SAS: Rogue Heroes

Spring 1941. The British Army is losing the war against Germany and the Axis powers, fighting for control of North Africa.Told to stand down after yet another failed operation, Lieutenant David Stirling, an eccentric young officer serving with 8 Commando, finds himself increasingly frustrated with the military authorities and their handling of current strategy. It's a frustration also shared by Lt John ‘Jock' Lewes, who is fighting under heavy bombardment in the besieged city of Tobruk, and Lt Robert Blair ‘Paddy' Mayne, currently ‘detained' in a military prison. But Lewes has an idea he's keen to discuss – and it involves parachutes…Lewes thinks Rommel has made a mistake. He has moved too fast and his supply line is too long, leaving coastal airfields vulnerable to attack. Lewes shares with Stirling his idea of parachuting units of men into the desert, attacking enemy forces not from the sea, where an attack is expected, but from the sea of sand - the desert - where they have the advantage of surprise. There's just one problem. They need to prove that the principle of a parachute drop in the desert is a sound one before the mission can be approved. With typical bravado and ingenuity, the pair set about jump training and securing a plane for their first attempt at parachuting into the mighty sea of sand. When the jump unexpectedly goes wrong, is their plan about to fall at the first hurdle?

While recovering in hospital, Stirling ruminates on Lewes's idea to attack the enemy from behind and hatches a plan to get approval for their unit from General Auchinleck at GHQ.

The newly recruited members of the SAS carry out a disastrous and devastating first mission. Determined to prove their strategy will work, they prepare to try again.

As the SAS's reputation spreads among the Axis Italian and German forces, another daring mission results in a shocking and devastating loss to the team.

Paddy initiates the Free French soldiers into some unorthodox training methods, and Stirling leads a raid on Benghazi accompanied by the prime minister's son, Randolph Churchill.

A meeting with Winston Churchill sees the SAS embark on their most daring operation to date. While success sees them achieve official status, Stirling receives some terrible news.

With a new mission and the threat of disbandment facing the SAS, an ally is found with a familiar name.

While the SAS find both friends and enemies in Sicily, at Gavi prisoner of war camp, David Stirling receives an unexpected visitor.

As the SAS advance through Italy, with some assistance from partisans, a commando order issued by Hitler threatens the fate of one of them.

As Reg Seekings struggles to cope, he strikes up a friendship with a young Italian boy which ends in yet more horror.

As John Tonkin tries to return to the unit, the men of the SAS receive a visit from General Montgomery who can smell drink – and heroism.

The SAS return to Britain and are given some time to decompress from the events in Italy. Bill is shocked to hear about the intended role for the SAS in the invasion of France.