Bomb Alley: Falkland Islands 1982: Aboard HMS Antrim at War

(Paperback)

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This is the untold story of the Falklands War as experienced by a below-decks sailor on one of the most important ships to be despatched to the South Atlantic. It is a no-holds barred account as seen through the eyes of a Royal Navy matelot who shared the terror of the first encounter with Argentinean forces when South Georgia was retaken from the invaders in Operation Paraquat. HMS Antrim then lead the first attack into the North Falklands Sound and San Carlos Water (Bomb Alley) where she destroyed enemy defences and later became part of a the main anti-aircraft defence force. During the largest air-sea battle since World War II, the ship came under repeated attack for over six hours and was struck by a 1000lb bomb that destroyed her defensive missile system, but through pure chance the bomb did not explode and remained aboard wedged in the aft 'heads'. Other ships were not so lucky during the conflict. HMS Sheffield, HMS Ardent, HMS Antelope, HMS Coventry and Atlantic Conveyor were all lost within a short period whilst the army was trying to establish a bridgehead. With Antrim's main weapon system now knocked out, she became the Task Force's ferry, moving men and supplies around the South Atlantic in ferocious weather and seas. This is a tale that recounts a heroic event in the true spirit of the British sailor. It melds humour, pathos and sheer guts into a fascinating adventure of true naval tradition that pulls no punches. REVIEWS: "A vivid and compelling account of the Falklands War which gives a quite different perspective of what went on to the normal senior officers' remininscences." - Navy News. 16 pages of b/w illustrations