British Army T.V series " Combat"

Wicklowrider

The thread about the Paras tv series reminded me of the "Combat" series from the early 80's. It was a series of competitions between units of the Brit army. It involved a series of military exercises testing combat, navigation and decision skills. I used to enjoy its entertainment value but it was educating and interesting to see troops reaction to pressure. Another interesting thing was how well some of the regular infantry units fared against "elite" units.

http://goo.gl/AisZy

goldie fish

I remember that. Did a lot to raise the profile of the less well known units, such as the light infantry etc. One of the better recruiting tools the British Army used over the years. Got Peak Saturday viewing slot too if I remember correctly.

cruasder777

Wicklowrider wrote: »

The thread about the Paras tv series reminded me of the "Combat" series from the early 80's. It was a series of competitions between units of the Brit army. It involved a series of military exercises testing combat, navigation and decision skills. I used to enjoy its entertainment value but it was educating and interesting to see troops reaction to pressure. Another interesting thing was how well some of the regular infantry units fared against "elite" units.

http://goo.gl/AisZy

Paras won it, RAF reg came second if I recall, Royal Green Jackets last If its the same programme.

Wicklowrider

It'd be good to run a televised international version.

Morpheus

RDF vs SAS maybe? where do i sign up!?

thecommietommy

Wicklowrider wrote: »

The thread about the Paras tv series reminded me of the "Combat" series from the early 80's. It was a series of competitions between units of the Brit army. It involved a series of military exercises testing combat, navigation and decision skills. I used to enjoy its entertainment value but it was educating and interesting to see troops reaction to pressure. Another interesting thing was how well some of the regular infantry units fared against "elite" units.

http://goo.gl/AisZy

Reminds me of the USA One Man Army which was on Discovery. One of the interesting things to me was whoever won, it tended to be about the man himself and not his background. For example they used to record how the different guys would feel their chances and talk to one another on the way to the assault course. One bloke, a big black bodybuilder and former Ranger or something was let's say, a bit cocky !!!! But when it came to the assault course he was hopeless and was left dangling on a rope they had to slide down on for several minutes like a school boy or something !!!!

Another time they had a fella from the Air Force up against former Green berets, SWAT, Marine etc. The other lads gave him a bit of a slagging about USAF as the " chair Force " , but guess who won with one of the most points scored in the series - yep the guy from the " chair Force " (it must be said he also was a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and had run marathons in his time).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Man_Army_(TV_series)