KevMc

Talking at work today about old TV series, and a friend who's in his 50's swears he remembers a WWII series from the very early '70s. It was apparently US made and set in the North African desert. Why he says he remembers it was because it caused a stir among British veterans at the time (Yanks taking credit for British exploits etc.).

He thought it was called something like 'The Desert Rats', (obviously not the famous film) possibly starring George Peppard. I think he's getting his wires crossed and is referring to the film 'Tobruk', that George Peppard was in with Rock Hudson. A search on the IMDB seems to confirm this, but I thought I'd ask on here in case he is indeed correct. Anybody remember such a series?

Marky B

It sounds like Tobruk. I remember a scene involving Royal Navy officers and their uniform was more American than British.
Ta Ta
Marky B

I once shot an elephant in my pyjamas - how he got in my pyjamas,I'll never know

plasticjock

This was an American series shown on BBC in 1967 called 'The Rat Patrol' and gave the impression that it was this small unit and not the Long Range Desert Group, Popski's Private Army or the S.A.S that took on the Afrika Korps or the Italians behind the lines but this group of Yanks in jeeps.
There was an public and press outcry and it was dropped by the Beeb after only a few episodes.
I saw a few episodes but all I can remember is the flashy intro showing jeeps flying over the tops of sand dunes.
A quick look on IMdb reminds me that Gary Raymond played the 'token' Britisher.

KevMc

Thanks for that. It's cleared up the mystery. I had a look just now on the IMDB, and it seems that the series ran for 59 episodes in the US between '66 and '68. I noticed from your screencaps that Christopher George was in it - he appeared in a few of John Wayne's later films, among others. Also Eric Braeden seems to have been the German lead in it. I had absolutely no knowledge of the series myself - I was born in '67 - but I pride myself on a pretty good knowledge of 'classic' TV. I really thought that Steve was mistaken, but he seemed so sure of his facts that it seemed worth asking. Once again many thanks, Kev.

716Jones

I remember the series quite well, in my circle it was always known as The Tw*t Patrol. There was a film too, I remember, it was the supporting feature (!) to the Mick Jagger version of Ned Kelly.

KevMc

Just had another browse on the IMDB after reading your post, and you're right about there being a film. It was called 'Massacre Harbour' from '69, and was apparently 2 episodes of the series edited together and released theatrically. This practice was used to give us the 8 'Man From UNCLE' films between '64 and '68.

Doc

Hi there,
I do have the complete two seasons of the Rat Patrol transferred to DVD if interested in a trade.
Best wishes to all for the holidays
The Doc

jed

I've just joined up - I was looking for 'Desert Rats' which I remembered watching as kid and have never been able to find - now I know why - it's called Rat Patrol.

My mum and dad wanted to stop me watching because it was too violent (I was 9 at the time) - was that the reason it was taken off the BBC?

cheers

Jed

716Jones

No Jed, the reason it was taken off was because it was sh*t. (Am I allowed to say that?)

Jonesy