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Hachette Military Collection
SAS Operation Storm: Nine men against four hundred
OPERATION STORM is the inside story - told by those who took part - of the greatest secret war in SAS history. The tipping point, Mirbat, South Oman, 19 July 1972 is one of the least-known yet most crucial battles of modern times. If the SAS had been defeated at Mirbat, the Russian and Chinese plan for a communist foothold in the Middle East would have succeeded, with catastrophic consequences for the oil-hungry West. OPERATION STORM is a page-turning account of courage and resilience. Mirbat was a battle fought and won by nine SAS soldiers and a similar number of brave local people - some as young as ten years old - outnumbered by at least twenty-five to one. Roger Cole, one of the SAS soldiers who took part, and writer Richard Belfield have interviewed every SAS survivor who fought in the battle from the beginning to the end - the first time every single one of them has revealed their experience. OPERATION STORM is a classic story of bravery against impossible odds, minute by minute, bullet by bullet.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 18, 2011
36 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 22, 2014
Really enjoyed the book and the insight into the SAS and the secret war. Some facts and statements are repeated seemingly unessescarily, but I don't think this detracts much from the quality of the book :)
December 13, 2017
Very interesting and enjoyable book on a subject I know very little about.
July 23, 2015
A worth-reading account of an SAS operation I knew nothing about. Having read the book I am left with very mixed feelings and more so when reading other reviewers takes on this book. Already, I was a little dubious of the style and prose etc plus some technical inaccuracies. Not sure who he spoke to or who the co-author is but it seems they have upset some people....
As always I am proud of our soldiers working under conditions that few others could cope with. But sadly why does it have to be so often that they have to work with inferior equipment and support? If only the back-up could even approach the level of dedication and heroism shown by these and other men like them. It is lucky for us we have such people in uniform but whether all of use deserve them is another matter.
What they went through deserved the undying gratitude, respect and recognition that should come to all such fighting units. OK, it was an off-the-map, under-the-radar operation but that does not mean that they should not be accorded proper recognition for their actions. Shame on those in higher circles who will not change the rules governing how medals are awarded to our service people.
This all happened in the early 70s and it seems that the mess that was Vietnam got all the headlines. Meanwhile a handful of our special forces and others were helping to defeat the "red menace" and winning. Sadly, the lessons of this conflict were not on the reading list of the defence people before they enjoined with the modern mess that Iraq and Afghanistan seem to have become. I wonder why...
This book should be on everyone's reading list not least the powers that be. It is a great tale that sweeps along in classic war action aplenty style. You find yourself smiling at their soldier humour in the direst of moments and rooting for the success which seemed at times to be in the balance.
As always I am proud of our soldiers working under conditions that few others could cope with. But sadly why does it have to be so often that they have to work with inferior equipment and support? If only the back-up could even approach the level of dedication and heroism shown by these and other men like them. It is lucky for us we have such people in uniform but whether all of use deserve them is another matter.
What they went through deserved the undying gratitude, respect and recognition that should come to all such fighting units. OK, it was an off-the-map, under-the-radar operation but that does not mean that they should not be accorded proper recognition for their actions. Shame on those in higher circles who will not change the rules governing how medals are awarded to our service people.
This all happened in the early 70s and it seems that the mess that was Vietnam got all the headlines. Meanwhile a handful of our special forces and others were helping to defeat the "red menace" and winning. Sadly, the lessons of this conflict were not on the reading list of the defence people before they enjoined with the modern mess that Iraq and Afghanistan seem to have become. I wonder why...
This book should be on everyone's reading list not least the powers that be. It is a great tale that sweeps along in classic war action aplenty style. You find yourself smiling at their soldier humour in the direst of moments and rooting for the success which seemed at times to be in the balance.
May 3, 2013
I thought it was a ripping read, except the author's writing style was repetitive, peppered with a lot of clichés. Recommend the book though for anyone interested in SAS missions, this story leaves me in awe.
November 19, 2018
A good read
A good book highlighting the courage of our special forces getting killed fighting wars in foreign countries and getting no recognition for it
A good book highlighting the courage of our special forces getting killed fighting wars in foreign countries and getting no recognition for it
July 5, 2025
This starts of well describing the background of Oman in a relaxed, informal manner with a “mate down the pub” kind of vibe.
But I had several issues with this book that meant it was not for me.
It feels like there is a lot of filler.
The first time a mortar is used the author explains the origins and use of the weapon. This is great if you are totally new to military accounts, and probably very useful, but for me (who have read lots of accounts) this was too much detail.
Sometimes descriptions of boots or the types of trousers a solider wears can set the scene and get you interested on a human level or open up insights, but here I just found it tedious.
There is an awful lot of superstition and unneeded exposition.
Whilst under attack the radio operator goes to call for help.
Obviously, whilst bullets are hitting the wall behind you, you don’t worry about encoding the SOS message.
But the author gives you a description of the code books and the proper channels. Once this is done he then states how the radio operator didn’t bother encoding this message and then feels the need to explain why and possibly what was going through his head.
This was only a couple of pages but it feels like it happens a lot from routine plane landings to letters home to meal times – it didn’t add anything for me, it just took up pages.
The battle is not particularly complex – I think this is the root of why I didn’t enjoy this book.
This engagement is often compared to the SAS’s version of Roke’s Drift and yes it would be – if the defenders of Roke’s Drift had heavy artillery, close air support, fortified positions and a huge amount of reserves twenty minutes away.
This is very much a human story about the few members of the SAS who defended the position.
I didn’t really resonate with any of the solders and everyone else involved was pretty faceless – they were just there fighting and dying.
There are no primary sources or real look at what the people on the ground thought. It was very much assumed that these guys wanted this and those guys were unhappy with that so they did some stuff.
This reads more like an action story and if that is what you are after then you will probably enjoy this.
The maps are good and the book is broken down into easily digestible sections and a lot of time is put in to a conclusion section at the back.
Not a bad book it is just not what I was expecting.
But I had several issues with this book that meant it was not for me.
It feels like there is a lot of filler.
The first time a mortar is used the author explains the origins and use of the weapon. This is great if you are totally new to military accounts, and probably very useful, but for me (who have read lots of accounts) this was too much detail.
Sometimes descriptions of boots or the types of trousers a solider wears can set the scene and get you interested on a human level or open up insights, but here I just found it tedious.
There is an awful lot of superstition and unneeded exposition.
Whilst under attack the radio operator goes to call for help.
Obviously, whilst bullets are hitting the wall behind you, you don’t worry about encoding the SOS message.
But the author gives you a description of the code books and the proper channels. Once this is done he then states how the radio operator didn’t bother encoding this message and then feels the need to explain why and possibly what was going through his head.
This was only a couple of pages but it feels like it happens a lot from routine plane landings to letters home to meal times – it didn’t add anything for me, it just took up pages.
The battle is not particularly complex – I think this is the root of why I didn’t enjoy this book.
This engagement is often compared to the SAS’s version of Roke’s Drift and yes it would be – if the defenders of Roke’s Drift had heavy artillery, close air support, fortified positions and a huge amount of reserves twenty minutes away.
This is very much a human story about the few members of the SAS who defended the position.
I didn’t really resonate with any of the solders and everyone else involved was pretty faceless – they were just there fighting and dying.
There are no primary sources or real look at what the people on the ground thought. It was very much assumed that these guys wanted this and those guys were unhappy with that so they did some stuff.
This reads more like an action story and if that is what you are after then you will probably enjoy this.
The maps are good and the book is broken down into easily digestible sections and a lot of time is put in to a conclusion section at the back.
Not a bad book it is just not what I was expecting.
November 19, 2025
I knew this story from my time as a member of the Artists Rifle Club at Bisley who (perhaps strangely) were affiliated to the SAS. This is an excellent recount of that story but it also provides a superb insight into the geopolitical significance of the Sultanate of Oman and its relationship with its neighbour, the communist led Yemen.
This was a very secret war, this part was fought by 9 SAS members and a handful of locals against up to 500 Adoo who were well trained and very well equipped. How the SAS overcame such odds with their limited weapons only they will know. This is a tale of bravery above and beyond the bounds of normality.
Shame must be heaped upon the British Ministry of Defence for nor awarding Victoria Crosses to several of the SAS team, 2 of whom were killed in the battle, Labalaba and Tommy Tobin.
This is an inspirational story of grit, determination and training against overwhelming odds.
This was a very secret war, this part was fought by 9 SAS members and a handful of locals against up to 500 Adoo who were well trained and very well equipped. How the SAS overcame such odds with their limited weapons only they will know. This is a tale of bravery above and beyond the bounds of normality.
Shame must be heaped upon the British Ministry of Defence for nor awarding Victoria Crosses to several of the SAS team, 2 of whom were killed in the battle, Labalaba and Tommy Tobin.
This is an inspirational story of grit, determination and training against overwhelming odds.
October 20, 2024
A comprehensive and detailed account of one of 22 SAS’s most legendary actions - the battle of Mirbat, in Oman in 1972.
Some fascinating background to the conflict is provided, and the book is written in an entertaining style and at a great pace; however, the author has a habit of repeating himself, over and over again. It’s distracting and a tad annoying.
Had the book been edited a little better to remove this aspect it would have been a solid five stars.
Some fascinating background to the conflict is provided, and the book is written in an entertaining style and at a great pace; however, the author has a habit of repeating himself, over and over again. It’s distracting and a tad annoying.
Had the book been edited a little better to remove this aspect it would have been a solid five stars.
January 2, 2026
I didn’t expect much from this book but couldn’t put it down.
It is an excellent lesson in how a successful COIN campaign was conducted and helped shape geo-politics in the midst of the Cold War. Somehow many of these lessons were forgotten in the subsequent 30-40 years.
An awe inspiring story of selflessness, courage and mateship that would seem unbelievable if a Hollywood film were to portray. A 1970s Rorkes Drift!
Heinous that these men were not honoured appropriately.
It is an excellent lesson in how a successful COIN campaign was conducted and helped shape geo-politics in the midst of the Cold War. Somehow many of these lessons were forgotten in the subsequent 30-40 years.
An awe inspiring story of selflessness, courage and mateship that would seem unbelievable if a Hollywood film were to portray. A 1970s Rorkes Drift!
Heinous that these men were not honoured appropriately.
July 31, 2025
Here's a polished version of your text:
"This is a phenomenal book that captures a remarkable moment in time for the SAS and sheds light on who they are. While Laba stands out as the hero, the true star of the show is the effectiveness of a well-executed hearts and minds campaign."
"This is a phenomenal book that captures a remarkable moment in time for the SAS and sheds light on who they are. While Laba stands out as the hero, the true star of the show is the effectiveness of a well-executed hearts and minds campaign."
February 27, 2020
excellent book
Thank you a great pity that the pen pushers exercise such biased power more especially that their only danger is an ink blot
Thank you a great pity that the pen pushers exercise such biased power more especially that their only danger is an ink blot
February 14, 2021
Surprisingly interesting.
I wouldn't be a soldier for quids!
I wouldn't be a soldier for quids!
August 30, 2024
As it says on the tin
July 14, 2019
The book tells the story of a fairly unknown and, until a certain point, top secret, episode of SAS’s involvement in the counterinsurgency campaign during the civil war in Oman. The battle of Mirbat of 1972, where 9 SAS soldiers, supported by a handful of young Omani policemen, and several local old men using antiquated weapons, battled against 400 Russia and China-trained insurgents, and which is engrained in the collective memory of the Regiment, is described in great detail. In addition, the book provides solid historical background to the events, making it that much easier to put the events of Mirbat in a proper context.
Against the backdrop of undoubted bravery of the SAS soldiers and sacrifice that several of them made, one learns about incompetence and total lack of understanding displayed by the MoD leadership, about compromised intelligence structures in the circles closest to the Sultan of Oman, and about severe underfunding of the SAS, and British war machine in general, an aspect so familiar also today. The soldiers are left to fight the enemy with a sole 25 pounder cannon, 0.5-cal Browning heavy machine gun capable of shooting only 2 rounds of continuous fire before flipping up (the gun delivered was an anti-aircraft gun – totally pointless in a situation where the rebels possessed no aircraft), sole GPMG machine gun, and soldiers’ personal weapons. Were it not for the soldiers' bravery and the courage of the British airmen which flew Strikemaster planes and Bell Augusta helicopter in very low visibility, the battle wold have been lost and the soldiers killed to the last one.
Even though a very interesting book, it goes on a little. There are numerous repetitions of the same facts, the order of the book is a little confusing and the literary style not among my favourite. One gets the impression that the story could have been told satisfactorily in 200 pages, but a book of 300 was ordered and the additional pages had to be produced.
Against the backdrop of undoubted bravery of the SAS soldiers and sacrifice that several of them made, one learns about incompetence and total lack of understanding displayed by the MoD leadership, about compromised intelligence structures in the circles closest to the Sultan of Oman, and about severe underfunding of the SAS, and British war machine in general, an aspect so familiar also today. The soldiers are left to fight the enemy with a sole 25 pounder cannon, 0.5-cal Browning heavy machine gun capable of shooting only 2 rounds of continuous fire before flipping up (the gun delivered was an anti-aircraft gun – totally pointless in a situation where the rebels possessed no aircraft), sole GPMG machine gun, and soldiers’ personal weapons. Were it not for the soldiers' bravery and the courage of the British airmen which flew Strikemaster planes and Bell Augusta helicopter in very low visibility, the battle wold have been lost and the soldiers killed to the last one.
Even though a very interesting book, it goes on a little. There are numerous repetitions of the same facts, the order of the book is a little confusing and the literary style not among my favourite. One gets the impression that the story could have been told satisfactorily in 200 pages, but a book of 300 was ordered and the additional pages had to be produced.
June 25, 2017
The Battle of Mirbat was a defining moment for the SAS - fought in secret in a little known corner of the world where the UK were frankly not mean to be. This telling of the tale is not nearly as well written as Rowland White's 'Storm Front', but as it is co-authored by one of the participants, it does add a certain something...
What this book gives us, that White's could not, is a genuine feel for how the British Army used to fight insurgency. It also includes an essay on how those skills could have been put to better use in our 21st century conflicts. That alone is worth the price of it.
What this book gives us, that White's could not, is a genuine feel for how the British Army used to fight insurgency. It also includes an essay on how those skills could have been put to better use in our 21st century conflicts. That alone is worth the price of it.
February 14, 2017
A really good, intense story of 9 SAS soldiers who took on hundreds of insurgents in Mirbat.
This was a secret war and certainly a secret battle, and most importantly, a true story.
Really recommend this one if you're into war books.
This was a secret war and certainly a secret battle, and most importantly, a true story.
Really recommend this one if you're into war books.
June 6, 2013
Kedelig og dårligt sprog. Kom kun igennem de første par kapitler.
July 30, 2018
A major cold war battle that hardly anyone has heard of, well worth a read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews