Ryan can't compare special units / Forces!?

[Leap Frog]

Hi, i've just read the part of comparisations between the special or elite units of each army per country ( http://www.mfat.co.uk/general.php?page=general4 ) and i am afraid that mr. Ryan has made a somewhat dumb mistake. It makes me doubt that Ryan actualy wrote these conclusions himself.
He compares the Dutch BBE with units that can't be compared, commando's and specials forces from other countries. That is plain impossible, he should know that.
The BBE is a CT team and has nothing to do with special task elsewhere. A comparisation with the Dutch LeapFrogs, or Commandos , or marine commando units would have been so much better.

Maybe this could be corrected, although i doubt Ryan would confess making a little dumb mistake.

Guess he'd better stick to the writing of fictional story's.

[keyser]

I agree with LeapFrog.
Ryan says BBE should be a elite SF unit. Well I am very dissapointed, that a former SAS-operator doesn´t have the knowledge he must have. BBE is just a elite CQB unit, which operate (officialy) within the borders of Holland. It is no unit like the SAS or SBS. Bye the way, the Dutch SBS is during wartime a part of the British SBS and they train together a countless times. When Ryan would give the Dutch SBS a rating of 3/10, he would give the British SBS a low rate too.

I am interested in the opinion of you mates in the UK about Mr Ryan and his 'observation' of foreign SF units.

Keyser.

[chunky from york]

'Chris Ryan's ' Task in compiling this book was a waste of time from the start, if you know anything about 'special' or 'elite' units.

BUT, remember he makes his living from selling books and there are an awfully lot of schoolboys out there, that are willing to part with their pocket money to help him live in the style that he now enjoys.

Am I jealous - too bloody true, wish I could make a fortune from publishing bollox.

[always go commando]

I once saw an interview with the guy (might have been McNab)and he pulled up in a porche, and the went on to discuss his money. telling about how he once lost something like a quater of a million in the stock market.
got me angry he did. at least there won't be many more of these fight and tell stories for a while. I think they have to sign a form now that stops them from writing them. I thought they had to sign the official secrets act anyway.

[Twenty One]

Did anyone see the bit in the newspapers yesterday about the former commander of British troops in the last Gulf war being thrown out of the SAS Barracks in Hereford for writing a book and revealing all to those who would buy his book. that person was General Peter De La Billier formar SAS commander.

[chunky from york]

Twenty One,

Sir Peter de la cour de la Billiere, was one of the first to get all ratty about SF people writing thinly disguised autobiographies, giving away SOP's and Tactics as well as other subjects covered by the Official Secrets act.

He also helped push through the 'non disclosure' contract that nowadays has to be signed.

However DLB is not universally loved in the Regiment, far from it. He was allowed to grow purple in the face and get on his soap box, because he had already published his memoirs (not to be confused with 'Storm Command').

Guess what, it tells about SOP's and gives away several previously unpublished details about operations.

So hoist with his own petard.

Mikkel suggest you check with EL-Prez regarding Petards, hoisting for the use of

[Twenty One]

Chunky. I note that he is not liked by any of the senior NCO's including the RSM, as you say in your answers DLB seems to have double standards when it comes to other ranks.I'm sure that someone will enlighten us sometime.

[sp10122]

Whether you are a Maj General or a Sgt you shouldn't be writing about it in the public domain.

Why are these 'honourable' men making money from what they did in service? What we do is what we do.....

Why did Mcnab/ S**** *c***** leave the Regt? That was never really explained?

PS: This will give you a laugh.


http://www.flork.com/discussion/andy+mcnab__2.html

[chunky from york]

SP10122,

Followed your link God give me strength


Do these people arghh words fail me...................................

[mike_B]

One thing...how the f@#k do u know his real name??? S**

[always go commando]

Sp followed your link and i have to agree with chunky.
The line that did it for me was

(speaking from specop background myself).

does no one understand the impossibility of charging 100 Iraqis?
The books are stories that he makes money of, not as many people would read it if he started going on about the correct procdure to retreat. I've been putting of reading this guys books but I think I may have to, to be able to convince people that they are fantasy.

[sp10122]

His brother was in a London TA unit, I didn't personally know him though. Or that could just be b******

Does he ever say he had a younger bro? I'm guessing he must be younger as 'Mcnab' is what? 45ish?

[mike_B]

He didnt say he does in his book...he might i dont know...but u certainly have the first name right (counting the asterxi)...But he's a w@#k anyway...

Just out of interest, you know the LI apparantly have more SAS officers than any other Regiment....and the current CO is LI (also DLB was LI)...

I'm thinking of joining and they are supposed to produce very good officers.

[sp10122]

I've been impressed by what little I've seen of them.

Their 2nd Bn is deploying to Iraq I've just seen in the press today.

Good luck to them, let's hope they all come back.


I would have thought the Paras world have more officers in the Regt?

Mainly as they have 3 bns and obviously would have a good standard of fizz already.

[Sisyphus]

sp

Good link. It highlights one of the key aspects of the debate - Anyone taking bets on the average age of the contributors:

12? 13? 14?