Bravo Two Zero

[wildfire213]

i dont think any of those guys were in the special forces.
anyone who is/was in the SF wouldnt admit it!!!

[Bliartheliar]

Why not? They make millions from thier books.

[Monkey_Man]

Yeah, I might be wrong but I think they've adjusted things so those books that "tell all" with lovely lil flames on the covers get gobbled up by the official secrets acts or something.

As for B20, I saw the BBC dramatization with Sean Bean when I was a kid and thought it was the coolest thing ever, and the book was a great read too, but as far as how much truth is in it? I think not much considering all the contrary accounts and opinions. That and the fact it reads in a manner that's an austrian accent short of having Arnold Schwartzenegger in it. Ramboing across Iraq just seems unlrealistic to me, I know the SAS are fantastic etc, but they're still only human. I must admit though, until I heard of stuff to the contrary I did sort of buy into it, partly because I wanted to because I wanted to I guess, the myth is much cooler than the shrouded semi-forgotten facts that will probably never grace the public's view.

All that said, McNabb is making a lot of money writing, and good for him, but I'd like to think that in his shoes I'd show a little more respect for my comrades and not write about it all the way he did.

[sneaky beaky]

There was a line in the film, "The Man who shot Liberty Valance" starring John Wayne and James Stewart. A good film and a good "Wessy".
It said, "When the legend is better than the truth - print the legend".
I think it says it all.
Sneaky

[veggie]

I am led to believe that Soldier 5 is as close to the truth as it can be, the last survivor to not write a book won't write a book so we will all have to just guess,

veggie

[sittingstress]

Never discussed in public before but what about the awesome OP BOP that took place one dark night at RAF Bruggen in the mid-eighties?

A select band of heros known only as "37 Sqn RAF Regt" decimated a numerically superior raiding force from 50 Field Sqn RE. Despite overwhelming odds and armed only with Naafi Pasties and Halb Hanchen mit Pommes and Mayo bitte the stalwart Rocks executed a classic left diversion followed by a right flanking attack into the foe.

That is all I can say about that event as most of it is still classified TS(NS), that is Top Secret (Naafi Scrap) to the uninitiated. I will just add that many comments were made by Stn Fed Sqn regarding the overall positive effect the routing of the percies had.

Regards

ss

PS He he WHAT a night!!!

[Hostage_Negotiator]

SS, I think you mean 52 Fld Sqn(RE) who were the resident Airfield Repair Specialists. When were you at Bruggen mate? I was 89-93 on Int & Sy .
Oh and yeah they (52) were a bunch off tossers!
H_N

[sittingstress]

Correct! I am confusing them with that other bunch of goobers who tried the same at Laarbruch, they received the same too!!

I arrived at Bruggen in May 86 and left in Aug 89. I made the fatal mistake of going back with a camera 2 weeks ago. Very very sad and emotional. Plenty of ghosts about. LBH is all overgrown and derelict. BRU is full of percies who have turned the place inside out and got rid of all the bars and facilities. I will freely admit that the trip to Roermond to pay respects to our lads that were killed there caused a huge lump in the throat.

The Cold War and the IRA gave us a reason for things and the TACEVALS et al were a pain in the arse but by Christ did it polarise us. The RAFG ethos will never be equalled and I for one miss it deeply.

Just got back in from Day 1 ROFA so need to go lounge in a bath to ease aching back, and also to wipe water from eyes. The pollen here is dreadful!

Regards

ss

PS How the hell did 30 odd drunken bum, singly Rocks dominate a unit with 4 flying Sqns, an MU, a bomb-dump and a percy RE Sqn? I dunno we just did and it still stuns me to think about it.

[Hostage_Negotiator]

Probably because in those days the Feds from the Black Area all used to side with the Rocks against the likes of 9,14,17,31,Sqns and the dross that were 52 and H troop (sigs) your on the mark about the RAFG ethos though, those days are sadly missed! Did you know that during that period the INT & Sy was the largest Sqn of any type in the whole Air Force. At it's peak 308 Policemen. I know what you mean about Roermond, a beautiful place scarred by tragedy and murder! One of my cousins was on 26 at Laarbruch and was in the second vehicle when the VBIED activated outside the nightclub! He survived but others were not so lucky.
I'll raise a Dorty tonight (never took to Wobbly!)
Cheers for reminding of better times( well most of it)
H_N

[joethejudge]

Bruggen has become an army base now hasn't it?
One liner avoidance thing

[Hostage_Negotiator]

Bruggen has become an army base now hasn't it?
One liner avoidance thing

Try actually reading the thread!