SAS - Bitesize, did you know?

Charlie Aston, Military Thriller Author - SAS - Bitesize, did you know?

1. SAS (Special Air Service) - Operation Nimrod, 1980

"Six days. Six terrorists. One embassy. The world watched live as black-clad ghosts ended a siege in 17 minutes."

STORY: May 5, 1980. Iranian terrorists seized the Iranian Embassy in London, holding 26 hostages. For six days, negotiations failed. Then one hostage was executed. Prime Minister Thatcher gave the order: "Go in." At 7:23 PM, millions watched on live television as SAS operators in black assault gear rappelled down the embassy walls, smashed through windows with frame charges, and stormed every room. Stun grenades exploded. The building erupted in flames. In just 17 minutes, the SAS killed five terrorists, captured one, and rescued all but one hostage who died before entry. The operation was so perfectly executed that it became the gold standard for counter-terrorism worldwide. The images of black-clad figures descending through smoke became iconic, transforming the SAS from a secret unit into a legend overnight.