The Yompers: With 45 Commando in the Falklands War

by Ian R. Gardiner

A British company commander details his experience serving in the Falklands War and reflects on the 1982 conflict.“Yomping” was the word Commandos used for carrying heavy loads on long marches. It caught the public’s imagination during this short but bitter campaign and epitomized the grim determination and professionalism of our troops… Called to action on April 2, 1982, the men of 45 Commando Royal Marines assembled from around the world to sail 8,000 miles to recover the Falkland Islands from Argentine invasion. Lacking helicopters and short of food, they “yomped” in appalling weather carrying overloaded rucksacks, across the roughest terrain. Yet for a month in mid-winter, they remained a cohesive fighting-fit body of men. They then fought and won the highly successful and fierce night battle for Two Sisters, a 1,000-foot-high mountain which was the key to the defensive positions around Stanley. More than just a first-hand story of that epic feat, this book is the first to be written by a company commander in the Falklands War. It offers a vivid description of the “yomp” and infantry fighting, and it also offers penetrating insights into the realities of war at higher levels. It is a unique combination of descriptive writing about frontline fighting and wider reflections on the Falklands War, and conflict in general.“This is the real thing, from someone who gave the orders and led from the front, from beginning to bitter end. His account is articulate, poignant and precise, even though thirty years have elapsed . . . highly recommended.” —Military History Monthly

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

353 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 19, 2012

Reviews

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another remarkable book from the Brigadier. Not only for its content but remarkable in that it was written thirty years later yet feels like a missive from a young company commander. It’s an engaging account of his experience as a company commander of Royal Marines from April through July 1982 during the Falklands Campaign.

There are nine chapters all simply titled using the present participle: listening, leaving, pausing, sailing, landing, yomping, fighting, returning, reflecting. Lots of photos and four maps. This is not a battlefield study but a memoir dispensing wisdom, sea stories, and a critique of the players at all levels. Informative, humorous, serious. It was by no means a foregone conclusion that the Brits would prevail. The Blues Brothers movie was the soundtrack of the deployment. Each chapter quotes some of the lyrics from Cab Calloway’s Minnie the Moocher.

The author at 0500 on April 2, 1982 receives the call to deploy. They had just returned from 90 days training in Scotland. April Fools was what they all thought. Within four months they would be back and not have lost a single man. Pretty incredible.

On May 22, 1982 they landed at San Carlos under aerial attack. They “yomped” all the way with 100 pound loads over terrible terrain in the cold and snow. Their first assault would be the peak, The Two Sisters, on June 12, 1982. A few days later it was all over.

Oh, and the maps they were issued did not contain grid lines! How are you going to coordinate fire support? As usual ingenuity and initiative at the brigade level created a system of grids.

Filled with soulful musings on the loneliness of command, the fates, the home front, PTSD and sea stories that will have you laughing and crying at the capacity of the human spirit.

[Barbara McGregor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating read. A boots on the ground account of exactly what happened before, during and after the Falkland’s conflict. An insight into the difficulties of our Royal Marine Commandos in battle. A must read for anyone who lived through the days and weeks of the conflict. I really enjoyed reading this book.

[Andrea Di Bernardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Yomping" is a Royal Marines slang term for a march in fully equipped gear. The "Yompers" is the name given to those who marched from the landing in San Carlos to Stanley. The book I am presenting to you today is an account of the Falklands / Malvinas war fought by the X Ray company of the 45th Commando. The author is Captain Ian Gardiner, commander of that unit, and the book is published by Pen & Sword.
The War of the Falklands, or Malvinas (as they are called by the Argentines) is one of the strangest wars of the past century. Fought by two "western" nations for nearly uninhabited islands in the South Atlantic, they were an appendage to the then reigning Cold War. As the narrator explains, with his captivating style full of cultural references to military history, at the time of the intervention in the islands, occupied by the Argentine military forces, there was not only a somewhat dated territorial dispute (from the previous century ) but also the demonstration of how seriously the British Army did in the eyes of the opponents of the time, the Soviets. In this way the author begins to describe the mobilization for what was a war at the antipodes that remind us, given the habitat in which was fought, most the wars of the past than those of the present. Few vehicles, indeed nothing, the helicopters eliminated almost immediately by the attack on the Atlantic Conveyor, a container carrier that transported most of them and therefore the need to "Yomping" for miles in a treacherous and unsuitable ground for humans, or almost . Air strikes and fear of course, but savage combat over hills and mountains. This was precisely the fate of the 45th Commando, employed in the attack on Mount "Two Sisters", as part of the approach to the capital of the islands, Stanley.
Gardiner appears as an honest storyteller, with great culture, often funny with that black humor that only soldiers can have, to ease the tension and face the danger. Despite its short duration, the War was in the balance and only willpower and organization prevailed, despite great acts of heroism, especially of the Argentine aviators who hit the Royal Navy hard. Gardiner concludes the war with a consideration that obviously I do not reveal to you, and that perhaps is the thing that most of all can make an officer, who has been entrusted with men to lead into battle, proud. In my opinion one of the best books on this war, a book that cannot be missing in the library of a fan of this war, so modern but at the same time ancient.
P.S. if you want to hear Ian Gardiner, in this video you can see him tell the story of the War:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXsD2...

[Bob Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lessons Learned Far, Far Away

Honestly, I live a bit of a paradox. I abhor war, believe it is instigated by selfish, egotistical men (Margaret Thatcher notwithstanding, it is usually men who decide) and I worked pretty hard to avoid my generation’s war - Vietnam. Yet, I respect those who volunteer to be the tip of the spear. My Dad was one of them in WWII. I would have been under those circumstances.
This book tells the personal stories of Royal Marines who did their duty when a malignant Argentine military dictator whose government was foundering tried to rally his people and distract them by invading the disputed Falkland Islands. For me, this has disturbing similarities to what’s happen these days. Greedy men want to expand territory and distract citizens. Falklands or Greenland, Austria or Venezuela.
History repeats itself.
These soldiers did their duty, paid a price and liberated British citizens overtaken against their will.
Argentinians probably disagree, but my heart say invading territory militarily against a population that doesn’t want it as a means to distract citizens is a bad bargain.
This book was a good reminder and an interesting read.

[David Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

A factual detailed account all the big issues and minutiae involved in going to war. The author is positive throughout and graciously avoids criticism via retrospective wisdom.
His insights and praise for his men are outstanding.

[neil archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

good reading

all round god book a good account of whent on
well put into words a hard book to wright 4 the auther

[daisy riddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

An interesting tale, well told. Lots of personal anecdotal observations all of which add to the real feel for the build up and battles of the Falklands.

[james walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yompers




An account of the Falklands war from the marines commander in the field
Interesting and at times brutal essay of war.

[Joe Hewett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Argentinians says ‘las malvinas son argentinas’, but after reading this I realised the Falklands are in fact British

[Paul Harrap · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read and great insight into the exploits of 45 Cdo

[TS Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting read, with lots of lines quoting the requirements of good leadership, applicable to any peacetime endeavour. The telling of the campaign would be enlightening to those who think they had it tough during their exercises in the military service, the real thing is tougher. Hence the tough training.

[Rob Neyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just from the title, one might expect a rousing tale of intense combat. This isn't that sort of book, though, as the first (and only) battle fought by the author and 45 Commando doesn't come until exactly two-thirds of the way in, and it's a short battle. In fact, I might argue that it's among the least interesting parts of the book, as it's hard to keep the details straight (just as it was hard for the participants at the time, as the combat was in the dark and disordered). But if you wanna read about military leadership, and the ability of well-trained men to endure appalling conditions while soaked to the bone and carrying more than 100 pounds of gear on their backs for weeks on end ... well, this is the book for you.

[Keith Budzynski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small Unit Leadership

This is an excellent book on one man's experience in 45 Commando during the Falklands War. It is an important book in small unit leadership and serving those you lead.