SAS Bravo Three Zero: The Gripping True Story

After finishing up the audiobook, I thought I would submit a short review for what it's worth, as I enjoyed listening to Des and his story of Bravo Three Zero.As a fellow Yorkshireman it was very entertaining to listen to such a wide variety of stories from his time in the military, and in places very amusing!He comes across as a really decent, likeable bloke, but you also get the impression he could turn on a sixpence if you rubbed him the wrong way. No surprise he was both Para and SAS.Many revelations were revealed to me that had previously been obscured by either bullshit or other inferior sources over the last 30 odd years.The most striking was just how badly equipped the SAS were at this time and how 'Blue Peter' everything was. By that I mean a lot of kit was improvised and bodged together.Also, having to go cap in hand to the U.S. Navy SEALs for extra kit was just plain shocking for a unit of this stature and shows exactly where the British government was at in 1991.It comes across these guys were expendable, which will be upsetting to people who care for our armed forces, especially the legendary SAS.I'm positive the founders of the unit, David Stirling, Jock Lewes and Paddy Mayne would be outraged to know just how poorly equipped these guys were for the job they were asked to do.As for the missions themselves, Bravo Two Zero has been well documented so no need to cover that one, although I will say Des obviously has the utmost respect for his comrades and does not have anything negative to say about them.So onto Bravo Three Zero. First thing to say is that I now have a better understanding of why they were even out there in the first place. That being trying to stop Israel from entering into a full-blown conflict with Saddam Insane and unsettling the Middle East even more.To track the Scud launchers and destroy them was imperative, and a catastrophe was waiting to happen if nothing was done. The only problem they had was just how bloody difficult that turned out to be.Not only was the weather appallingly cold but the vehicles they were given, an old 'Pinky' Land Rover and a 'Dinky' (which I believe is a Land Rover Defender?) probably came straight from the storage of some old war film from the sixties.I mean seriously? What was John Major snorting to think these guys could do the job with that rubbish? No wonder Andy McNab decided to go in on foot, which turned out to be a bad idea as we know.Still, you can't blame him for his decision. Maybe if a couple of tooled up Reliant Robin's were on offer, he might have changed his mind? Incredulous, to say the least.As you move through all the events over the nine days they were out in the desert, the story really gets mega absorbing, and it was proper exciting to listen to Des describe in detail everything that unfolded.To say all this was from his memory it shows how well Damien Lewis extracted and edited to a polished perfection, which if you know Damien's books that won't be a surprise.Suffice to say, if you enjoy military history, you will want this on your list. It's very, very good. No bull or over-egging here.Well done Des for getting your story out, you and the rest of the squadrons deserve an accurate account of what went down all those years ago.

Really easy read that filled in the blanks. Well paced and has enough detail without being just another commando comic.Respect to these guys and all their collective and individual endeavours.

Having read Bravo Two Zero, what a great insight into the lesser known patrol, a great read for anyone who loves the gripping accounts of what really took place.

I discovered this book, quite by accident whilst looking to buy a copy of Bravo Two Zero. I was surprised to discover three patrols had been tasked to observe, report on Scud activity. So, I grabbed a copy.I blasted through this book in three days. Its a tense, gripping account of the lesser known Bravo Three Zero, which decided to deploy with 'Pinky' and 'Dinky' vehicles (Land Rovers) despite terrain which would be difficult to conceal them. Des gives reasons why they ultimately decided to deploy with vehicles, whilst Bravo One and Bravo Two would decide to carry an insane amount of kit on their backs. This was one reason why Bravo Three decided to go with these vehicles, despite them being poorly suited to such terrain.Des also talks of other kit shortages, such as weapons, mines, limited intelligence, which ultimately led him to beg kit from the Americans, who helped out.This book reveals the incredible, steely reserve, strength, willpower and training to overcome aeemingly insurmountable odds that makes the SAS the finest Special Forces unit in the World.Everything was against them. Lack of kit, poor intelligence, maps, inaccurate weather forecasts, an inhospitable terrain nothing like it was described, radio issues, and just to top it off - the coldest weather seen in Iraq in decades.It's a fantastic read, and I heartily recommend it to anyone who is interested in expanding their knowledge of the First Giulf War.

I did enjoy reading this book it is not a book full of action by any means but a book that puts out the facts as they happened.

An outstanding account of the forgotten troop.

enjoyable, read, but not yet five stars

I bought this to read myself , having read the B20 book quite a few years ago . I am old enough to have seen the live footage of Operation Nimrod - London 1980 . Ever since then I have had a great interest in such matters . This book had me gripped from first to last . Had I any hair remaining it would at times have stood on end . An absolutely fascinating account of men at their best under conditions of the worst kind . I am so thankful that they are on our side !

A great story of men against the elements of war and nature. Edge of your seat reading at its finest. You’ll not be disappointed.

I've read it from front to back in a single session.

This is a well written book that describes the actual events of the Bravo Three Zero mission. There seems to be plenty of information out there now that calls into question the sensational (yet entertaining) earlier versions of the Bravo Two mission by other well known authors. Granted, this story did start to drag out a bit in the later parts - there is only so much you can write about driving slowly through an isolated desert for days on end - but all in all, it was a good book that seems to paint an authentic view of SF work, rather than the Hollywood version.

Easy read somewhat interesting. Damien Lewis always produces easy reading books. The story line was OK. It would have been interesting to have more details how Does was able to get into SAS

This book could have been written as a pamphlet. It's just full of meandering filler.