The History Podcast – "The Fort: 5. The Dirty Dash"

Date: September 11, 2025
Host: BBC Radio 4

Episode Overview

In "The Dirty Dash," veterans recount a harrowing combat encounter and the astonishing rescue mission that followed during the attack on Jugran Fort in Afghanistan, 2007. Through firsthand testimony from commanders, soldiers, and pilots, the episode delivers an immersive look at decision-making under fire, the bonds of comradeship, and the remarkable use of Apache helicopters in an unprecedented rescue.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Ambush at Jugran Fort

• A sudden, intense firefight:
  The operation begins with the team coming under immediate and heavy enemy fire as they approach Jugran Fort.

  • Shep Shepherd: "It was the most intense firefight I've ever been involved in." (00:45)
  • Mike Cleary: "We've been ambushed south. Get out the fort." (00:48)

• Chaos and casualties:
  Early in the contact, several soldiers are hit. The survivors are boxed in by enemy fire from multiple directions.

  • Glyn Sadler: "Five guys down. We've only just got there. This is going to be horrendous." (00:54)

• Desperate need to withdraw:
  Realizing the untenable position, leadership moves quickly to extract the soldiers to prevent further loss.

  • Shep Shepherd: "We're gonna keep on losing people if we stay here any longer. We've got to get people off this killing ground now." (00:59)

The Battlefield Reality

• No escape routes:
  Soldiers describe being pinned by fire from nearly all sides, with the river as their only barrier to a full encirclement.

  • Glyn Sadler: "There's no room, there's no space... river to our left... compound to the other side... fort to our front... various bushes and trees... I was just focusing on getting the rounds down and suppressing the enemy to our right." (01:10)

• Calm leadership amid chaos:
  The company’s resilience is bolstered by the Sergeant Major’s composed conduct under fire.

  • Dave Regg: "The sergeant major, he was just brilliant, stocky, no nonsense, brummy. He got out his vehicle and just marched around the boys, oblivious to this stream of incoming gunfire, and organized a hasty kind of withdrawal..." (03:37)

  • Shep Shepherd: "If you are just calm and walk around... it goes down through the troop commanders... corporals into the Marines. Everyone is like, well, you know, the sergeant major is obviously mad, but he's not concerned. You know, we're all right here. It's a big thing and you've got to act for ice. And it's hard, you know, it is hard." (04:11)

The Missing Man and the Reversal

• Discovering the absence:
  As the unit regroups, it's discovered that one marine, "4D," is missing, presumed left behind during withdrawal.

  • Glyn Sadler: "The word gets around that 4D is missing. So as a company, we know that the only place he could be is still back at the fort." (04:44)

• Immediate resolve to rescue:
  The group’s ethical code and camaraderie leave no question: they must go back.

  • Shep Shepherd: "It's a no brainer, we'll go in back to get him." (05:05)

  • Chris Witts: "It's not sane to run into battle at people trying to shoot and kill you. You do, quite frankly, crazy things... you can look to the left and right of you and you know 100% that these guys have got your back." (05:20)

Planning "The Dirty Dash"

• Crafting a rescue plan:
  Leaders quickly assemble for a "dirty dash" — a lightning-fast, small-force insertion to retrieve the missing marine while minimizing risk from enemy fire.

  • Chris Witts: "We formulated just a very, very quick battle plan. And the battle plan was effectively referred to as a dirty dash... 4 Viking vehic 1 section... provide what we refer to as a ring of steel... dismount the section, provide immediate cover... and recover." (07:26)

  • Jake Olufsen (on volunteering): "In the Corps, you'll find a lack of volunteers when the boss needs someone to go clean a bathroom... but especially when you've got a lad left behind... anybody would have volunteered 100%. That's who we are." (08:23)

  • Shep Shepherd: "Not one bloke didn't want to go back in. You know, just brave, brave blokes." (08:52)

• Rapid briefing and execution:
  Orders are delivered “on the bonnet” of a vehicle — speed is paramount.

  • Chris Witts: "Here's the plan... here's who's in command, here's who's second in command... Are there any questions? Okay, guys, mount up, let's roll." (09:12)

• Sudden redirection:
  Just before the team crosses the river to start the rescue, they are called off as a potential helicopter plan is considered.

  • Shep Shepherd: "Just about to go back into the river and he came over the radio, just hold... looking at another plan that might involve a helicopter." (09:37)

The Apache Rescue

• A bold new approach:
  The command decides to attempt an audacious extraction using Apache attack helicopters, placing a handful of marines on the stub wings to pull off the rescue.

  • Chris Witts: "They had come up with an alternative plan... two Apaches onto the site with Marines on the stub wings to do the recovery via helicopter instead. I'm not going to lie, I was frustrated that we had been stood down... risky, but both plans were risky." (09:56)

  • Jake Olufsen (on Apache gunships): "The Apache is a two seat attack helicopter... is not designed for passengers, it doesn't take passengers... it can loiter and maintain eyes on a specific area of ground... Apaches are just absolute game changers." (10:57)

  • Mike Cleary (on the unusual tactic): "As far as I was concerned, Apache was just a flying tank... to use them then as a rescue asset is ballsy shout, ballsy." (11:46)

• Execution and spectacle:
  The base witnesses the Apaches landing, initially unaware of the extraordinary mission unfolding.

  • Jake Olufsen: "When we saw the Apaches landing on the ground near us... all the lads were looking at it... just absolutely bizarre to see Apaches landing... didn't pay attention to them because we had no idea that this incredible rescue attempt was about to happen." (13:17, 13:53)

Aftermath and Reflection

• Relief and pride:
  The company expresses pride in their reaction and in the lengths they'd go for each other.

  • Shep Shepherd: "I was really proud of the blokes, really chuffed." (08:52)

• On decision-making under pressure:

  • Chris Witts: "The challenge with any commander on the ground is they're making these decisions in an instant... These were made on the ground with people who had been awake for dozens of hours and were trying to solve a complex problem as fast as possible whilst balancing risk." (09:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the chaos of battle:
  "Five guys down. We've only just got there. This is going to be horrendous."
  — Glyn Sadler (00:54)

• On leadership under fire:
  "The sergeant major... just marched around the boys, oblivious to this stream of incoming gunfire, and organized a hasty kind of withdrawal..."
  — Dave Regg (03:37)

• On the Apache gunships’ impact:
  "The Apaches are just absolute game changers."
  — Jake Olufsen (10:57)

• On the courage to attempt the rescue:
  "As far as I was concerned, Apache was just a flying tank... to use them then as a rescue asset is ballsy shout, ballsy."
  — Mike Cleary (11:46)

• On comradeship and purpose:
  "You can look to the left and right of you and you know 100% that these guys have got your back. They will help you out when you're down, they will save your life if you get hit, they will stop at nothing to support their fellow comrades."
  — Chris Witts (05:20)

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:39–01:10: Initial assault and intense enemy contact
• 01:10–02:05: The team's vulnerable position and withdrawal under fire
• 03:37–04:44: Leadership and company morale under chaos
• 04:44–05:20: Discovery of the missing marine
• 05:20–07:26: Immediate resolve and planning for a rescue
• 08:23–09:02: Universal willingness to volunteer for the rescue
• 09:09–09:37: Frantic preparations for "the dirty dash"
• 09:37–09:56: Mission is paused while HQ considers an air rescue
• 09:56–11:46: The Apache rescue plan is outlined and debated
• 13:17–13:53: The base witnesses the astonishing arrival and rescue tactic with Apaches

Conclusion

In "The Dirty Dash," personal stories of courage, unity, and ingenuity are foregrounded in the crucible of an Afghan firefight. The episode vividly evokes the human bonds and razor-sharp decision-making that can emerge under extreme duress — capped by the unforgettable image of elite soldiers clutching to the stub wings of Apaches in a last-ditch, groundbreaking rescue.