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Falklands Commando: Deep Fires, Special Forces and SBS Ops in The Falklands War
First published in 1984, and republished twice since then, Falklands Commando was one of the first eye-witness accounts of combat operations during the Falklands War, and indeed one of the first books on Special Forces missions.
Captain Hugh McManners went in on the first British Special Forces combat mission to land on East Falkland, in preparation for the Royal Navy landings on the Islands. His mission was to prevent an Argentine heavy weapons company guarding the entrance to the Task Force’s intended harbour area from attacking the ships.
The gripping narrative is Hugh’s first-hand account of this most famous of modern British military operations. His position made him part of the planning of this operation as well as one of the field operators – a unique perspective. Hugh describes, with perception and an often a wry sense of humour, life in his five-man Special Forces team, fighting with the Special Boat Squadron.
After near-disastrous small boat ops in heavy seas, gruelling long clearance reconnaissance missions, and tense night helicopter insertions, Hugh’s team finish up on their own, concealed while surrounded by enemy troops, twenty kilometres behind enemy lines. From this very exposed position, they carry out night-firing missions using naval gunships, to destroy Argentine artillery guns, missiles and radars. These targets must be destroyed before the enemy can use them to sink ships, or stop the British Commandos and Paras as they consolidate in the mountains ready for the final set-piece battle.
Then, as the British artillery comes within range, McManners’ team also fire by day. This proves critical, as the Paras and Commandos are heavily shelled while fighting their way into the Argentines’ defensive ring of steel.
This new ebook edition includes a new 2014 introduction, plus the Introductions from each of the three earlier editions, from 1984, 1987 and 2002. These reveal the failures of the British Ministry of Defence post-Falklands and then in the first Gulf War.
From readers' reviews of the book:
"...has to be the definitive work on soldiering in the Falklands War, by a rather unusual soldier."
"With more than a little understated humor and much fascinating personal detail, McManners describes the operations ashore, as his team leap-frogged across the islands, calling in naval gunfire in support of special operations forces."
"Falklands Commando has plenty to offer in the way of lessons learned for war on an austere budget in a remote location. It is highly recommended to students of expeditionary warfare."
Captain Hugh McManners went in on the first British Special Forces combat mission to land on East Falkland, in preparation for the Royal Navy landings on the Islands. His mission was to prevent an Argentine heavy weapons company guarding the entrance to the Task Force’s intended harbour area from attacking the ships.
The gripping narrative is Hugh’s first-hand account of this most famous of modern British military operations. His position made him part of the planning of this operation as well as one of the field operators – a unique perspective. Hugh describes, with perception and an often a wry sense of humour, life in his five-man Special Forces team, fighting with the Special Boat Squadron.
After near-disastrous small boat ops in heavy seas, gruelling long clearance reconnaissance missions, and tense night helicopter insertions, Hugh’s team finish up on their own, concealed while surrounded by enemy troops, twenty kilometres behind enemy lines. From this very exposed position, they carry out night-firing missions using naval gunships, to destroy Argentine artillery guns, missiles and radars. These targets must be destroyed before the enemy can use them to sink ships, or stop the British Commandos and Paras as they consolidate in the mountains ready for the final set-piece battle.
Then, as the British artillery comes within range, McManners’ team also fire by day. This proves critical, as the Paras and Commandos are heavily shelled while fighting their way into the Argentines’ defensive ring of steel.
This new ebook edition includes a new 2014 introduction, plus the Introductions from each of the three earlier editions, from 1984, 1987 and 2002. These reveal the failures of the British Ministry of Defence post-Falklands and then in the first Gulf War.
From readers' reviews of the book:
"...has to be the definitive work on soldiering in the Falklands War, by a rather unusual soldier."
"With more than a little understated humor and much fascinating personal detail, McManners describes the operations ashore, as his team leap-frogged across the islands, calling in naval gunfire in support of special operations forces."
"Falklands Commando has plenty to offer in the way of lessons learned for war on an austere budget in a remote location. It is highly recommended to students of expeditionary warfare."
- GenresMilitary Fiction
363 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 10, 2014
26 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Hugh McManners
49 books9 followersAfter 18 years in the British Army including the Falklands War working with the SBS, Hugh became a non-fiction author and television producer. He was the Defence Correspondent of The Sunday Times from 1995 -2000. Hugh started writing fiction in 2022.
Hugh says: "I'm a campaigner and enthusiast. Having written a wide variety of non-fiction books, I'm now writing fiction - "military historical thrillers".
He's starting with a five book series running from 1980 until the end of the Falklands War in 1982. The first book "The Sunday Service" about the SAS and PIRA in Northern Ireland, is now published.
"I'm writing fiction as with all my books, to explain the reality of extreme situations to people who haven't experienced it for themselves," Hugh says.
"Fiction that uses action and violence with military characters and settings needs to be accurately portrayed. The brave people who risk life and limb for our security deserve this.
"Plus, I really dislike the word 'thrill" -dictionary definition: "a sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure". It's superficial, vicarious and simple, totally unlike the reality of military operations. But if you've not been a soldier on operations, how could you know that?
"I'm not quite sure where this gets me with writing "thrillers". I'll leave further comment to my readers."
Hugh is also a musician: a guitarist and songwriter. He was Director of The Scars of War Foundation at the University of Oxford, a pioneering research into the cognitive neuroscience of combat-related PTSD and brain injury in war veterans.
Hugh says: "I'm a campaigner and enthusiast. Having written a wide variety of non-fiction books, I'm now writing fiction - "military historical thrillers".
He's starting with a five book series running from 1980 until the end of the Falklands War in 1982. The first book "The Sunday Service" about the SAS and PIRA in Northern Ireland, is now published.
"I'm writing fiction as with all my books, to explain the reality of extreme situations to people who haven't experienced it for themselves," Hugh says.
"Fiction that uses action and violence with military characters and settings needs to be accurately portrayed. The brave people who risk life and limb for our security deserve this.
"Plus, I really dislike the word 'thrill" -dictionary definition: "a sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure". It's superficial, vicarious and simple, totally unlike the reality of military operations. But if you've not been a soldier on operations, how could you know that?
"I'm not quite sure where this gets me with writing "thrillers". I'll leave further comment to my readers."
Hugh is also a musician: a guitarist and songwriter. He was Director of The Scars of War Foundation at the University of Oxford, a pioneering research into the cognitive neuroscience of combat-related PTSD and brain injury in war veterans.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 8, 2024
First hand accounts of an artillery observer during Falklands war.
August 25, 2019
Disappointed
A totally predictable book with a total lack of objectivity which demonstrates an absolutely biased description of the facts.
I do not recommend the book.
A totally predictable book with a total lack of objectivity which demonstrates an absolutely biased description of the facts.
I do not recommend the book.
January 7, 2026
“The AOO is requested to go to the AOR. The AOO.”
The present book will help us dive into a very specific atmosphere, firstly leading up to the unprecedented Falklands War – actually a ten‑week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom – and secondly dwelling on the sporadic battles of that strange conflict. We'll put on the commando boots and, together with the book's author, jump down right onto the Royal Navy HMS deck.
The first interesting fact we encounter is that the Royal Navy was intermingled partly with the Army. Believe it or not, the Royal Navy provided coxswains for the assault boats, while the Army supplied the soldiers to form the raiding parties. At the beginning there was quite a festivity: soldiers and sailors lined the decks, shoulder to shoulder, waving and cheering with various Royal Marine Bands playing jaunty regimental marches, pop tunes, and the strangely haunting Rod Stewart song “I Am Sailing.” Fire tugs sent sprays of water high into the air and bunting fluttered. “People are people,” as Depeche Mode once put it, and the sailors on board were no exception. A mess, like a merciful distraction, prevailed everywhere, helping the men avoid thinking about what lay ahead. They were busy finding places for their sea bags, bergens, webbing, and battered suitcases. Unfortunately, there was not enough space for their worldly belongings. So they had to turn one officers’ bathroom into a stowage space. The poor officer had to play the role of a vivid shower‑hater.
Note for those unfamiliar with Navy policy: when aboard, do not dare to wear your rubber‑soled combat boots, because they leave black streaks on decks that sailors have spent hours polishing. Use your desert boots – it’s the polite thing to wear on ships.
Before fighting the Argentines, the sailors had to fight off rough nausea attacks. Normally, especially during bad weather, people stayed horizontal as much as possible, keeping the headachy nausea at bay. Luckily, most sailors eventually found their sea legs. A very interesting fact: some professional sailors never adapt and continue to suffer seasickness!
By the way, the HMS was Fearless. Later, down in the Falklands, on the bridge of HMS Fearless during howling storms, the author watched with admiration as an ashen‑faced naval officer‑of‑the‑watch crouched over the chart table to check their position, scanned the heaving horizon with binoculars, turned to peer into radar screens, and periodically ducked aside to be violently sick into conveniently placed buckets... Hell realized on earth, we might say metaphorically. Add to that the absence of bedding and sleeping bags far too hot to use, and you may abandon hope all ye who enter there. There were no devil’s foremen on board – why would you need them when you have the ship’s omnipresent tannoy system, operated from the guardroom? Imagine those human beings, that seething mass of humanity, consistently subjugated 24/7 by “pipes” from the tannoy system.
Another sorry fact: piped announcements are an unfortunate part of life in warships...
Somewhere behind the horizon loomed the shadow of Leopoldo Galtieri, an Argentine general of Italian descent, whose clumsy movements on the chessboard of politics mesmerized him into a rise to power. His ascent was a decisive trigger for the UK troops’ disembarkation on Ascension Island.
Strangely, not all troops were trained to the required level – required by war, of course. Some troops were trained at Windsor by the Brigade of Guards to cock the little finger when drinking tea and not to say “shit” when things went wrong! Still, the mutinous troops under the dictator’s command were no piece of cake either. Various ferocious plans were generated by Her Majesty’s Navy. For instance, an “Israeli‑type” raid on Port Stanley airfield with Hercules troop‑transporters disgorging a squadron of SAS to create mayhem. But those dreams never came to fruition. The UK troops were quite inspired to discover that the Argentinians had bought the Veinticinco de Mayo – their aircraft carrier – from Great Britain. Somewhere en route to the Falklands the UN suddenly weighed in, asking Britain to back‑pedal to prevent bloodshed. But Margaret Thatcher said firmly that Argentina must not profit from the use of force. Period! And, of course, the Russians – one cannot escape their pestering and illogical behavior in international policy.
“The Russians, after revelations of their supplying the Argentinians with information about the Task Force, reposted accusing the US of ‘acting in collusion with a colonial power and supplying intelligence material.’”
Then, the Common Market ban on Argentine goods was applied, initially for one month, affecting some 25% of her exports.
An interesting hint: when attacking an enemy position you need a superiority of at least three to one. The arithmetic ratios increase if your enemy has well‑prepared defenses, particularly if you have to assault from the sea. The textbooks suggest seven‑to‑one!
And soon the analog of the famous “D‑Day” came. The tannoy system shrieked out: “The AOO is requested to go to the AOR. The AOO.” Translated into English: “The Amphibious Operations Officer is requested to go to the Amphibious Operations Room.” He is “requested” and not ordered, as the AOO is senior to the person who authorized the pipe.
The Brits cherished a misty hope of Argentine lack of resolve, and it flavored the first actions of their Falklands landing. Anyway, it was nearly as easy as putting limpet mines on a ship’s hull. Hatches bolted tight, companionways sealed – and off they went: disembarkation did begin. Do not forget the swimmer scare‑charges. Then it was easy‑peasy and ran quite smoothly: the Task Force struck several blows in battle. Port Stanley airfield had been bombed twice by the RAF – a psychological operation that heartened the Brits rather than disheartened the Argentines, as the damage was repaired overnight and did not hinder the runway’s usability. On Tuesday, 4 May, they sank the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano. A large loss of life was reported. The other Argentine ships in the area fled in case they were the next targets, leaving the crew of the cruiser to their fate.
Note: the Belgrano was a very dangerous warship, with Exocet missiles and enormous guns that could sink many ships.
I believe even children in Africa are aware that Exocet anti‑ship missiles are designed to flummox radars! By the way: Exocet means “flying fish” in French. In other words – another Wunderwaffe had perished without pangs. Yeah, but before that HMS Sheffield had been Exoceted and sunk...
Coming back to the author’s activity: his duty was to back up the troops with fire. So he did, keeping the naval gunfire falling beyond the enemy gun position, and moving it slowly towards the Brits to “herd” them away from their guns. Once they were no longer able to fire at the fleet at sea, the Brits were to attempt to take them prisoner. Of course, from the very start, their carefully worked‑out fly‑off plan hit snags. Still, despite this, soon a white flag appeared among the bushes halfway up the hill and a group of men started to walk down towards them.
“The four that arrived first were very young, uneducated and poorly equipped.”
The Argentines then were losing about 50%, which could not be good for their morale. The finale was foreseeable: a ceasefire was declared on 14 June and the commencement of surrender negotiations was announced. Ironically, the crazy dictator Galtieri was arrested only in late 1983 and charged in a military court with human rights violations during the Dirty War and with mismanaging the Falklands War. In 1989, Galtieri and 39 other officers of the dictatorship received President Carlos Menem’s pardon. In total, 907 people were killed during the 74 days of the conflict. Additionally, there were 1,188 Argentine and 777 British injured or wounded. But, apart from their relatives and friends, who cares? Amen.
The present book will help us dive into a very specific atmosphere, firstly leading up to the unprecedented Falklands War – actually a ten‑week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom – and secondly dwelling on the sporadic battles of that strange conflict. We'll put on the commando boots and, together with the book's author, jump down right onto the Royal Navy HMS deck.
The first interesting fact we encounter is that the Royal Navy was intermingled partly with the Army. Believe it or not, the Royal Navy provided coxswains for the assault boats, while the Army supplied the soldiers to form the raiding parties. At the beginning there was quite a festivity: soldiers and sailors lined the decks, shoulder to shoulder, waving and cheering with various Royal Marine Bands playing jaunty regimental marches, pop tunes, and the strangely haunting Rod Stewart song “I Am Sailing.” Fire tugs sent sprays of water high into the air and bunting fluttered. “People are people,” as Depeche Mode once put it, and the sailors on board were no exception. A mess, like a merciful distraction, prevailed everywhere, helping the men avoid thinking about what lay ahead. They were busy finding places for their sea bags, bergens, webbing, and battered suitcases. Unfortunately, there was not enough space for their worldly belongings. So they had to turn one officers’ bathroom into a stowage space. The poor officer had to play the role of a vivid shower‑hater.
Note for those unfamiliar with Navy policy: when aboard, do not dare to wear your rubber‑soled combat boots, because they leave black streaks on decks that sailors have spent hours polishing. Use your desert boots – it’s the polite thing to wear on ships.
Before fighting the Argentines, the sailors had to fight off rough nausea attacks. Normally, especially during bad weather, people stayed horizontal as much as possible, keeping the headachy nausea at bay. Luckily, most sailors eventually found their sea legs. A very interesting fact: some professional sailors never adapt and continue to suffer seasickness!
By the way, the HMS was Fearless. Later, down in the Falklands, on the bridge of HMS Fearless during howling storms, the author watched with admiration as an ashen‑faced naval officer‑of‑the‑watch crouched over the chart table to check their position, scanned the heaving horizon with binoculars, turned to peer into radar screens, and periodically ducked aside to be violently sick into conveniently placed buckets... Hell realized on earth, we might say metaphorically. Add to that the absence of bedding and sleeping bags far too hot to use, and you may abandon hope all ye who enter there. There were no devil’s foremen on board – why would you need them when you have the ship’s omnipresent tannoy system, operated from the guardroom? Imagine those human beings, that seething mass of humanity, consistently subjugated 24/7 by “pipes” from the tannoy system.
Another sorry fact: piped announcements are an unfortunate part of life in warships...
Somewhere behind the horizon loomed the shadow of Leopoldo Galtieri, an Argentine general of Italian descent, whose clumsy movements on the chessboard of politics mesmerized him into a rise to power. His ascent was a decisive trigger for the UK troops’ disembarkation on Ascension Island.
Strangely, not all troops were trained to the required level – required by war, of course. Some troops were trained at Windsor by the Brigade of Guards to cock the little finger when drinking tea and not to say “shit” when things went wrong! Still, the mutinous troops under the dictator’s command were no piece of cake either. Various ferocious plans were generated by Her Majesty’s Navy. For instance, an “Israeli‑type” raid on Port Stanley airfield with Hercules troop‑transporters disgorging a squadron of SAS to create mayhem. But those dreams never came to fruition. The UK troops were quite inspired to discover that the Argentinians had bought the Veinticinco de Mayo – their aircraft carrier – from Great Britain. Somewhere en route to the Falklands the UN suddenly weighed in, asking Britain to back‑pedal to prevent bloodshed. But Margaret Thatcher said firmly that Argentina must not profit from the use of force. Period! And, of course, the Russians – one cannot escape their pestering and illogical behavior in international policy.
“The Russians, after revelations of their supplying the Argentinians with information about the Task Force, reposted accusing the US of ‘acting in collusion with a colonial power and supplying intelligence material.’”
Then, the Common Market ban on Argentine goods was applied, initially for one month, affecting some 25% of her exports.
An interesting hint: when attacking an enemy position you need a superiority of at least three to one. The arithmetic ratios increase if your enemy has well‑prepared defenses, particularly if you have to assault from the sea. The textbooks suggest seven‑to‑one!
And soon the analog of the famous “D‑Day” came. The tannoy system shrieked out: “The AOO is requested to go to the AOR. The AOO.” Translated into English: “The Amphibious Operations Officer is requested to go to the Amphibious Operations Room.” He is “requested” and not ordered, as the AOO is senior to the person who authorized the pipe.
The Brits cherished a misty hope of Argentine lack of resolve, and it flavored the first actions of their Falklands landing. Anyway, it was nearly as easy as putting limpet mines on a ship’s hull. Hatches bolted tight, companionways sealed – and off they went: disembarkation did begin. Do not forget the swimmer scare‑charges. Then it was easy‑peasy and ran quite smoothly: the Task Force struck several blows in battle. Port Stanley airfield had been bombed twice by the RAF – a psychological operation that heartened the Brits rather than disheartened the Argentines, as the damage was repaired overnight and did not hinder the runway’s usability. On Tuesday, 4 May, they sank the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano. A large loss of life was reported. The other Argentine ships in the area fled in case they were the next targets, leaving the crew of the cruiser to their fate.
Note: the Belgrano was a very dangerous warship, with Exocet missiles and enormous guns that could sink many ships.
I believe even children in Africa are aware that Exocet anti‑ship missiles are designed to flummox radars! By the way: Exocet means “flying fish” in French. In other words – another Wunderwaffe had perished without pangs. Yeah, but before that HMS Sheffield had been Exoceted and sunk...
Coming back to the author’s activity: his duty was to back up the troops with fire. So he did, keeping the naval gunfire falling beyond the enemy gun position, and moving it slowly towards the Brits to “herd” them away from their guns. Once they were no longer able to fire at the fleet at sea, the Brits were to attempt to take them prisoner. Of course, from the very start, their carefully worked‑out fly‑off plan hit snags. Still, despite this, soon a white flag appeared among the bushes halfway up the hill and a group of men started to walk down towards them.
“The four that arrived first were very young, uneducated and poorly equipped.”
The Argentines then were losing about 50%, which could not be good for their morale. The finale was foreseeable: a ceasefire was declared on 14 June and the commencement of surrender negotiations was announced. Ironically, the crazy dictator Galtieri was arrested only in late 1983 and charged in a military court with human rights violations during the Dirty War and with mismanaging the Falklands War. In 1989, Galtieri and 39 other officers of the dictatorship received President Carlos Menem’s pardon. In total, 907 people were killed during the 74 days of the conflict. Additionally, there were 1,188 Argentine and 777 British injured or wounded. But, apart from their relatives and friends, who cares? Amen.
May 31, 2022
Excellent!!
I had been a Sgt FOO for 3 years, 129/40 Regt until Jan 82. This book confirms the value of Artillery support as no other book can!!
Read The Scars of War too.
I had been a Sgt FOO for 3 years, 129/40 Regt until Jan 82. This book confirms the value of Artillery support as no other book can!!
Read The Scars of War too.
July 18, 2025
A totally different aspect of the conflict. Very well written bringing the author's personality to the fore. Some really niche facts to absorb
November 16, 2023
A good first-hand account of SF life during the Falklands War
A good warts-and-all read of Brit SF life during the Falklands conflict. Also a good insight into the problems faced by military organisations that need to train for war during the peace.
A good warts-and-all read of Brit SF life during the Falklands conflict. Also a good insight into the problems faced by military organisations that need to train for war during the peace.
June 23, 2016
Good Read
A good and gripping read from start to finish. The highs and lows of being a commando during the Falklands war are laid bare and each operation feels as though you are there.
Introduction is a bit slow but once into the book it becomes difficult to put down.
A good and gripping read from start to finish. The highs and lows of being a commando during the Falklands war are laid bare and each operation feels as though you are there.
Introduction is a bit slow but once into the book it becomes difficult to put down.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews