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The Secret War for the Falklands: The SAS, Mi6, and the War Whitehall Nearly Lost

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Battle for Falklands perhaps most significant conflict fought after World War 2. For the first time, combat aircraft fittted with sophisticated anti-shipping missiles were used to attack hostile ships at sea. More precisely, it gave an unique opportunity to test the latest in combat hardware.

Author opens his narration of conflict showing how some ships British naval Task Force managed to dodge deadly missile strike by aircraft of Argentine Naval Air Service. British fatally miscalculated the threat to the Task Force posed French-built air-launched AM-39 Exocet missiles. Miscalculation was based on the following assumptions. Firstly, missile carrier French-built Dassault Super Entendard aircraft cannot operate beyond a range of 425 miles. Fuel consumption being so high made it risky, if not impossible, for the aircraft return to the base. Secondly,Argentines would be reluctant to use KC-130 Hercules tankers for mid-air refueling as they were vulnerable. This made London to assure Task Force commanders the waters east of Falklands was relatively safe during pre-operational briefing in Ascension.

Air-launched Exocet was a reliable stand-off weapon which can be launched outside the strike envelope of anti-aircraft missile systems. Exocet after acquiring and locking on to the target came down to sea level moved ike fish skimming the waves. RN lack of airborne early warning aircraft ( AEW ) diminished the ability of Task Force to defend itself. As a result it was dependent on inadequate surface radars.

Exocet was most lethal weapon in the arsenal of Argentine Naval Air service. They extended the operational reach of the missile by attaching them to aircraft fitted with expendable fuel drop tanks. Further in a remarkable act of ingenuity Argentines modified the missile system making it capable of firing from land. Given sufficent numbers , they could have used it for interdicting RN long, precarious supply routes. For instance, chance attack on supply ship SS Atlantic Conveyor represented a dangerous element in Argentine strategy. Missile attack led to fire triggered by explosions and vessel had to be abandoned. Ship was to unload valuable supplies in San Carlos bay for British forces. So London contemplated fo extending the war to Argentine mainland. This made Jorge Colombo's 2nd attack/fighter squadron at Rio Grande airbase a priority target.So SAS conceived a daring plan to knock out the base. However due to operational reasons it could not be executed.So British Secret Service carried out a covert operation designed to prevent Buenos Aries from acquiring any more Exocets.

Author debunks official interpretation of events which claims the Argentine decision to invade Falklands was taken prematurely . So it could not be foreseen or prevented. Author argues that planning for seizing Falklands was going on for six months . They were tell-tale signs ,signals. Troops, ammunition,fuel,equipment,spare parts were moved across the country. However British had insufficient means to keep these preparations under covert surveillance. Because MI 6 was obsessed with challenge posed by Soviet Union / Soviet bloc countries.

British victory gave a big boost to the image of Madam Thatcher whose Tory government had plumbed into the depths of electoral unpopularity. In ensuing election Tories swept to power by thumping majority. Author, however, has argued that Britain nearly lost the campaign. It was almost a close call . Had Argentines managed to prolong the campaign poor weather conditions in South Atlantic,logistical constraints would have forced British to withdraw. It is worth mentioning when Argentine garrison surrendered ammunition stocks of British army at Port Stanley had depleted with no prospect for further supplies. Also Galtieri regime made a mistake in timing while launching the invasion. Best option for him was to wait till September . By this time Argentina would have full complement Exocet missiles . Besides British were on the verge of scrapping 2 Antartic patrol vessels carrying Wasp helicopters as a part of cuts imposed by Defence Ministry. This would have diminished London's ability to respond to foreign aggression.

Nearly three decades have passed,author says, we still don't have full-blown operational history of the conflict. Government has kept operational details classified.

It's unfortunate this book has attracted very few reviews which means it did not receive the recognition that it deserved.I don't know why? Lone review published was unsatisfactory, not to say the least. So I decided to fill this void.

The used book was as described and arrived on time. I am fully satisfied with the book and the service.