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Mountain Commandos at War in the Falklands: The Royal Marines Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre in Action During the 1982 Conflict
£20.00£23.80 (-16%)
Sunset, 8 June 1982, East Falkland. Eight specially trained Royal Marines infiltrate Goat Ridge, a long rocky hilltop between Mount Harriet and Two Sisters which are occupied by a battalion of 600 Argentine infantry. The next day, from their hiding place just metres away from the enemy, they note and sketch the Argentine positions, then withdraw as stealthily as they had come. Their daring patrol provides essential intelligence that guided the British assault which overwhelmed the Argentine defences two days later. This was just one example of the missions undertaken by the Royal Marines Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre during the Falklands War, all of which are described in graphic detail in Rod Boswell s eyewitness account. Using his own recollections and those of his comrades, he describes their operations in the Falklands the observation posts set up in the no man s land between San Carlos and Port Stanley, their role in the raid at Top Malo House, and the reconnaissance patrols they carried out close to the Argentine lines during the conflict. His first-hand account gives a fascinating insight into the operational skills of a small, specially trained unit and shows the important contribution it made to the success of the British advance. It also records the entire experience of the Falklands War from their point of view the long voyage south through the Atlantic, the landings, the advance and the liberation of Stanley.
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Additional information
| Publisher | Pen & Sword Military (12 April 2021) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Hardcover | 240 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1526791625 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1526791627 |
| Dimensions | 15.88 x 2.54 x 23.5 cm |
by Andy Cole
Well, I could go on for hours, but I won’t!
Firstly I wish Mr Boswell had a contact email, little does he know, but I have a lot to thank him for.
Reading this book has taken me back to my Marine days, not just OP Corprate but recce tp 40cdo, many a Norway, parachuting and climbing. I was not in the Cadre, possibly a wannabe, often attached (augmentee, no such word exists, just a distinction) but a great experience.
Oh yes the book, very good on the info, great tale about some of the best soldiers around at the time. I think however , the official secrets act may have played its part, or maybe contentious topics.
I love the descriptions, the old terminology and the way the author transported (me anyway) back to 1982.
The end shows the emotional side of the author, but also reflects exactly the feeling and experience I had when I returned.
Brilliant and thank you.
PS How did you trip over a BARV FFS!!
by Joystick
A great book on the M&AW cadre and it’s little known but vital role in the Falklands.
This book fills a missing niche in history.
by C. BAXTER
A most interesting account by the OC of the M and AW Cadre’s involvement in the Falklands War and to see details of their tasking, especially Top Malo House.
As a member of the First Raiding Sqn RM (1RSRM) during the Conflict, I was delighted to note his favourable comments on the use of the Sqn’s RRCs and skills of their coxswains (which has been often omitted from other publications), such as crossing to West Falkland (page 53) by Sid Nye and Paul Devonport and in Teal Inlet with the SBS by Geoff Nordass and Barry Gilbert (who both later were involved in the SAS / SBS raid on Stanley on Ni 13 / 14 June and were awarded MiDs).
The incident of the Author falling into the mud (which I witnessed and it caused much hilarity when cleaning him up (but not from him!) on pages 55 to 56 occurred as their LCVP came to the 1RSRM Forward Operating Base (FOB) instead of the nearby Blue Beach Two. So the Patrol moved there along the beach and he tripped on the camouflage nets placed over the HIAB vehicle (used to store and change Outboard Motors) which had been concealed on the beach edge. As the tide by now had dropped and the LCVP was aground, the task was then taken on by two RRCs. I was unaware of the further two attempts by Landing Craft.
Well written about this unique specialist unit and you clearly experience the author’s thoughts and emotions throughout. Much enjoyed.
by DB
If you like climbing, history and the armed forces, this is a great book. It is a Very well written book
by Emma Holland
My partner and I both loved this book. He is a RM and so I thought I must get it as a Christmas gift. We were not disappointed, we both read it so quickly because it was so enjoyable. He keeps the reader glued to the pages in this gripping tale. Thank you for sharing your story and we also love your other books! A must read! Xx
by militaryman-WMAHM
With having served in the RAF prior to the Falklands war, I was involved, in a small way in it, when I was one of the Admiralty Security Team at what was a major fuel depot that worked in supplying the Fleet of fuel tankers that took the vital fuel down to the ships that would allow the ships to carry out the landing of troops at such a long distance from the UK, and the massive amounts of equipment required. On the Argentinian forces being taken on by far fewer military resources, although at a cost not only in supplying them with almost everything they needed financially, it was the cost in lives on both sides that that shouldn’t be forgotten. During the fighting the TV played a big part in letting the general public see and know some of the tactical planning, but this book gives a more personal insight to what those on the front line had to face. The fuel depot in Invergordon saw the depot working 24/7 in not only re-fuelling various commercial tankers that would be relatively fast, that would on arriving at Ascension Island, then transfer the fuel to designated RFA replenishment vessels, but also see various supplies sometimes loaded onto them, with normal safety regulations being put aside so as to get the troops the massive amount of supplies not just to help fight the war, but to also deal with the increased military presence the islands would need once the fighting ended, so as to help the defence structure put in place, so the Argentiam Military Junta would realise that to try to invade the islands again would be futile. The book is a very interesting look at what the British troops had, and managed to do in such an action that could have ended badly, although it was not only the training that the forces had that won the war, because without the vast amount of fuel that was supplied, they wouldn’t have even reach the Falklands.
by JSR
This is a fascinating account of a truly unique formation during Operation Corporate. It’s a short, focused story without the nugatory padding of the wider background to the campaign – if you’re reading this book, you already know plenty about the 1982 war in the South Atlantic. With only 36 men deployed with the M&AW Cadre – all of the rank of Corporal or above – it’s also a very personal narrative and the author weaves in eyewitness statements from many of his men. There’s lots of interesting detail about daily routine and the requirements of commanding small teams deployed in very close proximity to the enemy. Inevitably, the engagement at Top Malo House features centrally and it’s a very honest account showing the reality of planning and executing even such a small scale attack – in the end it’s the training, commitment and motivation of your guys that wins the day. The experiences of the casualties are grim but fascinating reading. I also enjoyed the section about the entry into Stanley and the immediate aftermath of victory. Those who have read widely on the campaign will recognize a common theme of the “independent” attitude of the SAS and 5 Brigade – resulting in (at least) one fatal encounter and the narrow avoidance of an even greater one. Like, in my experience, many Royal Marine Officers, Rod Boswell is a reluctant and low profile Hero. This is a tale of true “Special Forces” and is highly recommended.