I thought he might be implying they had the Desert One refueling because there were not air-to-air refueling capable H-53s at the time. It is well known the refueling was done on the ground and the events that followed, that's a gimme.

Actually, the only in flight refueling capable H-53s were the HH-53s were with the Air Force at the time. And it was decided that they would be too distinctive on the flight deck, so they went with CH-53s from the Navy. Mid air refueling was out of the question for Eagle Claw.

And as I recall, the Stallion in question really wasn't taxing. They'd lost the power to their nose wheel or something, but they had to bunny hop the chopper to move it around. Lots of aircraft, lots of sand, middle of the night... yeah. Blind luck that there as few casualties on the struck Herc as there was.

I've seen a documentary which debunks much of what is in "Brava Two Zero"; maybe that was the investigative report you mention. I've not read the book but I gather it makes him look good. The documentary made him look bad. For example, he was apparently advised to take transport but decided not to, which caused him problems down the line.

I daresay his equipment lists are accurate, though. I really must get around to reading the book and comparing it with other sources. The BBC have done several series on the SAS.

McNab also wrote Immediate Action, detaling more of his early life, his entry into the SAS, etc. It is not as controversial as Bravo Two Zero, gives a pretty good idea of what it takes to get into that outfit. He is also now a fiction writer, haven't read any of that stuff...

Bravo Two Zero was basically a fog of war FUBAR. Their was miscommunication at several levels. Under normal circumstances it was probably not have mattered. They went in on foot because a SAS Trooper on foot is the next best thing to invisable. It should be born in mind that the documentary was done with the benefit of 20/20 hindsight. The people who make these documentarys are perfectly aware that SAS Troopers are, like all British Subjects, subject to the Offical Secrets Act. That means that for reason's of state, none of the members of the Bravo Two Zero team would be permitted to sue for liable.
And, at the end of the day, they were blown because they balked at killing a young boy who walked right over the top of them.

Exactly what I was thinking... Same goes for another sheppard (sp?) that came across a short while after. They were compromised not once, but twice. <img src="/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />