How old school mercs rolled. SAS Col. Jim Johnson staying zero in Yemen while running clandestine operations against the Egyptians in the early 60s.
In 1961, with unrest growing within the Middle East, Jim was asked by David Stirling (founder of the SAS) to "put something together" without any government approval. In short, he meant to go to Yemen, destroy MIG aircrafts and put out an all out guerrilla warfare against the Egyptian forces.
Jim simply replied: "Well, yes, I’ve got nothing particular to do in the next few days. I might have a go.’ The next day, a $5000 check from the Yemeni Foreign Minister was deposited into his bank, so Jim did what any normal person would do: he quit his job as a Lloyd's underwriter, came home to find caches of unmarked weapons, hired a few ex SAS and French Mercenaries and went off to Yemen to introduce fuckers to the Zero Life.
While they were changing planes in Libya, one of the suitcases broke open and rolls of plastic explosive spilled out; he explained that the substance was marzipan, and the Libyans obligingly helped with the repacking.
Once in Yemen, Jim and his team would eventually conduct a 3 year guerrilla campaign, which included from training, logistics, raids, reconnaissance and more. The hostilities became a war of attrition which eventually led to a stalemate. Nevertheless, the Egyptians lost 10,000 men, partially because of the involvement of Jim and his mercenaries.
During his final audience with a member of the royal family prior to leaving Yemen, he had made two requests. These were for the orderly disposal of the heavy weapons, particularly mortars, under his control, and for his men to receive an enhanced month's severance pay.
He had added: "French mercenaries have a habit of blowing up the aircraft of national airlines if they don't get paid properly." Both his requests were granted. Jim passed away in 2008 and he's also credited for creating Britain's first post-war private military company. #merclife #stayzero #zerofoxtrot