The wild story of how SAS Rogue Heroes legend John Tonkin really escaped capture SAS Rogue Heroes is back on BBC One and in the series, Lt John Tonkin (played by Jack Barton) is captured during the fighting in Termoli.
While the series sees Tonkin take on three Germans in a bid to escape, the real Tonkin's escape was nowhere near as dramatic.
The hero was captured when his unit found themselves amongst the German army, but German officer General Heidrich invited him for a dinner to discuss the brilliance work of the SAS.
The episode sees Tonkin being led outside where a firing squad is waiting for him, but he is saved at the last minute by a sympathetic German officer.
In the series, Heidrich warned Tonkin about the Commando Order and how he wouldn't survive the next day.
