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40 Years Ago Today

On April 30, 1980 Six Men entered The Iranian Embassy on Prince's Gate in South Kensington London, Over-powering the Metropolitan Police Diplomatic Protection Group (DPG) PC Trevor Lock on duty at the time. Carrying a mixture of small arms and Hand-grenades, firing shots in the air, the gunman took 26 people hostage, mostly embassy staff, but also several visitors.

Over the next 5 days, as the world watched, Metropolitan Police Hostage Negotiators managed to secure the release of 5 hostages.

However behind the scenes, away from the public eye and media scrutiny the Special Air Service (SAS) headquartered near Hereford were preparing for the worst, Codenamed Operation NIMROD.

Objective, To conduct an armed assault on the Embassy to rescue the remaining hostages, neutralising any of the Six Hostage Takers whom tried to stop the rescue attempt.

On May, 1 1980, (Day 2) Two teams, from B Squadron 22 SAS Regiment, complimented by specialists from other squadrons within the Regiment arrived at holding area in Regents Park Barracks, London. There time would be used to conduct surveillance operations on the Embassy and refine their plans for an assault.

On May 5, 1980 (Day 6) Negotiations ended with the execution of The Iranian Embassy's chief press officer, Abbas Lavasani. His body was dumped outside on the steps of the Embassy for the world to see.

Shortly afterwards, the then UK Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher gave the authorisation for Operation NIMORD to be put into effect immediately.

At 19:23 May 5, 1980, two SAS teams already in position on-site, Red Team and Blue Team, simultaneous began their assault on the Embassy.

Operation NINROD lasted a total of only 17-minutes.

The SAS rescued all but one of the remaining hostages.

Killing five of the six hostage-takers.

The only surviving Hostage Taker had hidden himself in a group of Embassy staff. Once identified, he was dragged away by the SAS and hand unceremoniously over to the Metropolitan Police. For his crimes the surviving Hostage Taker was sentenced to Life Imprisonment and was paroled in 2008.

The SAS only suffered one casualty, burns to the legs of one of the Assault Team. This occurred due to the repel ropes getting snagged abseiling down the front of the Embassy as one of the windows were breached with explosives charges. However the Soldier went on to make a full recovery.

Some pictures of the lone SAS operator who helped respond to the terrorist attack at the Dusit hotel in Nairobi, Kenya yesterday.