How nine British heroes entered SAS legend by fighting off 400 bloodthirsty fanatics

[thounaojamtom]

High on the rooftop of the old mud building, the two SAS soldiers peered out into the desert.


For six desperate hours, they and seven comrades had been under siege, desperately fighting off an army of Arab insurrectionists intent on sweeping them from the face of the earth.


They were surrounded, outnumbered by at least 25 to one.
Then, in the distance, they glimpsed a V-formation of men coming towards them. Their hearts sank. If these were rebel reinforcements, then it was all over.


‘How many bullets have you got left?’ Corporal Bob Bennett asked his companion quietly.
Seventeen,’ Trooper Roger Cole replied. Bennett counted his — less than a full magazine, fewer than 20 rounds.


They would fight to the end but they weren’t going to be taken alive.


In desert wars like this one in the Gulf state of Oman in 1972, there was no mercy.


Two SAS soldiers caught in neighbouring Yemen had been beheaded and their heads displayed on spikes.


Cole dragged out the last box of grenades. They would hurl these down on any rebels who tried to get through the door — and then, if that failed, shoot themselves with their last bullets to avoid capture.
the story and picture continues @
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...s-bullets.html

[vinny_121_ND]

Thanks for sharing, this will be remembered .

[G-AWZT]

Wow I've never heard this account. Thanks.

[PsihoKeke]

Interesting, but in all other reports on this battle there was mention of 250 attackers, not 400.

[Corrupt]

Interesting, but in all other reports on this battle there was mention of 250 attackers, not 400.

I don't know, I've not read much on the incident, but the Daily Mail likes to exaggerate quite a bit.

[hulaku]

Brave men.

[D-Mitch]

Nice story, thanks.

[frankbai2011]

Interesting, but in all other reports on this battle there was mention of 250 attackers, not 400.

However it was a large number

[Royal]

Penty of previous stuff about Mirbat on here - and "bloodthirsty fanatics" - that's pathetic even for the Daily Fail

[Hisroyalhighness]

Thanks for sharing, this will be remembered .

Thanks for posting the doc, never seen it before.

[Proudgrandson]

Daily Mail completely fails to mention once the 30-40 Omani soldiers and militia in the garrison. But that would make the odds 8-1 or 6-1 (if you go with reports of 300 in other places). But thats so less dramatic than 25-1.

[Royal]

Daily Mail completely fails top mention once the 30-40 Omani soldiers and militia in the garrison. But that would make the odds 8-1 or 6-1 (if you go with reports of 300 in other places). But thats so less dramatic than 25-1.

There were no Omani soldiers there. There was a firaqt standing patrol (overwhelmed by the adoo before the battle), some gendarmes and a bunch of old and bold home guard types. There were also 2 SOAF Strikemaster jets, a Huey, a Jet Ranger and half of G Squadron - like you said a bit less dramatic than 25-1.

[timetraveller]

That story was told in that program by Lord Ashcroft who presented Special forces Heroes that was screened on Channel 4 last year . and a Fijian won a VC for his actions during that engagement ..

Still no idea if that series was made available on DVD ..

[Tinman74]

That story was told in that program by Lord Ashcroft who presented Special forces Heroes that was screened on Channel 4 last year . and a Fijian won a VC for his actions during that engagement ..

Still no idea if that series was made available on DVD ..

No VC awarded for those actions.

[shermbodius]

Sh!t, I am impressed. Good work Brits!