The Feather Men by Sir Ranulph Fiennes. Dell Books,1994 ISBN 0-440-21784-9 A controversial documentary of bizarre circumstances -- often so implausible that you will be unable to believe the facts as revealed. The author, after prolonged research, is adamant that he has uncovered the obscure world of professional assassins and the circumstances that drive both them and their client to seek revenge against members of Britain's elite special forces -- the SAS. In an increasingly complex world, many intriguing fictions are written about secret and shadowlike organizations - but none have captured my imagination like The Feather Men. Sir Ranulph Fiennes has combined his talent as an experienced writer with knowledge of military matters obtained in many theaters of warfare, notably as a member of Britain's Special Air Service, the SAS. Rarely can an author have been presented with a more sinister plot, involving systematic assassination of both ex- and active members of the regiment. Sir Ranulph was completely unaware of the existence of the hired executioners until unwittingly one dark night in the Devon countryside he became a potential victim of the assassins. How, you may ask, can one of the world's most secretive military organizations be infiltrated, its detailed history of covert actions exposed and its members relentlessly hunted and ruthlessly murdered? The "Feather Men" is Sir Ranulph's' story of how he escaped death and the officially commissioned history of the Feather Men, an organization committed to defending the defenders. The intrigue stems from two sources, the first in the manner of summary execution -- premeditated and calculated with great cunning for the sole purpose of leaving no suspicious circumstances -- to be passed off as an accidental death. The second being the motive of the assassins, being employed by a wealthy Omani businessman whose sole motivation is vengeance, to settle a 20 year old family blood feud -- the ritual, peculiar to Oman and Yemen, called the thaa'r. The book is written as a mixture of fiction and blood curdling narrative of close quarter engagements fought in hostile conditions against numerically superior forces. During the 1960s the Soviet backed "Popular Front for the Liberation of Oman" (PFLO) was fighting a particularly nasty terrorist war against the oppressive Sultan of Oman. For a time the Marxists proved to be both formidable and invincible opponents, in 1969 they came within an ace of taking over the whole of the Dhofari Region of southern Oman. In 1970 the (current) Omani leader, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, exiled his father, declared an amnesty for the PFLO and commenced a policy of bringing Oman out of the dark ages. Many PFLO members formed armed bands, under government control, to fight their ex-comrades in arms. Thereafter the PFLO fought a bitter campaign for the next decade until eventually beaten by the then revolutionary tactics of deep strikes into Marxist held territory by small, elite groups of specialists, combined with a campaign to win the "hearts and minds" of the general populace. The Sultans' Armed Forces (SAF) were formed in 1952, under a British command structure, which, in the late 60s and early 70s, spearheaded the fight against the Marxist "Adoo". In 1975, Amr bin Issa was the 47 year old Sheikh of the Bait Jarboat tribe in Dhofar. A successful businessman, he had achieved both great wealth and prestige. During the terrorist uprising of the 60s and 70s Amr and his sons had fought for the PFLO at a great personal cost -- four of his six sons perished at the hands of the SAF. Amr lost his first son on October 18, 1969, a second in 1972 and finally two more sons in 1975. After the 1974 death of his second wife in childbirth, the grieving Amr increasingly neglected his tribal duties. Seizing the opportunity the Marxists installed their own Sheikh, citing Amr's' failing abilities and failure to fulfill the tribal thaa'r. The tribe holds great store in the customary thaa'r, the settlement of blood feuds by killing the party who has eliminated your kin. Often these feuds will last for decades, both parties knowing that some day the thaa'r will have to be settled yet still exchanging the traditional Bedouin pleasantries during their day to day business. Dispossessed of tribal authority Amr and his closest kin were forced into a shameful exile in Dubai, thus preventing the tribe from seeking a bloody retribution for his failure to avenge the death of his sons. Prior to his death in exile, due to cancer, Amr's hope for his eldest son, Bakhait bin Amr Al-Jarboati, to restore the family honor and achieve the title of Sheikh of the Jarboati Tribe forced him to seek "professional" help to fulfill the thaa'r. Tadnams (the "Clinic") was a contract killing agency, based in London, but operating world-wide, founded by Daniel de Villiers (no relation to Sir Peter de la Billiere). De Villiers was tragically orphaned in an horrific fairground accident at the age of five. His sense of loss and horror turned him into a cold, calculating animal that thrived on his professional activities. The "Clinic's" brief from Amr in Dubai was: "Execute four men. The method of their killing should not leave the slightest suspicion, even in the minds of their closest friends. When identified, each victim should be reminded of his personal responsibility for the death of my son." To ensure compliance, all warnings and executions were to filmed and recorded. A tall order, but the fee -- $1 million for each victim and a final payment of $1 million. The "Clinic" quickly determined that all four of Amr's sons were killed in areas held by the SAF or British Army Training Teams (BATTs). The BATTs consisted of specialist groups of SAS whose official responsibility was to train the SAF. Their unofficial and secret duty was to take the fight to the PFLO communists and eradicate them. Britain being unwilling to publicly admit it was fighting its' own war against communism in the light of growing public criticism of the war in Vietnam and its sensible refusal to become embroiled in an IndoChinese conflict. Following inquiries, both in Oman and (unlikely as it may now seem) in Hereford, the regimental home of the SAS, the "Clinic" succeeded in shattering the regiment's veil of secrecy, obtaining the names of two of Amr's sons "killers". The Clinic's "Technician" (the brilliant German engineer, Mier) commenced his detailed planning for the victims downfall. Regardless of nationality, the world is full of dreamers and ex-Servicemen who, for reason of either kudos or plain machismo, like to believe that they are/were Special Forces material. We've all met them ! Fortunately real Special Forces members are quite adept at spotting impostors and treat them, at best, with contempt. Sure enough, the Clinic's interest was noted, and reported, by an alert soldier who suspected an attempted terrorist infiltration attempt: His report was fed through an unofficial line of communication until it reaches the ears of the "Feather Men". The committee of "Feather Men" were ex-members of the SAS acting as unofficial vigilantes for the protection of their regimental comrades who come under threat. If the need arose, they would use their specialist knowledge to 'peacefully' persuade the antagonists to desist. Formed in the 1950s, the committee, chaired by the mysterious "Bletchley" (whom I strongly suspect to be David Stirling the founder of the SAS) had quietly policed and maintained the peace for their comrades. Faced by a potential threat, the "Feather Men" place the "Clinic" member under surveillance, beginning a thirteen year game of cat and mouse. In 1977, the "Clinic", and their attendant surveillance, transferred to Oman. Though a warning was issued to the potential victim, the "Feather Men" were unable to prevent the death of Superintendent John Milling, Royal Oman Police, in a "flying accident". Information obtained twelve years later confirmed sabotage but it was never officially acknowledged. The following year, the "Clinic" renewed their efforts to locate the second victim, re-visiting the "watering holes" surrounding Hereford. Again they are recognized, by the same alert soldier, however, having had no feedback from his previous report he wrongly assumes that his suspicions were unfounded. Thus the fate of Major Mike Keeley was sealed. An ultra fit man, experienced in Arctic survival, he died in 1979 of what was officially called exposure during a routine SAS training exercise in Wales. The "Clinic" continued its termination activities, In 1986, with Mier's meticulous planning in its final stages, a chance meeting between a SAS friend of an intended victim and the "Clinic" alerted the "Feather Men" to another Oman related threat. Despite the warning, they were unable to prevent Major Mike Marmans' death in a pre-arranged "accidental" car crash. Both Mier and a "Feather Man" were killed during a skirmish following this episode, the "Clinic" successfully removing all traces of evidence. By now the full attention of the "Feather Men" was focused on bringing their cunning and elusive prey to justice. During May, 1987 the committee of "Feather Men" were made aware of further activity by the "Clinic". Preparations were made to meet the threat, constant surveillance of the intended victim began, a warning was issued, and contact between the potential victim and his protectors was established. Despite the best laid plans "shit happens." The victim, who suffered from epilepsy following a PFLO land mine attack, was in a drugged sleep when his assassins arrived. Corporal 'Mac' died a painfully violent death, the verdict however was "Death due to asphyxiation during an epileptic attack". Once again the "Clinic" had stayed one step ahead of the pack of hounds and the "Feather Men" had failed. Shortly afterwards the "Feather Men" had their first success, following their previous inquiries they were tipped-off about the location of the "Clinic's" researcher who was living close to Hereford. Surprisingly the "Clinic" member in a compromising position in a classic 'snatch' operation, the terrorist was apprehended. What followed could be only described as a bitter disappointment: Before he could be 'debriefed' by the committee the "Clinic" member ingeniously attempted escape -- right into the path of a speeding 40 tonne truck. The resultant police investigation, whilst detecting no signs of the "Feather Men's" activity caused a severe embarrassment to Bletchley, he felt his purist principles had been sabotaged. The majority of the committee agreed with Bletchley, and despite their natural appetite for justice the "Feather Men" were disbanded, all records destroyed. It was as if they had never existed. Unofficially some ex-members of the "Feather Men" were silently hoping for the chance of obtaining justice - but would the chance ever arise? How did the Author become embroiled in this affair? How did Sir Ranulph survive the attempt on his life by such dedicated experts? And how is it that the story of the "Feather Men" ever come to light? The answers to all of these questions lie within the pages of Sir Ranulph's fascinating book, a story recalling the defeat of guerrillas not by superior numbers and technology - but the factual deeds of small numbers of men faced with adverse conditions in-extremis. Take the time to read the book and you will get a first hand account of what it is like to fight, and survive (or not) in close encounters of the terrorist kind. You will discover unknown events, such as the Egyptian use of nerve gas and battles that were fought but never officially recognized until some four years after the ultimate victory of the SAF. These insights into the Oman terrorist war and the heroic deeds of the central characters allow us to feel respect for those who have fought and survived only to fall victim of the Thaa'r. A fascinating insight into the workings of international terrorism, little known military operations and a stern reminder for all military personnel -- never let your guard down, and only reveal information on a 'need to know' basis. Idle talk does cost lives. Once you open the book you will not want to put it down. Back to Cry Havoc #11 Table of Contents Back to Cry Havoc List of Issues Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 1995 by David W. Tschanz. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com