Falklands Commando - Hugh McManners

First published in 1984 and republished four times since, Falklands Commando is a gripping eye-witness account of the Falklands War and a definitive work on Special Forces operations during the conflict.

Captain Hugh McManners took part in the first British Special Forces combat mission to land on East Falkland, preparing for the Royal Navy landings. His mission was to prevent an Argentine heavy weapons company from attacking the ships as they entered San Carlos Water.

This riveting narrative is Hugh's first-hand account of a remarkable, dangerous and highly unlikely British military operation. As both a planner and a field operator, his book provides a unique perspective of both naval and Special Forces operations. He describes life in his five-man forward observation team with keen insight and a wry sense of humour.

Surviving near-disastrous small boat operations in heavy seas, gruelling reconnaissance missions, and tense night helicopter insertions, Hugh's team ends up alone, surrounded by enemy troops twenty kilometres behind enemy lines. From this exposed position, they carry out night-firing missions with naval gunships to destroy Argentine artillery guns, missiles, and radars. These targets must be destroyed to protect the ships and support the British Commandos and Paras as they prepare for the final battle.

Then as British artillery comes within range, McManners' team also fires by day, proving critical as the Paras and Commandos face heavy shelling while breaching the Argentines' defensive ring of steel.

This gripping book follows Hugh's journey from the first days of the conflict to the triumphant return and the aftermath, capturing the full scope of this historic campaign.