The Full Story of the Air and Sea Battles of the Falklands War by Michael Robert Ibbotson, HB 258 pages, 28 black & white photographs, 14 tables, 9 maps and diagrams, Pen & Sword, £25, ISBN 1036148513
Nearly 44 years ago, I was involved in the resolution of several rather interesting legal issues arising from the dispatch of the Task Force down south. Thereafter, I have always had a keen interest in reading about the conflict and have collected a reasonably extensive library of books on the subject. Indeed, last year I re-read most of them and bought a few more. Therefore, in asking for a review copy of this book, I had three questions in mind: Would I learn something new? Would I enjoy reading it? Would I recommend it to the general reader or someone with a specialist interest?
It is written by a Professor of Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Melbourne, thereby bringing a fresh and analytical eye on matters, without bogging down the reader in jargon or too much technical detail. The answer to question two is – yes, I did enjoy reading it, and to question three – yes, I would recommend it to the general reader as a good introduction and briefing on key events, ships, aircraft and weapons systems on both sides and also to those with a deeper interest and knowledge as a useful and thought-provoking addition to their collection.
To give some examples of the scope of the author’s research – the fact that primary combat zone was roughly the same size as the North Sea, the extent of the help given to Argentina by Israel, Peru, Libya and Brazil, the plan to reactivate HMS Bulwark, the logistical mastery which assembled and provisioned an eventual fleet of 115 vessels, Argentina’s interest in purchasing Vulcans, the two lucky escapes in one day of an Argentine Boeing 707, the C-130 bomb attack on the MV British Wye, the considerable air defences of Stanley airfield, the likely effect had there been a direct hit on MV Elk. A succinct analysis of each air-to-air combat and ground attack mission is given, while the Black Buck operations, the role of the nuclear submarines and the Bluff Cove air attack are also covered in some detail.
Did I learn anything new? Yes indeed. I am not sure it can be called the Full Story, but that is semantics. The maps and diagrams are also most useful.
