Decades after the Bravo Two Zero SAS mission stunned the world, the truth behind this iconic war story has come to light. In 1991, a team of eight elite soldiers undertook a mission to destroy Saddam Hussein’s Scud missiles in the Gulf War. The operation ended tragically, with three soldiers dead, four captured, and only one, Chris Ryan, managing to escape to Syria after enduring harsh conditions.
SAS veteran Robert Craft, now 68, disclosed that the operation was initiated following a decision by American General Norman Schwarzkopf. Interestingly, two other units of SAS soldiers, including Bravo One Eight and Bravo One Nine, were deployed simultaneously with Bravo Two Zero to track and eliminate the Scud missile sites in the Iraqi desert.
The Scud missiles, originally Soviet-made, posed a significant threat due to their extended range, courtesy of Iraqi modifications. Despite the option to send in over 100 SAS soldiers, Schwarzkopf opted against it, relying solely on air superiority to neutralize the Scud threat.
Craft emphasized that sending in the full SAS squadrons earlier could have potentially prevented the missile launches towards Israel, avoiding further escalation of the conflict. However, due to Schwarzkopf’s decision, the ground operation proceeded with limited support, leading to the tragic events of Bravo Two Zero.
Craft’s own experiences included an intense nine-hour firefight to disable a Scud installation and a daring raid to capture an Iraqi prisoner for crucial intelligence gathering. Despite the challenges and missed opportunities, Craft reflected on the operation, highlighting the bravery and sacrifices made by the SAS soldiers involved.
The untold details of the mission shed light on the complexities and strategic decisions that shaped one of the most gripping war stories of recent history.