SAS Bravo Three Zero: The Gripping True Story

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Everytime he wrote down a.chat he had with the crew, it was "Barry remarks", "Tom remarks", Bob remarks". It was used dozens of times in the first few chapters. How does your time training for and serving in the SF world help you today in your Civvy St, and how does it hinder you? There were three patrols that fateful January 1991 morning:Bravo One Zero,Bravo Two ZeroandBravo Three Zero. It was the opening hours of the Gulf War and the SAS were flown deep behind enemy lines to hunt down Saddam’s Scud missiles, the use of which threatened a Third World War. In part the book is autobiographical of Des Powells life it gives a sense of his upbringing and utter determination to succeed, where most would fail

Damien Lewis has been a war reporter over two decades covering conflict in Africa, the Middle and Far East. And so there I was having a chat with Des Powell about how the collaboration with Damien Lewis and the book came about and about the mission itself. Though overshadowed by the fate of Bravo Two Zero, the achievements of this highly-decorated patrol are the stuff of elite forces legend. Now, for the first time, SAS veteran Des Powell reveals their story in gritty, blow-by-blow detail. Written with acclaimed military author Damien Lewis, this is a tale of edge-of-the seat daring deep inside enemy lands. Brutal, savage, unrelenting – prepare to be blown away, in a tale that proves utterly the SAS motto – who dares wins. According to McNab, the four captured patrol members (McNab, Pring, MacGown and the wounded Coburn) were moved numerous times, enduring torture and interrogation at each successive location. [2] According to MacGown, however, "incidents such as teeth extraction and burning with a heated spoon did not happen. It is inconceivable that any such incidents could have occurred without them being discussed or being physically obvious." [17] At the time of the release on 5 March of MacGown and Pring, they were described as "in good shape" by a Red Cross representative. [10]This patrol and their story is now the stuff of elite forces legend and so it should be. Des Powell and the men of Bravo Three Zero are the bravest of the brave. They went far behind enemy line and taking out targets as they went. As I read Des Powell’s story, I was left humbled by their actions. But none of these men should ever have to go into action with sub-standard equipment. Even as warnings came in that McNab’s patrol was on the run, Bravo Three Zero remained undetected – the furthest Coalition forces behind Iraqi lines. Slipping through enemy positions, a string of targets were taken out. But with the desert turning bitter and snow starting to fall, they were forced to fight a running battle against the elements as much as the enemy.

a b c "Honours and Awards", The London Gazette (Supplement), Gazettes online, no.54393, p.6549, 9 May 1996, archived from the original on 11 June 2011 , retrieved 25 October 2011 This isn’t a story about Bravo Three Zero, it is the autobiography of someone who was part of that patrol. We had to wait to chapter 8 for it to get to the point. In conversation with ex-spook Paul Hughes, Des Powell provides us with an intimate look into the life of the SAS on this timely, commemorative evening. One of those questions, and the next one I ask Des, is naming the most challenging moment his team experienced on the ground. Even as warnings came in that McNab’s patrol was on the run, Bravo Three Zeroremained undetected – the furthest Coalition forces behind Iraqi lines. Slipping through enemy positions, a string of targets were taken out. But with the desert turning bitter and snow starting to fall, they were forced to fight a running battle against the elements as much as the enemy.In 2003, the television series JAG ran an episode ("The One That Got Away", S9, EP04) loosely based on the story of Bravo Two Zero involving US Marines Force Recon in Iraq. The name of the team that was involved was Bravo Two One.

However they are very different stories, Bravo Two Zero focuses on the patrol’s fight for survival after being compromised. Bravo Three Zero focuses on their patrol’s battle to complete their mission. Does anybody know where I could find out what the missions were of the various Bravo patrols sent out by the SAS in Gulf war 1? Told in first person in an almost conversational style, it was so easy to fall into step alongside Des Powell and his regiment as he navigates his way through that fateful, and almost fatal, mission into Iraq to hunt down the locations of Saddam Hussein’s scud missiles. As a unit who almost didn’t get deployed to Iraq, originally due to remain in the UK on counter terrorism duties, we join the Powell and his fellow soldiers as they learn of their impending deployment, as they engage on pre-mission training, much condensed, and as they make those first moves behind enemy lines. Interspersed with this story are some of the key moments in Des Powell’s career, from his initial attempt at selection for the SAS – which, aside from the intensive and gruelling exercises he needed to endure, ended in pretty grim fashion – through to some of the happier moments in his private life and the near miss moments in his career that make you wonder just how many cats he had to barter will to obtain some of their extra lives. It certainly seems as though he used a good number up without even making it into combat.a b Cowell, Alan (5 March 1991). "AFTER THE WAR: P.O.W.'S; 6 Americans, Including Woman, Among 10 Released by Baghdad". The New York Times . Retrieved 25 October 2011.

When the book develops and he talks about his experiences and own character flaws that change into trust/belief in the Regiment's ethos/attitude he comes across as a more likeable person. As does the sensible restrained patrol commander - none of the Andy McNab BS here. The book is subtitled ‘The SAS Patrol that got away – The Explosive True Story’. And it truly is a remarkable story, one that extends and has meaning far beyond that particular theatre of war. This is a totally honest, sometimes harsh, but definitely inspiring tale of a unit who made a significant impact upon the course of the Gulf War. Paying tribute to their fallen colleagues, and showing the honesty and integrity of the men who fought for each other, and for the sake of so many others, if you are in any way interested in military history, or just want to read about a group of determined, honour driven men who put duty before all else, I’d definitely recommend this book. About the Author In this exclusive launch event, Des Powell and bestselling author Damien Lewis, will reveal the Bravo Three Zero story and the achievements of this highly-decorated patrol. The BBC produced a two-part adaptation of Mitchell's book, also titled Bravo Two Zero, in 1998. It starred Sean Bean as McNab and was directed by Tom Clegg. In addition to using all of Mitchell's characters' pseudonyms, the names of the three deceased patrol members, Phillips, Consiglio and Lane were also changed for the film. Speed was of the essence and the patrol had to improvise with poor equipment and beg, borrow and steal basic supplies. The most concerning aspect of this was the poor intelligence. The patrol was told to expect mild weather, ‘England in the spring’ and were unprepared for the ‘worst winter in living memory’. The weather became their main enemy, with snow drifts in the desert to combat. The book chronicles the patrol’s tenacity and initiative to survive, even resorting to wearing their rubber NBC suits. Des Powell gives a harrowing account of the constant cold, with little protection from the elements and having no way to get warm.

If he’s a pure beginner, has no experience whatsoever, and I always say this to people, don’t go by the watch. Get used to carrying the weight, it doesn’t have to be 35lbs, but make sure that you get used to the correct boots, the correct clothing, the correct Bergen. And just get used to the environment because the most challenging thing is the elements, the wind, the rain, the cold, the snow and you’ve got to have the right equipment. You got the right boots and cold weather clothing and got used to carrying the weight. Just get used to walking over distances, a couple of hours and then three hours, four hours and so forth. Get used to good map reading techniques. Get used to being out in the elements and just comfortable with what you’re doing. Because you start to get aches and pains and have injuries with your ankles and knees. I call it getting acquired to the hills. You’ve gotta get used to the hill work. Just get used to your body getting fitter and fitter. And as you get fitter, you find that you naturally walk faster. And getting used to being outside in the elements. When people ask me, what’s the hardest physical thing I’ve done, I go, being outside in the cold, the wind, the rain and the snow. Fighting the elements takes more energy than working in the gym. And that’s mainly because your body is trying to stay warm. So just get acquired to the hills, get used to your fitness, get used to carrying equipment and then you can start to worry about how fast you should tab.