The History Podcast – "The Fort: 10. Mathew" (BBC Radio 4)

Date: September 18, 2025
Topic: Commanders, soldiers, and pilots recount a harrowing assault in Afghanistan, focusing on Lance Corporal Matthew Ford's death and a dramatic rescue mission.

Overview

This episode revisits the 2007 assault on Jugroom (Juggernau) Fort in Afghanistan, centering on the fatal wounding of Royal Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Ford and the extraordinary and unorthodox mission mounted to recover him. Through the voices of commanders, Apache pilots, and Ford’s mother, the story explores themes of sacrifice, military decision-making under extreme pressure, heroism, and the lasting impact on soldiers and families.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Matthew Ford’s Journey into the Marines

• Joan Ford, Matthew’s mother, reflects on his unlikely path into the Royal Marines, her skepticism about him passing, and her pride in his transformation (01:10).
  • "He stood in that doorway and he says, 'I've got something to tell you, Mum. You're not gonna like it. I've joined the Marines.' ...when he did, he come out with flying colours."
    — Joan Ford [01:10]
• Joan recounts the shock of learning about Matthew's death and her immediate assumption that something was wrong when summoned at work (01:10–02:28).

2. The Rescue Mission: Risk and Audacity

• Apache pilot Ed Macy and Colonel David Amlow discuss the mission to retrieve Ford using Apache helicopters—a move outside standard regulations (02:28–05:20).
  • There was confusion over the command chain and authorization, with Macy noting the fury from senior command due to rule-breaking (03:19).
    • "He just told us that we broke a whole load of rules that we should never have strapped Marines to the outside of the aircraft."
      — Ed Macy [03:41]
• The mission involved huge risks: rare helicopters, highly trained crews, and Marines riding on the aircraft’s stub wings.
• Major General Neil Sexton underscores the high stakes and potential for catastrophic loss:
  • "The loss of two of them by enemy fire would have been a national catastrophe...not just the aircraft, but the fact that four highly trained pilots, and let's not forget, Marines on the stub wings, would be potentially lost as well."
    — Neil Sexton [04:10]

3. Risk Mitigation and Decision-Making

• Colonel Amlow outlines measures protecting the rescue: coordinated air assets (B1 bomber, A-10s), ground artillery, live intelligence feeds, direct communication with crews (05:20).
• The decision to attempt such a perilous rescue is justified by the responsibility and value attributed to every British soldier.
  • "The minute this country sent him to war, that's when it was worth it."
    — Tom O'Malley [08:19]
  • "Every soldier on that battlefield...absolutely deserved 100% of everything that was available to make sure that they get home."
    — Tom O'Malley [08:21]

4. Aftermath: Recognition and Inquiry

• Acts of extraordinary bravery led to awards:
  • Tom O'Malley received the Distinguished Flying Cross; Ed Macy and others, the Military Cross; other crew members earned commendations (05:20–06:51, 14:28–15:31).
  • Memorable meetings with Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth highlighted the uniqueness of the action and the recognition given (14:28–14:57).
    • "I was awarded Distinguished Flying Cross...She said, 'I understand that what you did had never been done before.'"
      — Tom O'Malley [14:57]

5. Matthew Ford’s Loss and Friendly Fire Revelation

• The distressing possibility and later confirmation of friendly fire as the cause of Ford’s death triggered further trauma and inquiry (11:36–12:25).
  • "A gunner in one of the vehicles opened fire. On his own men. Four were injured and Lance Corporal Ford was killed."
    — Dave Rigg [12:02]
• Ed Macy reflects on the shock of realizing the situation:
  • "He'd shot into an area that he believed he was helping the Marines, and the result was he'd shot several of them in one go. I just felt really sick to my core, thinking, what's that boy going through?"
    — Ed Macy [12:25]
• Lieutenant General Rob McGowan discusses the difficulty of communicating crucial decisions and the inherent uncertainty of war (12:42).
  • "It's not clear how he died...these things happen in war, and it's our collective ability to deal with this uncertainty..."
    — Rob McGowan [12:42]

6. Impact on Individuals and the Force

• Glyn Sadler and Chris Witts capture the psychological impact, from survivor’s guilt to lasting PTSD and the surreal transition back to civilian life (18:11–19:31).
  • "Within 48 hours, my wife and I are sat in a Jacuzzi...my mates are all sat in the desert. It was just mind blowing, you know, it was so, so strange for me."
    — Glyn Sadler [18:11]
  • "It became quite a core memory. It became quite a triggering memory. It affects you, it changes your mentality, it changes how you view life."
    — Chris Witts [19:31]
• The importance of not leaving a comrade's body behind is emphasized for morale and preventing propaganda victory for the Taliban (20:41–21:08).
  • "The Taliban would have used the body of a British soldier to their advantage. They would have used them in terrible ways to promote their cause and we couldn't allow that."
    — Rob McGowan [20:51]
• Joan Ford’s gratitude for the recovery of her son, and the comfort that brings, is poignantly expressed at his graveside (21:14).

7. Lessons, Leadership, and Legacy

• Tom O'Malley and Lieutenant General McGowan reflect on the need for calculated risk, effective communication, leadership that inspires, and the unpredictable elements that define warfare (17:08–18:11).
  • "A calculated risk taking mentality should continue to be encouraged...what I think is the single biggest variable...is that element of surprise."
    — Tom O'Malley [17:08]
• Dave Rigg and others touch on the meaning of recognition, the nature of courage in service, and the subtle differences in how acts are honored across the military (15:31).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "The minute this country sent him to war, that's when [it] was worth it."
  — Tom O'Malley [08:19]
• "Knowing our guys are going to get looked after and we're not going to leave a man behind is exactly what they needed."
  — Ed Macy [08:52]
• "He'd shot into an area that he believed he was helping the Marines, and the result was he'd shot several of them in one go. I just felt really sick to my core."
  — Ed Macy [12:25]
• "The Taliban would have used the body of a British soldier to their advantage...and we couldn't allow that."
  — Rob McGowan [20:51]
• "He was brave, heroic. Not everybody would have done it, would there? I will always be grateful because I wouldn't have any of this if it weren't for them."
  — Joan Ford [21:14]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 01:10–02:28 – Joan Ford recounts Matthew’s decision to join the Marines and notification of his death.
• 02:28–05:20 – Pilots and commanders discuss the aftermath, the rescue plan, and risk.
• 05:20–06:51 – Citation and awards process following the mission.
• 06:51–08:52 – O'Malley and Macy justify the rescue; the morale aspect.
• 11:36–12:25 – Revelation and investigation into friendly fire as the cause of Ford’s death.
• 14:28–15:31 – Receiving awards and personal reflections on recognition.
• 18:11–19:31 – Adjusting to civilian life; survivor guilt.
• 21:14–23:11 – Joan Ford at her son’s grave, expressing gratitude and grief.

Tone and Language

The episode blends frank military analysis, raw emotion, and reflection, shifting from operational detail to intimate family grief. Speakers move between military jargon, understated British reserve, and deeply personal vulnerability, capturing the complexity of war and its aftermath.

Summary

"The Fort: 10. Mathew" gives a comprehensive, emotionally charged account of one of the most daring rescue missions in Afghanistan, the quest to recover Lance Corporal Matthew Ford by strapping Royal Marines to the outside of Apache helicopters. Through first-hand testimony, it explores the ethics of risk, the agony of loss, the scars of war, the importance of recognition and leadership, and the profound impact on individuals and families. The episode stands as a tribute to courage, sacrifice, and the enduring bonds of military brotherhood.