The Real Bravo Two Zero
I saw the last few minutes of a C4 prog last night that really grabbed my attention. It was about Bravo 20, the failed SAS mission during the Gulf war.
As far as I could gather, the presenter (who/what was he?) was pooh-poohing the whole of the books 'Bravo 20' and 'The One That Got Away' and their respective authors by a lack of evidence of '250' bodies, no beatings on capture, no tracks to look for lost comrades. This raises some serious questions:
a. Do we believe the testimony of unverifed Iraqis on events 10 yrs ago? Are they likely to admit the beating of anyone, even on Western TV!?
b. If, however, Mc Nab and Ryan shot too much of 'a line', as was intimated by the ex- RSM, why has no-one in higher authority vilified them. Over glorification of their own exploits undermines their undoubted bravery but more worryingly, sets unattainable standards for today's troopers.
c. By not decrying Mc Nab and Ryan, are the MOD/22SAS guilty by association?
d. But, if the programme was a whole pile of hogwash, is the Hereford Gun Club going to support McNab and Ryan, or will they continue to keep schtum as they broke the 'code of silence' in the first place by writing their accounts?