In Basra, Iraq, in 2005 two SAS operators working undercover were captured by the Iraqi police. They were held captive and interrogated by the police and “a militia” (read what you will into this!). The British high brass would not authorise a rescue mission which didn’t go down well with their fellow operators.
An unauthorised rescue mission was launched, the police station assaulted and breached as a diversion carried out by Lieutenant Colonel Huw Lloyd-Jones’ Charlie Company of the Royal Regiment of Wales. Meanwhile having conducted covert surveillance a 20 man strong force of 22 SAS operators stormed a nearby house where their fellow operators had been moved.
They rescued and exfiltrated successfully and without doubt saved the lives of their bloodied and battered friends. There were no British casualties.
When news of the incident reached the top brass in London the threat of punishment for this action was met with the threat of resignation by the entire SAS.
Insubordinate? Yes. A good idea? Absolutely not. This, however, is the very nature and history of the SAS and why they are the very best in the world. They are able to think on their feet, work independently of high command and they get the job done.
They are not programmed drones, SAS selection seeks a certain mindset, one that 99% of people simply don’t possess.
They will NEVER give up, when the *hit hits the fan this is when these guys shine and it’s documented time and time again. That’s just what we know about, their exploits which are undocumented, well, who knows the insane odds they have faced and prevailed.
I used to work with a guy who was a former sergeant in the British Army. One time he was fighting in Aden (the British shouldn’t have been there but that’s another story). The locals were hiding in caves set into a cliff face and every morning they’d appear and take pot shots at the British. The only way to get them was from the caves in the opposite cliffs but it was impossible to scale due to the locals firing on anyone who tried.
This went on for a little while until one day a group of SAS turned up still wearing jungle gear as they’d been dealing with insurgents in Malaya. They kept to themselves never speaking to the British regulars. The next morning like clockwork the locals popped out from the caves and started firing down. Suddenly from the opposite caves there was return fire from the SAS.
During the night, they’d scaled the cliffs without making a noise. Job done they scaled back down and straight onto a plane to take them back to Malaya.
Better at what?
Unarmed combat? Go into a room with eight soldiers in it, kill them all without raising the alarm?
Dig a hole in a lawn and hide there during a garden party?
Survive for six weeks longer than your rations and still be in a condition to fight ?
Identify variants of range finders used by an enemy artillery unit?
Sneak past a farm without tripping the dogs ?
Advanced towards the enemy across an open field without being seen ?
Learn enough of a tribal language for a rapid and unpredicted deployment ?
Say a customery greeting to Irish in an authentic Irish accent, knowing that every village has its own subtle difference and they all grew up together so recognise that you are not one of them ?
Persuade a British Chinese or British Black soldier to walk down a street in civilian clothes, without looking like a Westerner. Even walking like a German or an Italian is difficult. Obviously not for them.
There are so many different tasks. At every task, many who would never have what it takes, will be far better.
Seeing people skinned or burned alive and remaining the strategic eyes and ears ? Marriage break-ups ?
To compare Rangers with Green Berets, with Navy Seal or Delta Force, Paras with Royal Marines and their sub-groupings, is a valid question. The answer is hidden in, what are they being trained for.
