The Rat Patrol (1966)
A gritty WWII action series following four Allied soldiers on daring desert raids against Rommel's Afrika Korps in North Africa.
The Rat Patrol - Series Information
- Original Title: The Rat Patrol
- First Air Year: 1966
- Last Air Year: 1968
- Created by: Tom Gries
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Action, Adventure, War, Politics
- Content Rating (US): NR
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (30 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 58
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: September 12, 1966 (United States - NR)
- Networks: ABC
- Alternative Titles: Commando du désert (FR), 北非沙漠行动 (CN)
- Production Companies: United Artists Television, Tom Gries Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
The Rat Patrol - Plot
The exploits of four Allied soldiers — three Americans and one Englishman — who are part of a long-range desert patrol group in the North African campaign during World War II. Their mission: “to attack, harass and wreak havoc on Field Marshal Rommel's vaunted Afrika Korps”.
The Rat Patrol - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the desert action unfold:
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The Rat Patrol - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Tom Gries
Main Cast
- Christopher George
- Gary Raymond
- Eric Braeden
- Lawrence P. Casey
- Justin Tarr
- Morgan Jones
- John Anderson
- Claudine Longet
- Milton Selzer
- Ben Wright
Writers
- Peter Allan Fields
- Anthony Lawrence
- Howard Head
- Tom Gries
- Daniel B. Ullman
The Rat Patrol - FAQs
What is The Rat Patrol about?
The Rat Patrol follows four Allied soldiers — three Americans and one Brit — conducting daring long-range desert raids against Rommel's Afrika Korps in World War II North Africa. Their mission is to attack, harass, and wreak havoc on the enemy using speed, cunning, and sheer audacity.
Who are the main cast members of The Rat Patrol?
The series stars Christopher George as Sgt. Sam Troy, Gary Raymond as the British Sgt. Jack Moffitt, Lawrence P. Casey as Pvt. Mark Hitchcock, and Justin Tarr as Pvt. Tully Pettigrew. Eric Braeden plays their recurring German adversary, Capt. Hans Dietrich.
Is The Rat Patrol based on a true story?
The series draws loose inspiration from the real British Long Range Desert Group and the Special Air Service, which conducted guerrilla operations against Axis forces in North Africa during WWII. However, the specific characters and storylines are fictional creations rather than direct portrayals of historical individuals.
Why did The Rat Patrol spark controversy in the UK?
The show drew sharp criticism in Britain because it depicted three Americans leading desert operations that were historically dominated by British and Commonwealth forces. Veterans and historians objected to the perceived Americanization of a campaign in which the British Long Range Desert Group played the central role.
How many seasons and episodes does The Rat Patrol have?
The Rat Patrol ran for two seasons on ABC, producing a total of 58 episodes. Season 1 contained 32 episodes and Season 2 wrapped up the series with 26 episodes. Each episode ran approximately 30 minutes, delivering fast-paced desert action in a compact format.
When did The Rat Patrol first air on television?
The Rat Patrol premiered on September 12, 1966, on ABC in the United States. It ran for two seasons before concluding in 1968, becoming one of the more memorable action-adventure series of the late 1960s television landscape.
Where can viewers stream The Rat Patrol today?
Streaming availability for The Rat Patrol varies by region and platform. For the most current and complete list of viewing options — including subscription streaming, rental, and purchase — check JustWatch, which tracks real-time availability across all major platforms in your area.
Who created and wrote The Rat Patrol series?
The Rat Patrol was created by Tom Gries. The writing team included Peter Allan Fields, Anthony Lawrence, Howard Head, Daniel B. Ullman, Alan Caillou, Edward J. Lakso, and Lorenzo Semple Jr., bringing a rotating roster of talent to the series' fast-moving episodic scripts.
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