What SAS Patrols Were Really Like | Vietnam SAS Veteran Shares His Story! Paddy Backsai.
War Whispers
39,676 views
Arpad Bacskai (Paddy) - Interviewed on 30th June 2004
In this candid podcast-style conversation, Paddy recounts his time operating with the SAS in Vietnam — including jungle patrols, ambushes, and the realities of small-team operations deep in hostile territory. He speaks openly about the dangers of dense jungle warfare, the tactics required to survive, and the constant awareness of mortality faced by soldiers on SAS patrols.
The interview also explores Paddy’s return home after the war and the difficult reception many Vietnam veterans experienced, including his personal experience with the local RSL. This is a raw and honest account of service, sacrifice, and the long-term impact of war.
timestamps
0:00:00 – Early Life and Origins
0:01:59 – Training at Kapooka
0:04:34 – Rejoining the Regulars for Borneo
0:05:06 – The "Right Hook" to Vietnam
0:08:28 – The SAS "Cadre" (Selection)
0:13:27 – Understanding the Enemy
0:18:14 – A Violent Welcome
0:22:07 – First Patrol & Tactical Shifts
0:24:16 – Equipment & The "Elephant Gun"
0:36:59 – The Intelligence Picture
0:42:25 – Breaking Contact
0:57:51 – The Crossbow Incident & The Young Boy
01:05:22 – The "Tunnel of Sound" Extraction
01:14:03 – A Close Call with an AK-47
01:37:43 – Training the Next Batch
01:56:42 – The Homecoming & RSL Rejection
02:08:28 – Agent Orange & Health Legacies
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@warwhispersyt
💥 Support the Australian War Memorial & help preserve veteran stories:
🔗 https://awm.my.salesforce-sites.com/d...
📌Watch the full interview here
🔗 https://australiansatwarfilmarchive.u...
#VietnamWar #AustralianArmy #SAS #sas #WarStories #VietnamVeterans #CombatLeadership #WarWhispersPodcast
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I'm ex RAAF, I joined at the age of 17, 1973
What SAS Patrols Were Really Like | Vietnam SAS Veteran Shares His Story! Paddy Backsai.
War Whispers
39,676 views
Arpad Bacskai (Paddy) - Interviewed on 30th June 2004
In this candid podcast-style conversation, Paddy recounts his time operating with the SAS in Vietnam — including jungle patrols, ambushes, and the realities of small-team operations deep in hostile territory. He speaks openly about the dangers of dense jungle warfare, the tactics required to survive, and the constant awareness of mortality faced by soldiers on SAS patrols.
The interview also explores Paddy’s return home after the war and the difficult reception many Vietnam veterans experienced, including his personal experience with the local RSL. This is a raw and honest account of service, sacrifice, and the long-term impact of war.
timestamps
0:00:00 – Early Life and Origins
0:01:59 – Training at Kapooka
0:04:34 – Rejoining the Regulars for Borneo
0:05:06 – The "Right Hook" to Vietnam
0:08:28 – The SAS "Cadre" (Selection)
0:13:27 – Understanding the Enemy
0:18:14 – A Violent Welcome
0:22:07 – First Patrol & Tactical Shifts
0:24:16 – Equipment & The "Elephant Gun"
0:36:59 – The Intelligence Picture
0:42:25 – Breaking Contact
0:57:51 – The Crossbow Incident & The Young Boy
01:05:22 – The "Tunnel of Sound" Extraction
01:14:03 – A Close Call with an AK-47
01:37:43 – Training the Next Batch
01:56:42 – The Homecoming & RSL Rejection
02:08:28 – Agent Orange & Health Legacies
📌 Subscribe for more Australian war stories!
@warwhispersyt
💥 Support the Australian War Memorial & help preserve veteran stories:
🔗 https://awm.my.salesforce-sites.com/d...
📌Watch the full interview here
🔗 https://australiansatwarfilmarchive.u...
#VietnamWar #AustralianArmy #SAS #sas #WarStories #VietnamVeterans #CombatLeadership #WarWhispersPodcast