Falklands War

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In this accomplished and engaging book, Mercau provides a penetrating analysis of the association between the Falkland Islands and empire. This book shares detailed, first-hand accounts of the experiences and actions of those involved in the conflict, along with reflections on events 40 years on.

Though perhaps the high point was quoting someone talking about the state of aircraft in-flight refueling by saying 'it was like shoving wet spaghetti up a wildcat's bum. The Unseen Falklands War portrays in images, almost all of which are previously unpublished, the Argentinian occupation of the Falklands and give an overview of the conditions in which both sides fought the land war.Boasting original perspectives on the Falklanders, the Four Nations and the Anglo-Argentines, and based on a wealth of unseen material, he sheds new light on the British world, Thatcher's Britain, devolution, immigration and political culture.

The average age of the 199 men on board the HMS Ardent was 23 in May 1982 when she made a midnight run into Falkland Sound, ahead of the British amphibious group. Norman was seriously hindered by the Governor’s (understandable) wish to incur civilian casualties and clearly nails the lie that the Marines surrendered without a shot being fired. In total, 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British military personnel, and three Falkland Islanders died during the hostilities. In more recent years (and I’ve heard this said myself by Argentine veterans) it transpires that many of the interviews felt a bit restricted and forced and that there was a definite sense of ‘get it right’ from the Argentine military to their still-serving veterans who were not allowed much lateral space to vent their full thoughts. An interesting account of NP 8901 who did so much at the start, and were there to finish the job off at the end.The Falklands War, which may prove to be the last ‘colonial’ war that Britain ever fights, took place in 1982.

Interesting relics of colonialism, even in the 1980s, such as the repetitive mention of "Chinese laundrymen". Former MI6 agent in Buenos Aires and military historian Hugh Bicheno brought us ‘The Razor’s Edge’, a brutal, cutting and often damning indictment of both the British and Argentine politicians in the run-up to and during the Falklands War. At the same time, for the British, the reconquest of the islands represented an important step in trusting a government in a time of crisis. With the UN seeking a diplomatic solution, the British launched risky amphibious landings at San Carlos, Goose Green and Bluff Cove.Gamerro's novel is not straightforwardly realist: as if the role of the Falklands/Malvinas is too bizarre to be captured by anything but a fantastical, surrealist, genre-bending style. What I liked is that he did also include the point of view and experiences from the people living in the Falklands.