As a war reporter for two decades and having been diagnosed with PTSD myself, I can’t help but feel a deep connection to the stories of those who served behind enemy lines during World War II. Their experiences were far from light-hearted entertainment, despite the increasing popularity of books about improbable missions. PTSD didn’t exist as a diagnosis back then, and many soldiers came home only to self-medicate with alcohol.
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One explanation for Rishi Sunak’s loss in the recent election could be the public’s strong disapproval over his absence from the 80th anniversary D-Day commemorations in Normandy in June. This incident might serve as a reminder of how deeply the Second World War continues to influence Britain.
“Yes, I attended some D-Day commemorations and found them incredibly emotional,” Lewis shares. “What stood out to me was how authentic it felt. The presence of a few remaining veterans added to the experience. However, I believe the recent conflict in Ukraine intensified its reality for me. It’s a fight for our democratic values that resonates deeply.”
As a cinema devotee, I’ve always been captivated by the intricacies of society and politics portrayed in films. But recently, I’ve found myself disturbed by a troubling development – the growing electoral influence of the far-right in France. It’s a chilling realization, one that hits home as I reflect on my visit to the Normandy beaches not long ago. A place where we remind ourselves of the immense sacrifices made for freedom and democracy – things we often take for granted.
In his 2014 publication, “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” by Lewis, some lessons concerning covert activities during the war were imparted. One tale derived from this book recounts Operation Postmaster (executed in 1942), where British agents aimed to seize German and Italian vessels in a Spanish enclave situated off the western African coast. This anecdote has been adapted into a film titled “Operation Postmaster,” directed by Guy Ritchie, featuring Henry Cavill as the innovative undercover agent Gus March-Phillipps and Alex Pettyfer portraying his right-hand man, Geoffrey Appleyard.
As a cinema enthusiast, I’ve noticed an intriguing trend in recent wartime dramas: productions that delve into unique covert operations. For instance, “Operation Mincemeat” – both the movie and the West End musical – employ a deceitful tactic using a stolen corpse to confuse Hitler. Another example is the BBC1 series, “SAS: Rogue Heroes,” which follows a group of misfits and killers as they operate behind enemy lines in North Africa.
“He replied with a mix of affirmation and negation. Some Americans who have seen the movie since its release expressed outrage over the film’s portrayal of the book. On the contrary, my entire family, including my 15-year-old daughter and youngest member, enjoyed it immensely during our watch.”
weren’t some SAS and SOE missions in the screen adaptations implausibly funny or hard to believe? “Yes, spot on,” Lewis concurs. “A key principle of the SAS and SOE was not just imagining the impossible but making it a reality. If you had a far-fetched idea, it was worth considering. If you could accomplish something seemingly unachievable, then logically the opposition wouldn’t have anticipated it and would be caught off guard. Even now, those units hold that philosophy.”
Democracy still has to be fought for every day
The quotations from these various adaptations contain remarks akin to “March-Phillipps and his ilk are utterly mad!” According to the speaker, this is no exaggeration. Instead, they all were unconventional, even crazy individuals. Upon closer examination, one encounters numerous instances of quirky British behavior and courage.
There’s a concern that portrayals of wartime victories may give a false sense of simplicity, implying British morality and dominance, which could be misleading when referencing more complex conflicts where Western involvement isn’t clear-cut. As Lewis warns, “it might result in complacency.” I fervently hope that we aren’t exhibiting such complacency now, and instead remain resilient in our commitment to safeguarding our freedoms.
Additionally, it’s worth noting that as we transform the Second World War into more entertaining forms, there’s growing recognition of the psychological harm endured by countless survivors. Lewis is particularly attuned to this matter.
As a cinephile who went through the harrowing experience of being diagnosed with PTSD six years ago due to my tenure as a war reporter, I’m open about sharing my story. To better understand the depth of trauma portrayed in my trilogy about SAS founder Paddy Mayne, I invited Ros Townsend, an esteemed expert on PTSD, for her insight. The men in these narratives were often left behind enemy lines, grappling with the uncertainty of survival through thirst, hunger, or death at the hands of the enemy. They were forced to commit unspeakable acts in close combat. Ros pointed out that just one such mission could cause PTSD, and some of these soldiers endured this for five years. Heartbreakingly, many of them returned home only to succumb to alcoholism as a coping mechanism.
PTSD wasn’t recognized as a diagnosis following the war; instead, they identified a condition called “psycho-neurosis.” The treatment for this condition was administered through electric shocks. As a war reporter for two decades, Lewis confesses to having taken considerable risks and witnessed horrifying events. These experiences undoubtedly influenced his writing. When interviewing individuals who have experienced combat, there is a shared understanding between us.
Currently, lists of top-selling non-fiction books frequently feature works recounting extraordinary Second World War missions penned by authors like Lewis or colleagues Ben McIntyre and Max Hastings. It seems that this trend in publishing has been fueled by the recent declassification of documents related to these previously hidden missions.
“Lewis remarks, ‘While this period may not be a golden era for firsthand war accounts, it excels in documentation.’ He frequently encounters unopened files at the National Archives in Kew or their counterparts in the US and France. Since no one alive today can explain why a file was sealed away for 150 years post-war, it’s rare that such a request is denied. In almost every instance, the file is granted access, albeit with some redactions. I’ve encountered only one file that the authorities stubbornly refused to disclose; they didn’t provide reasons, but my assumption is that it likely contained information about a still-living intelligence officer.”
In October, his upcoming book titled “SAS: Daggers Drawn” will be released, detailing the role of the SAS in liberating the Belsen concentration camp. Contrary to typical author’s expectations, Lewis shares a significant revelation: “The SAS members went there to save one of their own. An SAS soldier was imprisoned in Belsen. They didn’t know what awaited them, but upon arrival, they were confronted with the shocking reality of the concentration camps.”
For Lewis, having a famous name like Chris Evans (radio presenter), Brian Cox (actor), and Tom Holland (historian) who share their names with a Hollywood star, an astronomer, and Spider-Man respectively, can be confusing. He often gets mistaken for someone else, despite the differences in their first names. Young women who admire Lewis’s acting in “Band of Brothers” frequently write to ask if he’s single, while he jokes that he doesn’t receive letters from those asking about the history of the SAS from him.
Recently, I’ve been approached by a publisher and a film production company with an intriguing request – they want me, Damian Lewis, to pen down my own life story as a war reporter. The idea of seeing myself portray the role of Damien Lewis in a film is amusing, but there’s a catch: I’m not particularly fond of writing about myself. It’s not that I have PTSD holding me back; instead, I simply enjoy sharing the experiences and tales of others who have bravely lived through wars.
The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare by Damien Lewis is published by Quercus
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2024-07-19 16:43