Author(s): Rusty Firmin

Current Affairs & Politics

On 5 May 1980, the world held its breath as an SAS assault team attacked the Iranian Embassy. Forty-seven men took part in the assault, and this is their story. At first it didn't all go as smoothly as they hoped. A fire started which went on to burn out most of the Embassy. A member of the assault team was caught up on a rope and badly burnt. One of the hostages who was standing too close to an initial explosion was thrown to the floor by the force and flying debris. The SAS trooper that got to him first was convinced he was already dead. Despite all Regiments' precautions, the terrorist still had time to open fire on the hostages they had trapped in one of the rooms. So many people were talking across the team's radios they were rendered useless. Outside the planning team could only sit, wait and listen to the sounds of flash grenades exploding, bursts of automatic gun fire and wonder what the hell was going on. Was the attack a complete disaster? Margaret Thatcher, the PM who ordered the assault, was kept in touch with events moment by moment.She had given instructions that the scene should not be covered with smoke, she wanted the world to know how the British handled terrorists.