The second series of SAS Rogue Heroes has stirred up both praise and criticism, with viewers divided over the accuracy of its portrayal of the elite British troops’ wartime exploits.

Based on historian Ben Macintyre’s book, the drama has been praised for its action-packed narrative, but some historians have raised concerns, particularly about Jack O’Connell’s portrayal of the legendary SAS commander, Lieutenant Colonel Blair ‘Paddy’ Mayne.

Historian Damien Lewis called this depiction of Mayne as a “drunken, ill-disciplined misfit” a “travesty,” though he acknowledged the show’s portrayal of Mayne’s bravery.

To help separate the facts from the fiction, we’ve turned to Mr. Lewis, who has written extensively on the SAS, to break down the historical accuracy of the show.

Did Paddy Mayne Really Smash Up a Cairo Restaurant?

The opening episode of SAS Rogue Heroes features a dramatic scene where Paddy Mayne goes on a rampage in a Cairo restaurant after being denied leave to attend his father’s funeral.

While it’s true that Mayne was refused permission to go home, historian Ben Macintyre’s book claims that Mayne did cause some chaos, smashing up multiple restaurants and getting into a fight with military police.

However, Mr. Lewis points out that there’s no concrete evidence he smashed up a restaurant, though a confrontation with military police did occur.

Verdict: Partly True

Did Mayne Clash with Bill Stirling Over the SAS Name Change?

In the series, Mayne is seen arguing with Bill Stirling—David Stirling’s brother—over changing the unit’s name to the Special Raiding Squadron (SRS).

While it is accurate that the SAS was renamed the SRS in 1943, Bill Stirling wasn’t involved in this change.

Instead, he was busy raising a new regiment, the 2nd SAS, far away from Mayne’s unit.

The series’ depiction of a confrontation between Bill Stirling and Mayne is fictional.

Verdict: False

Did Mayne Order His Men to Leave Drowning Soldiers Behind?

A poignant moment in SAS Rogue Heroes shows Mayne telling his men not to stop and rescue British soldiers who are drowning in the sea, after their gliders crash during the invasion of Sicily.

However, Mr. Lewis explains that Mayne and his men didn’t know about the drowning men until they arrived at the scene, at which point they did rescue several.

The claim that Mayne ordered his men to cut loose a flailing soldier is untrue, as they did not have this knowledge in advance.

Verdict: False

Did the SAS Really Fight the Sicilian Mafia?

The show includes a dramatic sequence where Mayne’s men engage in a firefight with the Sicilian Mafia. While exciting, this is purely fictional.

There were no known interactions between the SAS and the mafia during the war, nor with the Italian resistance as depicted in the drama.

Verdict: False

Was David Stirling’s French Lover Really a Spy?

Rogue Heroes portrays David Stirling being visited by his French lover, Eve Mansour, disguised as a nun while he’s imprisoned.

While Stirling did have many encounters with spies during the war, the character of Eve Mansour is entirely fictional, and no such visits occurred.

Verdict: False

Did David Stirling and Paddy Mayne Have a Dispute?

The drama hints at tension between David Stirling and his brother, as well as between Stirling and Mayne.

However, Mr. Lewis clarifies that there’s no evidence for this supposed bad blood.

Both Stirling brothers and Mayne reportedly had a respectful relationship, and Stirling even expressed his miss for Mayne when he was captured.

Verdict: False

Did Stirling Try to Escape From Captivity?

In SAS Rogue Heroes, Stirling attempts to escape captivity twice—once by abseiling and again disguised as a German soldier.

Although these escape attempts are fictional, Stirling did try to escape on multiple occasions.

His efforts eventually landed him in Colditz Castle, where he spent the rest of the war.

Verdict: True

Was Paddy Mayne Really a Fan of Poetry?

A surprising detail in SAS Rogue Heroes is Mayne’s love for poetry, with O’Connell’s portrayal of him reciting Wilfred Owen’s Anthem for Doomed Youth.

This is true—Mayne was known to carry a book of poetry, Other Men’s Flowers, into battle, which included war poetry, philosophy, and other works.

Verdict: True

Did the SAS Kill a Wounded Soldier in an Act of Mercy?

In one episode, Mayne is shown executing a gravely wounded German soldier after his brother pleads for mercy.

Mr. Lewis confirms that this tragic act of mercy did occur during an encounter with two injured soldiers, one of whom was killed.

Verdict: True

Did Hitler Order the Execution of SAS Soldiers?

The series also depicts the execution of captured SAS soldiers under Hitler’s Commando Order.

This is historically accurate: after the SAS’s raids angered Hitler, he ordered the execution of any captured commandos.

The first SAS soldiers to die under this order were Captain James Patrick Shortall, Sergeant William Johnston Foster, Captain Patrick Laurence Dudgeon, and Parachutist Bernard Oliver Brunt.

Verdict: True

While SAS Rogue Heroes blends fact with dramatic flair, it’s clear that some elements take liberties for the sake of storytelling.

Nonetheless, the historical truth behind the SAS’s incredible exploits remains a testament to their bravery.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn