On July 19, 1972, a remarkable battle unfolded near the small town of Mirbat in southern Oman. In this intense conflict, nine SAS soldiers bravely defended against waves of attacks from over 250 insurgents for seven grueling hours. Despite losing two of their own, the SAS managed to repel the enemy, forcing them to retreat. This heroic stand is often compared to the legendary Battle of the Alamo, earning it the nickname “The Alamo of the SAS.”
Before the British SAS arrived, Oman, then known as the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman, was embroiled in a civil war. Since 1963, the royal government had been battling the Marxist Dhofar Liberation Front, which sought to establish an independent republic in the Dhofar province. By the late 1960s, with support from the communist government of Yemen, the insurgents had gained control over much of the province.
In 1970, the newly formed Omani government sought assistance from the British to regain control. The British, with their own interests in the region, especially concerning oil fields, sent the SAS to help train the Sultan of Oman’s armed forces. This mission, known as Operation Storm, involved providing intelligence support and training local Dhofaris to fight alongside the Sultan’s forces.
On the morning of July 19, 1972, the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian Gulf, which succeeded the Dhofar Liberation Front, launched an attack on Mirbat. The town was defended by a barbed wire perimeter, guarded by a small group of local Dhofari gendarmerie and nine SAS soldiers from B Squadron. The gendarmerie, mostly inexperienced and equipped with outdated rifles, relied heavily on the SAS for defense.
Four companies of ADU fighters approached Mirbat’s outskirts early that day. Their first encounter was with the Dhofari gendarmerie, who were caught off guard while asleep. The ADU’s support weapons company then began shelling the defense perimeter.
Inside the SAS house, the soldiers were jolted awake by the explosions. Initially thinking it was a drill, they quickly realized the gravity of the situation and prepared for battle. Staff Sergeant Talayasi Labalaba, affectionately known as “Lava,” rushed to the gendarmerie fort, while Captain Mike Keeley climbed onto the roof to assess the situation.
Despite being vastly outnumbered, the SAS soldiers fought valiantly, using all available weapons, including artillery. Tragically, Staff Sergeant Lava was killed during the battle, and the situation became increasingly desperate. However, air support and reinforcements from G Squadron eventually arrived, turning the tide in favor of the SAS.
After several hours of fierce combat, the ADU fighters withdrew, marking the end of the battle. The SAS counted 38 dead ADU soldiers, though the actual number was likely over 80. The defeat at Mirbat was a significant blow to the ADU, and they never attempted to capture the town again.
The bravery of the nine SAS soldiers and their allies was extraordinary, holding their ground for nearly seven hours against overwhelming odds. Despite the success, the British government kept its involvement in Oman under wraps, and the SAS soldiers waited three years for their well-deserved recognition.
Captain Mike Keeley was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, and other SAS soldiers received various honors. Staff Sergeant Talayasi Labalaba was posthumously mentioned in dispatches, with many believing he deserved the Victoria Cross for his heroism.
In October 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex unveiled a statue of Labalaba in Fiji during their Australian tour, honoring his bravery and the legacy of the Battle of Mirbat.
Research more about the Battle of Mirbat and its significance in military history. Prepare a short presentation to share with the class, highlighting key events, strategies used by the SAS, and the impact of the battle on the Dhofar conflict.
Engage in a role-playing exercise where you and your classmates simulate the defense of Mirbat. Assign roles such as SAS soldiers, Dhofari gendarmerie, and insurgents. Discuss strategies and decision-making processes that might have occurred during the battle.
Participate in a debate about the ethics of foreign military intervention, using the British involvement in Oman as a case study. Consider the motivations, outcomes, and long-term effects of such interventions on local populations and international relations.
Write a creative piece from the perspective of an SAS soldier during the Battle of Mirbat. Describe the emotions, challenges, and experiences faced during the intense seven-hour defense. Share your story with the class.
Analyze a map of Oman during the Dhofar conflict. Identify key locations, including Mirbat, and discuss their strategic importance. Consider how geography influenced the tactics and outcomes of the conflict.
**Sanitized Transcript:**
**Battle of Mirbat: The Alamo of the SAS**
On July 19, 1972, an extraordinary battle took place near the small town of Mirbat in southern Oman. A group of nine SAS soldiers fought off waves of attacks by over 250 insurgents in a battle that lasted for seven hours. Two SAS soldiers were killed in the action, but the enemy was repelled and forced to withdraw. Exceptional gallantry was shown by this small force, and the battle deserved to be known as the Alamo of the SAS.
The Sultanate of Oman, previously known as the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman, was in a state of civil war before the British SAS arrived in the country. From 1963, the royal government was in conflict with the Marxist Dhofar Liberation Front, which aimed to create an independent republic in Oman’s southernmost province of Dhofar. By the late 1960s, the insurgents, supported by the communist government of Yemen, had established control over most of the province.
In 1970, to regain control of the country, the newly established Omani government sought help from the British, who had their own political and commercial interests in the region, particularly control of the oil fields. As a result, the British government sent Special Air Service (SAS) teams to Oman to assist in training the Sultan of Oman’s armed forces. Their activities, codenamed Operation Storm, included intelligence support and helping to recruit and train local Dhofaris to fight for the Sultan.
On July 19, 1972, the fighters of the Popular Front for the Liberation of the Occupied Arabian Gulf, successors of the Dhofar Liberation Front, attacked the town of Mirbat. The town was protected by a barbed wire perimeter guarded by a handful of local Dhofari gendarmerie and a group of nine SAS soldiers from B Squadron. The gendarmerie were mostly inexperienced and armed with old rifles, making the SAS unit the only capable, battle-hardened group in the area.
Four companies of ADU fighters approached the outskirts of Mirbat early on July 19. Their first contact was with the picket of the Dhofari gendarmerie, who were camped nearby. A small ADU unit crept up and attacked the guards while they were asleep, followed by an assault from the ADU’s support weapons company, which began shelling the defense perimeter.
Inside the SAS house, the soldiers were resting when the explosions woke them up. Initially thinking it was a test, they quickly realized the seriousness of the situation and prepared for battle. Staff Sergeant Talayasi Labalaba, known as “Lava,” ran toward the gendarmerie fort, while Captain Mike Keeley climbed onto the roof to assess the situation.
As the enemy began their attack, the SAS opened fire with everything they had, including artillery. Despite being heavily outnumbered, they fought bravely. Unfortunately, Staff Sergeant Lava was killed during the battle, and the situation became dire. However, they were eventually saved by incoming air support and reinforcements from G Squadron.
After several hours of intense fighting, the ADU fighters withdrew, marking the end of the battle. The SAS counted 38 dead ADU soldiers, but the actual number was likely over 80. The defeat at Mirbat was devastating for the ADU units, and they never attempted to seize the town again.
Nine brave SAS soldiers and their allies held their positions for almost seven hours against a force of over 250 insurgents. It was a remarkable success, though not publicly recognized at the time. The British government wanted to keep its engagement in Oman as secret as possible, and the SAS soldiers had to wait three years for their earned rewards.
Captain Mike Keeley was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, and other SAS soldiers received various honors. Staff Sergeant Talayasi Labalaba was posthumously mentioned in dispatches, and many believed he deserved the Victoria Cross for his bravery.
In October 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex unveiled a statue of Labalaba in Fiji during their Australian tour.
Thank you.
Battle – A sustained fight between large organized armed forces. – The Battle of Gettysburg was a turning point in the American Civil War.
Mirbat – A town in Oman known for the Battle of Mirbat during the Dhofar Rebellion. – The Battle of Mirbat in 1972 was a significant event where a small group of SAS soldiers defended against a much larger force.
SAS – Special Air Service, a special forces unit of the British Army. – The SAS played a crucial role in the Battle of Mirbat, showcasing their elite training and bravery.
Oman – A country on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, known for its strategic military history. – During the 1970s, Oman faced internal conflict during the Dhofar Rebellion.
Insurgents – Rebels or revolutionaries who rise in active revolt against an established government. – The insurgents in the Dhofar Rebellion aimed to overthrow the Sultan of Oman.
Dhofar – A region in Oman that was the center of a rebellion from 1962 to 1976. – The Dhofar Rebellion was a significant conflict that required international intervention to suppress the insurgency.
Liberation – The act of setting someone free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression. – The liberation of Paris in 1944 marked a pivotal moment in World War II.
Soldiers – Members of an army, especially those who are not officers. – The soldiers displayed immense courage during the Normandy landings in World War II.
Recognition – Acknowledgment of the existence, validity, or legality of something. – The recognition of veterans’ contributions is essential for understanding the sacrifices made during wartime.
Legacy – Something handed down by a predecessor, often referring to cultural or historical impact. – The legacy of the Roman Empire can still be seen in modern legal and political systems.
