Battleground 362. Introducing - Battleground: Special Forces
Jan 14, 2026
Patrick Bishop and Saul David delve into the captivating realm of Special Forces, exploring what makes these elite warriors so intriguing. They dissect the defining qualities of units like the SAS and Delta Force, including their extraordinary training and mental resilience. The discussion touches on iconic operations, such as the daring Entebbe rescue and the infamous Eagle Claw failure. With hints at future tales, the hosts question our societal obsession with these 'supermen' and the myths that surround them.
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Public Mythmaking Around SAS
- The SAS attracts intense public fascination, producing hundreds of books and media portrayals that mythologise its operators.
- Patrick Bishop links that fascination to heroic storytelling and varied personal types within the regiment.
Why We Idolize Special Forces
- We idealise special forces as 'supermen' because their missions combine extreme endurance, autonomy and high-risk conditions.
- Saul David argues those extraordinary feats fuel public admiration and horror in equal measure.
Operation Cauldron Success At Dieppe
- Operation Cauldron during the Dieppe Raid saw 250 commandos scale cliffs and eliminate a six-gun battery in 100 minutes.
- Patrick Bishop notes planning, topographical study and relentless training made the mission succeed amid wider Dieppe failure.
