0:00:45 > 0:00:48OK, gents. Um, really, I've got you all in here,
0:00:48 > 0:00:51the only person who would be being briefed is Sergeant Matthews,
0:00:51 > 0:00:54as he is the raid commander, but what I'm going to do
0:00:54 > 0:00:57is give you all the scenario and the intelligence brief,
0:00:57 > 0:00:59the remainder of the course then can thin out
0:00:59 > 0:01:00and I'll brief you in detail, Sergeant Matthews,
0:01:00 > 0:01:03on the actual mission you're about to undertake.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07OK. The scenario, like all scenarios, is a little unrealistic.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10However, if you listen in, you'll get the general gist
0:01:10 > 0:01:11of what's happening.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13After your recent escape
0:01:13 > 0:01:15from the notorious Dostand Interrogation Centre
0:01:15 > 0:01:18on the mainland of Ranginshar,
0:01:18 > 0:01:22it's been decided by the brigade commander that inside information
0:01:22 > 0:01:25gained on the centre
0:01:25 > 0:01:29makes the MNAW Cadre personnel the most logical choice
0:01:29 > 0:01:33to carry out a direct-action task against the actual fortress.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37Intelligence reports indicate that vital information
0:01:37 > 0:01:40and propaganda material is being transmitted
0:01:40 > 0:01:43via some sophisticated aerials and radio equipment
0:01:43 > 0:01:46to their operation centre on the mainland
0:01:46 > 0:01:48which is about 300 kilometres away.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51'NARRATOR: The Cadre's next assignment
0:01:51 > 0:01:54'is the infiltration and metaphorical destruction
0:01:54 > 0:01:57'of a communication station somewhere in southern England.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00'A mild deterrent is a moat, 40 feet deep.'
0:02:00 > 0:02:04Also, here you've got a...a mass of air photographs.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07And on the air photographs, I just want to explain to you,
0:02:07 > 0:02:11within the actual fortress area, the target...
0:02:11 > 0:02:14'The target is a radio mast to which they plan to attach
0:02:14 > 0:02:16'a massive explosive charge.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18'Surprisingly, perhaps, command of the raid
0:02:18 > 0:02:22'is given not to an officer, but a sergeant, George Matthews.'
0:02:22 > 0:02:24'GEORGE MATTHEWS: With it being part of the course,
0:02:24 > 0:02:26'obviously there is pressure.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29'You're under pressure for the whole of the course, whatever you do.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32'Failure in this mission will be detrimental to me
0:02:32 > 0:02:35'and to the rest of the guys on the course,
0:02:36 > 0:02:38'so I obviously want it to succeed.'
0:02:38 > 0:02:40Prior to actually going in.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42Mission...
0:02:46 > 0:02:51..our mission is to carry out a reconnaissance of the fort
0:02:51 > 0:02:56and the route to it with a view to further operations.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03Execution, general outline...
0:03:05 > 0:03:08..it will be an operation carried out in six phases.
0:03:13 > 0:03:19Phase one - the move from here to Raiding Squadron.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26Phase two - the move by rigid raiding craft to the beach.
0:03:27 > 0:03:28Phase three...
0:03:28 > 0:03:31'NARRATOR: As in everything that they do in their dangerous trade,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34'the emphasis is on meticulous planning.'
0:03:34 > 0:03:37'GEORGE MATTHEWS: I would say that any bit of information you can get,
0:03:37 > 0:03:41'from whatever source, reliable or otherwise,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44'is...is vitally important to you when you consider the plan
0:03:44 > 0:03:46'to carry out your mission.
0:03:46 > 0:03:47'You can't even formulate a plan
0:03:47 > 0:03:52'until you've gathered every little snippet you can.'
0:03:52 > 0:03:54If the farmer across the road
0:03:54 > 0:03:57lets his dog out at 10 o'clock every night,
0:03:57 > 0:03:58we want to know about it.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02If he let's his wife out at 10 o'clock every night,
0:04:02 > 0:04:04we want to know about it.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10Any questions on the recce checklist?
0:04:12 > 0:04:17Weapons, each man will carry an AR-15 and four mags.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21'NARRATOR: The AR-15 is the ArmaLite,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23'a weapon rarely issued to British Forces.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27'It is light and short, distinct virtues when climbing with it.'
0:04:31 > 0:04:36'Its chilling notoriety comes from its adoption by IRA terrorists.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38'What attractions has it got for them?
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Well, once you split it in half...
0:04:41 > 0:04:43you take the locking pin out.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47And you can take these out and it splits in half.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50So you can imagine that, from there to there, is one piece,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53and then the butt is your second piece.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55And it fits very nicely underneath a pram...
0:04:55 > 0:04:57underneath a small child or something.
0:04:57 > 0:04:58Yeah.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Um, and also, another reason is... is that...
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Now, on a normal weapon like the SLR,
0:05:04 > 0:05:07when you break it in half, you destroy the zeroing...
0:05:09 > 0:05:12..but on this weapon, once you break it in half...
0:05:14 > 0:05:15..the sight,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18the rear sight and the fore sight are on the same bit of weapon.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Because of you breaking it, you're not going to disrupt the zeroing.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25It's very easy for terrorists to get hold of the weapon,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28disjoin it with that locking pin there,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31and that's your weapon ready to fire and you haven't got to zero it again.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33It's zeroed from the last time.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- Does it kill people as well? - Um, not as well, no.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40It's got a very high muzzle velocity
0:05:40 > 0:05:42and it tends to go straight through people.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46And it's certainly not got the stopping power that the SLR's got.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49But, um, it'll make your eyes water.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57'In daylight, they check out the terrain
0:05:57 > 0:06:00'they must pit themselves against in darkness on successive nights,
0:06:00 > 0:06:03'first on reconnaissance, then in the attack.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06'The cliffs are wet and treacherously crumbling.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10'To lose a foothold here has predictable consequences,
0:06:10 > 0:06:13'as Corporal Rory Dale discovered when he fell 80 feet
0:06:13 > 0:06:15'to an unexpected reunion with his wife.'
0:06:18 > 0:06:20I was resigned to the fact that it was such a drop,
0:06:20 > 0:06:24anyway to me it was, and...I was resigned to the fact that,
0:06:24 > 0:06:26you know, at the other end I wasn't...
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Well, I was going to be dead. I really thought I was.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34And when I hit the deck, to my horror, I was still conscious.
0:06:34 > 0:06:38So, um...it was quite painful.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40I could feel the blood filling my lung up, um...
0:06:42 > 0:06:48And...well, I rolled onto that side so I could just fire on one lung,
0:06:48 > 0:06:49but then I just thought,
0:06:49 > 0:06:53"Well, it won't be long now, you know, for the wait."
0:06:53 > 0:06:57I thought, "I'm either going to pass out or...kiss the world goodbye."
0:06:57 > 0:06:59But, um...
0:06:59 > 0:07:02Unfortunately, I never lost consciousness at all, so...
0:07:02 > 0:07:05I felt pain all the way back here.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09Well, if it was up to me I'd like him to come off the course,
0:07:09 > 0:07:12but he wants to stay on this, so I go along with what he thinks.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15I'm just glad that he's turned out to be lucky.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18I think, for the way that he fell and for the height that he dropped,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22he's very lucky to be sat in the bed now.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27'The Marines are to be put ashore by the Rigid Raider Squadron
0:07:27 > 0:07:29'who are equally meticulous
0:07:29 > 0:07:31'in charting their course to the yard.'
0:07:37 > 0:07:41'What distinguishes all these Special Forces units from the rest
0:07:41 > 0:07:44'is that, even in peacetime, their high-performance training
0:07:44 > 0:07:46'involves perpetual risk.'
0:07:46 > 0:07:50'GEORGE MATTHEWS: To be quite honest, um...
0:07:50 > 0:07:55'you must accept certain risks in the job we do,
0:07:55 > 0:08:02'um, be they the nature of the job or in some cases a self-inflicted risk
0:08:02 > 0:08:04'by whatever plan you decide upon.'
0:08:06 > 0:08:08'Unfortunately,
0:08:08 > 0:08:14'casualties in an operation such as this are almost...a certainty.'
0:08:14 > 0:08:16'And, as such, you have to accept the casualties
0:08:16 > 0:08:18'and try and complete the mission.'
0:08:20 > 0:08:24'NARRATOR: That night, as they return for their full-scale reconnaissance,
0:08:24 > 0:08:28'the element of playing soldiers has gone. This, by any standards,
0:08:28 > 0:08:30'is a beastly climb.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33'Corporal Craig has been designated to lead it,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36'a man whose career, after earlier botch-ups, is right on the line.'
0:08:39 > 0:08:41'GEORGE MATTHEWS: Obviously, as raid commander,
0:08:41 > 0:08:43'I wanted it to be a success.
0:08:43 > 0:08:49'And in that respect, you're maybe...willing the guy to do it
0:08:49 > 0:08:53'when really the climbing of the cliff may not be feasible,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56'which is where you've then got to draw the line.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59'Am I doing this for my sake to make the raid a success
0:08:59 > 0:09:02'or is it becoming too dangerous for the guys involved,
0:09:02 > 0:09:04'i.e. the lead climber and the number two climber?'
0:09:05 > 0:09:08WAVES LAPPING ON ROCKS
0:09:15 > 0:09:18'NARRATOR: The main danger is the lack of reliable footholds.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21'To paraphrase Corporal Dale, the man who fell off in daylight,
0:09:21 > 0:09:22'it looks horrific.'
0:09:22 > 0:09:25I must admit it does from here, it's, um...
0:09:25 > 0:09:28giving me a few kittens. Um, however, don't forget,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31we're looking at a fairly blank bit of wall.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33The coving in itself is not too bad.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37The rock is friable, but it's only about grade V Diff.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41That is the most we ask them to lead at night unseen, V Diff,
0:09:41 > 0:09:42and that's what it is, but...
0:09:42 > 0:09:48for a young ML2 it's a fairly horrific experience to get up there
0:09:48 > 0:09:51and to have to lead it. He's got to be pretty sure of himself.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56He's done about 40 foot of climbing. Now, he's got his earth axes out now
0:09:56 > 0:09:58and I think he might've even put his crampons on
0:09:58 > 0:10:01to help him get up the steep earth and up to the top. But...
0:10:01 > 0:10:04he'll know he's done it once he gets there.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06You're feeling confident, nonetheless?
0:10:06 > 0:10:09I'm always confident.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Cut!
0:10:13 > 0:10:17'CORPORAL CRAIG: The rock was just falling apart. There was loads of it.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20'I was digging away at the earth, pulling tufts away
0:10:20 > 0:10:22'and digging away at the earth
0:10:22 > 0:10:24'to find hand holds underneath on the rock.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26'And even then, they were just flaking away.'
0:10:32 > 0:10:36'NARRATOR: But the reconnaissance succeeds. They scaled the cliff,
0:10:36 > 0:10:39'remained undetected as they checked out the fortress's defences
0:10:39 > 0:10:42'and by 1:00am are home for tea.'
0:10:42 > 0:10:44No, it's in his locker.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49'Much of the credit goes to Corporal Craig,
0:10:49 > 0:10:51'a man almost uncomfortable with praise.'
0:10:53 > 0:10:56What did you think of it? I saw your climb, you did very well.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59It was a difficult climb. The main problem was there was no protection.
0:10:59 > 0:11:00Yes, so I hear. It all dropped out, didn't it?
0:11:01 > 0:11:03- Yeah, well, the two... - The rock was just falling apart.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06The original plan was that I was going to plan the rock band
0:11:06 > 0:11:08and Corporal Dixon was going to climb through me
0:11:08 > 0:11:10and climb the steep earth. I was going to belay on,
0:11:10 > 0:11:11but there was nowhere to belay on
0:11:11 > 0:11:14cos all it was was just earth on top of the rock
0:11:14 > 0:11:17and I couldn't get the, um, earth hammers in very well.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20That's where all the sparks were coming from.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24I managed to get a small rock in which I hammered in with the hammer,
0:11:24 > 0:11:26but that slips out as I climbed past.
0:11:27 > 0:11:28And further on, I got a seagull basher in,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32which I had to hammer in again. And that, as well, came out.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35Yeah, you were having a few kittens.
0:11:35 > 0:11:36- Just a few. - However...
0:11:38 > 0:11:40Once again, I'd said in the orders
0:11:40 > 0:11:43that it was going to be a... a reasonably,
0:11:43 > 0:11:45I wouldn't say off the cuff,
0:11:45 > 0:11:47but the route itself was difficult to plan
0:11:47 > 0:11:49because we didn't have air photographs
0:11:49 > 0:11:50and the map was very sketchy.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53So, as I said, we're going to pick the route on the way.
0:11:53 > 0:11:54'NARRATOR: At 2:00am,
0:11:54 > 0:11:56'they're still collating the information they brought back,
0:11:56 > 0:12:00'right down to the nocturnal comportment of the local cows.'
0:12:00 > 0:12:02The cows are quite timid.
0:12:02 > 0:12:07Yeah, good point. Very good point. They're not very skitterish.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11We actually went through a field of bovine
0:12:11 > 0:12:13and they didn't bolt for the fence.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16Yes, cows - a very valid point.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20Right. Cows, um, docile.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Right, here we go. Get down to business.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29Conclusions and recommendations... on the mission.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31The mission, what did you think of the mission itself?
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Feasible, I would say, very feasible...
0:12:38 > 0:12:41'Most don't go to bed at all. Fuelled by adrenaline,
0:12:41 > 0:12:43'they work on their scale model
0:12:43 > 0:12:46'to assess the more vulnerable points of their target,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48'which just happens to be a genuine link
0:12:48 > 0:12:50'in the NATO communications chain.'
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Situation - enemy forces...
0:12:57 > 0:13:02..once again there's no change in the enemy forces' situation.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07We had no contact with the enemy last night on the reconnaissance.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09However, there was a Land Rover patrol out,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12thought to be two men within the vehicle.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17So they are patrolling in Land Rovers, that's confirmed.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20No guards were seen patrolling the ramparts.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27Has anyone any problems on the "situation - enemy forces" paragraph?
0:13:29 > 0:13:32'An innocent scrap of polystyrene, a small trick of the trade.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35'They left it here beneath the outer ramparts of the moat
0:13:35 > 0:13:37'during their reconnaissance.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40'It marks what they judge to be the safest line of approach.'
0:13:44 > 0:13:48My boat will lay off in the ogging.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51It'll just lay off and allow this boat,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53if you could do the honours, Russ,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55to come into the cove. That's the beach party's boat.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59Putt, putt, putt, into the cove. OK?
0:13:59 > 0:14:05There should be a beach tonight because of the...the timings.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06Putting back the timings,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09even if it's just a small one, there will be a beach.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26'At last, the real test. The raiding party comprises 13 Marines,
0:14:26 > 0:14:29'and who better to lead them up the initial cliff face again
0:14:29 > 0:14:33'than the virtually reincarnated Corporal Craig?'
0:14:38 > 0:14:43'So, for the second time in under 24 hours, Craig edges his way upwards
0:14:43 > 0:14:44'in darkness.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47'These pictures are caught by image intensifier.'
0:14:58 > 0:15:00'GEORGE MATTHEWS: A lot of the time he was out of my view.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04'And all I could hear was the grunting and groaning, if you like.'
0:15:06 > 0:15:09'He's the sort of guy who would try and try,
0:15:09 > 0:15:13'and the first you know that he had failed to climb the cliff
0:15:13 > 0:15:15'would be when he landed in your lap.'
0:15:56 > 0:15:57'NARRATOR: Their next problem,
0:15:57 > 0:16:00'since the defenders also have image intensifiers,
0:16:00 > 0:16:02'is in covering open ground.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06'It is here that they adapt their camouflage training skilfully,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09'using a dark background of undergrowth as a blind.'
0:16:12 > 0:16:16'Unlike war, in which surprise is the most potent of weapons,
0:16:16 > 0:16:21'their biggest disadvantage is the defenders know they're coming.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25'All they don't know is the precise hour or from which direction.'
0:16:38 > 0:16:41'After the cliff face, the moat is child's play.'
0:16:43 > 0:16:47'GEORGE MATTHEWS: A lot of time is spent, prior to giving your orders,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50'on contingency plans for all eventualities.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53'Everything, to the most minute detail, must be covered.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55'If everything goes fine, then great,
0:16:55 > 0:16:58'all you've done is wasted a few hours and some paper.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02'If everything doesn't go to plan, then at least everyone is sure
0:17:02 > 0:17:05'in their own mind what is going to happen should something go wrong.'
0:17:09 > 0:17:11OBSERVING GUARD: The two wandering sentries
0:17:11 > 0:17:15think they've spotted a light somewhere around close to the mast.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19So what we intend to do is to stand the guard too,
0:17:19 > 0:17:23send one of the vehicles through on a normal patrol sweep
0:17:23 > 0:17:25to have a closer look at it,
0:17:25 > 0:17:28and possibly send two of the sentries around
0:17:28 > 0:17:32to take a more detailed search of the area of the mast.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Um, if we strike something, we might get a bit of action.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38If they don't initiate it, we will.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44'GEORGE MATTHEWS: You've got to think from an enemy's point of view
0:17:44 > 0:17:47'what could be the most effective,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50'and rather than do what the enemy suspect you of doing,
0:17:50 > 0:17:52'you do something totally different.'
0:17:57 > 0:17:59'NARRATOR: Have they done something different?
0:17:59 > 0:18:01'Have they come and gone?
0:18:01 > 0:18:04'Not only have they outwitted the defenders, their own instructors,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07'they've also made monkeys out of a BBC camera team.
0:18:07 > 0:18:12'We waited four hours to film them actually planting this dummy charge
0:18:12 > 0:18:13'and saw nothing but stars.'
0:18:14 > 0:18:17REPORTER: Half past four in the morning, and here we are,
0:18:17 > 0:18:22the charges on, not one, but two of the, um, the masts.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Tell me, first of all, how many people
0:18:24 > 0:18:26have you had out patrolling out tonight?
0:18:26 > 0:18:29We've had a total of 12 on the ground,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32including the drivers doing the mobile patrols.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36Um, sentries working round at half hour intervals,
0:18:36 > 0:18:41two at a time and taking quite a good look at the area.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45So, as you can see, with the charges being laid,
0:18:45 > 0:18:48the raiding force of Twos course have done very well indeed.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51We don't know how long they've been here,
0:18:51 > 0:18:54um, by chance the sentries have found the charges,
0:18:54 > 0:18:57and we have seen neither hide nor hair of them.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59They could have been gone for hours.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02These simulated charges would obviously be on a timing device,
0:19:02 > 0:19:05and, for all we know, they could be back in their base camp
0:19:05 > 0:19:07having breakfast and these had been blown.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10The first thing we would have known was the explosions.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12They've done very well indeed.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14REPORTER: I'm just putting my feet on this...
0:19:14 > 0:19:15FEET SCRAPING GRAVEL
0:19:15 > 0:19:18..they crossed 40 yards of that and didn't make a sound.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20Not that we found out, no.
0:19:20 > 0:19:21What they could have done, they can use a lot of,
0:19:21 > 0:19:23a lot of other noise - aircraft flying over,
0:19:23 > 0:19:25the Land Rover actually moving.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Probably the best time for them to come and put the charge
0:19:27 > 0:19:29was actually when the Land Rover's passed.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31A lot of gravel noise from the wheels,
0:19:31 > 0:19:33and they just scoot out behind it.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35Once it's gone past, put them on and bug out again.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39Plus, they may have lain there for a while watching the sentry routine,
0:19:39 > 0:19:41which is the normal thing again you would try and do.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43'So, good effort, though.'
0:19:43 > 0:19:46'OFFICER: Excellent effort, they've done very well indeed.'
0:19:48 > 0:19:50'NARRATOR: There was no question of them
0:19:50 > 0:19:53'recreating their moment of triumph for television -
0:19:53 > 0:19:56'like the magic circle, the Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre
0:19:56 > 0:19:58'are reticent about revealing their tricks.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01'And anyway, they weren't totally satisfied.'
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Well...well, I wouldn't say a total success.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06It didn't work out quite as we planned.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10The, um... As I told Andy, he had epics with the grapnel idea.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Which wasn't his fault, the idea was sound,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15it was just the tree that wasn't sound.
0:20:15 > 0:20:22Um...but all in all, the guys worked bloody hard, and there it is.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24We did a good recce, got all of the relevant information.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27The guys, you don't need to motivate guys like this.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30They're...tremendous, tremendous workers.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32And we've just seen the work they put in on things like the model,
0:20:33 > 0:20:35you're not going to get that anywhere else
0:20:35 > 0:20:38except a bunch of guys like this, and it all paid off.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Normally, it just wouldn't happen this quickly.
0:20:40 > 0:20:41You wouldn't do a recce the night before
0:20:41 > 0:20:44then hastily crawl out your bed at 7 o'clock in the morning,
0:20:44 > 0:20:46having had three hours' sleep and write a new set of orders
0:20:46 > 0:20:48for a complete night raid.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Um...but if you can do it under stress, when you're tired
0:20:51 > 0:20:56and when you've just had a... a hard spell of graft,
0:20:56 > 0:20:59then you can do it any time, really.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03And that's the idea of the training, it's supposed to be hard.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06There's a lot of pressure on you.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08cos you know, if I couldn't have got up there,
0:21:08 > 0:21:10then the whole operation would have been knackered,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13or it certainly would have been slowed down for a while.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Say I fell off or I just refused to go.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19Like this morning, I was having second thoughts
0:21:19 > 0:21:21about whether I was going to do the climb tonight.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24I said to Andy this morning I says, "If I get to the rock face tonight,"
0:21:24 > 0:21:27and I says, "It's psyched me out,"
0:21:27 > 0:21:28cos it was quite difficult last night,
0:21:28 > 0:21:30I says, "If it's psyched me out, you're going to have to climb."
0:21:30 > 0:21:31And he said, "Fair enough."
0:21:31 > 0:21:33Which meant we'd have had to change equipment round
0:21:33 > 0:21:34and he'd have had to lead it.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37As it turned out, when we got to the rock face I felt all right.
0:21:37 > 0:21:38So I went and did it again.
0:21:40 > 0:21:41I'm trying to make my mind up
0:21:41 > 0:21:45whether he's just a damn good climber or whether he's on drugs. It's um...
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- Where is he? - He's bombed out, I tell you,
0:21:48 > 0:21:49the man knows no fear.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53To free it all the way, no protection or anything,
0:21:53 > 0:21:55one slip and that's it, you know?
0:21:55 > 0:21:57You're bringing him home in a bloody plastic bag.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00But, um, he's incredible.
0:22:00 > 0:22:05Well, I'm not on drugs, and I'm not totally fearless,
0:22:05 > 0:22:09because when I went in tonight, I was, for choice of a better word,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12I was shitting myself after last night.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14I'm only human.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Straight across the track...
0:22:16 > 0:22:19'GEORGE MATTHEWS: It is, when all's said and done, a very small part
0:22:19 > 0:22:22'in a very large, condensed course.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26'And there isn't the time for pats on the back
0:22:26 > 0:22:28'and self-congratulations, no matter how well it went.'
0:22:30 > 0:22:34'Tomorrow morning, one of the other guys'll be in charge
0:22:34 > 0:22:36'and I'll be the man in the ranks trying to support him.'
0:22:45 > 0:22:49'Four days later, and after five months of preparatory training,
0:22:49 > 0:22:53'the Arctic Marines get their first glimpse of snow in central Norway.'
0:23:13 > 0:23:15DISTANT SHOUTS, HOWLING WIND
0:23:15 > 0:23:20And angle yourselves towards... the other bank.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34EXPLOSION
0:23:36 > 0:23:39'NARRATOR: The temperature - -14 degrees centigrade.'
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Use your poles.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Your poles, your poles.
0:23:57 > 0:23:58Good effort, Russ.
0:23:58 > 0:23:59Go on, Russ. Go on.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06'This amusing little diversion is to teach a man
0:24:06 > 0:24:08'how to survive if he falls through the ice.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09'For obvious reasons,
0:24:09 > 0:24:12'it's the first thing they learn in their new environment.'
0:24:19 > 0:24:21Get your Bergin out. Bergin out. Bergin!
0:24:21 > 0:24:22Bergin, Jim.
0:24:24 > 0:24:25Bergin, Jim.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29That's it, do it.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32It's all right, well done, keep going.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Good effort, Jim.
0:24:34 > 0:24:35Go on, Jim, fight it.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Get in there!
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Jim, try to get your Bergin out.
0:24:47 > 0:24:48It's pulling me back in!
0:24:50 > 0:24:52Get your Bergin out.
0:24:52 > 0:24:53That's it, well done, Jim.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Now get your other ski pole and use both.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Well done.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03'The dash to get dry is vital.
0:25:03 > 0:25:08'By Arctic standards, 14 below is a balmy spring day,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11'but a man soaked to the skin wouldn't survive for long.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13'The locals don't risk it.'
0:25:14 > 0:25:16SPEAKING IN NORWEGIAN
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Let's go!
0:25:23 > 0:25:27Ooh-ah! And out, together. And out.
0:25:27 > 0:25:28It's cold, eh? Together.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31You've got to be careful you don't do this too long -
0:25:31 > 0:25:32stay in one place
0:25:32 > 0:25:35You're back starts getting cold, turn around quickly and bend.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38And stretch. And bend. And stretch.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41And bend. And stretch.
0:25:42 > 0:25:43Tops on.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47That gives everyone now, then,
0:25:47 > 0:25:49you should be taking on the feeling,
0:25:49 > 0:25:51"Oh, it's not that bad, the old snow,"
0:25:51 > 0:25:54so you don't worry about it,
0:25:54 > 0:25:56it starts to give a bit of confidence.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59You can do this with your companies,
0:25:59 > 0:26:02ten seconds, get your kit on. Go.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06'If it all suggests a return to the cold bath ethic
0:26:06 > 0:26:09'of the English public school, the illusion is shattered
0:26:09 > 0:26:12'by the cheerful depravity of their marching songs.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15'Delicate ladies may wish to close their ears.'
0:26:16 > 0:26:17COMPANY ECHOES SINGING
0:26:17 > 0:26:19# Saturday night
0:26:19 > 0:26:21# I went to town
0:26:21 > 0:26:23# To take a walk
0:26:23 > 0:26:24# And look around... #
0:26:24 > 0:26:26GROWING DISTANT: # Saturday night
0:26:26 > 0:26:27# I went to town... #
0:26:31 > 0:26:32# I picked her up
0:26:32 > 0:26:34# I laid her down
0:26:34 > 0:26:35# Her long blonde hair
0:26:35 > 0:26:37# Fell all around
0:26:37 > 0:26:38# I picked her up
0:26:38 > 0:26:40# I laid her down
0:26:40 > 0:26:41# Her long blonde hair
0:26:41 > 0:26:43# Fell all around
0:26:43 > 0:26:45# I put my hand
0:26:45 > 0:26:46# Upon her knee
0:26:46 > 0:26:47# She said, Marine
0:26:47 > 0:26:49# You're teasing me
0:26:49 > 0:26:50# I put my hand
0:26:50 > 0:26:52# Upon her knee
0:26:52 > 0:26:55# She said Marine, you're...teasing me
0:26:55 > 0:26:56# I put my head
0:26:56 > 0:26:58# Between her thighs
0:26:58 > 0:26:59# She said, Marine
0:26:59 > 0:27:01# You're way too high
0:27:01 > 0:27:03# I put my head
0:27:03 > 0:27:04# Between her thighs
0:27:04 > 0:27:07# She said, Marine You're...way too high... #
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Dan didn't say anything about coming back down.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17Only said to the top of the slope, go.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Swallow dive.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24MUFFLED SHOUTS
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Up top, quickly.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32Go across the snow.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50Right, nice straight line to the top.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52I want you to repeat after me...
0:27:54 > 0:27:55..for what we're about to receive...
0:27:55 > 0:27:57ALL: For what we're about to receive.
0:27:57 > 0:27:58..we are truly grateful...
0:27:58 > 0:28:00ALL: We are truly grateful.
0:28:00 > 0:28:01..now roll down the slope.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Yoo-hoo!
0:28:03 > 0:28:04Argh!
0:28:04 > 0:28:05Get him! Get him!
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Argh!
0:28:10 > 0:28:13'As viewers of earlier programmes may recall,
0:28:13 > 0:28:16'the Cadre on occasions are no great respecters of rank.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20'Not for the first time, Sergeant Mac McLean gets the full treatment.'
0:28:21 > 0:28:23One, two...
0:28:23 > 0:28:24Thank you, boys!
0:28:24 > 0:28:26Three!
0:28:39 > 0:28:41Come on, then, quickly, get yourselves inside!
0:28:50 > 0:28:52MUFFLED SPEECH
0:28:58 > 0:29:00'So, the icemen have finally arrived.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03'Next week, more winter sports of a Baroque nature,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06'and back to square one for Corporal Craig.'