A Falklands Diary

In 1969 Jean Austin's husband was appointed Colonial Secretary of the Falkland Islands and they were transported to a remote outpost of the British colonies. While there Austin immersed herself in island life, fulfilling the duties of a Colonial Secretary's wife. "A Falklands Diary" is her sensitive and perceptive memoir of these years.Engaging and illuminating, "A Falklands Diary" paints a portrait of a mostly static culture defined by its remoteness and barren geography. At the same time, Austin's story reveals how global politics were slowly changing the Falklands' relationship with the rest of the world. Although seemingly removed from the drama of the Falklands War of the following decade, Austin's experience foreshadows the impending conflict and the Islands' growing geopolitical significance, casting fresh light on the history of these enigmatic islands.

Down South by Chris Parry - one man's astonishing diary of war in the Falklands 'A gripping account of heroism - and chaos - in the South Atlantic' Mail on Sunday 'Compelling, gripping. A vividly written, thought-provoking and engaging account' The Times In 1982 Lieutenant Chris Parry sailed aboard destroyer HMS Antrim to liberate the Argentine-occupied Falkland Islands. Parry and his crew, in their Wessex helicopter, were soon launched into action rescuing an SAS party stuck on a glacier in gales that had already downed two others. Soon after they single-handedly pursued and fatally wounded a submarine before taking part in terrifying but crucial drop landings under heavy fire. Down South is a hands on, day-by-day account of war fought in the most appalling conditions by men whose grit and fighting spirit overcame all obstacles. This important and extraordinary book of recent history will be enjoyed by readers of Antony Beevor and Max Hastings. 'Gripping. A graphic description of just how they pulled off a real-life Mission Impossible' Daily Express 'Excellent. A fascinating war diary' Daily Telegraph 'Vivid and insightful. Parry excels in revealing the day-to-day challenges of fighting a campaign in hostile surroundings' Financial Times 'A truly gripping historical account' Niall Ferguson 'A priceless contribution to military history. Riveting' Literary Review Chris Parry joined the Royal Navy after university and then became an Observer in the Fleet Air Arm in 1979. After the Falklands War he had a successful career in the navy, and on promotion to Rear Admiral in 2005 he became the Ministry of Defence's Director of Developments, Concepts and Doctrines. He was appointed a CBE in 2004. Now retired from the armed services, he heads a company which specializes in geo-strategic forecasting.

"This is a remarkable book. Linda Kitson was the only official war artist attached to the British Task Force, and she was able to remain with the troops not only for the duration of the war itself, but also for the immediate aftermath. Commissioned by the Imperial War Museum and the Fleet Air Arm, she left Southampton on May 12. From that moment until July 17 she drew continuously, producing over 400 drawings. Her selection of over 100 drawings for this book illustrates every stage of her war experience. From the day she boarded the requisitioned QE2 with 3,000 servicemen, she recorded the continuous, intensive training and preparation. She recorded the transfer at South Georgia to SS Canberra; the landings at San Carlos; and the deployment of the forces to Goose Green, to Fitzroy and Darwin, and finally to Stanley. She recorded, too, the poignant and frequently hazardous aspects of the aftermath once the Ceasefire papers had been signed. The narrative captions that Linda Kitson has written to each of her drawings are expanded from the notes she made in her diary. The military detail is there, so too is the very human story. This visual diary is a compelling document, and carries the distinction of both immediacy and historical record. It will be treasured because it reflects so honestly the bravery and determination of men experiencing conditions that have been compared to those of the Crimean War." --Descripción del editor.

Many military accounts of the British side of the Falklands War have been published as well as memoirs written by servicemen who took part, so this aspect of the story of the Argentine occupation and the British liberation of this remote territory in the South Atlantic is well known. But little attention has been paid to the Falkland islanders who had direct personal experience of this extraordinary crisis in their history. That is why the previously unpublished diaries of Neville Bennett and his wife Valerie, a fireman and a nurse who lived with their two daughters in Port Stanley throughout the war, is such vivid and revealing reading. As chief fireman Neville was frequently called out to deal with fires and other incidents during the occupation, and each day he recorded what happened and what he thought about it in his sharp and forthright way. Valerie saw a different side of the occupation through her work at the Stanley hospital where she had to handle the Argentines as well as daily accidents and emergencies. Their joint record of the exceptional circumstances in the Falklands in April, May and June 1982 gives us a fascinating inside view of family life during the occupation and of their relations with the Argentine soldiers and commanders. It is engrossing reading.

This is the story of the SAS raid on Pebble Island during the Falklands War.In atrocious weather, 48 men of 22 SAS Regiment were landed by Sea King Helicopter on the Island. Their task was to destroy the 11 enemy aircraft located at the Airstrip on the Island and neutralize the Argentinean force posted there to guard it.The raid was successful and all the Aircraft were destroyed but debate still goes on as to whether the raid was a political gesture to give the British Public some action or whether it was to knock out the Airbase that could have made life difficult for the landings at San Carlos Bay later in the War.The book covers sections on: history of the engagement, training and planning involved, equipment used, weapons file, breakdown of forces engaged, consequences and controversies as well as personal accounts of those involved.