How a failed SAS mission led to the longest escape in military history

Wars & Conflicts · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: During the 1991 Gulf War, an eight-man SAS patrol known as Bravo Two Zero was compromised behind enemy lines. While others were captured, one soldier trekked 300 kilometres across the Iraqi desert to reach Syria. This harrowing escape remains the longest recorded evasion by an SAS trooper in history.

Born Colin Armstrong in 1961, the man known as Chris Ryan joined the British Army at 16. After rigorous selection, he eventually served with the regular 22 SAS Regiment. His career included a controversial 1980s deployment to Thailand, where he trained forces involved in the conflict following Vietnam's 1979 invasion of Cambodia. This mission was cut short after journalist John Pilger exposed the classified operation, forcing the team to return to Britain.

Ryan's most famous chapter began in 1991 during the Gulf War. As part of the Bravo Two Zero patrol, he was tasked with intelligence gathering and destroying Scud missile launchers. When the patrol was spotted, Ryan embarked on an extraordinary 300-kilometre march to the Syrian border. This feat surpassed the previous record set by Jack Sillito in the Sahara Desert in 1942 by 160 kilometres. The physical cost was immense: Ryan suffered severe muscle atrophy and lost 16 kilograms after consuming water contaminated with nuclear waste. These injuries, along with post-traumatic stress disorder, ended his operational career, leading to his honourable discharge in 1994.

Following his service, Ryan became a prolific author, publishing over 70 books, including his 1995 account, The One That Got Away. His work has not been without controversy; former SAS member Michael Asher challenged the accuracy of Ryan's and fellow patrol member Andy McNab's accounts, claiming to have debunked them after retracing their steps. Despite these disputes, Ryan transitioned into a successful media career, creating television series like Ultimate Force and presenting survival-themed documentaries. His legacy remains tied to his military service, for which he was awarded the Military Medal in 1991, though the recognition was not officially gazetted until 1998.

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