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Two Sides of Hell
The unique and harrowing account of the most destructive battle of the Falklands War as seen through the eyes of eight ordinary Argentinian soldiers from the seventh infantry regiment and five British paratroopers. Vincent Bramley was a Lance-Corporal and gives a unique and chilling perspective on the horrors of battle. This is a testament to those who bear the brunt of the fighting and a no-holds-barred account of what it is really like to have to do the dirty work of war, where you have to kill or be killed, and sometimes you are pushed over the edge.
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First published October 5, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 27, 2020
Vince Bramley was involved as a soldier in the Falklands campaign and has been making a career of it ever since. This book came about through a brilliant concept: what if someone took down the stories of combatants on both sides of the war while they were still alive? With some trepidation (as a former foe) Bramley proceeded to Argentina to interview some of his former enemies.
The book starts out a little slowly, having to go into the backgrounds of the principals to show the various routes the soldiers took to get to the military and, ultimately, the Falklands. It's not exciting, but absolutely necessary by way of introduction. In the case of the Argentinians, the majority of the soldiers were conscripts with no choice as far as military service was concerned. You can tell by the gripes that soldiers are basically the same: the officers are stupid, the chow is bad or non-existent, the equipment isn't up to snuff, and everyone hates the Marines.
Once the shooting starts, it's hard to lay the book down. Bramley jumps back and forth, recording the soldiers' accounts of their respective roles in the battle for Mount Longdon. It's fascinating, getting both sides at once. The outcome was never really in doubt. The Brits were a professional mean and nasty killing machine. I don't know why they're mean, possibly because they have to live in England, but they are nasty bastards, for the most part. I'm talking shoot a guy with his hands up mean, or bayonet a guy who's pleading to see his grandmother one more time mean.
The Argies, on the other hand, while not necessarily unwilling to fight, were abused so much by their own superiors that many were in no condition to fight when the Brits attacked. Starved, frozen, soaked, they were not much of a fighting force. The beasting they received at the hands of their own officers and NCOs was shockingly brutal, akin to medieval torture. Imagine being staked out over a puddle for an extended period, or being beaten by a superior. Training was inadequate, and many soldiers were sent to war with weapons they had not fired. In fact, many Argies expressed admiration in the way the Brits attacked, their professionalism and efficiency. As POWs, they were amazed to note that Brit officers actually talked to their men, and really seemed to give a damn about what they were saying. In fact, Argentinian POWs were unanimous in stating that they were treated far better by their erstwhile enemy than they were by their own superiors.
Bramley follows up on his group of soldiers postwar, and PTSD is prevalent for both victor and vanquished. The veterans of both countries suffered the fate of most veterans once they have done their bit: neglect and obscurity.
The book contains photos of the former belligerents who contributed to the compilation of memories, and Bramley has thoughtfully appended a nominal roll of the dead...from both sides.
If I took anything away from reading this book, it's that war is just about the most ridiculous endeavour on the planet. The British soldiers and Argentinian soldiers didn't hate each other, and many on each side of the fray didn't even know why they were fighting. But it's a soldier's job to carry out the wishes of his parliament, and both groups strived within their own limitations to do just that. I'm sure Bramley was cheered to find that he was welcomed into the homes of those he had tried to kill on Longdon. What he received was the respect one soldier owes another when there's nothing left to fight for.
The book starts out a little slowly, having to go into the backgrounds of the principals to show the various routes the soldiers took to get to the military and, ultimately, the Falklands. It's not exciting, but absolutely necessary by way of introduction. In the case of the Argentinians, the majority of the soldiers were conscripts with no choice as far as military service was concerned. You can tell by the gripes that soldiers are basically the same: the officers are stupid, the chow is bad or non-existent, the equipment isn't up to snuff, and everyone hates the Marines.
Once the shooting starts, it's hard to lay the book down. Bramley jumps back and forth, recording the soldiers' accounts of their respective roles in the battle for Mount Longdon. It's fascinating, getting both sides at once. The outcome was never really in doubt. The Brits were a professional mean and nasty killing machine. I don't know why they're mean, possibly because they have to live in England, but they are nasty bastards, for the most part. I'm talking shoot a guy with his hands up mean, or bayonet a guy who's pleading to see his grandmother one more time mean.
The Argies, on the other hand, while not necessarily unwilling to fight, were abused so much by their own superiors that many were in no condition to fight when the Brits attacked. Starved, frozen, soaked, they were not much of a fighting force. The beasting they received at the hands of their own officers and NCOs was shockingly brutal, akin to medieval torture. Imagine being staked out over a puddle for an extended period, or being beaten by a superior. Training was inadequate, and many soldiers were sent to war with weapons they had not fired. In fact, many Argies expressed admiration in the way the Brits attacked, their professionalism and efficiency. As POWs, they were amazed to note that Brit officers actually talked to their men, and really seemed to give a damn about what they were saying. In fact, Argentinian POWs were unanimous in stating that they were treated far better by their erstwhile enemy than they were by their own superiors.
Bramley follows up on his group of soldiers postwar, and PTSD is prevalent for both victor and vanquished. The veterans of both countries suffered the fate of most veterans once they have done their bit: neglect and obscurity.
The book contains photos of the former belligerents who contributed to the compilation of memories, and Bramley has thoughtfully appended a nominal roll of the dead...from both sides.
If I took anything away from reading this book, it's that war is just about the most ridiculous endeavour on the planet. The British soldiers and Argentinian soldiers didn't hate each other, and many on each side of the fray didn't even know why they were fighting. But it's a soldier's job to carry out the wishes of his parliament, and both groups strived within their own limitations to do just that. I'm sure Bramley was cheered to find that he was welcomed into the homes of those he had tried to kill on Longdon. What he received was the respect one soldier owes another when there's nothing left to fight for.
February 1, 2024
Must read
What a compelling book I was fixed every moment I picked up this book.
I have had the privilege of traveling to the Falklands and have been t to pay my respects on Longdon.
This amazing book puts it all in prospective.
What a compelling book I was fixed every moment I picked up this book.
I have had the privilege of traveling to the Falklands and have been t to pay my respects on Longdon.
This amazing book puts it all in prospective.
June 28, 2020
Una muy interesante visión d Malvinas
April 1, 2016
Heartfelt brutal truth and absolutely engaging. War is and never will be a triumph for the the ones who fought. Victory is mere politics if it wasn't to eradicate pure evil. The Falklands war.....?
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews