The Rat Patrol

More a case of The Dirty Quartet than The Dirty Dozen, The Rat Patrol was a gung-ho, dust-blown World War Two action series that aired on the American ABC network from 12th September 1966 to 16th September 1968. Though it played fast and loose with historical accuracy, it served up a potent cocktail of action, explosions, and camaraderie – squarely aimed at a generation raised on war comics and cinema blockbusters.

Set in the blistering North African desert, The Rat Patrol followed an unruly elite unit of four Allied soldiers – three Americans and one Englishman – operating as part of the Long Range Desert Group in a never-ending battle against General Rommel’s formidable Afrika Korps. The leader of the pack was the tough, unorthodox Sergeant Sam Troy, portrayed with gritty charisma by Christopher George. His British counterpart, Jack Moffitt – demolitions expert and gentleman soldier – was played by Garry Raymond, already familiar to audiences from Jason and the Argonauts.

Rounding out the team were Lawrence P. Casey as Mark Hitchcock, a young private attempting to shake off an unfortunate “sissy” reputation, and Justin Tarr as Tully Pettigrew – a likeable con man with lethal instincts. Together, they tore across the desert in two heavily armed jeeps, spraying gunfire and tossing grenades with gleeful abandon.

The series' principal antagonist, Capt. Hans Dietrich – a cunning and at times honourable officer of the German forces – was memorably played by Hans Gudegast. Under the later stage name Eric Braeden, he would go on to enjoy a prolific career in American television, most notably as Victor Newman in The Young and the Restless. The dynamic between Dietrich and the Patrol was often surprisingly complex, with episodes occasionally requiring both sides to join forces against a common foe – typically the “bloodthirsty” local Arab tribes, a regrettably dated trope by modern standards.

Though the plotlines rarely strayed from formula – ambush, escape, sabotage, repeat – what made The Rat Patrol stand out was its relentless pace and sense of visual authenticity. Rather than rely on Hollywood backlots, the production was filmed on location in the sun-scorched deserts of Spain, utilising leftover props and military equipment from major films like Battle of the Bulge and The Great Escape. This gave the series an edge of gritty realism that helped offset its more fanciful elements.

While undeniably a product of its time – full of machismo, minimal moral complexity, and a cavalier approach to history – The Rat Patrol delivered what it promised: rugged, explosive, fast-moving adventure. Bolstered by a strong cast, decent writing, and striking locations, it remains a fondly remembered slice of war-era escapism, best enjoyed for its action-packed spirit rather than any lessons in military accuracy.