First published in 1984, and republished twice since then, Falklands Commando was one of the first eye-witness accounts of combat operations during the Falklands War, and indeed one of the first books on Special Forces missions.
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‘…an immensely detailed but wholly real picture of what soldiering is like’
– The Times Literary Supplement
‘…exciting, well told, and frequently hair-raising’
– The Daily Telegraph
From readers’ reviews of the book:
‘…has to be the definitive work on soldiering in the Falklands War, by a rather unusual soldier.’
‘With more than a little understated humour and much fascinating personal detail, McManners describes the operations ashore, as his team leap-frogged across the islands, calling in naval gunfire in support of special operations forces.’
‘Falklands Commando has plenty to offer in the way of lessons learned for war on an austere budget in a remote location. It is highly recommended to students of expeditionary warfare.’
About the book
Captain Hugh McManners led an amphibious operations team from 148 Commando Forward Observation Battery Royal Artillery, which was part of the Special Boat Squadron throughout the Falklands War. His team FO1, was part of the first British combat mission to land on the Falkland, a Special Forces raid (with SAS as well as SBS) in preparation for the main amphibious force landings on the Islands. Their mission was to prevent an Argentine heavy weapons company guarding the entrance to the Task Force’s intended harbour area from attacking the ships.
The gripping narrative is Hugh’s first-hand account of the Falklands War – one of the most decisive of modern British military operations. His position made him part of the planning of this operation as well as one of the field operators – a unique perspective. Hugh describes, with perception and an often a wry sense of humour, life in his five-man team, fighting with the Special Boat Squadron.
After near-disastrous small boat ops in heavy seas, gruelling long clearance reconnaissance missions, and tense night helicopter insertions, Hugh’s team finish up on their own, concealed while surrounded by enemy troops, twenty kilometres behind enemy lines. From this very exposed position, they carry out night-firing missions using naval gunships, to destroy Argentine artillery guns, missiles and radars. These targets must be destroyed before the enemy can use them to sink ships, or stop the British Commandos and Paras as they consolidate in the mountains ready for the final set-piece battle.
Then, as the British artillery comes within range, McManners’ team also fire by day. This proves critical, as the Paras and Commandos are heavily shelled while fighting their way into the Argentines’ defensive ring of steel.
This new ebook edition includes a new 2014 introduction, plus the Introductions from each of the three earlier editions, from 1984, 1987 and 2002. These reveal the failures of the British Ministry of Defence post-Falklands and then in the first Gulf War.
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