The Falklands War.

From Peace To Conflict.

My concept is to give personal accounts by individuals and myself from or attached to 40 Commando RM and Argentine Marines, during Operation Corporate (1982). As a young 19 year old Royal Marine in 9 Troop, C Company, I landed with the first wave at San Carlos Settlement Blue Beach, progressed on to Wreck Point, Ajax Bay and with the rest of A and C Companies was eventually attached to the Welsh Guards after the air bombing of Sir Galahad. During this period we formed the start line for the attack on Mount Harriet, advanced on Mount William and took Sapper Hill in the only 'hot' helicopter assault during the war that resulted in casualties and fatalities. A hill that the Welsh Guards implied they alone had attacked and won. The fact being that the Welsh Guards did not fire one shot.

The written accounts explain in some detail about being stuck in a minefield for five hours with casualties. Then immediately afterwards, the only helicopter daytime attack, under fire from Argentine Marines, by 9 Troop, 40 Commando Royal Marines at Sapper Hill, the last high ground before Port Stanley. This episode, as already mentioned, resulted in fatalities and casualties. I comment on the Pros and Cons of the War, Argentine reports, an unpalatable plaque placed on Sapper Hill by the Welsh Guards and finally a very Black book!

The synopsis: A brief resume before my induction into the Royal Marines training at Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM). The Falklands-War call up and sailing south on the P&O SS Canberra. The first landings at San Carlos Settlement off HMS Fearless at night. Air attacks In Bomb Alley. A and C Companies move from 3 Commando Brigade to join the Army 5th Infantry Brigade at Bluff Cove to replace the loss of Welsh Guards on Sir Galahad. A and C Companies southern route. Yomping over rivers of rock to the start line for the attack on Mount Harriet. Another night yomp this time through a mine field and getting stuck with casualties,. The little known and only 'hot' helicopter attack during the Falklands War on Sapper Hill by 9 and some members of 8 Troop. There is also a section on the Royal Marines ships attachment on HMS Yarmouth.

Author's Notes

I believe some aspects of this book may shock readers due to its honest and forthright approach especially in relation to the performance of the Welsh Guards on land. There was even an unsubstantiated claim that Prince Andrew was a pilot during the only ‘hot’ helicopter day time attack at Sapper Hill carried out by Royal Marines.
The book is Forword by Major General (Ret’d) Malcolm Hunt OBE FRSA and has contributions by Brigadier (Ret’d) Andrew Pillar OBE and A CRITIQUE (2022)' on Crispin Black’s book, a low ranking Welsh Guards Officer in 1982, by Lt Col (Ret'd) Ewen Southby-Tailyour OBE the officer commanding the Task Force Landing Craft Squadron during the Falklands and now an established author.

40 Commando Royal Marines gets little or no coverage during the Falkland’s war. Many historians dismiss the unit as only playing the bland role of Brigade reserve. This was NOT the case.

The Falkland’s War – From Peace To Conflict by Terence Victor Barnes is available as hardback, paperback and ebook.

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