The History Podcast (BBC Radio 4)
Episode: The Fort: 2. Everyone Volunteered
Release Date: September 8, 2025
Overview
This gripping episode recounts a harrowing true story from the Afghanistan war: the desperate rescue of Royal Marine Lance Corporal Matthew Ford, left behind during a fierce assault on a Taliban-held fort. Through vivid testimony from commanders, soldiers, and pilots, the episode spotlights intense camaraderie, the burden of command, and the spontaneous heroism that can arise in battle’s darkest moments.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. The Emotional Toll of Combat Deployments
- Captain Chris Fraser Perry reflects on the maturation and sober responsibilities soldiers face, including writing so-called "what if" letters to their families at a young age:
- “The worst thing I've ever done...is having to write the what if? letter at 18 years old...that gets passed to your mum and dad.” (01:24)
- The moment starkly illustrates how war accelerates adulthood and emotional resilience.
2. The Ambush and Realization: A Man Left Behind
- The night’s mission turned critical upon learning Royal Marine Matthew Ford had not returned.
- “The chatter starts that we haven't got all our men back. Then there's the name of Ford.” (02:10)
- The potential consequences were dire:
- “If they got to him, what they would do to him would be horrific.” – Captain Chris Fraser Perry (02:26)
3. The Rescue Plan—Daring Improvisation
- Officers scrambled for a rescue solution amidst heavy risks of further casualties.
- Tom O'Malley, Apache pilot, proposed an untested, makeshift solution—strapping four volunteers onto the outside of Apache helicopters using extraction strops:
- “Get me four Marines and I will take them in and we'll get that boy home.” (02:31)
- On the method: “We used to carry with us extraction strops...needs must. This is an emergency...Instead of just taking people away, we'll take people in using that same method.” (05:10)
- The plan was unprecedented and improvised under duress:
- “How many times have you done this before?”—“We've never done it before...never trained for it.” (06:25)
4. Command Decisions and Moral Weight
- Lt. Gen. Rob McGowan (then Lt. Colonel) describes the lonely burden of command, having to greenlight a plan that could easily lead to more deaths:
- “I knew that I was in danger of losing another eight people, two helicopters. This would be a disaster for the mission...I'd never in my whole life felt so alone.” (07:05)
- “I was effectively sentencing people to one of the most dangerous missions that they would ever embark upon.” (07:50)
5. Volunteering for a Near-Suicidal Mission
- Multiple soldiers describe the instant, overwhelming willingness to volunteer for the hazardous rescue, exemplified by an unbreakable sense of brotherhood:
- “Everyone volunteered. The four guys that went all volunteered.” – Dave Rigg (12:06)
- “Absolutely everyone. Wasn't a person without the hand up.” – Captain Chris Fraser Perry (12:12)
- The strong bonds within Zulu Company were a motivating force:
- “It was that close-knit brotherhood of looking after each other.” (10:17)
6. Guilt, Accountability, and Composure
- Dave Rigg, engineer and operations officer, discusses the shared sense of responsibility when things go wrong:
- “We were responsible for sending these guys in, so it's not a good feeling to see it all going wrong.” (09:51)
- “I guess I knew more about what I'd volunteered to do than the others...it was instinctive really.” (12:34)
- Volunteers meticulously prepared for the worst, double-checking ammunition and kit:
- “Making sure my ammo scales were all topped up, good to go because worst case scenario you'd be fighting your way out of there on your own.” – Captain Chris Fraser Perry (12:47)
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
-
On writing a farewell letter at 18:
"The worst thing I've ever done...is having to write the what if? letter at 18 years old...you're writing it almost third person in reflection of what you want to tell your mum and dad."
— Captain Chris Fraser Perry (01:24) -
On improvising under pressure:
"If you give me four Marines I will take four marines with me on my two Apache helicopters and we'll go back and get Lance Corporal Ford."
— Tom O'Malley (04:41) -
On making the call:
"I felt tremendous pressure because I was effectively sentencing people to one of the most dangerous missions that they would ever embark upon."
— Lt. Gen. Rob McGowan (07:50) -
The overwhelming sense of unity:
"Everyone volunteered. The four guys that went all volunteered."
— Dave Rigg (12:06) -
Realization before departure:
"I remember going up to [my corporal] and saying, my letter is under my pillow, my what if letter. And I think that's where it really hit me. Like, right, I'm about to sit on a helicopter and fly into a Taliban [fort]."
— Captain Chris Fraser Perry (14:06)
Timestamps for Major Segments
- 01:08 – Captain Chris Fraser Perry on the emotional toll and 'what if' letters
- 02:03 – Discovery that Matthew Ford has been left behind
- 02:31 – Tom O’Malley’s call for volunteers for the helicopter rescue
- 05:10 – Technical improvisation: using strops on Apaches for the rescue
- 06:25 – Officers debate the unprecedented risk of the operation
- 07:05 – Lt. Gen. McGowan on the burden of command and making the final decision
- 10:01 – Volunteers are called; Zulu Company’s deep bonds
- 12:06 – The rush of volunteers (Dave Rigg and Chris Fraser Perry)
- 14:06 – Personal preparation and the gravity of the mission hits home
Episode Tone and Language
The episode is deeply personal, raw, and honest, filled with military candor and emotional intensity. The speakers often interweave humor and technical talk with deep personal reflection, underscoring the stakes of combat and the complexities of leadership in crisis moments.
Conclusion
“The Fort: 2. Everyone Volunteered” provides a firsthand look into the immediacy, innovation, and emotional depth of combat rescues under fire. Through the voices of those who risked everything, the episode offers a portrait of military brotherhood and courage in the face of impossible odds.