Scram!: The Gripping First-hand Account of the Helicopter War in the Falklands

by Harry Benson

April 2nd, 2012 marks the 30th anniversary of the invasion of the Falkland Islands. This is the thrilling untold story of the young helicopter pilots -- most barely out of their teens -- who risked their lives during this brief but ferocious war.
In April 1982 Harry Benson was a 21 year-old Royal Navy commando helicopter pilot, fresh out of training and one of the youngest helicopter pilots to serve in the Falklands War. These pilots, nicknamed 'junglies', flew most of the land-based missions in the Falklands in their Sea King and Wessex helicopters. Much of what happened in the war -- the politics, task force ships, Sea Harriers, landings, Paras and Marines -- is well-known and documented. But almost nothing is known of the young commando helicopter pilots and aircrewmen who made it all happen on land and sea. This is their 'Boys Own' story, told for the very first time.
 
Harry Benson has interviewed forty of his former colleagues for the book creating a tale of skill, initiative, resourcefulness, humour, luck, and adventure. This is a fast-paced, meticulously researched and compelling account written by someone who was there, in the cockpit of a Wessex helicopter. 

None of these pilots has spoken before
- The two helicopter crashes and eventual rescue following a failed SAS mission high up on an in hospitable glacier in South Georgia
- The harrowing story of the Exocet strike that sunk the transport ship Atlantic Conveyor
- The daring missile raid on the Argentine high command in Port Stanley
- The constant mortar fire faced while supporting troops and evacuating casualties
- The hair-raising head-on attacks by Argentine jets on British helicopters
- The extraordinary courage shown during the evacuation of the bombed landing ship 'Sir Galahad' 

If you liked Apache, Vulcan 607 and Chickenhawk, you'll love Scram!  The word "Scram" was coined by Falklands helicopter pilots to warn other 'junglies' to go to ground or risk being shot down as Argentinean jets blasted through 'bomb alley'. The term has never been used before or since.

Genres: Military Fiction, History, Nonfiction, Military History, Biography

320 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2012

About the author

After serving eight years in the Royal Navy as a helicopter pilot - initially on 845/847 naval air commando squadrons flying a Wessex 5, then as flight commander of the frigate HMS Apollo flying a Wasp - Harry spent the next nine years in Asia in the completely different world of stockbroking. Surviving a marital crisis, he and his family moved back to England to help other couples avoid getting into the same mess they did! Armed with a first class degree in psychology, Harry set up a charity in Bristol and ran relationship programmes for thousands of couples, parents and individuals. He also co-wrote some influential policy papers for the Centre for Social Justice. He now works as research director for the charity Marriage Foundation - whose aim is to rebuild confidence in marriage - and appears regularly in the national media, very occasionally on the front page!

Reviews

[Chris Shepheard · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent account of a little related aspect of the Falklands war. The book tells the story of the part played by the unsung "junglie" helicopter pilots in every aspect of the South Atlantic campaign.

[Nick Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a perspective of the Falklands conflict from the perspective of the helicopter pilots involved. It does offer another perspective and does add another piece to the jigsaw that makes up the Falklands War. The author arrived towards the end, but at a recent reunion decided to collect the memories of the helicopter pilots (the "Junglies") and put them in one place.
Most well written books on the Falklands contain the same three themes, mis-management, luck and bravery. The retaking of the Falklands was a plan very much made up as it went along, and many of the ships the troops went in were due to be scrapped/sold/decommissioned, as has been pointed out, if the Argentinians had delayed their invasion by a month then Britain would have been unable to respond as they did.

Once at the Falklands there were many poor decisions made and the eventual victory came through luck and the sheer bravery and determination of the troops involved. Helicopters are the workhorse of the military, moving stores, troops and ammunition and, sadly, recovering the wounded. Sometimes referred to as taxis, that might be fair as long as you assume a taxi would take you in zero visibility to the front lines under enemy fire and then not expect a tip!

There are some very interesting and hair raising stories here and it is obvious that the Junglies did a fantastic job and could have done an even better one with co-ordinated air management. Harry Benson is objective in what he tells us although you feel at times he is holding back a little on his personal views and if you are interested in the life of helicopters at war then this (along with the excellent Apache by Ed Macy) is probably the book for you.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an essential addition to anyone with an interest in military aviation. The narrative takes an overview of all the helicopter operations in the Falklands, so is naturally not deep in some details.

The author does a marvelous job of describing the basics of helicopter flight and gives an indication of the training given to young men before they are sent to war. He hides nothing of the fear and horror involved in combat operations, and gives an indication of the coping methods used by the aviators.

Written well after the conflict, the narrative does not attempt to correct the misperceptions of the pilots and aircrew at the time, but corrects them after the anecdote as appropriate. Of course, noone on the frontline ever has the big picture. There is some criticism of senior command, as is to be expected, and hopefully the lessons shown will continue to be applied.

[Neil Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Would have liked to have seen the angle of "have we learned some of the lessons?" for RW support covered. Almost missed the part about the outcome of the lone SF soldier carrying the M16, but noticed on the last pages that he was never ID'd. Thanks to those who told their stories and to the author for telling them so well. I noticed there were some stories left untold. Was that due to scope boundary, lack of contact with those involved, or decision not to tell the story due to sensitivities of those involved (e.g. the ditching due to birdstrike with large loss of life).

[Tc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great account of a war little is heard about. A collection of stories told by the helicopter pilots who lived through some truly wild adventures and helped shape the world of helicopters today. Especially fascinating for anyone who is themselves a pilot

[pierre bovington · Rating 5 out of 5]

The genre ' military fiction" initially confused me so what follows is my personal account of the Royal Navy's helicopter aircrew in the South Atlantic, in 1982.
All I recall of 8 June 1982, aboard the Sir Galahad, was " air raid warning red" screamed over the tannoy when the first bomb hit.
I was making toast for 2 paratroopers in the sick bay recovering from trench foot.
Acrid smoke blinded me immediately. However, as a Royal Marine, I knew the LSL ships very well.
Running, I got up on deck to find chaos. Chinese crew members clearly burnt, one shouted his mate was still in the galley, taking a deep breath, I went back down and found a body almost immediately.
Back on top, I realised I was in trouble, so I went over the side into the water. To this day I think about the baker, as it turned out, I had abandoned.
Climbing down a rope ladder I entered the water.
The cold hit me like a punch.
Swimming a few strokes, I found a jerry can and started to paddle.
That was when the sea churned up around me and a harness appeared right next to me. Hauled up into the Wessex helicopter the crewman gave a grin and I was deposited on the ground.
So, a big thank you to the crews of those helicopters who flew into blinding smoke with ammunition exploding all around them.