A 'celebration of daring individuals': Tobias Ellwood reviews 'SAS Rogue Heroes'

Paddy Mayne: played by Jack O’Connell | Image by: BBC/Banijay UK / Robert Viglasky / Dino Sertovic

Tobias Ellwood

@Tobias_Ellwood

“Be warned – this is not a history lesson.” With that disclaimer, the BBC’s drama SAS Rogue Heroes, now in its second series, takes viewers on a thrilling journey into the remarkable story of Britain’s Special Air Service (SAS) during the Second World War. Combining high-octane action with rebellious swagger, the series dramatises the chaotic and haphazard creation of what would become arguably the world’s most elite military units. 

The Nazis are winning the war in Africa and conventional tactics (mobility, stealth, surprise) don’t work in the vast open desert. A new approach is needed, and Lt David Stirling has a novel plan: a small, highly trained unit capable of conducting deep-penetration raids behind enemy lines, targeting airfields and supply depots. Sterling bluffs his way to Gen Auchinleck’s office at UK Command HQ in Cairo who’s persuaded to test this idea out.

So begins the journey of rewriting the rules of modern warfare. Stirling intentionally recruits soldiers who are not only highly skilled but also unconventional – men who are indeed misfits with creativity, willing to defy traditional military norms and embrace risk. Top of the list joining Sterling is Lt Jock Lewes and Lt Paddy Mayne who would form the backbone of the unit, each with their own strength. 

Stirling is rightly portrayed as the visionary – the driving force behind the SAS concept. His audacity, charm, and ability to navigate military bureaucracy secured the unit’s formation. He envisioned a unit that could use surprise and mobility to wreak havoc on enemy forces far behind their lines. 

Lewes is the innovator – the methodical counterpart to Stirling’s charisma. A practical thinker and disciplinarian, helping develop the rigorous training methods and tactical innovations, including the famous ‘Lewes bomb’, which would become the trademarks of SAS operations. 

And finally, Mayne is the warrior – depicted as a wild card in the drama, a ferociously effective leader and combat operator. His legendary night raids on enemy airfields, during which dozens of aircraft are destroyed, established him as the unit’s most fearsome commander. Though the drama exaggerates aspects of his personality (and a slightly questionable accent), his exploits cemented his status as a legendary figure. 

The first series follows Stirling’s unorthodox recruitment approach from which he builds an independent, highly motivated band of brothers uniquely suited to the SAS’s clandestine missions. His calculated gamble paid off, as these “maverick” recruits excel in daring operations across North Africa (series one), Italy (series two), and eventually France (series three). The excellent cinematography convincingly portrays wartime Cairo swamped by the British military presence whilst at the same time keeping up decadent colonial appearances. 

The death of Jock Lewes, killed just a month after the unit’s formation after his patrol came under attack by a Messerschmitt, is well-handled – illustrating the emotional journey each soldier endured in such high-tempo operations. 

For over two years, the SAS would wreak havoc on the Germans, destroying over 400 aircraft across North Africa. These audacious raids proved the value of Stirling’s vision but, in 1943, his capture during a raid marks the end of his operational role – with him eventually sent to Colditz prisoner-of-war camp in Germany. Step forward Paddy Mayne to take command. 

Mayne, though initially reluctant to lead, becomes the driving force behind the SAS’s continued success. Under his leadership, the SAS spearheads operations in Sicily and mainland Italy, solidifying their reputation as masters of unconventional warfare.

I hope this will give added momentum to the fresh calls for the MoD to reconsider awarding Paddy Mayne a posthumous Victoria Cross

As with many dramatisations, SAS Rogue Heroes takes creative liberties. For example, Sterling didn’t fall in love with a French-Algerian spy and Paddy Mayne never swore at all! By all accounts he was a reserved and mild-mannered character – though known for his abrasive demeanour when provoked and his occasional clashes with authority. Traits that likely cost him the Victoria Cross. 

But Col Dudley Wrangel Clarke (played by Dominic West) was indeed a crossdresser and was instrumental in creating fictional units including the British Commandos, the Special Air Service and the US Rangers. 

Despite its embellishments, the series captures the essence of the SAS’s origins: bold, unconventional, and driven by individuals who refused to play by the rules. The camaraderie among the characters is infectious, and the action sequences are gripping, showcasing the daring spirit of the SAS founders. 

The SAS’s origins, as depicted in Rogue Heroes, reflect the extraordinary bravery and ingenuity of its founders. The unit’s early successes laid the groundwork for modern special forces, proving that daring ideas and exceptional individuals could change the course of history. 

Paddy Mayne, one of the most highly decorated officers in British military history, is introduced to a new generation through this TV series. His legendary contributions to the SAS and his exceptional leadership deserve renewed recognition and, I hope, give added momentum to the fresh calls for the MoD to reconsider awarding Mayne a posthumous Victoria Cross. 

Ultimately SAS Rogue Heroes is more than just a dramatisation: it’s a celebration of the daring individuals who turned an unconventional idea into one of the world’s most elite fighting forces. It reminds us that in war, as in life, it often takes mavericks to make history.

Tobias Ellwood is former Conservative MP for Bournemouth East and chair of the Defence Select Committee

SAS Rogue Heroes
Created by: Steven Knight
Directed by: Tom Shankland & Stephen Woolfenden
Broadcaster: BBC One & BBC iPlayer

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