The History Podcast – "The Fort: 9. Warrior" (BBC Radio 4)

Date: September 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This harrowing episode recounts a perilous assault and a remarkable rescue mission during the conflict in Afghanistan, as experienced by commanders, soldiers, and pilots. It centers on the grueling efforts to recover the body of a fallen Marine, referred to as "Forty" (Matthew), under intense enemy fire. Through firsthand narratives, it captures the chaos, courage, and emotional toll of battle, revealing the bonds and burdens shared by those who serve on the front lines.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Rescue Mission Under Fire

• Desperation at the Scene (00:36—01:57)

  • Marine Fraser Perry details the frantic situation as they attempt to recover Forty’s body, hindered by treacherous terrain and enemy fire.
  • The environment is so hostile that even the Apaches’ shell casings rain down on them, adding to the chaos.
    • "All of his kit was snagging ... I'm making no progress and we're in the middle of a very dangerous situation." (Marine Fraser Perry, 00:36)

• A Pilot Joins the Fight (01:57—03:28)

  • Ed, the Apache pilot, leaves the safety of his cockpit to assist ground troops, showing extraordinary initiative:
    • "So I jumped out the aircraft. So we pulled him up onto the bank... It coordinated together one after another." (Narrator/Host, 02:08)
  • The intensity of incoming fire, particularly from an RPG, shocks even these seasoned soldiers:
    • "When the RPG went across the top, I said, wow, they've got it wrong in the movies. It doesn't sound like that." (Narrator/Host, 02:53)

Tactical Details and Split-Second Decisions

• Firefights and Equipment Juggles (03:28—05:54)
  • Perry picks up a pistol, discovering it belongs to the pilot, underscoring the confusion amidst combat.
  • A unique technical solution is employed: Forty’s body is secured with a loop line carabiner to the helicopter’s fuselage for evacuation.
    • "We wrapped that under his armpits around his chest, threw itself, and then clipped him onto the bottom of the fuselage." (Marine Fraser Perry, 05:20)
  • The tension as the Apaches prepare to lift off while under threat is palpable.

Command Perspective & Aftermath

• Remote Command Anxiety (05:54—06:59)

  • Colonel David Amlodipine describes waiting anxiously for the Apaches to take off—each second feeling like an eternity.
    • "I can honestly tell you it was the longest sort of four or so minutes of my life." (Colonel David Amlodipine, 06:09)

• Company Reaction & Grief (07:32—09:14)

  • The episode captures the moment when the company realizes Forty did not survive. The pilot attempts to spare the unit further trauma by landing Forty’s body gently, but the practical needs of combat persist.
    • "He does sort of gracefully fly off to one side. But... he couldn't go too far away. It had to be close to the company." (Marine Fraser Perry, 08:28)
    • WO2 Shep Shepherd describes the heart-wrenching task of confirming Forty’s death with his friends and extracting his equipment for future battles.
      • "Does everyone agree that Forty is dead? Everyone instantly says, yeah." (Shep Shepherd, 09:22)
      • "It might sound slightly cold and callous ... We'll be in a fight that night or the day after. We need to get as much kit and equipment that we can use in that fight." (Shep Shepherd, 09:27)

The Flight Home: Running on Fumes

• Evacuation Logistical Challenges (10:58—11:56)
  • Amlodipine recounts the near-disastrous fuel situation—communications fail, and the helicopters return to base nearly out of fuel.
    • "They were literally on fumes flying all the way back to Bastion... they got very close to having an engine flame out." (Colonel David Amlodipine, 11:50)
    • "As we'd got into the fuel point, the engine died." (Narrator/Host, 12:17)

Reflections and Coping with Loss

• Personal Memories and Recognition (12:30—13:49)

  • Royal Marine Jake Olafson reflects on the unique but necessary means of retrieval, expressing the emotional reality for the men.
    • "Kind of shitty, but effective because we didn't get any more casualties." (Jake Olafson, 12:44)
  • Fraser Perry shares a humble moment receiving recognition from the Company Sergeant Major, highlighting respect earned in adversity.
    • "As a young Marine from the company's art Major, that's a really big thing." (Fraser Perry, 13:45)

• Processing Grief and Continuous Combat (13:49—14:50)

  • Shep Shepherd speaks candidly about the emotional burden: there’s little time to grieve, as survival and duty must come first.
    • "There's a time to grieve and unfortunately for us, that wasn't the time. ... When we get home, then that's the time. And that doesn't stop you being sad, but it enables you to keep soldiering on." (Shep Shepherd, 14:12)

Memorable Quotes

• On the unique reality of combat:

  • "When the RPG went across the top, I said, wow, they've got it wrong in the movies. It doesn't sound like that."
    — Narrator/Ed Macy (02:53)

• On practicalities amidst grief:

  • "We're taking his night vision goggles, we're taking his personal roll radio... You’ve got a role to do, you’ve got a job to do ... The one person who would understand, he's Forty because he was a warrior."
    — Shep Shepherd (09:33)

• On coping mechanisms:

  • "There's a time to grieve and unfortunately for us, that wasn't the time... it enables you to keep soldiering on."
    — Shep Shepherd (14:12)

• Bittersweet recognition:

  • "As a young Marine from the company’s art Major, that’s a really big thing."
    — Marine Fraser Perry (13:45)

Notable Moments & Timestamps

• 00:36–01:57 — Perry recounts the urgency and chaos at the recovery site.
• 02:08–03:28 — Apache pilot Ed Macy exits the aircraft to help on the ground.
• 03:28–05:54 — The complex and dangerous process of securing and recovering the body.
• 06:09–06:59 — Colonel Amlodipine’s anxious wait for the helicopters’ departure under fire.
• 08:28–09:14 — The pilot attempts to shield the company from further trauma as they receive confirmation of Forty’s death.
• 09:14–10:58 — Practical recovery of equipment; the company’s ritual and collective grief.
• 10:58–12:19 — Near disaster in returning to base with barely any fuel remaining.
• 12:30–13:45 — Personal reflections on the mission and a rare moment of praise.
• 13:49–14:50 — The Sergeant Major’s candid reflection on battle fatigue, resilience, and deferred mourning.

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a candid, respectful, and at times starkly matter-of-fact tone—balancing technical detail with raw emotional honesty. It gives listeners an unvarnished window into the mindset of soldiers under fire, their grim humor, camaraderie, and how they process (or compartmentalize) loss.

Summary

"The Fort: 9. Warrior" vividly portrays a battle-hardened unit’s determination to bring a fallen comrade home against daunting odds. Through first-person testimony, the episode captures not only the tactical and practical realities of modern conflict but also its deep emotional toll, fraternity, and the rituals by which soldiers honor their dead while pushing on with their mission.