Meet the real SAS Rogue Heroes

SAS Rogue Heroes is coming to BBC One on October 30 and the six-part drama is based on Ben Macintyre’s book of the same name. The story documents the creation of the Special Forces unit, following Lieutenant David Stirling (played by Connor Swindells) and his comrades. Some of the characters are based on real-life war heroes and Express.co.uk has all the insight.David Stirling was a Scottish officer in the British Army who was the founder of the Special Air Service (SAS).He was active in service during the Second World War and was convinced a small team of highly trained soldiers could launch a surprise attack on several targets in a single night.He entered Middle East headquarters in Cairo in an effort to take his idea to the very top, by speaking to Commander-in-Chief General Sir Claude Auchinleck.While the Germans and Italians worried about a ‘desert air regiment’ that couldn’t exist, Stirling and his fellow founders John ‘Jock’ Lewes and Paddy Mayne found other ways of coming through the dunes. Stirling’s new special operations unit was given a first operation to relieve a nearby New Zealand regiment of tents, bedding, tables, chairs and a piano. After at least four trips, they had all the supplies they needed.He died in November 1990, aged 74.In the series, the hero is played by Connor Swindells, a 26-year-old actor recognised for his role as Adam Groff in Netflix’s Sex Education.He took to Instagram to pay tribute to the Lieutenant-Colonel, saying: “What a privilege to have stepped into the sandy boots of David Stirling. I can’t wait for everyone to see this. It’s almost time.”READ MORE: Peaky Blinders’ boss releases trailer for new show SAS: Rogue Heroes SAS Rogue Heroes: Jock, David and Paddy were the founders (Image: BBC) SAS Rogue Heroes: David Stirling is played by Connor Swindells (Image: BBC) SAS Rogue Heroes: Jock Lewes is played by Alfie Allen (Image: BBC)Jock Lewes was a British Army officer during the Second World War and he was the founding principal training officer of the Special Air Service.David Stirling described him as someone who was just as much a founding member of the SAS as him.He was known for creating the SAS explosive device known as the Lewes bomb, and he was killed on the battlefield in December 1941, aged 28.The National Army Museum said: “Lieutenant ‘Jock’ Lewes was a dedicated professional soldier who excelled as a special forces officer.”As the co-founder of the Special Air Service (SAS), he played a vital role in establishing the unit’s ethos and high standards of training and discipline.”In the series, he is played by Alfie Allen, a 36-year-old actor known for playing Theon Greyjoy in Game of Thrones.He also went on to play Brett Collins in White House Farm.DON’T MISS… Strictly’s Nikita Kuzmin issues warning to Ellie Simmonds over routine [VIDEO] Ellie Simmonds calls for change to Strictly’s Sunday format [INSIGHT] Supervet Noel Fitzpatrick leaves BBC Breakfast viewers ‘heartbroken’ [DISCUSSION]  SAS Rogue Heroes: Dudley Clarke is played by Dominic West (Image: BBC) SAS Rogue Heroes: Paddy Mayne is played by Jack O’Connell (Image: BBC)Reg was an SAS sergeant major who was one of the first members to join the Special Air Service.He has since been recognised with new street signs in his home village of Ely, as Wendy Fox, chair of Stuntney Village Council, explained.She told the Ely Standard: “His dangerous missions during the war earned him very prestigious gallantry awards.’It is with great pride that we see one of our locals remembered; he is very well-decorated and is one of our claims to fame.’He went from farm hand at 14 to squadron sergeant major in the SAS and was part of the service’s first operation in Libya during the Battle of Gazala.Reg was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal when he was one of two survivors after a truck carrying 24 of his platoon was hit by a mortar round in Italy in 1943.The hero died aged 78 in March 1999.In the series, he is played by Theo Barklem-Biggs, known for his roles in World War One drama Our World War and the comedy prison series Crims.Walter Essner and Herbert BrücknerWalter Essner and Herbert Brückner were German prisoners of war and Walter was a sergeant when he was captured in late 1941.They claimed to be anti-Nazi and was recruited as an agent, assigned to train the Jewish volunteers in German procedures and jargon.In the series, Walter is played by Paul Boche, a 35-year-old German actor known for Zazy and Rondo.Herbert is played by Moritz Jahn, a German actor and musician known for his role in the Netflix series, Dark.SAS: Rogue Heroes airs on BBC One on Sundays at 9pm.