00:27:42,080 --> 00:27:48,201
Paddy was very, very different.
He was the antithesis of Jock.
384
00:27:51,680 --> 00:27:54,524
A former Irish Rugby international
385
00:27:54,560 --> 00:27:58,531
Mayne was a hard drinker
with a volcanic temper.
386
00:28:00,360 --> 00:28:03,921
This is Stirling introducing Paddy Mayne
to the General.
387
00:28:03,960 --> 00:28:07,043
But the Irishman had
little respect for authority.
388
00:28:08,080 --> 00:28:12,290
Stirling later claimed he had found Mayne
in prison awaiting court martial.
389
00:28:12,880 --> 00:28:16,566
He found reason to knock out
his Commanding Officer
390
00:28:17,160 --> 00:28:19,242
and was doing time.
391
00:28:19,960 --> 00:28:23,362
I persuaded him that
the proposition was a good one
392
00:28:23,400 --> 00:28:25,289
and then he joined up.
393
00:28:26,760 --> 00:28:30,287
Recruiting Paddy Mayne was like
adopting a wolf.
394
00:28:30,320 --> 00:28:35,121
Exciting, certain to instil fear,
but not necessarily sensible.
395
00:28:36,440 --> 00:28:39,808
STIRLING:
He had a marvellous battle nostril.
396
00:28:40,360 --> 00:28:42,681
He knew how to exploit surprise
397
00:28:42,720 --> 00:28:47,726
and what looked to be absolutely foolhardy
was legitimate with Paddy.
398
00:28:48,360 --> 00:28:50,806
But I told him, very firmly
399
00:28:50,840 --> 00:28:53,844
that this Commanding Officer
wasn't for hitting.
400
00:28:55,360 --> 00:28:58,284
Stirling and his men were ready
for battle
401
00:28:58,320 --> 00:29:00,800
and, so it seemed,
was their Commander-in-Chief
402
00:29:00,840 --> 00:29:02,410
Claude Auchinleck,.
403
00:29:03,760 --> 00:29:07,367
Operation Crusader was planned
as an all-out attack
404
00:29:07,400 --> 00:29:10,210
to relieve the besieged town of Tobruk
405
00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:12,607
a vital coastal stronghold.
406
00:29:13,360 --> 00:29:17,843
But Tobruk was flanked by airfields
bristling with enemy aircraft,.
407
00:29:18,680 --> 00:29:23,004
These would undoubtedly attack
Auchinleck's advancing ground forces.
408
00:29:23,040 --> 00:29:25,611
Unless they could be attacked first.
409
00:29:25,960 --> 00:29:30,568
Stirling proposed to parachute in the SAS,
deep behind enemy lines
410
00:29:30,600 --> 00:29:32,807
before the British ground attack.
411
00:29:33,400 --> 00:29:36,324
These could then attack
the individual airfields
412
00:29:36,360 --> 00:29:39,443
and destroy as many
aeroplanes as possible
413
00:29:39,480 --> 00:29:42,484
using a new weapon
designed by Jock Lewes.
414
00:29:44,600 --> 00:29:49,527
Jock knew he had to find a bomb
that would blow up an aircraft
415
00:29:49,560 --> 00:29:52,370
and he had to find one
that was light enough to carry.
416
00:29:52,920 --> 00:29:57,084
The men could hear the occasional
explosions during lunchtime
417
00:29:57,640 --> 00:30:00,086
when of course Jock was working again.
418
00:30:01,000 --> 00:30:06,689
Jock had mixed up a mixture
of plastic thermite and steel filings -
419
00:30:06,720 --> 00:30:08,802
that was the secret, steel filings -
420
00:30:08,840 --> 00:30:10,569
and of course the thing blew up.
421
00:30:12,040 --> 00:30:14,520
Well, it was a great moment,
a great moment.
422
00:30:15,160 --> 00:30:17,481
JOHN LEWES:
He jumped for joy.
423
00:30:18,200 --> 00:30:22,285
You know, shouting out and
hugging the nearest NCOs.
424
00:30:22,320 --> 00:30:23,890
He knew he'd cracked it
425
00:30:23,920 --> 00:30:28,687
and he knew that the SAS
were going to be fully operational.
426
00:30:34,920 --> 00:30:39,244
The War Diary contains
the SAS' first ever battle order.
427
00:30:39,680 --> 00:30:43,810
The top secret directive from HQ
ordering the mission to go ahead.
428
00:30:47,360 --> 00:30:52,161
Stirling and almost his entire force
would be dropped deep into the desert
429
00:30:52,200 --> 00:30:55,044
with just five days' supply
of food and water.
430
00:30:58,640 --> 00:31:00,847
Armed with the new Lewes bombs
431
00:31:00,880 --> 00:31:03,247
the men would sneak onto
the airfields at night
432
00:31:03,280 --> 00:31:06,841
and plant their explosives
on every aircraft they could find.
433
00:31:08,120 --> 00:31:09,690
To escape from the desert
434
00:31:09,720 --> 00:31:13,566
a rendezvous was set up
with the trucks Of the LRDG
435
00:31:13,600 --> 00:31:15,841
the Long Range Desert Group.
436
00:31:15,880 --> 00:31:19,123
A unit experienced
in desert reconnaissance.
437
00:31:19,560 --> 00:31:22,882
The pick-up point was
dangerously close to the enemy.
438
00:31:22,920 --> 00:31:26,447
The LRDG could wait
no more than three days
439
00:31:26,480 --> 00:31:29,165
before leaving the men alone
in the desert.
440
00:31:31,320 --> 00:31:35,120
Lewes was elated
at the prospect of action at last.
441
00:31:35,160 --> 00:31:39,210
His letters home ring with
the chivalric tones of a crusader.
442
00:31:39,240 --> 00:31:43,564
"We wait to prove ourselves...
This unit cannot now die...
443
00:31:43,600 --> 00:31:46,524
It is alive and will live gloriously."
444
00:31:47,960 --> 00:31:50,930
But for all Lewes' visions of glory
445
00:31:50,960 --> 00:31:54,203
there was one factor over which
no one had any control.
446
00:31:54,760 --> 00:31:56,091
The weather.
447
00:32:04,600 --> 00:32:09,606
With just hours to go before take-off,
the weather forecast was atrocious.
448
00:32:09,640 --> 00:32:11,847
WIND HOWLS
449
00:32:12,680 --> 00:32:15,889
Heavy rain
and winds of at least 30 knots -
450
00:32:15,920 --> 00:32:18,890
twice the maximum speed
for parachuting.
451
00:32:20,320 --> 00:32:22,288
COOPER:
The weather was against us going.
452
00:32:22,320 --> 00:32:25,529
We were all given the option
of opting out.
453
00:32:29,840 --> 00:32:34,084
High Command sent a message
allowing Stirling to cancel the mission,.
454
00:32:36,920 --> 00:32:38,888
But after months on the side-lines
455
00:32:38,920 --> 00:32:42,402
this was Stirling's first
and perhaps his only chance
456
00:32:42,440 --> 00:32:45,808
to demonstrate
his radical new method of warfare.
457
00:32:46,880 --> 00:32:50,566
JOHN LEWES: Stirling and Lewes
could have been tempted to say
458
00:32:50,600 --> 00:32:52,568
"Well, we'll cancel this"
459
00:32:53,120 --> 00:32:57,444
but because of the opposition
to the SAS in HQ Cairo
460
00:32:57,480 --> 00:33:02,008
they felt absolutely
that if they didn't take this chance
461
00:33:02,880 --> 00:33:05,451
they might never get
another chance again.
462
00:33:08,520 --> 00:33:12,241
STIRLING: I wasn't prepared
to see the first of our operations
463
00:33:12,280 --> 00:33:15,762
because of bad weather,
being postponed
464
00:33:15,800 --> 00:33:18,531
or it couldn't be postponed,
it would have to be cancelled.
465
00:33:19,400 --> 00:33:20,890
We refused absolutely.
466
00:33:20,920 --> 00:33:24,242
They gave us the option,
so we went ahead.
467
00:33:31,920 --> 00:33:35,720
Stirling almost certainly made
the wrong decision
468
00:33:35,760 --> 00:33:38,047
in allowing the operation
to go ahead
469
00:33:40,400 --> 00:33:43,802
but if he had made the right decision,
and called it off
470
00:33:43,840 --> 00:33:47,322
there would probably
never have been an SAS.
471
00:33:47,840 --> 00:33:49,922
BENNETT:
That evening we were given a meal.
472
00:33:50,400 --> 00:33:51,890
It was out of this world.
473
00:33:51,920 --> 00:33:55,686
The RAF had laid it on,
and it was like the Last Supper.
474
00:33:56,800 --> 00:33:58,689
Well, I think the RAF thought
475
00:33:58,720 --> 00:34:00,768
they'd never see
any of us again, you know.
476
00:34:11,280 --> 00:34:15,968
Five of the RAF's cumbersome and
outdated Bombay' aircraft
477
00:34:16,000 --> 00:34:17,968
clambered into the darkness.
478
00:34:18,840 --> 00:34:20,729
With Stirling's men holding tight
479
00:34:20,760 --> 00:34:25,084
the planes flew into the worst storm
in the area for 30 years,.
480
00:34:25,120 --> 00:34:27,202
THUNDER CRASHES
481
00:34:28,040 --> 00:34:30,964
SIREN BLARES
482
00:34:32,080 --> 00:34:33,491
BEN:
As soon as they reached the coast
483
00:34:33,520 --> 00:34:37,684
the enemy's air defences opened up
with a storm of anti-aircraft fire.
484
00:34:37,720 --> 00:34:39,768
ARTILLERY FIRE
485
00:34:42,480 --> 00:34:44,801
COOPER:
The plane inside was absolutely lit up.
486
00:34:46,000 --> 00:34:48,082
Jock got up
and just walked up and down
487
00:34:48,120 --> 00:34:50,771
as though nothing cared at all.
488
00:34:50,800 --> 00:34:52,086
It gave you confidence.
489
00:34:52,120 --> 00:34:54,441
You thought: "He's not frightened.
Why am I frightened?"
490
00:34:54,480 --> 00:34:56,528
He said: "Not to worry,
but we'll have to jump.
491
00:34:56,560 --> 00:34:58,289
We don't know where we are
but we are going to jump."
492
00:34:59,040 --> 00:35:01,646
STIRLING:
It was a night without any moon -
493
00:35:01,680 --> 00:35:03,170
pitch black -
494
00:35:03,840 --> 00:35:09,961
and they dropped
the 65 men taking part
495
00:35:10,960 --> 00:35:12,883
all over the bloody shop.
496
00:35:18,840 --> 00:35:20,285
Seized by the wind
497
00:35:20,320 --> 00:35:23,722
most of the parachutists landed
miles from the drop zone.
498
00:35:26,280 --> 00:35:30,410
Several. unable to unclip their parachutes
in the high wind
499
00:35:30,440 --> 00:35:33,171
were scraped to death
on the desert floor.
500
00:35:56,040 --> 00:35:58,202
KERSHAW: I don't know whether
you know the desert at night time
501
00:35:58,240 --> 00:36:00,527
but it gets as black as hell.
502
00:36:02,720 --> 00:36:06,805
My arms now, I had to hold 'em
close to my chest
503
00:36:07,360 --> 00:36:09,283
because I was in pain.
504
00:36:12,720 --> 00:36:15,724
Armed only with revolvers
and a handful of grenades
505
00:36:15,760 --> 00:36:18,331
and barely a day's supply of water
506
00:36:18,360 --> 00:36:21,523
as an attacking force,
Stirling's team was now useless.
507
00:36:23,280 --> 00:36:26,921
And now. somehow,
lost in the wilderness of sand
508
00:36:26,960 --> 00:36:30,726
the survivors would have to find their way
to the rendezvous point,.
509
00:36:30,760 --> 00:36:36,608
Ahead of them lay a 36-hour march
through high winds and driving rain,.
510
00:36:38,000 --> 00:36:41,925
Undaunted. Lewes said:
"At least we won't die of thirst.“
511
00:36:53,240 --> 00:36:55,811
RILEY: We saw this light,
a way in the distance.
512
00:36:56,840 --> 00:36:59,127
Jock thought it was a star.
513
00:37:00,520 --> 00:37:04,730
I said: "No, it's not a star, it's a light.
That's the thing."
514
00:37:05,200 --> 00:37:07,806
The handful of survivors
had found the only way
515
00:37:07,840 --> 00:37:09,683
to get back out of the desert.
516
00:37:09,720 --> 00:37:12,166
The trucks of the LRDG,.
517
00:37:13,440 --> 00:37:15,602
One of the last out was Stirling.
518
00:37:15,640 --> 00:37:20,407
Dazed and exhausted. he asked:
“Has anyone seen my men?"
519
00:37:25,920 --> 00:37:28,241
One aircraft had been shot down
520
00:37:28,280 --> 00:37:30,851
some men had been killed
in the parachute drop
521
00:37:30,880 --> 00:37:32,211
some captured
522
00:37:32,240 --> 00:37:35,926
others dragged to their deaths
or left to die in the desert.
523
00:37:37,520 --> 00:37:40,922
Only 21 of the 55 had returned.
524
00:37:48,840 --> 00:37:52,686
Stirling remained at the desert rendezvous
for two more days
525
00:37:52,720 --> 00:37:54,290
scanning the horizon
526
00:37:54,320 --> 00:37:57,483
in the hope that other stragglers
might eventually emerge.
527
00:37:58,920 --> 00:38:00,490
None did.
528
00:38:02,560 --> 00:38:06,531
It was tragic, because there was
so much talent in those whom we lost.
529
00:38:07,880 --> 00:38:11,043
That we had to try and survive.
530
00:38:20,720 --> 00:38:23,405
Thinking that 21 of us came out of that
531
00:38:23,440 --> 00:38:24,805
we thought of the others -
532
00:38:24,840 --> 00:38:27,650
we didn't know where they were,
whether they were alive or dead -
533
00:38:27,680 --> 00:38:30,160
I think most of us wanted to continue.
534
00:38:30,960 --> 00:38:32,371
We'd gone through so much
535
00:38:32,400 --> 00:38:34,448
so whatever happened afterwards
536
00:38:34,480 --> 00:38:37,450
was going to be, as you say,
a piece of cake.
537
00:38:37,480 --> 00:38:39,289
It wasn't of course, but...
538
00:38:41,480 --> 00:38:44,006
The raid had failed utterly
539
00:38:44,040 --> 00:38:48,125
but in disaster. as so often,
lay the germ of salvation.
540
00:38:48,680 --> 00:38:50,967
The thought now occurred to Stirling
541
00:38:51,000 --> 00:38:53,924
that if the LRDG could get them
out of the desert
542
00:38:53,960 --> 00:38:56,486
they could surely drive them in as well.
543
00:39:04,920 --> 00:39:07,241
With their distinctive Arab headdress
544
00:39:07,280 --> 00:39:10,011
and their specially customised vehicles
545
00:39:10,040 --> 00:39:14,204
the Long Range Desert Group were
part soldiers and part explorers
546
00:39:14,240 --> 00:39:16,481
who had made the desert their home.
547
00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:23,040
They had honed their skills by developing
advanced desert mapping techniques
548
00:39:23,440 --> 00:39:25,681
and using their own 'sun compass'.
549
00:39:28,000 --> 00:39:32,562
Their expertise made them
the ideal desert scouting force
550
00:39:33,080 --> 00:39:34,889
primarily gathering intelligence
551
00:39:34,920 --> 00:39:36,968
while occasionally attacking the enemy
552
00:39:37,000 --> 00:39:39,401
and committing piracy
on the high desert.
553
00:39:42,080 --> 00:39:47,246
One of the LRDG's best navigators was
21-year-old Corporal Mike Sadler.
554
00:39:47,800 --> 00:39:51,088
Now aged 96,
he is the only man left
555
00:39:51,120 --> 00:39:54,920
to have fought alongside
the original soldiers of the SAS,.
556
00:39:54,960 --> 00:39:58,282
How do you navigate in the desert, Mike?
How do you do it?
557
00:39:58,320 --> 00:40:00,687
SADLER:
Well, it was a bit of an art, really.
558
00:40:00,720 --> 00:40:02,688
It came naturally somehow
559
00:40:02,720 --> 00:40:06,645
and so I was fairly successful at it.
560
00:40:11,360 --> 00:40:14,443
The sun threw a shadow
onto a little sun compass
561
00:40:15,040 --> 00:40:16,804
and you had to set the disc
562
00:40:16,840 --> 00:40:19,969
depending on the time of day
and the latitude that you were on
563
00:40:20,000 --> 00:40:21,411
and all that.
564
00:40:22,360 --> 00:40:26,922
Come nightfall, we had to establish
whether we were right or not
565
00:40:26,960 --> 00:40:29,088
by observing the stars.
566
00:40:30,200 --> 00:40:34,171
And that was the thing
which I found so fascinating.
567
00:40:41,560 --> 00:40:44,689
Sadler came to the LRDG as a gunner
568
00:40:44,720 --> 00:40:49,089
but had become obsessed
with plotting courses across the sands.
569
00:40:49,760 --> 00:40:53,560
As I'd been taking an interest in it,
the first thing that they said was
570
00:40:53,600 --> 00:40:56,251
"Would you like to be a navigator?"
571
00:40:56,280 --> 00:40:57,645
And I couldn't believe it
572
00:40:57,680 --> 00:40:59,808
and so I said: "Yes, I would"
573
00:40:59,840 --> 00:41:02,889
and I never, never looked at
an anti-tank gun again
574
00:41:02,920 --> 00:41:04,684
with great relief.
575
00:41:04,720 --> 00:41:05,881
HE LAUGHS
576
00:41:05,920 --> 00:41:10,482
Stirling soon realised that men with
the desert expertise of Mike Sadler
577
00:41:10,520 --> 00:41:13,649
could deliver the SAS
on time and on target
578
00:41:13,680 --> 00:41:16,126
far better than the RAF ever could.
579
00:41:16,160 --> 00:41:20,484
He was a very quiet fellow.
He never raised his voice
580
00:41:20,520 --> 00:41:22,648
but he was a bit inclined
to forget you
581
00:41:22,680 --> 00:41:26,924
because he was not concentrating
so much on the job in hand.
582
00:41:26,960 --> 00:41:31,045
He was thinking much more
about higher matters.
583
00:41:39,640 --> 00:41:44,806
Stirling took his new plan back to Cairo
to find HQ in state of panic.
584
00:41:45,840 --> 00:41:49,208
The Axis had inflicted
a major defeat on the British
585
00:41:49,240 --> 00:41:52,164
driving them out of Libya
and back into Egypt.
586
00:41:54,240 --> 00:41:58,086
But Rommel's rapid advance
had left his forces overstretched
587
00:41:58,120 --> 00:41:59,770
and vulnerable.
588
00:42:00,120 --> 00:42:03,363
This was an opportunity
for Stirling to attack again.
589
00:42:04,120 --> 00:42:07,442
STIRLING: Rather on tip toe
got hold of a truck or two
590
00:42:07,760 --> 00:42:12,721
and we were equipped to undertake
our first series of operations
591
00:42:12,760 --> 00:42:14,967
with the Long Range Desert Group.
592
00:42:17,760 --> 00:42:20,570
Ahead of them lay
a 350-mile journey
593
00:42:20,600 --> 00:42:22,090
to the enemy-held coast
594
00:42:22,120 --> 00:42:24,885
courtesy of the LRDG -
595
00:42:24,920 --> 00:42:28,811
or the "Libyan Taxi Service",
as the SAS had taken to calling them.
596
00:42:35,760 --> 00:42:38,491
Stirling had less than half his force left.
597
00:42:38,520 --> 00:42:42,764
Every single one of them was determined
to get back into the war.
598
00:42:48,120 --> 00:42:50,964
They headed into the desert.
In the certain knowledge
599
00:42:51,000 --> 00:42:54,971
that if they failed again,
this would be their last mission together,.
600
00:42:55,320 --> 00:42:57,687
ALMONDS:
It was essential for the unit
601
00:42:57,720 --> 00:43:01,611
that some success should be recorded
and recorded quickly.
602
00:43:02,080 --> 00:43:04,560
Another failure like that
and they'd have disbanded it
603
00:43:04,600 --> 00:43:06,409
before it even got off the ground.
604
00:43:31,280 --> 00:43:33,521
There are few experiences
more uncomfortable
605
00:43:33,560 --> 00:43:37,042
than a long desert journey
in a vehicle like this.
606
00:43:37,680 --> 00:43:41,605
For three days they rumbled
and jounced their way northwest
607
00:43:41,640 --> 00:43:46,771
the heat and monotony inducing a state
of sweaty semi-consciousness.
608
00:43:48,480 --> 00:43:51,848
The trucks frequently broke down
or sank into the sand
609
00:43:51,880 --> 00:43:54,565
and had to be mended
or laboriously dug out.
610
00:43:56,040 --> 00:43:57,405
It was freezing by night...
611
00:43:57,880 --> 00:43:59,848
broiling by day.
612
00:43:59,880 --> 00:44:02,087
The men called it 'Devil Country'
613
00:44:02,120 --> 00:44:06,011
and developed the desert sores
and bad temper to prove it...
614
00:44:09,400 --> 00:44:13,041
SEEKINGS:
First few days there was nobody
615
00:44:13,080 --> 00:44:14,969
there was no Bedouins,
there was no nothing.
616
00:44:16,360 --> 00:44:20,763
But as you got nearer the target
so then the tension started to rise.
617
00:44:25,080 --> 00:44:27,560
The trucks presented an easy target
618
00:44:27,600 --> 00:44:31,207
for the very aircraft
the SAS were aiming to destroy.
619
00:44:33,520 --> 00:44:35,409
SEEKINGS:
First you got in bomber range
620
00:44:35,440 --> 00:44:36,851
then you got in fighter range
621
00:44:37,520 --> 00:44:41,161
and spotter planes, and they were
liable to pick you up.
622
00:44:43,000 --> 00:44:45,480
Then you moved into the coastal belt
623
00:44:45,520 --> 00:44:47,761
and you started to get a bit of shrub,
stuff like that
624
00:44:48,360 --> 00:44:49,646
and the tension would start building.
625
00:44:50,200 --> 00:44:53,727
And then you'd move in 'til you thought:
"That's near enough."
626
00:44:55,560 --> 00:44:57,881
The noisy trucks would
attract too much attention.
627
00:44:58,360 --> 00:45:00,283
The rest of the journey
would be on foot.
628
00:45:12,400 --> 00:45:16,485
The men hiked several miles
until the target was in their sights.
629
00:45:19,440 --> 00:45:22,284
SEEKINGS:
The first ops, sentries not on alert.
630
00:45:25,840 --> 00:45:28,650
If you was three or four hundred miles
behind the line
631
00:45:29,200 --> 00:45:31,806
it was just cushy,
the war was never going to touch you.
632
00:45:37,480 --> 00:45:39,084
Across the target airfields
633
00:45:39,120 --> 00:45:42,966
the men planted Lewes bombs
on every aircraft they could find.
634
00:45:43,840 --> 00:45:46,650
Setting the fuses
to detonate simultaneously
635
00:45:46,680 --> 00:45:49,570
they fled
before the destruction erupted,.
636
00:46:01,640 --> 00:46:02,971
BENNETT:
When they went, up they went.
637
00:46:03,000 --> 00:46:05,321
And you had
great big volumes of flames.
638
00:46:11,200 --> 00:46:14,090
By early morning.
Stirling and the LRDG
639
00:46:14,120 --> 00:46:16,248
had disappeared back into the desert
640
00:46:16,720 --> 00:46:21,521
leaving behind them an epic trail
of destruction and a bewildered enemy.
641
00:46:22,440 --> 00:46:26,001
There is no defence
against a small party
642
00:46:26,040 --> 00:46:28,122
of three or four determined men
getting in.
643
00:46:31,120 --> 00:46:34,442
But destroying aircraft
wasn't enough for Paddy Mayne.
644
00:46:37,720 --> 00:46:41,042
He decided to attack the men
who flew them as well.
645
00:46:46,920 --> 00:46:51,767
The War Diary contains Mayne's
chilling account of what followed.
646
00:46:52,720 --> 00:46:55,326
"I stood there with my Colt .45
647
00:46:55,680 --> 00:46:59,207
the others at my side with a Tommy gun
and another automatic.
648
00:47:00,240 --> 00:47:04,928
We were a peculiar and frightening sight,
bearded and unkempt hair.
649
00:47:05,320 --> 00:47:07,288
I said: 'Good evening.'
650
00:47:07,920 --> 00:47:11,606
At that, a young German arose
and moved slowly backwards.
651
00:47:12,080 --> 00:47:13,366
I shot him.
652
00:47:14,080 --> 00:47:17,368
I turned and fired at another,
some six feet away.
653
00:47:18,040 --> 00:47:20,168
Then the two machine-gunners
opened up.
654
00:47:23,000 --> 00:47:26,322
The room by now was in pandemonium."
655
00:47:31,400 --> 00:47:33,164
Despite the success of the mission
656
00:47:33,200 --> 00:47:38,684
Stirling was appalled by the shooting
of some 30 men at point-blank range,.
657
00:47:40,080 --> 00:47:43,289
He reported:
“It was necessary to be ruthless
658
00:47:43,320 --> 00:47:45,641
but Paddy had overstepped the mark.
659
00:47:46,040 --> 00:47:50,648
I was obliged to rebuke him
for over-callous execution of the enemy."
660
00:47:52,240 --> 00:47:56,450
BEN: Paddy Mayne's brutal attack
veered away from sabotage
661
00:47:56,480 --> 00:47:59,484
and came close to cold-blooded killing.
662
00:47:59,880 --> 00:48:02,804
It showed just how far
the unit had already moved away
663
00:48:02,840 --> 00:48:05,047
from conventional warfare.
664
00:48:14,520 --> 00:48:18,491
Over the next two weeks,
the SAS mounted raid after raid
665
00:48:18,520 --> 00:48:21,842
often unauthorised
and picking targets at will.
666
00:48:23,000 --> 00:48:26,129
Bill Fraser's party got the biggest bag
667
00:48:26,440 --> 00:48:28,124
they got 37 planes
668
00:48:29,960 --> 00:48:31,962
and we went back to the same place
669
00:48:32,000 --> 00:48:33,331
and got 24 planes
670
00:48:33,360 --> 00:48:34,930
and eight days later we went back
671
00:48:34,960 --> 00:48:36,325
and got another 24.
672
00:48:37,360 --> 00:48:38,521
That's when it all started.
673
00:48:38,560 --> 00:48:40,369
That's when the results started coming in.
674
00:48:43,680 --> 00:48:45,444
They destroyed everything
675
00:48:45,480 --> 00:48:47,926
terrorising and demoralising the enemy
676
00:48:47,960 --> 00:48:50,440
before disappearing
into their oasis hide-out
677
00:48:50,480 --> 00:48:51,766
deep in the desert.
678
00:48:52,320 --> 00:48:54,402
KERSHAW:
Obviously, there was jubilation.
679
00:48:54,440 --> 00:48:56,568
We're back in business, sort of thing.
680
00:48:59,120 --> 00:49:01,646
BENNETT:
It must have been on Christmas day
681
00:49:01,680 --> 00:49:04,081
the LRDG shot a gazelle
682
00:49:04,640 --> 00:49:07,644
and we made a little bar in the sand
683
00:49:07,680 --> 00:49:10,081
we had gazelle
and had rum and lime.
684
00:49:10,120 --> 00:49:11,610
We had a very, very nice Christmas.
685
00:49:12,240 --> 00:49:13,765
Fired up by success
686
00:49:13,800 --> 00:49:17,566
Stirling would not allow even Christmas
to slow the pace of destruction.
687
00:49:18,120 --> 00:49:21,681
Rommel was falling back,
ever more dependent on air support.
688
00:49:22,400 --> 00:49:24,607
The SAS would attack again.
689
00:49:28,240 --> 00:49:30,641
But the Germans and Italians
were getting wise
690
00:49:30,680 --> 00:49:32,409
to the tactics of the SAS.
691
00:49:36,120 --> 00:49:38,646
Aerial patrols were scouring the desert
692
00:49:38,680 --> 00:49:42,082
looking for the tell-tale
dust plumes of the trucks,.
693
00:49:43,840 --> 00:49:45,171
It was only a matter of time
694
00:49:45,400 --> 00:49:48,244
before the enemy would have
Stirling 's men in their sights.
695
00:49:50,560 --> 00:49:53,530
Well, you had so much faith
in the people you were with
696
00:49:53,920 --> 00:49:59,563
that no one sort of anticipated that
anything was going to go wrong.
697
00:50:04,960 --> 00:50:07,611
Jock Lewes could tell
his fiancée Mirren Barford
698
00:50:07,840 --> 00:50:10,286
very little about their secret mission
in the desert
699
00:50:10,720 --> 00:50:12,848
and could only hint at
their great success.
700
00:50:13,760 --> 00:50:15,046
In a telegram, he wrote:
701
00:50:15,600 --> 00:50:18,843
"Back today with a pullable beard
and a possible medal.
702
00:50:18,880 --> 00:50:22,601
Off again tomorrow.
Merry Christmas to all."
703
00:50:24,680 --> 00:50:26,045
In his private diary
704
00:50:26,080 --> 00:50:28,845
Lewes expressed
the lofty martial sentiments
705
00:50:28,880 --> 00:50:30,882
that burnt brightly in his heart.
706
00:50:31,280 --> 00:50:34,363
"I feel my strength
and fear is far away.
707
00:50:34,840 --> 00:50:37,081
I will not seek to save my life
708
00:50:37,120 --> 00:50:40,203
but will choose the most difficult
and dangerous work."
709
00:50:41,440 --> 00:50:45,411
But beneath the chivalric tone
lay a hint of martyrdom.
710
00:50:49,240 --> 00:50:53,928
JOHN LEWES: He was so passionate
to end the war early
711
00:50:53,960 --> 00:50:55,610
and get back to his love.
712
00:50:56,160 --> 00:51:01,564
And that meant there was
a high chance of being killed.
713
00:51:02,560 --> 00:51:06,007
"I am prepared for this
to be my life's work
714
00:51:06,680 --> 00:51:09,286
because it will be well done
715
00:51:09,760 --> 00:51:12,809
and a thing to be proud of,
here or anywhere.
716
00:51:13,880 --> 00:51:16,008
I am losing my life
717
00:51:16,320 --> 00:51:24,922
in this hard, graceless,
unpoetic, unbeautiful devotion."
718
00:51:37,600 --> 00:51:43,004
He was a very studious character,
Jock Lewes, as a training officer.
719
00:51:43,040 --> 00:51:45,964
And to go in action with you,
he was a very good man too.
720
00:51:47,440 --> 00:51:48,487
He, um...
721
00:51:49,240 --> 00:51:54,087
I think he probably had slightly
too much regimentality about him
722
00:51:54,120 --> 00:51:56,327
in active conditions.
723
00:51:56,360 --> 00:51:58,522
I think that's one of things
that cost him his life.
724
00:52:04,000 --> 00:52:06,526
Racing across the desert
after a dawn raid
725
00:52:06,960 --> 00:52:09,964
Jock Lewes' convoy
was spotted by a German plane.
726
00:52:12,760 --> 00:52:14,967
In the open desert,
they were sitting ducks.
727
00:52:18,320 --> 00:52:19,970
The SAS trucks could not escape
728
00:52:20,000 --> 00:52:22,367
the speed and firepower
of their attackers.
729
00:52:25,280 --> 00:52:28,443
As planes filled the sky,
the men jumped for their lives
730
00:52:30,120 --> 00:52:33,124
but Jock Lewes delayed,
gathering his papers.
731
00:52:34,680 --> 00:52:35,920
Everybody could see it was coming in
732
00:52:35,960 --> 00:52:38,486
and it was coming in so low
that everybody bailed off.
733
00:52:45,200 --> 00:52:47,009
PLANE CRASHES
734
00:52:47,080 --> 00:52:48,969
Jock Lewes stayed too long
in the truck
735
00:52:50,720 --> 00:52:52,848
and he got caught in that fire.
736
00:53:02,760 --> 00:53:05,240
Jock Lewes was buried
where he fell.
737
00:53:08,880 --> 00:53:11,167
His men would never know
why he had delayed
738
00:53:12,400 --> 00:53:14,528
but perhaps he'd
already given them a clue.
739
00:53:16,800 --> 00:53:18,404
Never run away.
740
00:53:21,120 --> 00:53:22,804
I regarded him as a great leader.
741
00:53:22,840 --> 00:53:24,808
I'd have followed
old Jock anywhere.
742
00:53:26,080 --> 00:53:27,320
He was a good fella.
743
00:53:46,840 --> 00:53:47,966
On New Year's Eve
744
00:53:48,040 --> 00:53:51,647
the survivors of the Lewes raid
limped back to the oasis
745
00:53:52,280 --> 00:53:55,523
bringing news news that one of
the unit's most important members
746
00:53:55,560 --> 00:53:56,766
was gone.
747
00:53:58,840 --> 00:54:02,925
Stirling was furious that Lewes' body
had been left behind in the desert
748
00:54:03,800 --> 00:54:06,451
but then it was Lewes himself
who had insisted
749
00:54:06,480 --> 00:54:10,280
that collecting the dead was
a dangerous waste of time.
750
00:54:13,320 --> 00:54:15,129
In Lewes' empty tent
751
00:54:15,160 --> 00:54:18,084
his comrades found a letter
from Mirren Barford
752
00:54:18,640 --> 00:54:21,405
joyously accepting
his proposal of marriage.
753
00:54:23,800 --> 00:54:27,566
MIRREN (ACTRESS): "Please remember
you are my dearest and only love
754
00:54:27,600 --> 00:54:29,250
don't leave me, ever.
755
00:54:29,920 --> 00:54:32,571
You always have my love
and all I can do now
756
00:54:32,600 --> 00:54:35,763
is ask the Almighty Powers
to be merciful
757
00:54:35,800 --> 00:54:38,087
and to keep you safe and free."
758
00:54:39,640 --> 00:54:43,725
JOHN LEWES: Mirren's letter
accepting Jock's offer of marriage
759
00:54:43,760 --> 00:54:45,728
arrived after Jock died.
760
00:54:46,560 --> 00:54:51,009
But... Jock did say one word
before he died
761
00:54:51,440 --> 00:54:54,046
and he said "Mirren".
762
00:55:03,000 --> 00:55:07,210
We were a unit, if anybody got killed
that was the end of it.
763
00:55:07,640 --> 00:55:09,005
You know, we...
764
00:55:10,640 --> 00:55:13,769
There was no shedding tears
and...
765
00:55:14,440 --> 00:55:17,091
getting handkerchiefs out
or drying your eyes.
766
00:55:17,960 --> 00:55:20,725
Thinking: "There's my best pal,
I'll get the Germans for this"
767
00:55:20,760 --> 00:55:22,330
you know, like the Americans do it.
768
00:55:22,880 --> 00:55:24,291
None of that.
769
00:55:24,760 --> 00:55:28,003
I mean, you took your chance and...
and that was it.
770
00:55:36,120 --> 00:55:37,929
By January 1942
771
00:55:38,320 --> 00:55:41,210
'L' Detachment had destroyed
more than 90 planes
772
00:55:41,240 --> 00:55:43,720
and left almost as many enemy dead.
773
00:55:44,320 --> 00:55:47,767
Behind them was a trail
of wrecked munitions, vehicles
774
00:55:47,800 --> 00:55:50,644
and a demoralised
and mystified enemy.
775
00:56:04,880 --> 00:56:08,885
The SAS returned to Cairo
with their heads held high.
776
00:56:14,760 --> 00:56:16,922
Stirling was promoted to Major
777
00:56:16,960 --> 00:56:19,281
and Auchinleck,
recognising the great potential
778
00:56:19,320 --> 00:56:21,049
of his newest fighting force
779
00:56:21,440 --> 00:56:24,046
authorised the recruitment
of six more officers
780
00:56:24,080 --> 00:56:25,684
and 40 more men.
781
00:56:27,240 --> 00:56:29,766
'L' Detachment were
no longer 'Learners'
782
00:56:30,280 --> 00:56:32,886
but success had come at a price.
783
00:56:40,520 --> 00:56:42,363
34 men had been lost
784
00:56:42,400 --> 00:56:44,880
in the first doomed parachute raid.
785
00:56:46,760 --> 00:56:49,206
And now the unit
had also lost the man
786
00:56:49,240 --> 00:56:51,641
who had been instrumental
in their success.
787
00:56:53,280 --> 00:56:56,329
STIRLING:
Well, it was very grave on all of us
788
00:56:56,360 --> 00:57:00,331
and it did leave a very big gap.
789
00:57:02,360 --> 00:57:04,806
The grave of Jock Lewes
was never found
790
00:57:05,280 --> 00:57:08,329
lost forever in the Great Sand Sea.
791
00:57:09,400 --> 00:57:13,121
JOHN LEWES:
Jock was absolutely key
792
00:57:13,160 --> 00:57:16,209
to this incredible regiment.
793
00:57:16,240 --> 00:57:17,890
And by the time he died
794
00:57:18,880 --> 00:57:23,568
everything he'd done
had proved that it could survive.
795
00:57:24,280 --> 00:57:27,443
But it still needed guarding.
796
00:57:29,480 --> 00:57:31,403
Without his right hand man
797
00:57:31,440 --> 00:57:35,570
Stirling would have to rely on
the newly-promoted Captain Paddy Mayne,.
798
00:57:37,760 --> 00:57:40,650
An officer as unpredictable
and dangerous
799
00:57:40,680 --> 00:57:43,809
as the new phase of war
that was about to begin.
800
00:57:45,400 --> 00:57:49,450
The SAS would have to adapt
if it was going to survive.
801
00:57:53,520 --> 00:57:54,885
BEN:
But the game was changing.
802
00:57:56,200 --> 00:57:58,441
The airfields were now
being heavily defended.
803
00:57:58,920 --> 00:58:00,604
And unknown to David Stirling
804
00:58:00,640 --> 00:58:02,961
the Germans were training
special units
805
00:58:03,000 --> 00:58:07,608
to track, intercept and kill
the marauding SAS.
806
00:58:08,200 --> 00:58:10,806
The hunters would soon become
the hunted.
807
00:02:07,000 --> 00:02:11,000
Ripped & Corrected By mstoll
February 2017
808
00:58:12,000 --> 00:58:16,000
Ripped & Corrected By mstoll
March 2017 - Released on www.Addic7ed.com
71238
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