SAS soldiers reveal all in new series
Tea keeps battling Brits on the boil
SAS soldiers have admitted that killing in combat becomes “addictive”.
In candid TV interviews, former members of the Who Dares Wins regiment explained how taking out enemy fighters gave them a buzz.
They claimed the brutality was “better than any movie” and was like playing a violent video game such as Call of Duty.
Veteran Harry McCallion said: “The SAS in reality is nothing like I have ever seen portrayed on a movie or on TV. It’s better than that.
“You have to have control. But when it’s necessary, and only when it’s necessary, act with extreme violence, professionally.
“Combat for a soldier is violence in its absolute purest form. There are no restrictions on you. Being in a violent atmosphere like that becomes addictive.”
Harry, now a barrister, served in the Falklands War between Argentina and the UK in 1982. He has lost count of the number of men he has killed.
He added: “The first time I shot a bloke, the first thought that went through my mind was, ‘Got him’. They were just the enemy that we were fighting and to be quite honest I enjoyed what I did.
“When I shot the men, I shot them at fairly close range and it never worried me. In fact, it was the opposite – it gave me a kick. For a soldier it’s not the same as you murdering somebody. It’s addictive.”
New series Secrets of the SAS will lift the lid on life inside the daredevil military regiment, which has four operational squadrons.
Colin, who was part of D Squadron, said: “It’s great fun. Like a video game almost. There have been several times when slitting throats was the only option.
“I don’t want to expose too many of my ways, but there are many ways of killing people.”
Colin was part of a rescue mission in the West African state of Sierra Leone in 2000 and helped save five British peacekeepers from the Royal Irish Regiment after they were kidnapped and held hostage by a gang of drug-crazed rebels.
Soldiers serving in the SAS at the time dubbed it Operation Certain Death because they knew blood would be shed.
Another soldier, Phil, also part of D SOLDIERS say the SAS’s secret weapon is a humble cup of tea.
They regularly get a brew going even during deadly missions.
Elite killer Andy said: “Tea is a thing that keeps the Army going. It’s a big cultural thing. That’s it. It’s something that’s been going on for centuries.” Fellow soldier Phil added: “You need your tea, don’t you? You’ve got to have your brew.”
And Colin, who served in Squadron, said: “I couldn’t wait to do it. To the point I was f***ing wishing it to f***ing happen, which is probably wrong.
“Life changes on the battlefield. If somebody attacks me, I have to attack them back. And if I don’t attack them back then they’ll keep attacking me until I’m dead.
“So those normal restraints by which we live our everyday lives are removed, they’re gone. I’d be lying if I didn’t say it becomes a buzz.”
Andy, from B Squadron, added: “There is an elation. When you’re getting in and things are kicking off, there is a feeling of, ‘Yeah, I’m doing it’.”
While Yorky, from A Squadron, said: “You do need to be capable of being very aggressive when the time comes.” ED GLEAVE Sierra Leone, said: “There was a lot of tea-making going on.
“We’re quite quick at getting the kettle on, so if there’s a lull in the battle there’s every chance that somebody was brewing up. “Perhaps the weirdest place I’ve had a brew was at Saddam Hussein’s desk.
“I was going through his drawers and looking at his business cards. You think of the people that have sat there and some of the stuff that has gone on.” Colin has also revealed the tactics used by SAS soldiers when they are approaching enemy territory.
He said: “Ideally you shouldn’t wash or brush your teeth for a week before you go in.
“If you think about somewhere like a jungle, if someone’s brushed their teeth you can smell that mint for 100 or so metres away. So the smallest things make a big difference.” And Phil added: “You can’t have hot food. You can’t go and use a toilet. So you eat your rations cold, s*** in a bag and piss in a bottle.
“So for all intents and purposes you haven’t been there should anyone discover that position or walk through that position at a later stage.”
Secrets of the SAS is tomorrow at 9pm on Channel 5.