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Three days in June
This book is an account of the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment during the last three days of the Falklands war, it has been put together with the goodwill of the members of 3 Para and their attachments. When I asked Lieutenant-General Sir Hew Pike KCB, DSO, MBE if he would do a read through, to make sure he had no objections to the content and if he would be kind enough to write the foreword, this was his reply, it sums up what the book is all about.
Jimmy, I have spent last night having a good read of the book, before I go away today, and really must congratulate you. Particularly strong is the overall picture of the awful nature of the fighting, the teamwork, the comradeship, and the courage in supporting others, the humour- I could go on. Also very strong are the descriptions of casevac and the backup side of the battle.
I wouldn't dream of suggesting that you change a single word.
It is a marvellous tribute to the courage and tenacity of the men of 3 PARA and you should be very proud of what you have achieved for them all.
Of course I will do a Foreword for your book, it would be a privilege
All good wishes
Hew Pike
Paperback version is available via Ebay.
This is the battle that TV / Film producer and director Mark Burnett (The Apprentice, The Voice, Survivor) took part in,
Please sign the e-petition in support of Cpl Stewart McLaughlin
Jimmy, I have spent last night having a good read of the book, before I go away today, and really must congratulate you. Particularly strong is the overall picture of the awful nature of the fighting, the teamwork, the comradeship, and the courage in supporting others, the humour- I could go on. Also very strong are the descriptions of casevac and the backup side of the battle.
I wouldn't dream of suggesting that you change a single word.
It is a marvellous tribute to the courage and tenacity of the men of 3 PARA and you should be very proud of what you have achieved for them all.
Of course I will do a Foreword for your book, it would be a privilege
All good wishes
Hew Pike
Paperback version is available via Ebay.
This is the battle that TV / Film producer and director Mark Burnett (The Apprentice, The Voice, Survivor) took part in,
Please sign the e-petition in support of Cpl Stewart McLaughlin
641 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 24, 2013
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271 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 16, 2014
When I finished reading The Falklands War by Martin Middlebrook and posted my review of it I received a reply from the author of Three Days in June, James O’Connor suggesting his book as one to read on the conflict. I took a look at it on Amazon and it sounded like an interesting read so I added it to my Kindle to read list (it is only available as an E-book). It was only published in June 2013 and only has seven reviews on Amazon but all of them were five star reviews so I put it up near the top of to read list. I finished reading Three Days in June just a few days ago and it was an outstanding read.
Rather than an overview of the Falklands War, Three Days in June focuses on the Battle for Mount Longdon and the subsequent advance into Port Stanley following the Argentinean collapse. For those not familiar with the Falklands War, the Battle for Mount Longdon was fought between the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment – 3 Para and supporting units on the British side and B Company 7th Infantry Battalion plus Marine platoons and supporting units on the Argentinean side. If the British forces were to take Port Stanley, the capital of the Falkllands, it was important for them to open the door by taking the high ground of Mount Longdon. In fierce fighting over 11/12 June 1982, 3 Para took Mount Londgon, pushing the Argentine forces off of the mountain. Once they pushed the Argentine forces off of the mountain, the Argentineans heavily shelled Mount Longdon. Over the three days, 3 Para took heavy losses of 23 killed and 47 wounded out of 450 men. The Argentine forces, consisting of 278 men, also suffered heavily with losses of 31 killed, 120 wounded, and 50 captured. As you can well see, this battle was no pushover for 3 Para, it was a hard bloody fight. After the initial fight for the mountain and 2 days of enduring Argentinean artillery, 3 Para was able to take off their helmets, put on their trademark berets and join the advance into Port Stanley when the Argentine forces surrendered. There is much, much more to the story, but I’ll leave you to read Three Days in June to learn about it all.
This is not a book written by an academic or a journalist, it is a book written by a soldier who was there; O’Connell not only served in the Falklands but participated in and was seriously wounded in the Battle for Mount Longdon. In this book, O’Connell doesn’t attempt to tell the story of the battle himself; he does it through interviews with many of the participants, radio log excerpts, diary entries, and excerpts from some secondary sources (as a radio hobbyist, I enjoyed the inclusion of the radio logs and I believe they add a lot to the account – there are times that you can feel the aggravation and frustration within them). The result is a soldier’s eye view of the battle told in the language of the soldier. I have never been in a battle, much less served in the military but I think this book probably comes as close as possible to relating the fear, confusion, stress, and emotion the soldiers of 3 Para and their supporting units felt without actually being there. The book is divided into eight chapters, with 4 chapters devoted to B Company, one chapter each devoted to Support Company, A Company, and C Company, 3 Para and one chapter devoted to the Medical and Evacuation personnel. The chapters use accounts from the soldiers involved, radio log entries, excerpts from diaries, and other sources which O’Connell puts together like pieces of a puzzle to give an overview of the battle chronologically with each Company. As he puts it in the introduction:
"I wanted to give more of a 360 degree view, with a timeline and an accurate sequence of events, so that the reader and the soldiers who took part in the battle can understand more about their colleagues’ pars in the battle, as most of the soldiers who took part in the battle only knew their own part."
I can’t speak for O’Connell’s colleagues, but from the perspective of someone who wasn’t there, I believe he has succeeded in his goal. It’s worth mentioning that O’Connell treats his Argentinean adversaries with respect, including accounts from their perspective alongside those of the British troops. At the end of the book when he lists 3 Para’s dead and a Roll of Honor for the British troops, he also lists the Argentinean dead and a Roll of Honor for their troops as well. I also appreciate that he includes accounts from logistics, medical, and evacuation personnel. The last chapter truly conveys the frustration felt at the delays and difficulty in casualty evacuation.
You come away from reading Three Days in June with massive respect for the private soldiers of 3 Para and great appreciation for the leadership of 3 Para’s Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs). While the Battalion Commander, Company Commanders, and Platoon Commanders directed the battle, it was the Battalion, Company, Platoon, and especially the section level NCOs that were the glue that held the unit together. Padre Derek Heaver, the Chaplain, also made an impression on me for the part he played in the Medical and Evacuation Company.
"He has put together a wonderful record of courage, tenacity, stoicism, self-sacrifice, teamwork and of course humour, so that from all these personal reminiscences, a number of threads can consistently be traced, all of them timeless truths of war. The qualities of the soldiers of 3 Para naturally dominate all else, as you read these pages about the terrible battle for Mount London, you will think to yourself, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." - Hew Pike, Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment 1982
Three Days in June is a compelling, well assembled account of the Battle for Mount Longdon. If you have even a passing interest in military history I recommend reading this book. If you are interested in the Falklands War, this book is a must read. The only complaint that I had reading the book was a lack of maps, but there is a companion Flickr gallery that remedies that problem: http://www.flickr.com/photos/three_da.... Some of the photos in that set will allow you to develop a mental picture of the geography and understand the rough terrain that 3 Para dealt with. Given the usual poor quality of maps and images you find in E-books, this might just be a good way getting around those problems. When I took a military history course in college, one of my assignments was to write a small unit action paper of a Civil War battle at the regimental level. I well remember how difficult it was to research and put together that paper. Remembering that experience, I believe that Jimmy O’Connell is to be commended for putting together such an excellent, readable, and once again compelling account of 3 Para on Mount Longdon; it definitely deserves a 5 out of 5 stars rating.
Rather than an overview of the Falklands War, Three Days in June focuses on the Battle for Mount Longdon and the subsequent advance into Port Stanley following the Argentinean collapse. For those not familiar with the Falklands War, the Battle for Mount Longdon was fought between the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment – 3 Para and supporting units on the British side and B Company 7th Infantry Battalion plus Marine platoons and supporting units on the Argentinean side. If the British forces were to take Port Stanley, the capital of the Falkllands, it was important for them to open the door by taking the high ground of Mount Longdon. In fierce fighting over 11/12 June 1982, 3 Para took Mount Londgon, pushing the Argentine forces off of the mountain. Once they pushed the Argentine forces off of the mountain, the Argentineans heavily shelled Mount Longdon. Over the three days, 3 Para took heavy losses of 23 killed and 47 wounded out of 450 men. The Argentine forces, consisting of 278 men, also suffered heavily with losses of 31 killed, 120 wounded, and 50 captured. As you can well see, this battle was no pushover for 3 Para, it was a hard bloody fight. After the initial fight for the mountain and 2 days of enduring Argentinean artillery, 3 Para was able to take off their helmets, put on their trademark berets and join the advance into Port Stanley when the Argentine forces surrendered. There is much, much more to the story, but I’ll leave you to read Three Days in June to learn about it all.
This is not a book written by an academic or a journalist, it is a book written by a soldier who was there; O’Connell not only served in the Falklands but participated in and was seriously wounded in the Battle for Mount Longdon. In this book, O’Connell doesn’t attempt to tell the story of the battle himself; he does it through interviews with many of the participants, radio log excerpts, diary entries, and excerpts from some secondary sources (as a radio hobbyist, I enjoyed the inclusion of the radio logs and I believe they add a lot to the account – there are times that you can feel the aggravation and frustration within them). The result is a soldier’s eye view of the battle told in the language of the soldier. I have never been in a battle, much less served in the military but I think this book probably comes as close as possible to relating the fear, confusion, stress, and emotion the soldiers of 3 Para and their supporting units felt without actually being there. The book is divided into eight chapters, with 4 chapters devoted to B Company, one chapter each devoted to Support Company, A Company, and C Company, 3 Para and one chapter devoted to the Medical and Evacuation personnel. The chapters use accounts from the soldiers involved, radio log entries, excerpts from diaries, and other sources which O’Connell puts together like pieces of a puzzle to give an overview of the battle chronologically with each Company. As he puts it in the introduction:
"I wanted to give more of a 360 degree view, with a timeline and an accurate sequence of events, so that the reader and the soldiers who took part in the battle can understand more about their colleagues’ pars in the battle, as most of the soldiers who took part in the battle only knew their own part."
I can’t speak for O’Connell’s colleagues, but from the perspective of someone who wasn’t there, I believe he has succeeded in his goal. It’s worth mentioning that O’Connell treats his Argentinean adversaries with respect, including accounts from their perspective alongside those of the British troops. At the end of the book when he lists 3 Para’s dead and a Roll of Honor for the British troops, he also lists the Argentinean dead and a Roll of Honor for their troops as well. I also appreciate that he includes accounts from logistics, medical, and evacuation personnel. The last chapter truly conveys the frustration felt at the delays and difficulty in casualty evacuation.
You come away from reading Three Days in June with massive respect for the private soldiers of 3 Para and great appreciation for the leadership of 3 Para’s Non Commissioned Officers (NCOs). While the Battalion Commander, Company Commanders, and Platoon Commanders directed the battle, it was the Battalion, Company, Platoon, and especially the section level NCOs that were the glue that held the unit together. Padre Derek Heaver, the Chaplain, also made an impression on me for the part he played in the Medical and Evacuation Company.
"He has put together a wonderful record of courage, tenacity, stoicism, self-sacrifice, teamwork and of course humour, so that from all these personal reminiscences, a number of threads can consistently be traced, all of them timeless truths of war. The qualities of the soldiers of 3 Para naturally dominate all else, as you read these pages about the terrible battle for Mount London, you will think to yourself, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." - Hew Pike, Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment 1982
Three Days in June is a compelling, well assembled account of the Battle for Mount Longdon. If you have even a passing interest in military history I recommend reading this book. If you are interested in the Falklands War, this book is a must read. The only complaint that I had reading the book was a lack of maps, but there is a companion Flickr gallery that remedies that problem: http://www.flickr.com/photos/three_da.... Some of the photos in that set will allow you to develop a mental picture of the geography and understand the rough terrain that 3 Para dealt with. Given the usual poor quality of maps and images you find in E-books, this might just be a good way getting around those problems. When I took a military history course in college, one of my assignments was to write a small unit action paper of a Civil War battle at the regimental level. I well remember how difficult it was to research and put together that paper. Remembering that experience, I believe that Jimmy O’Connell is to be commended for putting together such an excellent, readable, and once again compelling account of 3 Para on Mount Longdon; it definitely deserves a 5 out of 5 stars rating.
March 4, 2023
A truly outstanding and personal account of men in war. Written in a unique style that makes you genuinely think you are there.
James O’Connell I salute you and your colleagues. Thank you.
James O’Connell I salute you and your colleagues. Thank you.
December 22, 2023
First hand accounts for the battle of Mount Longdon....very comprehensive.
October 6, 2016
This is an interesting read. I have not seen an account of a battle written in this way before. It paints a fantastic picture of the chaos, fear and danger these young guys faced. It's a hard read in part because of the subject matter but also the soldiers recollections are very similar, so as the book continues it creates a lot of repetition.
I stuck with it out of respect to the young men who forced themselves up Longdon on those cold days in June 1982. It's a fascinating insight into what it must have been like on those days. To a casual reader it is perhaps overlong with too many voices. However given what these young guys did they all deserve a voice but it need perseverance. This is an important book, and the author should be congratulated.
I stuck with it out of respect to the young men who forced themselves up Longdon on those cold days in June 1982. It's a fascinating insight into what it must have been like on those days. To a casual reader it is perhaps overlong with too many voices. However given what these young guys did they all deserve a voice but it need perseverance. This is an important book, and the author should be congratulated.
May 31, 2016
An incredible account of the actions of 3 Para in the battle for Mount Longdon. I've read this book twice now, and on each occasion have had to tear myself away from it, so engrossing are the stories. Whatever your politics, whatever your views of the Falklands War, read this book to gain a glimpse of what the brave young lads of 3 Para, some no older than 17 years of age, travelled thousands of miles to face. A brutal battle in brutal conditions against a well-equipped and well-entrenched enemy. James O'Connell has done a fantastic job of collating information from his former comrades.
April 23, 2020
Excellent read brutally describes the Battle
One of the best accounts of the conflict . Grim reading in parts . Sad in others . However great account from all parties .
One of the best accounts of the conflict . Grim reading in parts . Sad in others . However great account from all parties .
June 15, 2025
I read this book in one day. Not an ordinary day either, as it is the anniversary of the end of the Falklands war.
This book is a gritty, straightforward, uncompromising, yet at times deeply emotional read. It is not written by a historian or an academic. It’s written by the only people who can really truly tell the story, the soldiers who were there.
During my 13 years in the reserve forces, I occasionally came across past and serving members of the Parachute regiment . I always found their upfront and occasionally brutal directness refreshing. Having read this story, I feel an even deeper sense of respect .
The simple directness of these eyewitness accounts ensures that they hit home. If a couple don’t reduce you to tears, then you’re not a human being.
James O’Connell - a massive salute to you and the rest of the lads.
Thank you.
This book is a gritty, straightforward, uncompromising, yet at times deeply emotional read. It is not written by a historian or an academic. It’s written by the only people who can really truly tell the story, the soldiers who were there.
During my 13 years in the reserve forces, I occasionally came across past and serving members of the Parachute regiment . I always found their upfront and occasionally brutal directness refreshing. Having read this story, I feel an even deeper sense of respect .
The simple directness of these eyewitness accounts ensures that they hit home. If a couple don’t reduce you to tears, then you’re not a human being.
James O’Connell - a massive salute to you and the rest of the lads.
Thank you.
September 15, 2024
Fondamentale per chi si interessa del conflitto delle Falklands. Lo stile è unico nel suo genere: l'autore ha raccolto decine di testimonianze tra i presenti (tra cui lui stesso) appartenenti al 3 Para e ai reparti che lo supportavano durante la battaglia Mount Longdon, per poi spezzettarle e ricomporre un mosaico in rigorosissimo ordine cronologico. I commenti sono praticamente assenti, ridotti allo stretto necessario per contestualizzare i successivi racconti.
Oltre a fare ben comprendere il combattimento, il libro riesce a calare il lettore nella situazione: si possono percepire la stanchezza, il freddo, il dolore dei feriti.
Forse il migliore che abbia mai letto sull'argomento.
Oltre a fare ben comprendere il combattimento, il libro riesce a calare il lettore nella situazione: si possono percepire la stanchezza, il freddo, il dolore dei feriti.
Forse il migliore che abbia mai letto sull'argomento.
October 15, 2024
I don’t know how to start reviewing this book as it got me very emotional. James has managed to pull together probably the most descriptive account of a battle I have ever read and one that took place over 3 days. His research and hours taking to fellow members of 3 Para provides such an accurate and also chilling account of what was the last major engagement with the Argentinian forces during the Falklands conflict. At the end it also reminds us of the toll war takes on the survivors, even today 42 years on. To all the brave men and women who served in the Falklands conflict, my Brothers in Arms, life long respect!
January 11, 2020
I loved this account of one of the most brutal battles of the Falklands War. It beautifully shows that in war the focus is taken away from a sense of duty and "Queen and Country" and becomes about those around you. It gives a great insight into how a soldier thinks in combat, especially a Parachute Regiment soldier. This book is a must read for those who want a true reflection on war without any macho BS or gung -ho story telling.
February 2, 2020
A moving account.
This book was difficult to read, not because it was poorly written but because every page is an account of the horror of a violent battle. The bravery of the men described its astonishing. The pilots, medics, civilian helpers and, last but by no means least, the troops involved, showed a bravery and devotion to their comrades that inspires any reader. A great book about an outstanding display of courage and fortitude.
This book was difficult to read, not because it was poorly written but because every page is an account of the horror of a violent battle. The bravery of the men described its astonishing. The pilots, medics, civilian helpers and, last but by no means least, the troops involved, showed a bravery and devotion to their comrades that inspires any reader. A great book about an outstanding display of courage and fortitude.
August 19, 2024
The author has done an amazing job of putting together the events of so many different people during the attack on Mount Longdon. To begin with it seems weird that you are reading the same overall events again and again but the memories of each company are so different and you soon no longer care that the events repeat .
This was a great piece of work and does not shy away from the horrors of war . It’s a must read for anyone interested in the history of the falklands war.
This was a great piece of work and does not shy away from the horrors of war . It’s a must read for anyone interested in the history of the falklands war.
November 27, 2019
Stunning!
This was possibly the most detailed book I have read regarding a specific action in the Falklands campaign. My only criticism is that given it commences immediately without any of normal background narrative, a map of the mountain and the relevant positions would have been better placed at the beginning. (I read the Kindle version)
An outstanding historical document.
This was possibly the most detailed book I have read regarding a specific action in the Falklands campaign. My only criticism is that given it commences immediately without any of normal background narrative, a map of the mountain and the relevant positions would have been better placed at the beginning. (I read the Kindle version)
An outstanding historical document.
November 24, 2018
Lest we forget
A gritty read that brings out the humour and horror faced by soldiers who served during this conflict. It is also good to see the Argentine perspective as although the 'enemy' they are still people with families.
A gritty read that brings out the humour and horror faced by soldiers who served during this conflict. It is also good to see the Argentine perspective as although the 'enemy' they are still people with families.
May 26, 2022
A very thorough and detailed account of the courageous and brave military personnel who engaged in the Battle of Mount Longdon. Told from a number of different viewpoints around the mountain, over a period of days concluding in the surrender of the Argentine forces and the eventual retaking of Stanley. At times a very difficult read in relation to the loss of life experienced on both sides.
Never forget their sacrifice. Never forget their names. Never forget.
We shall remember them all.
Never forget their sacrifice. Never forget their names. Never forget.
We shall remember them all.
August 21, 2022
Very intense book about the Battle of Mount Longdon, in The Falklands. A curation of oral histories, and radio logs it's both detailed, harrowing, courageous, and uplifting. A testament to the servicemen, and volunteer civilians.
November 10, 2022
Moving
An accurate battlefield account of the Battle For Mount Longdon. Told in their own words the story of the three day battle fought by paratroops.
Easy to follow narrative tells of courage, stoicism and humour.
A great read and highly recommended.
An accurate battlefield account of the Battle For Mount Longdon. Told in their own words the story of the three day battle fought by paratroops.
Easy to follow narrative tells of courage, stoicism and humour.
A great read and highly recommended.
February 15, 2023
Very grateful for James to get in touch with me about my uncle who he served with. Was very interesting to read how this war was fought, also quite emotional reading my uncles name in the book, thinking about what they all went through.
March 20, 2023
I was 13 when this happened and I remember cycling down to Southampton docks to watch the Canberra leave with all the soldiers on, I will never forget it.
Would have been nice to know the character of the guys as the ship steamed South.
Would have been nice to know the character of the guys as the ship steamed South.
July 27, 2023
An at times harrowing, and almost minute-by-minute account of the fighting on Mount Longdon. I've read quite a few military history books and very few have given such a detailed and personal picture of events in the words of the people who took part. An essential read.
August 29, 2025
Must read
An unbelievable account of the outstanding bravery and tenacity of 3 Para on Mt Longdon. I am humbled by this book. Thanks for writing it with such amazing detail. We should never forget.
An unbelievable account of the outstanding bravery and tenacity of 3 Para on Mt Longdon. I am humbled by this book. Thanks for writing it with such amazing detail. We should never forget.
September 7, 2022
A harrowing and very factual day to day account of the Falklands war from the men of 3 para ,an excellent read from start to finish and must be commended for its realism
August 10, 2023
Incredibly detailed and thorough account of war told by those fighting
October 18, 2023
absolutely gripping in its detail
Don’t miss this. Terrible and brilliantly pieced together . The fact the author is also wounded during it makes it all too real.
Don’t miss this. Terrible and brilliantly pieced together . The fact the author is also wounded during it makes it all too real.
July 22, 2022
Strange layout but telling the whole story in any other way would have been very difficult if not impossible. A very harrowing read but nothing to what being there must have been.
March 12, 2017
excellent
excellent book with enormous amounts of detailed and insightful first hand accounts. Thought provoking and emotional to boot. If you can look beyond the number of editing mistakes (didn't spoil my enjoyment) this is a great read.
excellent book with enormous amounts of detailed and insightful first hand accounts. Thought provoking and emotional to boot. If you can look beyond the number of editing mistakes (didn't spoil my enjoyment) this is a great read.
January 12, 2022
The author was motivated by the view that much of what had previously been written about the battle was very off-base, and he wanted to put the record straight. Having read some accounts of the battle I haven't seen all that much difference, though I haven't read everything on this subject. Besides, it's really only the veterans that give highly detailed accounts and he is merely bringing more of that to bear. He himself was seriously wounded very early in the battle and saw little of what happened, but this book gain credibility from the sheer volume of testimonies, as opposed to one-man accounts from the likes of Cooksey and Bramley. Their accounts are just as first-hand as anything from this book, but they are from one perspective not many.
O'Connell divides the book into Platoons and Companies, taking each in turn. Thus we go through the battle first with B Company 6 Platoon, then B Company 5 Platoon 'A' section, two more sections devoted to B Platoon, then Company-sized sections on Support, A, C, and the MedEvac personnel.
The books is in essence an painstakingly curated narrative of the battle using only quotes from first-hand witnesses. Several people describe the same event, and those same several people describe an event that happens 30 minutes later. O'Connell edits the work well, to avoid annoying repetition, instead giving us different angles of the same events. I read the book for research into a novel I'm writing and wrote extensive notes. When I realised his approach was a 'mere' collation of verbatim testimony I was concerned it might become hard-going, but it's a testament to O'Connell's work that he's created something very readable.
I'm grateful for O'Connell's labours. More strategic-level writers such as Hastings and Middlebrook give the battle curiously short shrift, especially compared to the more famous Battle of Goose Green, and this comprehensive treatment of a strategically significant battle was overdue and well-warranted.
If you have the slightest interest in the Falklands War, this book is well worth your time, lifting the lid on the look, feel, smell, reactions and feelings of the people who were there, as well as close-quarter events themselves.
O'Connell divides the book into Platoons and Companies, taking each in turn. Thus we go through the battle first with B Company 6 Platoon, then B Company 5 Platoon 'A' section, two more sections devoted to B Platoon, then Company-sized sections on Support, A, C, and the MedEvac personnel.
The books is in essence an painstakingly curated narrative of the battle using only quotes from first-hand witnesses. Several people describe the same event, and those same several people describe an event that happens 30 minutes later. O'Connell edits the work well, to avoid annoying repetition, instead giving us different angles of the same events. I read the book for research into a novel I'm writing and wrote extensive notes. When I realised his approach was a 'mere' collation of verbatim testimony I was concerned it might become hard-going, but it's a testament to O'Connell's work that he's created something very readable.
I'm grateful for O'Connell's labours. More strategic-level writers such as Hastings and Middlebrook give the battle curiously short shrift, especially compared to the more famous Battle of Goose Green, and this comprehensive treatment of a strategically significant battle was overdue and well-warranted.
If you have the slightest interest in the Falklands War, this book is well worth your time, lifting the lid on the look, feel, smell, reactions and feelings of the people who were there, as well as close-quarter events themselves.
June 25, 2022
A great account of the battle for Mount Longdon. The book compiles the recollections of people who were involved, and in this sense it is a memorial to those who fought and died. The recollections are set out chronological order.
The result is that the events are viewed from the many different elements that took part. It provides a deep understanding of the "fog of war", the confusion not just of battle but of the lead up and aftermath as well.
The book has - unfairly in my opinion - been criticised for being repetitive and I think these criticisms misunderstand what the book set out to do. If you want an page turning action thriller, this book is not for you. If you want to understand the professionalism and bravery of the men who took part, I would recommend you read it. Not only is the book a tribute to 3 Para, but it is a useful document to serving soldiers and others who wonder what it would have been like.
The result is that the events are viewed from the many different elements that took part. It provides a deep understanding of the "fog of war", the confusion not just of battle but of the lead up and aftermath as well.
The book has - unfairly in my opinion - been criticised for being repetitive and I think these criticisms misunderstand what the book set out to do. If you want an page turning action thriller, this book is not for you. If you want to understand the professionalism and bravery of the men who took part, I would recommend you read it. Not only is the book a tribute to 3 Para, but it is a useful document to serving soldiers and others who wonder what it would have been like.
August 18, 2021
Exceptional Insight
This is a first hand account of an exceptionally bloody, challenging and truly frightening battle in The Falklands War. It is not an easy read for anyone, especially those who have served, and certainly lifts the lid on this iconic event in the Parachute Regiment’s history. It walks through the battle from the perspective of each element of 3 Para as they assault Mount Langdon and is firmly rooted in the soldiers’ perspectives, not the operational. The narrative is told through the words of those who fought, and some might find it a bit jumpy as a consequence, but it is compelling reading and gives some insight to the horrors and suffering both sides endured. Thoroughly recommended.
This is a first hand account of an exceptionally bloody, challenging and truly frightening battle in The Falklands War. It is not an easy read for anyone, especially those who have served, and certainly lifts the lid on this iconic event in the Parachute Regiment’s history. It walks through the battle from the perspective of each element of 3 Para as they assault Mount Langdon and is firmly rooted in the soldiers’ perspectives, not the operational. The narrative is told through the words of those who fought, and some might find it a bit jumpy as a consequence, but it is compelling reading and gives some insight to the horrors and suffering both sides endured. Thoroughly recommended.
May 24, 2022
I found this book well written ,but in a style that was vividly graphic & brought the full horrors of Army ( as opposed to Navy or Airforce ) combat to life . It was so vividly graphic ,& the personal accounts so strong , that I was actually unable to complete it .
As a young man I spent a short time in the RAF & would like to think I can be brave if needed , but these guys take bravery to a whole new level .
This book makes me now view the Falklands war &, the army in particular , in a completely different light & I find I have a renewed respect for those who fought there & the amazing bravery & courage they showed !
As a young man I spent a short time in the RAF & would like to think I can be brave if needed , but these guys take bravery to a whole new level .
This book makes me now view the Falklands war &, the army in particular , in a completely different light & I find I have a renewed respect for those who fought there & the amazing bravery & courage they showed !
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews