Was the Special Air Service truly built solely by David Stirling and rogue, unmanageable mavericks?
Think you know the full origin story of the Special Air Service? The popular myth paints the WWII SAS as a rogues' gallery of unmanageable, rule-breaking mavericks who single-handedly reshaped special warfare before quietly vanishing at the end of the conflict. But this narrative ignores the quiet leadership, sharp political intellect, and crucial post-war battle that actually preserved the regiment's legacy. Without one man operating behind the scenes in the corridors of power, the modern SAS simply would not exist today.
In this episode of History Rage, host Paul Bavill sits down with former British Army officer and author Lieutenant Colonel Tim Spicer OBE to debunk the romanticized myth of Special Forces and restore a crucial figure to his rightful place in history. Together, they explore the extraordinary life of Brian Franks DSO MC—hotel manager turned Special Forces commander—who not only led operations behind enemy lines during Operation Loyton but personally brought Nazi war criminals to justice and spearheaded the campaign to rebuild the SAS from post-war disbandment.
Guest Details & Book Referrals
Guest: Lieutenant Colonel Tim Spicer OBE
Featured Book:An Axe and Four Balloons: The Biography of Brian Franks DSO MC, The Man Who Saved the SAS by Tim Spicer. Buy your copy directly from the History Rage Bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/10120/9781999589172
Other Books by Tim Spicer:A Suspicion of Spies: Risk, Secrets and Shadows – The Biography of Wilfred 'Biffy' Dunderdale and A Dangerous Enterprise: Secret War at Sea
Recommended Additional Episodes
Episode 310: Damien Lewis rages against the shocking portrayals of Blair 'Paddy' Mayne.
Episode 218: Tony Rushmer rages that it is high time Reg Seekings got his moment in the sun.
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