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The One That Got Away is a 1995 book written under the pseudonym ‘Chris Ryan‘ concerning the SAS patrol Bravo Two Zero, which was dropped behind enemy lines in Iraq in 1991. The author was a member of the patrol and tells of his 8-day escape on foot to the Syrian border.

The Bravo Two Zero mission, conducted by the SAS behind Iraqi lines, involved eight members of the regiment in one of the most famous stories of courage and survival in modern warfare. Ryan was hurt in combat, eventually struggling alone across the desert into Syria and freedom.

Review: If I didn’t know the full background to this, I would rate these 5 stars. I have rated these 3 stars. Originally read this in the late 1990’s but revisited the book and recently picked up the latter in the whole story (see list below).

However, before I write my small review, I must congratulate Colin Armstrong (Chris Ryan’s real name) on his escape and evasion. Absolutely outstanding achievement of endurance and stamina! Even the RSM of 22 SAS at the time (Peter Ratcliffe) said this was something he should be proud of.

However, the RSM of 22 SAS and other members of the Regiment scrutinise Armstrong’s account as claims made in the book were not in his official debrief. Ratcliffe states that Armstrong was in favour of going on foot when deploying as Bravo Two Zero after he and the CO tried to persuade the BTZ Commander (‘McNab’ aka Steve Mitchell) to use them. Also he made no mention of the contacts with the 2 vehicles, nor encountering 2 sentries and having to dispatch them. Ratcliffe summarised that if he had just told the truth, the escape and evasion alone would have still made it a great story.

Finally, the vilification of the dead man Vince Phillips as blame for the patrol’s failure is uncalled for. Other members of the patrol have come forward and said Armstrong’s account on this is not true. Mike Coburn (Mark the Kiwi) has written Soldier Five explaining Phillips was exemplary on the patrol and no one is immune to exposure to the elements. They were all under and suffering, including Armstrong.

The Real Bravo Two Zero by Michael Asher sheds more–light on Armstrong’s account. It got to the point that Asher did not want to follow the full footsteps on Armstrong’s route. It really got to him the belittling of Vince Phillips. Overall, it is a good read and I got through it quickly. It’s just a shame there are false claims in it and bending of the truth….

In order if you want to know the whole story of Bravo Two Zero:

Bravo Two Zero by ‘Andy McNab’ (Patrol Member)

The One That Got Away by ‘Chris Ryan’ (Patrol Member)

Soldier Five by Mike Coburn (Patrol Member)

The Real Bravo Two Zero by Michael Asher (23 SAS & Desert Explorer)

Eye of the Storm – 25 Years in Action with the SAS by Peter Ratcliffe (22 SAS RSM)

Controversy

The content of the book was heavily criticised by fellow Bravo Two Zero patrol members Mike Coburn and Malcolm MacGown in Coburn’s Soldier Five (2004, ISB 1-84018-907-X), written specifically in response to this book.

Despite the book describing Ryan’s single-handed attack on two Iraqi Land Rover type vehicles, and killing two Iraqi soldiers with a knife, the SAS’s Regimental Sergeant Major at the time of the patrol, and fellow Gulf War veteran, Peter Ratcliffe stated that, at the Regimental debrief, “[Ryan] made no mention at all of encountering enemy troops on his trek.”.

Coburn, along with patrol members Andy McNab and Ian Pring all wrote letters to deceased patrol member Vince Phillips’ family subsequent to the release of this book. Coburn wrote: “At no time throughout the patrol did Vince display the actions portrayed… …On the contrary, the very fact that he was on patrol disputes [Ryan’s] version of events, otherwise he would never have been allowed to deploy across the border.” Pring described the book as “a pack of lies” writing: “Vince DID NOT compromise the patrol or behave in the manner portrayed.”

Michael Asher’s investigative book, The Real Bravo Two Zero, released in 2003, also criticised Ryan’s portrayal of Phillips. Asher found that many of the negative attributes Ryan had described did not correspond with the available evidence, nor the other patrol members’ accounts.

Concerning the TV adaptation of Ryan’s book, McNab further wrote in a letter to The Times in 1996, “It is a pity that [Ryan] chose to cheapen his own achievement and the reputations of the regiment and of comrades who would have sacrificed their lives for his, had the situation demanded, by denigrating those of others.”

Ratcliffe said of the book (and of Bravo Two Zero), “[It is] insensitive on [Ryan’s] and [McNab’s] parts to hide behind pseudonyms when they named their dead colleagues in their books, in deliberate contravention of the Regiment’s traditions.”.

Coburn also commented on the book: “The portrayal of Vince Phillips was a despicable betrayal of what happened. Revelations became more and more outrageous, culminating in a book and film that saw him portrayed in an unfair and undignified manner.”.