Key Facts
The Rat Patrol, a World War II action series that aired on ABC from September 1966, became a ratings hit in the United States but sparked significant controversy abroad. The show followed a four-man team—three Americans and one British sergeant—as they harassed German forces in North Africa. Despite its popularity, the series was criticized for historical inaccuracies and an American-centric narrative that downplayed the contributions of Allied forces.
Details of the Controversy
The real-life units that inspired the series, such as the British Long Range Desert Group and the Special Air Service, were predominantly British. Australian and New Zealand troops also played key roles. However, The Rat Patrol featured Americans as the main protagonists, which angered British and Australian viewers. The BBC, which had purchased 13 episodes, pulled the show after airing only six due to public backlash. Australian audiences were also offended, particularly because one American character wore a slouch hat—a symbol famously associated with Australian soldiers.
Impact and Legacy
In the United States, The Rat Patrol was a success, ranking in the top 10 of Nielsen ratings in October 1966—the only new series that season to achieve that feat. It ran for two seasons with 58 episodes. However, the show's revisionist history left a sour taste for some involved. Eric Braeden, who played the recurring Nazi antagonist Hans Dietrich, later expressed regret. In a 2010 interview with the Television Academy Foundation, Braeden said, "Hollywood contributed to the notion that we alone won that war." He suggested that such attitudes fueled American interventionism, including the Vietnam War.
What Readers Should Know
- The Rat Patrol premiered in the US in September 1966 and was a top-10 hit.
- The BBC aired only 6 of 13 purchased episodes due to controversy over historical inaccuracies.
- Australian viewers were offended by the use of a slouch hat, a symbol of Australian troops, on an American character.
- Actor Eric Braeden criticized the show for promoting a myth of American exceptionalism in WWII.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was The Rat Patrol controversial in the UK?
The show portrayed Americans as the primary heroes of North African WWII campaigns, while real-life units like the Long Range Desert Group and SAS were British. The BBC pulled it after six episodes due to backlash.
How many episodes of The Rat Patrol were made?
The series ran for two seasons with a total of 58 episodes.
What did actor Eric Braeden say about The Rat Patrol?
Braeden, who played a Nazi officer, regretted the show's revisionism, stating that Hollywood contributed to the notion that America alone won WWII.