The History Podcast - The Fort: 2. Everyone Volunteered

Download The Fort: 2. Everyone Volunteered

The Fort is told solely by current and former members of the Armed Forces. Many are speaking for the first time.

A Royal Marines raid on a Taliban stronghold has been met with fierce resistance - leaving Lance Corporal Mathew Ford missing behind enemy lines.

Commander of the Information Exploitation Battlegroup Lieutenant Colonel Rob Magowan is presented with a live drone feed revealing the location of the Royal Marine. And he's warm. But a ground rescue attempt heading straight back into the hornets' nest presents formidable danger.

Attack helicopter pilot Tom O'Malley has a plan - to fly in at speed with four armed volunteers on the sides of two Apaches. They will quickly grab Mathew and deliver him to safety from under the noses of the Taliban. But fuel is low and the clock is ticking.

They need an answer now.

And Lieutenant Colonel Rob Magowan says: "Do it."

But who will go? Former Royal Engineer Captain Dave Rigg and serving Royal Marine Captain Chris Fraser-Perry take up the story.

Produced by Kev Core

Published on Monday, 8th September 2025.

Available Podcasts from The History Podcast

Subscribe to The History Podcast

We are not the BBC, we only list available podcasts. To find out more about the programme including episodes available on BBC iPlayer, go to the The History Podcast webpage.