The SAS's Rorke's Drift: 9 v 100's - The battle of Mirbat 1972

Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life. The image used in the thumbnail (and in the video) was painted by the highly talented Jason Askew.   / jason.askew.5   Epic SAS Battle - Mirbat 1972. "The Desert Rorke's Drift" Love British History? GET MY WEEKLY NEWSLETTER https://www.thehistorychap.com/Newsle... WAYS YOU CAN SUPPORT MY CHANNEL Become A Patron and get exclusive history talks https://www.thehistorychap.com/Suppor... Make a one-off donation https://buymeacoffee.com/thehistorychap SUPPORT MY CHANNEL In July 1972, nine SAS soldiers faced impossible odds in a forgotten battle that helped shape the Cold War. The Battle of Mirbat stands as one of the most extraordinary feats in British Army history - a modern-day Rorke's Drift where elite Special Forces held the line against overwhelming communist forces. Deep in the mountains of Oman's Dhofar province, a Marxist insurgency backed by China and the Soviet Union threatened to topple the Sultan and seize control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The Dhofar Rebellion had raged for a decade, with communist guerrillas controlling vast swathes of territory and pushing toward the vital oil routes of the Persian Gulf. Standing in their way was a small SAS team stationed in the coastal town of Mirbat. On the morning of 19 July 1972, over 400 heavily-armed PFLOAG fighters descended from the hills in a coordinated assault designed to deliver a knockout blow to the Sultan's forces. Their target: nine British Army Special Forces soldiers and a handful of local allies defending an old fort. What followed was four hours of desperate fighting that would become legendary within the SAS Regiment. Sergeant Talaiasi Labalaba single-handedly operated a 25-pounder artillery gun - normally requiring six men - while under sustained enemy fire. Captain Mike Kealy coordinated the defense with extraordinary calm as bullets flew around him. When Labalaba was wounded, Trooper Tommy Tobin volunteered for a suicide mission to reach the isolated gun position. This is the incredible true story of courage under fire, of professional soldiers who refused to yield when everything seemed lost. The Battle of Mirbat was more than just a military engagement - it was a turning point in the Dhofar Rebellion that secured Oman's future and protected Western interests in the Gulf during the height of the Cold War. Chapters: 0:00 Introduction 1:09 Oman 1:53 Dhofar Rebellion 4:12 Sultan Qaboos bin Said 5:42 Special Air Service 6:38 Tide Turns 8:08 Rebel Gamble 9:06 Mirbat 10:18 Battle of Mirbat 10:51 Sergeant Labalaba 12:50 Holding On 13:56 Victory 14:43 Desert Rorke's Drift 15:21 SAS Reputation Soars 15:57 Rebellion Defeated 17:59 SAS Heroes Follow me at: www.thehistorychap.com Podcast: https://www.thehistorychappodcast.com Facebook:https://bit.ly/37IUfkH    / thehistorychap   My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today. History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens. So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life. My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!" Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham and am a member of the Royal Historical Society. I am also a member of the Victorian Military Society, the Anglo Zulu War Society and the Military Historical Society. Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel. The History Chap is a trading name of Chris Green Communication Ltd, a company registered in England & Wales (Co No: 05025587)