Frustrated with the military command and their handling of war in North Africa David Stirling and Jock Lewes formulate a plan to parachute men into the desert to attack enemy forces from behind the front line.

Whilst recovering in hospital Stirling ruminates on Lewes’ idea to attack the enemy from behind and hatches an audacious plan to get approval for their unit from General Auchinleck at GHQ.

The newly-recruited members of the SAS embark on a disastrous and devastating first mission but, determined to prove their strategy will work, they prepare to try again.

As the SAS reputation spreads among the Axis Italian and German forces, another daring mission results in a shocking and devastating loss to the team.

Paddy initiates the Free French soldiers with some unorthodox training methods as Stirling leads a raid on Benghazi accompanied by the Prime Minister’s son, Randolph Churchill.

A meeting with Winston Churchill sees the SAS embark on their most daring operation to date. While success sees them achieve official status, Stirling receives some terrible news.