Penal Company on the Falklands: A Memoir of the Parachute Regiment at War 1982

by Philip Neame

On 1 April 1982 the Argentinian junta invaded the Falkland Islands, while the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment was on leave. Recalled to barracks, it joined the hastily assembled task force to recover the Islands. No parachutes – instead a journey of 8000 miles on a North Sea ferry to deliver the battalion into battle. Philip Neame commanded D Company, one of the battalion’s three 100-strong rifle companies, and in this compelling book he tells their story.

2 PARA was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel ‘H’ Jones, who was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross at the Battle of Goose Green. After winning the first major land battle on the Falklands, 2 PARA were the only battalion to fight two, going on to fight at Wireless Ridge, the final gateway to Port Stanley. D Company played the decisive role, but, in the closing moments, suffered a deadly artillery barrage – from their own guns.

D Company was the Cinderella of 2 PARA, at the back for everything: on training, always in reserve; in barracks, the parking lot for those who proved too troublesome for A and B. It was nicknamed ‘Penal Company’.

This searingly honest but humorous account explores the realities of war – the tightrope between success and disaster, comedy and tragedy; the strength of companionship and the solitude of fear.

Above all, it is a tribute to a band of brothers who, taking their nickname as a badge of honor, fought, cursed and laughed together, to win through on those ‘ringing plains of windy Troy.’

200 pages, Paperback

First published April 13, 2022

Reviews

[Paul Reynolds]

Most first-hand accounts of the war are honest. Some are structured in a way that's easy to follow.
Some give enough information for the non-military reader to follow without being patronised. Some combine strategic information with tactical and personal. And a few are well-written. There's not usually much overlap between those qualities, but this has all of them.

Neame doesn't wallow, but is frank and clear about his doubts, second-guessing and concerns. He also openly criticises decisions and people, but is honest about conditions and is never wholly critical. He's the first I've read, for example, to not go into the details of 'H' Jones' death, but be more negative of his entire approach to planning and carrying out combat as an OC. And yet he's also clear that he doesn't believe anyone else he's served with could have carried 2 Para (most of the way) to success at Goose Green.

[Martin Koenigsberg]

In 1982, Philip Neame was in command of D company, 2 Para when the Falklands war broke out. This is his memoir of that struggle- and it's a real pleasure to read. Lt. Col. Neame is a mountain climber and businessman now, but back in the day he was leading a bit of a wild bunch, nicknamed the "Penal company" and home to some soldiers with discipline records. But while he's being honest about his "Toms" (Tommy Adkins is the UK's older version of "GI Joe") and their foibles - the love he has for them jumps off every page as they get to the Falklands, witness the savage Argentinian air attacks- and then move inland. These are some of the men who took Darwin and Goose Green- so it gets pretty hot fast- and then races (at the slow walking pace needed without Helicopters) to the next action- Wireless Ridge. This is life at the sharp end- in charge of about 100 lads- trying to keep them alive and take every objective you've been assigned- and Neame shows you how you never have enough information or communication- and you have to make do and win through. He's always aware of the potential deadliness of the Argentinians- always trying to retain control of disparate elements- fire support- HQ- and his platoon and Squad leaders- in a truly chaotic situation. It is very compelling.

This is a unit that suffered a "Blue on Blue" casualty- what we in America call "Friendly Fire"- and his telling of that harrowing story is an important passage. A novice "Forward Observer" - his artillery liaison, had failed to understand D Company had taken the next to last Objective without a fight- and called down fire that landed amongst the Paras- instead of the last objective as Neame had requested. You are right there seething with rage alongside your author- feeling his profound sadness to lose his guys. But also needing to get the lads moving again to take that last collection of trenches- after the Royal Artillery does its job properly. The elation at a pivotal victory (Wireless Ridge was one of the last straws that broke Argentinian resolve)- the crushing weight of command and the team with casualties. I thought Neame's book a perfect foil to Julian Thompson's No Picnic- the Memoir by the Land Forces Commander.

There are some adult themes, coarse language, and some graphic injury descriptions so this is best read by the Junior Reader over 13/14 years. For the Gamer/Modeler/Military Enthusiast- this is an amazing resource. The gamer has a Company Commander tell you every move they made in the Falklands. there are maps and diagrams - and orders of battle in the back that will aid any scenario/campaign development. The modeler gets a tonne of diorama and build ideas- as well as some good pics both B/w and colour to peruse and use. The Military Enthusiast sits at the shoulder of lower level command in a Cold War era conflict in a way you seldom see. I think this book will be part of the Falklands Canon from now on- its that good a read.

[Dale]

paras

I really find the Falkland War fascinating. Projecting a force from England to the south Atlantic and then fight and winning a war. Incredible. This would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of some very special units. This book highlights the exploits of one such unit.

[Stephen Malins]

A great book by the former CO of 10 PARA and OC D Company 2 PARA which details their Falklands War as the only battalion to fight two actions. The author has a light touch and a sense of humour, and brings a new angle to the already published "Down South" books, with interesting new angles.

I enjoyed the closing chapters and the updates and the detail about Wireless Ridge. Highly recommended.