Combat Story (Ep 23): Robin Horsfall UK Special Air Service (SAS) | Paratrooper | Mercenary | Author
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 มิ.ย. 2024
- Join our weekly Combat Check-In Newsletter (www.combatstory.com/newsletter) to get a short email from Ryan for people who love and support our veterans, service members, and their families. It has info on a significant event in military and/or intel history, a funny military joke, an update on a current event I'm following, something I'm doing that week in my life, a book I'm reading, a look at an upcoming interview, a reflection on a past episode and more
Robin Horsfall is a former British Special Air Service (SAS) Tier 1 operator, paratrooper in 2Paras, mercenary, entrepreneur, and author.
During his time in service, he deployed five times to Northern Ireland in brutal “Peace Keeping” operations, was part of one of the most storied and successful hostage rescue operations in the heart of London, and was part of a “one way” or “suicide” mission during the Falklands War.
His combat is well documented in his first book, Fighting Scared, in which we describes his evolution from victim to Tier 1 operator to Warrior Poet (the title of his most recent book).
Robin’s lessons can be applied to soldiers, leaders, parents, and children, including how to overcome a difficult childhood of abuse and a lack of male role models to become a role model to others.
His stories are brutally honest (being bullied for years) and lighthearted (such as SAS training with Delta Force or how he and the SAS helped Princess Diana with her hair) in a way that only Brits can manage.
You can find Robin and his books online at:
Fighting Scared - tinyurl.com/3y4ttvnu
Warrior Poet - www.amazon.com/dp/B08XYQNQ4G
GoFundMe Northern Ireland Veterans Campaign - www.gofundme.com/f/ni-veteran...
Facebook - / www.robinhorsfall.co.uk
Wise Old Paratrooper - www.wiseoldparatrooper.co.uk/
Speaking Engagements - www.robinhorsfall.co.uk
#SAS #veteran #tier1 #UKSOF #delta #deltaforce #2paras #paratrooper #sniper #breacher #combatstory #combat #specialairservice #specialboatservice #SBS #SOF #specops
Show Notes
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - Robin bio and introduction.
1:51 - Robin
5:01 - Difficult childhoods and the challenge of authority later in life.
8:12 - Recognizing issues with authority in other people, particularly children, when building a Karate empire.
18:58 - Why the military at age 15?
22:37 - Who were the British military vets in the early 1970s?
26:36 - The British “Paras” and what it means within the UK military.
28:24 - First combat experience was Northern Ireland.
31:57 - What was it like to do “Peace Keeping” after paratrooper training for years?
33:09 - Combat Story #1: Northern Ireland.
35:51 - Combat Story #2: “Encounter” with an IED.
42:04 - Difference between SAS (Special Ops) and conventional military.
44:55 - Team vs. Individual in SAS and the SAS process.
47:21 - Death during SAS selection.
53:48 - Combat Story #3(A): Setting the scene for an amazing hostage rescue operation. (Jump to next time stamp if you don’t want to hear the lead up to this operation).
55:53 - Combat Story #3(B): Incredibly detailed account of an SAS high visibility hostage rescue in downtown London.
1:12:01 - Quiet soldiers but those with privilege in the UK (leaders and Royals) all want to meet these SAS elite who participated in the hostage rescue.
1:14:09 - Combat-lite Story #3.5: Princess Diana supporting an SAS training operation. You have to hear the bit about her hair!
1:16:04 - Combat Story #4: A ‘one way” or “suicide” mission during the Falklands War. There’s some great comedy in this and lessons about what not to do.
1:25:49 - Delta training with SAS and some of the hilarity that ensues.
1:31:06 - Why title the book “Fighting Scared”?
1:32:19 - What Robin’s doing now: Veterans campaign and the Wise Old Paratrooper trilogy, plus a new book on poetry called “Warrior Poet.”
1:36:29 - What did Robin carry with him into combat.
1:37:32 - Would you do it all again?
Ryan, if his name ever comes out (unlikely), and you can get him on here, the SAS Soldier who went into the mall in Nairobi in January 2019 would be a great guest.
🤝
@@murphytinsel1151 Oh, Colin Armstrong is that the name of the guy who went into the shopping center in Nairobi?
@@valdivia1234567 No.
Colin Armstrong is Chris Ryan from Bravo20
@@SABRE8976 Ok, gotcha. Looks like he deleted his reply, I didn't follow a word of what he said. Thanks.
This guy has overcome fears that we will never know.
Big respect for Robin Horsfall. Moral compass working perfect. Thank you.
This channel is gonna blow up! Former attack chopper pilot, an a ton of pipe hittin badasses we owe a debt too, for defending are nation(s)! Love this podcast!!!
I sat down in a Sargents Mess for a beer with friends and there was this guy I had never met before and we started chatting about our military service. He was a very mild mannered intelligent guy who was non specific and just blended in...nice guy. When I asked him he told me he was an Army Photographer and seemed very humble and did not say much else. When he had left a friend in the know told me what he really was. I was surprised to say the least....he was a an SF guy...he was like a ghost.
I've been amazed by Robin for years, this was excellent. Don't leave us hanging for the second instalment of this please! I enjoyed every word of that and I know he's got plenty more to talk about that everybody will find fascinating too. Good job guys.
That's why I admire nations , that have at least 4-5 yrs mandatary military service , not just to develop discipline but gives U so many other qualities in character . Did 5 yrs as combat engineer in CAF in the 80's , loved it , never regretted it & and led me to 30 yrs of comfortable civilian workforce , until my retirement . Great interview , with a man of integrity , discipline & a little stealth humor , good for him , nice work .
I watched a podcast the other day of a seal team member come to train in the 80-90s with the SBS. He said we “seals” would complain about a lot of things but the Brits would higher the spirits by making them laugh and make it better for them he said I left being able to make bad situations enjoyable haha
Brilliant interview. But read Robin's book Fighting Scared, to get the accurate details of what he has been through in his life. Robin keeps up the fight for the Veterans of the Northern Ireland era. Good on you Robin.
Great interview and, I have to say, a wonderful interviewer: Respectful, knowledgeable and lets the interviewee speak. Great stuff!
Totally agree on both counts.
This interview is jaw dropping in a good way. Great interview.
I like hearing how U.K military's vets experience combat & such.
Cant wait for the next one !
His book 'fighting scared' is as good as it gets. Well worth a read.
Great interview. Major Mike Kealy who he mentions having died in the Brecon Beacons from hypothermia, had won a DSO in Oman in the battle of Mibat. A sad ending to a real hero.
Thought that name rang a bell, while watching this I'm racking my brain trying to remember who it was.
His death marked the end of bricks in the Bergen. Afterwards, it all had to be usable kit to make up the weight. Perhaps acclimation from Oman didn't help either.
Thank you sir for keeping the free world safe from evil
The Paras are a breed apart from normal humans but those selected for the SAS are an even higher class of human being.
Total respect to this man
That was brilliant what he said at the end. How would you like to be remembered, he was a good man, speaks volumes.
My uncle Alf was an NCO under kealy and always spoke of him as one of those strange breeds of public schoolboys who loved the discomfort of the outdoors. I believe the lads were very unsure of this quiet almost timid officer but I believe he turned it around by showing a steely determination. Then he cemented his legend at mirbat and is now one of the regiments most celebrated officers
Absolutely Bloody Proper....
Thanks... Semper Fi GB
Wise man & a lesson in life to listen to...keep up the good work Robin.
Simply amazing interview. The military humor and and stories behind them were spot on. The Princess Di story was hysterical! Well done gentlemen.
Great interview as usual. I think we missed the knife fight story, but all the more reason to buy the book ;). Looking forward to the next one.
Great interview ....one of the best comprehensive interviews .It is a wise man who knows himself so well. It is the 9th and tenth child as a triumph in teaching is insightful and profound. I will be ordering Robin's poetry.
Marvelous testimony of a life!
Good to hear from a legendary SAS. I watched the warfighter story about that terrible day for SAS where one guy died from exposure. Incredible story.
Hi Robin Horsfall just to say, Total Respect 👍👍
Thanks for sharing! Stay safe!
I absolutely love your channel and interviews, keep it up!
Much appreciated! It means a lot.
Awesome interview.
What a privilege it is these stories being shared, finally the recognition you guys deserve
I really enjoyed this one Ryan! Robin is such an inspiration to young people! Can you please try and interview VC awarded soldier from NZSAS, Willie Apiata. Awarded for bravery in Afganistan. Love your interview style and your ability to ask the right questions and let the person talk. Cheers from New Zealand!
Brilliant interview and great questions Ive read Robin Horsefall life story and read many other former Sas life stories.What surprises me is how honest they all are none of the John Wayne stories and they all play down there roles and they all have that great British attribute a sense of humour,
Very inspiring; thanks for posting.
I had some bullying in my last two years at school during the early 1970s, but on our last day before leaving for good, I paid him back for it all; in kind. The teacher left the room for a while, so the thug thought he'd have a go at me again. I just blew, and thumped away at him. He was soon on the floor, with me just laying in. After a few minutes, I realised the rest of the class were just stood around us with no attempt to stop me. (I suppose they saw it coming and just watched).
But I never saw myself as a victim; only a survivor. He was a very different person a couple of years later, when we met in a bar.
Then during 1993, a very drunk driver nearly killed me, by smashing head-on into my car. [His second such offence.]. But again, I never consider myself as a victim - only a survivor. I never say "My bully" or "My drunk driver".
I have always thought it wrong for a teacher to punish BOTH kids, when a bully finally gets paid back.
And I would always support someone finally paying it all back. When someone of any age manages to hit back I think "Good for them, and to hell with turning the other cheek.
Quite , intelligent , no egos , humour, like the guys who crossed our paths in XMG great podcast gentleman.
Well done- very good interview
I stopped by, and had to hear it all......excellent interviewer and fascinating interviewee !
Brilliant love every second of this respect Robin take care your a good man.
I joined the Parachute Reg at the age of 15, my father had died 2 years before and he had been a fighting soldier during WW2 as my grandfather had been in WW1 so I had a family tradition to follow. The Paras because they where the best and even though 15 you where treated as an adult and your age was irrelevant. I grew up during the early part of the troubles so I knew what too expect when I was sent to NI as a soldier. The US where the main supplier of cash for the iRA and it was only 9/11 did they understand what it’s like to be attacked by terrorists. I had a reasonably happy childhood and a great mother and father, we had little money but got everything we needed, my father died of cancer after being misdiagnosed by a doctor so my mother had a difficult time of making money for to keep us fed etc. During that time I joined the cubs, my mother had to scrimp and save to buy the uniform etc. When there I was being bullied by two brothers. one night I decided I had enough and waited for them they came up too me so I hit both of them. I was kicked out of the cubs even though I explained why I hit them and banned from the scouts for life. I was annoyed but more so for my mum who was left with a uniform she had worked hard to get. Things like that mould your mind and character. Your life is filled with memories and learning from your mistakes
Don't tell me your life's history my parent and uncle were like that so I suppose the kids follow suit 420 somewhere ganja I smoke em
This from an online troll
He seems like a really good man
Nice guy this man he should be proud he has turned out well
Great interview, would love to hear some more interviews with UK special forces people
Super interesting guest and a great Interview, with an also great interviewer!
Love it, awesome! Cheers from West Wales 🏴🏴🏴
Robin is quite right about soldiers, and others, claiming they were on the balcony at Princess Gate. I was there, along with 250 of my mates.
SAS ARE SOME BADASS DUDES!
Godfather of the SF...British SAS...grandmaster to delta force...love both,SAS n delta
I sat riveted watching this and immediately ordered the book! I had no idea we had major aircraft assets on the Atlantic Conveyor. Also you have to love hitting the Delta force with water pistols! And I loved the bit where the SAS on the way to the Iranian embassy siege stopped for a cup of tea. Quintessentially English!
Aye, and quitessentially British. We all love a nice cuppa.
This is absalutey my favourite channel brilliant stuff
Great honesty
Fuck me! takes a hell of a person to dedicate their time to giving people what they were robbed of themselves without bitterness or resentment! Powerful shit!🙏👏👏
UK SAS and US delta are the ultimate dream team
Great interview 👍🏻
Great and humble guy Robin. The aggression and total toughness of these guys storming of the Iranian embassy will never be equalled. We are now to scared of offending people. Including terrorists.
so underrated
Really enjoyed that
So great to see this mans wisdom and experience being recognised and shared with the masses. Robin was my sensei about 20 years ago now back in a small setup in Putney, London. Fantastic teacher and still to this day carry a lot of the stories and lessons learned from this man forward in my own practices in life. If you ever read this Robin, thank-you and glad to see you doing so well for yourself here!
Great interview @combat story
Nice interview 👌
great job
Thanks
Top Man!
The way veterans are treated in the UK is disgraceful .
Appalling How They Are Treated
You Missed out Mikey Flynn and the Household cavalry with their CVRT’s on the Falklands Robin
Thanks Robin...🗡🇦🇺🛡🌈....keep well....🕊
Born in Belfast, in the 80s. the S.A.S. were the hope of the civilian population. Loughgall took out 8 east tyrone gunmen, two cells. Afterwards attacks slowed a lot there.
No they didn't the IRA went back and blew that police station to bits afterwards
@@patdeburca7235 why csnt we.all live in peace,, just.why,
@@chrisdurant4627because everyone is an individual and want different things just human nature both fortunately and unfortunately.
Met Robin in Blackpool not long ago. Both his wife and himself were lovely people. Very down to earth. If he ever sees this, I just want to apologize for not shaking his hand. I only have seven percent vision left and I just didn't see it. Sorry. I would have loved to have shaken your hand
good to see robin at aldershot this year ......falklands memorial ,
While Horsefall was telling his story, the interviewer looked like a five year old listening to grandpa's story.
Shit the interviewer has 10 times the story this guy has
what a good one! can you please have a CCT on? Meanwhile, get Rich Diviney on the show, a former SEAL commander he wrote a book called attribute.
Tu Lam is a good guest, he is aformer green beret
@@TruTube.1. man I watch it all the time. But I want to see them on other platforms.
The best tale he told was when he was in the special forces bar in London. Some Walt was in the bar claiming his name was Sgt major horsefall.
Another fantastic moustache balancer ❤
Robin 👏 respect,
I’ve yet to hear an UKSF guy interviewed who didn’t have a brutal childhood.
Some of the SBS guys from post 9/11 era, Ant Middleton, Jason Fox and Matt Ollerton would be awesome.
16:09 Robert Dan has chills down his spine that he remembers the incident .
Rewarding a 'difficult' person with promotion sure does deflate the rank and file.
Certainly earned his pay and had a crazy career 99% can only dream of
Good interview! (- Good intevewee.....)
Notifications on for part 2
The "Tough Guy" summary said it all......
How so?
Groups of people can sense a person with no confidence. I think our evolution has taught humans to eradicate people who might hamper the survival of the group. So the group sets about bullying the apparent weak link which is cruel but in evolutionary terms means the group however small stays strong. To prevent bullying you have to have confidence.
Loved this, try get some more British special forces guys on - e.g Ant Middleton, Jason Fox, Jay Morton, Phil Campion
That's how my dad brought me up School of Hard Knocks
His book fighting scared is worth a read
Each nation has its hero’s
This is just one of Britain’s finest.
It’s interesting that while in the paras they took on Norse things as my regiment that was called the vikings did the same
There's certainly some history of Norse in Britain. England was Conquered amd settled by the Norsemen over 1000 yrs ago. Scotland even longer ago.
@@realMaverickBuckley yes that’s why my regiment that recruited from east anglia was called the vikings as it was a Viking settlement
it is a pity how he ended up parting 22 REG SAS as he got stitched up bloody good interview by the way
He broke SOP’s and paid the price.
Side note J F Kennedy lived in the Royal College of General Practitioners building in the 1930's. 13-14 princes gate were the Regiment stayed before storming the Iranian embassy...
I’ve been to Falklands and been to most of the places in the war. I was told that there was some sad on a ship wreck in Stanley harbour I’ve wondered if this could be confirmed
highly recommend audiobook (author narrates) SAS Rogue Heroes by Ben Macintyre.
I remember when I was at school and the teacher was off sick for the week and the supply teacher was a pushover so I played truant one day and went fishing with my mate and who was fishing at the lake ? Yep my teacher that was off sick , when he saw me he said”if you don’t say anything then I won’t” he caught sweet FA and I caught a 10 pound pike !
I was just wondering if you could maybe get Eddie Gallagher on? If anyone ever got screwed over it's him I think hes a great guy in an even greater operator any totally got railroaded, So I think that would be a very good interview and maybe more American Special Forces guys, like a few SEALs, DEVGRU,Green Berets, Rangers, MARSOC, etc....
The most recent is vigilance elite the Shawn Ryan show
He has done a lot in his career but last year when he criticised military veterans who had PTSD he fell way below of how i saw him
He acknowledged PTSD exists and that he has had experiences with it.
His issue was with vets with likely mild or no real PTSD. Who exploit it for sympathy, excusing bad behavior and to benefit financially.
Seems pretty rationale.
@@sauljahboi5965 Yup. He was saying with next to no reason for it, like Ebgineers with no combat experience, are now claiming they have PTSD.
@@sauljahboi5965 he doesn’t know how PTSD affects another person Trauma is Trauma , what may be nothing to him could be the worst thing ever to someone else , nobody can judge what is milder PTSD
@@realMaverickBuckley perhaps they have what was called gulf war syndrome ?
As an ex English serviceman, living close to Aldershot as a child (bomb scares in cinemas , the bombing of a mess In Aldershot and being educated through English media) It wasn’t until I lived in Ireland for a few years… listening to stories of the locals and actually met a Colonel in the IRA (who was the father of my girlfriend at the time best friend) that I began to understand there are two sides to every story. Good for all that those days seem to be behind us - Robin you do make me chuckle. (Not taking anything away from the chaps that sadly croaked it.. 💪🏼 🎖️ we all know the Arge’s were conscripts with little will to fight and thankfully their Exocets were a little buggared. Could have been a lot worse 👍🏻 But well done… good job pal
Yes👍
Cmo Rob you know that we all sit there and say " there not as hard, there not as committed" you're staff thought the same thing. I'm not legitimating what's happening in now our basic training. Going out to a conflict zone it surprised me. ok working with Royal Marines, they fought as hard as any man i had the honor to serve with throughout my career from 19 87~2010 . we sound like old salts but those lads gave me a small hope for what we are evolving amongst our kids
@Combat Story I'm curious have any of your guests ever answered "No." to the question of whether they would do it all again?
Try and get Anthony Stephen Malone the rouge warrior his story is unreal and he does a lot for veterans in the uk and USA
Ryan: This is a really excellent interview. Well done for starting out with Robin's isolation and being able to take an objective view. Great job.
🤣🤣 i can’t imagine the Delta officers faces when the guy with the water gun stormed in loool, moral of the story it can’t just be work and no play
Great interview, could you get a former SBS operator so we can contrast the differences between the two?
That’s a great idea. I have the same thought. I’ll give it a try.
@@CombatStory Thanks man, you’re doing a great job with everything, questions, letting the other person talk, reading their material, taking notes. Keep it up.
@@CombatStory Jason fox (foxy) would be a good shout ! Really cool guy ! His book is called battle scars. BRILLIANT doesn’t do it justice. ✌️🇬🇧
Ollie Ollerton would be great or Jason fox
Look up Dean Stott, incredible bloke.
He has the name and voice of a gentleman....that would kill you and have a cup of tea ready and waiting ✋️ 😂