In the third episode of SAS Rogue Heroes Season 2, the Special Raiding Squadron (SRS), under the leadership of the unpredictable Lt Paddy Mayne (Jack O’Connell), embarks on a critical mission to liberate the Italian town of Termoli. As they push through Italy, the SRS finds itself at the forefront of Operation Baytown, a daring campaign that sees them clashing with the Germans in a battle of wits and firepower.
The episode commences in Berlin, where Hitler issues a chilling directive to execute all enemy soldiers involved in commando raids, regardless of whether they are unarmed or have surrendered. This sets the stage for a brutal escalation in the conflict as September 1943 arrives and Sicily falls to the Allies, with the SRS leading the invasion of mainland Italy.
Behind enemy lines, Lt Col Bill Stirling (Gwilym Lee) is visited by the tenacious French journalist Eve Mansour (Sofia Boutella), who is determined to find Paddy Mayne, believing that the real story of the war is where he is. Meanwhile, in an Italian POW camp, David Stirling (Connor Swindells) charms his way to the front of the queue for the latest prisoner escape, asserting his unit's pivotal role in the invasion of Europe.
David's brother Bill arrives, and the two engage in a heated discussion about the SRS's unorthodox methods and the arrival of Eve Mansour, a journalist and spy who must be kept in the dark about the SRS's strategy. Bill also reveals Paddy's next mission: to liberate Termoli from German occupation, with Italian resistance fighter Pat Riley (Jacob Ifan) sent ahead to scout the town and eliminate a spy.
At Gavi POW camp, David Stirling's first escape attempt is a dramatic affair, involving a perilous climb and a daring descent, only to be thwarted by an Italian guard who cuts his rope, sending him crashing to the ground. Despite his failed escape, David is undeterred, landing in solitary confinement. In a more convivial setting, Eve Mansour and Bill Stirling share a bottle of wine at Bagnara Harbour, where Eve's knowledge of the SRS's movements unsettles Bill. However, their truce is short-lived, as the realities of war intrude upon their brief respite.
In Termoli, Pat Riley and Italian resistance fighter Alessia Biondi (Anna Manuelli) navigate past German checkpoints to reach the resistance's headquarters, where Riley executes a collaborator named Giulio Colombo. Riley's assurance that the SAS is on its way brings a sense of relief and anticipation.
The SRS arrives on the outskirts of Termoli, engaging the enemy with a fierce barrage and displaying acts of mercy amidst the chaos. Paddy's decision to offer a wounded German soldier rum before ending his suffering is a poignant moment that underscores the human cost of war.
As the SRS and the Italian Resistance lead the attack on Termoli, they face a determined enemy well-versed in guerrilla warfare. The battle is brutal, with hand-to-hand combat dominating the engagement. Despite their victory and the capture of many prisoners, Paddy is cautious, suspecting that the most experienced German troops have withdrawn to plan a counterattack.
Outside Termoli, a detachment is sent to destroy the Campo Merino Bridge, but they are ambushed, and John Tonkin (Jack Baton) is captured by the Germans. Given Hitler's orders, his fate seems sealed. The episode concludes with the shelling in Termoli subsiding, leading Paddy to predict that the Panzers will move in to reclaim the town. He reminds his men of their orders: to hold Termoli until the last man, regardless of the cost.
"Operation Baytown: The Liberation of Termoli" is a gripping chapter in SAS Rogue Heroes that showcases the SRS's bravery and the harsh realities of war. With its vivid portrayal of the SRS's battles and the complex relationships between its members, this episode captures the essence of wartime heroism and the often-murky moral boundaries that soldiers must navigate.