'Operation Barras, 10th September 2000. D Squadron 22 Special Air Service Regiment conducting the rescue of the hostages held by the rebel West Side Boys at Gberi Bana, Sierra Leone'

Colour photolithograph after David Rowlands, 2001. Published by Saville Fine Arts, Bristol, 2001 (c).

The dramatic climax of the hostage rescue mission 'Operation BARRAS' was a helicopter assault on the village of Gberi Bana. A Special Forces team fast roped down from the helicopters into the heart of the village and raced to get to the hostages before they could be executed. Against the odds, the hostages were all rescued and no helicopters were shot down, although one soldier was killed.