MV Norland, Secret Weapon of the Falklands War

Author: Reg Kemp
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 0750998288
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 308

Book Description
In 1982, North Sea ferry MV Norland transported passengers and vehicles between Hull and Rotterdam. Requisitioned as a troop ship to take the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment to the Falklands, the 'volunteer' merchant navy crew were told they would only go as far as the Ascension Island and that they should think of it as an extended North Sea booze-cruise run. However, without notice Norland's role was changed and it became the first vessel to enter San Carlos Water, ending up a sitting duck in 'Bomb Alley' air raids while disembarking troops and carrying out resupply runs. Narrowly escaping sinking, the ship was used as a shelter for survivors and for collecting the Gurkhas from the QE2 in South Georgia, ready for disembarking in San Carlos Bay, before repatriating Argentine POWs. Long after the surrender, MV Norland provided a ferry service between the Falklands and Ascension Island. While many in the war served an average of 100 days, for the crew of the Norland it was ten months; indeed, they were considered the first in and the last out. This is a gripping account of non-combatant volunteers railroaded into serving in a war they hadn't signed up for.

Fight for Falklands Freedom

Author: Harold Briley
Publisher: The History Press
ISBN: 1803990899
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 248

Book Description
'Journalists are said to write the first rough drafts of history. But I was only the messenger.' When Argentine troops surged onto the shores of the Falkland Islands, it was Harold Briley who broke the news to Britain and the rest of the world. As the BBC World Service's Latin America Correspondent, he was perfectly placed both metaphorically and physically: not only was he reporting from his base in Buenos Aires, but he had first-hand knowledge of the countries, their politics and their cultures. In Fight for Falklands Freedom: Reporting Live from Argentina and the Islands, Briley returns to the Islands to tell the full story in a breathless play-by-play account. Drawing on hundreds of his own reports, as well as interviews with political and military leaders from both sides, this is a fascinating insight into what happened, when it happened – and why.

Falklands Secret Weapon, MV Norland

Author: Reg Kemp
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780750997126
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 272

Book Description
In 1982, North Sea ferry MV Norland transported passengers and vehicles between Hull and Rotterdam. Requisitioned as a troop ship to take the 2nd Battalion Paras to the Falklands, the 'volunteer' merchant navy crew were told it would only be as far as the Ascension Island: they should think of it as an extended North Sea booze-cruise run. Without notice, on changing its role, it became the first vessel to enter San Carlos Water and ended up a sitting duck in 'Bomb Alley' air raids when disembarking troops and carrying out resupply runs. Narrowly escaping sinking, the ship was used as a shelter for RN survivors and again for collecting the Gurkhas from the QE2 in South Georgia ready for disembarking in San Carlos Bay, before repatriating Argentine POWs. Long after surrender, MV Norland provided a ferry service between the Falklands and Ascension Island. All others involved in the war had a 10-week deployment; for the Norland it was ten-months. This is the Norland's story, told by one of its two night-stewards, who never expected to find himself at war.

A Very Strange Way to Go to War

Author: Andrew Vine
Publisher: Aurum Press
ISBN: 9781781311844
Category : Falkland Islands War, 1982
Languages : en
Pages : 321

Book Description
Vast and brilliant white, P&O's flagship the SS Canberra was a final salute to a bygone era of opulence even as she embarked on her maiden voyage, For a decade she carried passengers between Britain and Australia, a 90-day voyage of pampering and decadence. But in March 1982, Britain went to war to defend the Falkland Islands and the SS Canberra found herself, surreally, requisitioned as a troop ship to carry the Marines and Paratroops into battle. Against all odds she surived, playing a vital role as a hospital ship, At the end of the war she arrived back in Southampton to a heroes welcome, where she became fondly known as the Great White Whale. This is the extraordinary and, as yet, untold story of how the crew of a luxury ocean liner: waiters, cooks, nurses and cleaners, found themselves suddenly thrust onto the front line. A Very Strange Way to Go to War is a candid and captivating story, drawing from first hand accounts and previously unpublished archives, of the heroic courage of ordinary British men and women in the face of great adversity, at the outpost of empire.

Across an Angry Sea

Author: Cedric Delves
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 1787381811
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 381

Book Description
In early summer 1982--winter in the South Atlantic--Argentina's military junta invades the Falklands. Within days, a British Royal Navy Task Force is assembled and dispatched. This is the story of D Squadron, 22 SAS, commanded by Cedric Delves. The relentless tempo of events defies belief. Raging seas, inhospitable glaciers, hurricane-force winds, helicopter crashes, raids behind enemy lines--the Squadron prevailed against them all, but the cost was high. Eight died and more were wounded or captured. Holding fast to their humanity, D Squadron's fighters were there at the start and end of the Falklands War, the first to raise a Union Jack over Government House in Stanley. Across an Angry Sea is a chronicle of daring, skill and steadfastness among a tight-knit band of brothers; of going awry, learning fast, fighting hard, and winning through.

The Yompers

Author: Ian R. Gardiner
Publisher: Pen and Sword
ISBN: 1781599181
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 365

Book Description
A British company commander details his experience serving in the Falklands War and reflects on the 1982 conflict. “Yomping” was the word Commandos used for carrying heavy loads on long marches. It caught the public’s imagination during this short but bitter campaign and epitomized the grim determination and professionalism of our troops… Called to action on April 2, 1982, the men of 45 Commando Royal Marines assembled from around the world to sail 8,000 miles to recover the Falkland Islands from Argentine invasion. Lacking helicopters and short of food, they “yomped” in appalling weather carrying overloaded rucksacks, across the roughest terrain. Yet for a month in mid-winter, they remained a cohesive fighting-fit body of men. They then fought and won the highly successful and fierce night battle for Two Sisters, a 1,000-foot-high mountain which was the key to the defensive positions around Stanley. More than just a first-hand story of that epic feat, this book is the first to be written by a company commander in the Falklands War. It offers a vivid description of the “yomp” and infantry fighting, and it also offers penetrating insights into the realities of war at higher levels. It is a unique combination of descriptive writing about frontline fighting and wider reflections on the Falklands War, and conflict in general. “This is the real thing, from someone who gave the orders and led from the front, from beginning to bitter end. His account is articulate, poignant and precise, even though thirty years have elapsed . . . highly recommended.” —Military History Monthly

SAS South Georgia Boating Club

Author: Tony Shaw
Publisher: Pen and Sword Military
ISBN: 1399087770
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 337

Book Description
Many aspire to serve with the Special Air Service, arguably the world’s most prestigious regiment, but few achieve their aim. In this inspiring memoir the author describes how he left school without any qualifications and embarked on a 30 year career much of it spent in Hereford, including four years in ‘The Regiment’. Against the odds he rose through the ranks before being commissioned and eventually retiring as a Major. Initially attached to 22 SAS as a signaller, he volunteered for and passed ‘Selection’, the most gruelling and demanding of tests. He was posted to D Squadron Boat Troop with whom he saw active service in the Falklands War, Northern Ireland and the UK counter-terrorist team. Thanks to the diary he kept during the Falklands War, the reader is treated to a gripping first-hand account of the intense action that he and his colleagues experienced, including recces, diversionary attacks, raids and ambushes both on South Georgia and the Falklands Islands. Later he commanded the Royal Signals troop supporting D Squadron, 22 SAS before commissioning and later on pursuing a second career as a security consultant in various Middle Eastern hotspots. It is a privilege to read this commendably modest account of one man’s unique career which provides a fascinating insight into elite special forces soldiering.

Falklands Gunner

Author: Tom Martin
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 1473881234
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 295

Book Description
The Royal Artillery played an absolutely vital, though often forgotten, part in the British armed forces successful operation to recapture the Falkland Islands in 1982. The actions of the artillery were recorded by one young officer in a journal which he kept before, during and after the conflict.Second Lieutenant Tom Martin was a Command Post Officer with 29 (Corunna) Field Battery RA which deployed to the South Atlantic in 1982 as part of the Task Force dispatched to retake the Falklands. With its six 105mm Light Guns making the journey on the MV Europic Ferry, the Battery sailed south on the MV Norland with 2 PARA, joining 3 Commando Brigade for the landings. The five gun batteries of the Royal Artillery, totaling thirty light field guns, fired a tremendous number of shells on the Argentine forces. For its part, 29 (Corunna) Field Battery fired the first Fire Mission of the conflict and continued to do so until the Argentinian surrender in the most testing environment and against the odds.Whilst in the South Atlantic, Martin sought to detail and record the action on the Batterys gun position. Supported by the recollections of some of those he served alongside, Martins notes and diary entries form the basis of this book; a vivid, blow-by-blow account which provides a comprehensive picture of the Royal Artillery and its pivotal role in the Falklands War.

Falklands War Heroes

Author: Michael Ashcroft
Publisher: Biteback Publishing
ISBN: 1785907158
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 306

Book Description
The Falklands War, which may prove to be the last 'colonial' war that Britain ever fights, took place in 1982. Fought 8,000 miles from home soil, it cost the lives of 255 British military personnel, with many more wounded, some seriously. The war also witnessed many acts of outstanding courage by the UK Armed Forces after a strong Task Force was sent to regain the islands from the Argentine invaders. Soldiers, sailors and airmen risked, and in some cases gave, their lives for the freedom of 1,820 islanders. Lord Ashcroft, who has been fascinated by bravery since he was a young boy, has amassed several medal collections over the past four decades, including the world's largest collection of Victoria Crosses, Britain and the Commonwealth's most prestigious gallantry award. Falklands War Heroes tells the stories behind his collection of valour and service medals awarded for the Falklands War. The collection, almost certainly the largest of its kind in the world, spans all the major events of the war. This book, which contains nearly forty individual write-ups, has been written to mark the fortieth anniversary of the war. It is Lord Ashcroft's attempt to champion the outstanding bravery of our Armed Forces during an undeclared war that was fought and won over ten weeks in the most challenging conditions.

White Ship Red Crosses

Author: Nicci Pugh
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781789557404
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 254

Book Description
"As I toured the wards of that remarkable ship during my fl ying visit, I found all of my seriously wounded soldiers who had been helicoptered off the battlefi eld, some of whom I thought I would never see again, and saw for myself the inspirational care of the Naval medical and nursing staff that had saved lives and on which recovery was depending. It was hardly a mile offshore, but it felt a very long way from Mount Tumbledown." Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszely KCB, MC, Company Commander in 2nd Battalion Scots Guards 1982 "These are the personal stories of the injured servicemen and the Naval Nurses and Doctors who fought the all-important battle to 'bring them back alive'." Brian Hanrahan BBC War Correspondent during The Falklands War 1982 "The story of dedication and courage on The Hospital Ship Uganda. Author Nicci Pugh honours all those who were treated and served on board Her Majesty's Hospital Ship Uganda during the Falklands War in 1982." Michael Nicholson CBE, ITN War Correspondent during the Falklands War 1982 "Nicci Pugh is to be congratulated on weaving together the threads of this hidden side of the Falklands confl ict. A success story emerges of inter-service co-operation, which shows what can be achieved when there is no precedent to follow. White Ship - Red Crosses explains why The Hospital Ship Uganda became such a reassuring presence to those fi ghting in the South Atlantic in 1982." Captain Grahame A. Burton RD* FNI In 1982 P&O Chief Officer SS Uganda and Lt Cdr RNR "Not before time, the story of the Naval nursing staff on board The Hospital Ship Uganda is being told. My own memories are vague regarding much of the early days after the bombing of the Sir Galahad, but nothing detracts from the comfort and security I felt as I was cared for and nursed on board The Hospital Ship at that time. Much has been written regarding the battles and the soldier's point of view during the Falklands War, but the perspective of the medical teams has often been overlooked and ignored. This is a story that needs to be told and listened to, not just because it is a great book and a very good read but because of its powerful message. White Ship - Red Crosses is a triumph for all injured servicemen but let's not forget the tributes deserved by those unrelentingly hard-working nurses and medical teams, without whom my survival would not have been possible. Author Nicci Pugh, who worked as an Operating Theatre Sister in the midst of the casualties as they arrived on board The Hospital Ship Uganda in 1982 has captured the whole essence of treating and caring for the casualties on a mass scale in a war zone." Simon Weston CBE Former patient on board Her Majesty's Hospital Ship Uganda, during The Falklands War 1982 "Not before time, the story of the Naval nursing staff on board The Hospital Ship Uganda. This is a story that needs to be told." Simon Weston CBE