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C. Q. B: Close Quarter Battle
I didn't see a weapon in the other guy's hand. I didn't want to kill him. For a split second I hesitated. It was snowing. I was soaking and a million miles from home. I was looking at him, he was looking at me. Then, from the back of the trench, came a burst of automatic fire that cut past my head, and I pressed the trigger.
Even by SAS standards Mike Curtis has had a remarkable career. Born and bred in the Welsh valleys, he followed his schoolmates into the coal mines at the age of fifteen. In 1979 he applied to join the Parachute Regiment. Enlisted in 2 Para battalion, he served in Northern Ireland and then went out to the island of South Georgia when the garrison of Royal Marines there was taken captive by Argentinian special forces. He joined the SAS in 1983.
In Close Quarter Battle Curtis describes his gruelling experiences in the Falklands before focusing on two of his major SAS operations: first in Iraq, where he spent forty-two days Scud-busting hundreds of miles behind enemy lines; then in Bosnia, where he worked closely with all factions and later led a close protection team guarding visiting heads of state.
From the Hardcover edition.
Even by SAS standards Mike Curtis has had a remarkable career. Born and bred in the Welsh valleys, he followed his schoolmates into the coal mines at the age of fifteen. In 1979 he applied to join the Parachute Regiment. Enlisted in 2 Para battalion, he served in Northern Ireland and then went out to the island of South Georgia when the garrison of Royal Marines there was taken captive by Argentinian special forces. He joined the SAS in 1983.
In Close Quarter Battle Curtis describes his gruelling experiences in the Falklands before focusing on two of his major SAS operations: first in Iraq, where he spent forty-two days Scud-busting hundreds of miles behind enemy lines; then in Bosnia, where he worked closely with all factions and later led a close protection team guarding visiting heads of state.
From the Hardcover edition.
544 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
March 13, 2016
This is for me the undisputed champion of the popular soldier books currently on the market. I like it for three reasons over any of the other ones that are out there(some of which I have read, others, no). Firstly his career in the British SAS was varied and very active, secondly he is a likeable chap and it easily comes across in this well written book and lastly, and most importantly, it was not written "for the lads", by that I mean that it is intelligent, revealing and insightful about training, soldier life and campaign frustration and the mindset required to be a sharp-as-a-tack soldier. Not the "bam-bam, thank you mam!" rubbish that a lot of the genre is loaded with, I am looking at you Mr. McNab.
March 10, 2024
Always going to be 5 star, just a well hard Welsh lad being well good at playing soldiers
February 6, 2023
A dynamically-paced book covering the 17 years of the author’s service in the British military, with additional foray into his youth to the extent necessary to paint a complete picture of the future soldier. Mike Curtis joined 2 Para with which he fought at Goose Green and Wireless Ridge during the Falklands War, two bloody battles during which he lost his best friend. Following his paratrooper years, he joined the SAS, to the initiated simply “the Regiment”, with which he saw action in Iraq during the first Gulf War, and in Bosnia where he was a member of a small detachment operating within the UN peacekeeping forces. It is safe to assume that, apart from these conflicts in which the Regiment’s participation was well-publicised, he would have taken part in other more clandestine missions. One of these, Northern Ireland, in which he served two years with the Intelligence Corps, is mentioned briefly in one short paragraph… An impressive track record, however one would look at it.
Apart from the raw action, much is said about the training to join both units. The SAS selection is renowned for being the most challenging qualification process even among the world’s Special Operations Forces (SOF) units, but less is known about the qualification process for the Parachute Regiment. Unique among other SAS-related books is a detailed description of the jungle warfare module of the SAS selection in Brunei, with vivid descriptions of the various challenges the prospective members of the Regiment need to face when there – wildlife, torrential rain, floods.
There is also a short episode of training a Latin American paramilitary force (not mentioned of which country, but Colombia readily springs to mind) and having to live through a civil unrest period while there.
Like many other SOF soldiers’, Curtis’s marriage falls apart. Quite understandable in a way, as being on more or less permanent call, and disappearing for months on end without being able to explain where, would undoubtedly put pressure on any relationship. In addition, operating in a highly charged, all male environment stands in stark contrast with a domestic life where challenges are of a totally different nature. Curtis’s narrative of his marital problems is subconsciously aiming to exonerate him and present the marriage dissolution as an objective process, without pinning down the guilt. Still, understandable, as most readers look for an action-packed book, rather than a psychological drama. Given that his ex-wife was his childhood sweetheart, that much sadder though…
Apart from the raw action, much is said about the training to join both units. The SAS selection is renowned for being the most challenging qualification process even among the world’s Special Operations Forces (SOF) units, but less is known about the qualification process for the Parachute Regiment. Unique among other SAS-related books is a detailed description of the jungle warfare module of the SAS selection in Brunei, with vivid descriptions of the various challenges the prospective members of the Regiment need to face when there – wildlife, torrential rain, floods.
There is also a short episode of training a Latin American paramilitary force (not mentioned of which country, but Colombia readily springs to mind) and having to live through a civil unrest period while there.
Like many other SOF soldiers’, Curtis’s marriage falls apart. Quite understandable in a way, as being on more or less permanent call, and disappearing for months on end without being able to explain where, would undoubtedly put pressure on any relationship. In addition, operating in a highly charged, all male environment stands in stark contrast with a domestic life where challenges are of a totally different nature. Curtis’s narrative of his marital problems is subconsciously aiming to exonerate him and present the marriage dissolution as an objective process, without pinning down the guilt. Still, understandable, as most readers look for an action-packed book, rather than a psychological drama. Given that his ex-wife was his childhood sweetheart, that much sadder though…
July 26, 2021
I have often wondered what it was like to be in an elite regiment in the British Armed Services? What was their initial training like? What does it take to be selected for a unit like the SAS? What kind of person fits the requirements of this unit?
This book answered all my questions and more. One of the best reads I have had in awhile. This was real and happening while we all grew up in our safe countries out of harms way.
This man served 17 years in the British Army. He was a unique man. A rough diamond from the Welsh coal mines. Not a perfect man but a brave, intelligent, never give up man. Democratic countries need men like this to do the dirty fighting that we know little about.
Thanking the author and service men and women who continue his legacy.
Do you want to join an elite unit? Read on if you dare!
This book answered all my questions and more. One of the best reads I have had in awhile. This was real and happening while we all grew up in our safe countries out of harms way.
This man served 17 years in the British Army. He was a unique man. A rough diamond from the Welsh coal mines. Not a perfect man but a brave, intelligent, never give up man. Democratic countries need men like this to do the dirty fighting that we know little about.
Thanking the author and service men and women who continue his legacy.
Do you want to join an elite unit? Read on if you dare!
June 10, 2023
From the depths of a Welsh coal mine to the pinnacle of the modern British military culture. Follow Mike Curtis as he explains why he left his hometown to join the army, earning a spot in “2 Para”, an elite military unit, as they journey to the Falkland Islands in the early ’80’s, to his successful attempt to earn a spot in the modern military’s most prestigious unit, the SAS.
Do you have any idea what it takes to earn and keep a spot in the SAS?
Keep reading, you will hardly believe what it takes in dedication, determination hardship and commitment to earn and maintain your place in the SAS.
Do you have any idea what it takes to earn and keep a spot in the SAS?
Keep reading, you will hardly believe what it takes in dedication, determination hardship and commitment to earn and maintain your place in the SAS.
July 10, 2017
Fantastic account of the Para assault on the Falklands. Interesting to read about SAS exploits in Bosnia, great read.
July 20, 2020
Military autobiography that takes you from Mike Curtis's childhood in a Welsh mining town through 2 Para in the Falklands and his time in the SAS. The narrative is well written and entertaining and puts you back in the time of the setting, contrasting how things have changed in a more modern world where most people don't see fighting for the communists in Angola as a way of earning some more "money in their arse pocket" (this was pre military involvement). Mike Curtis set the record on the Para Selection Course "P-Company" and was a hopeful national rugby player.
He passed P-Company - a difficult course required for entry into the paratroopers - with 49/50 points, the highest to that date, dropping a point because in 'milling' (think boxing) his opponent didn't try hard enough.
Seeing action in the Falklands at the Battle of Goose Green as well as with the SAS in Gulf War I and Bosnia it's a whirlwind tour of some of the moire difficult thinks that people have done in a world that's set far apart from anything else. Whilst the majority of the account is front loaded and Mike's career towards the end seems to be a bit more of a footnote without a trajectory, it's still an entertaining read and the author is erudite if lacking in some more modern political correctness.
He passed P-Company - a difficult course required for entry into the paratroopers - with 49/50 points, the highest to that date, dropping a point because in 'milling' (think boxing) his opponent didn't try hard enough.
Seeing action in the Falklands at the Battle of Goose Green as well as with the SAS in Gulf War I and Bosnia it's a whirlwind tour of some of the moire difficult thinks that people have done in a world that's set far apart from anything else. Whilst the majority of the account is front loaded and Mike's career towards the end seems to be a bit more of a footnote without a trajectory, it's still an entertaining read and the author is erudite if lacking in some more modern political correctness.
October 18, 2013
Amazing memoir!
A true soldier's bio spanning 15+ years of service. From the coal mines of Wales to the battlefields of the late 20th century - The Falklands, 1st Gulf War, The Balkans, all over the world on training and tutoring missions. The writing is very compelling. Nice alternative for those of us who usually have access to USA writers. This one comes from the pen of an SAS veteran. Very well thought insights about military life from a bloke who's also a hugby player, husband and proud dad.
Some insight on SAS - Delta relations and parallel events related to Bravo Two Zero. No SEALs mentioned at all, though they do find some sea leopards at the beach near Goose Green!
HIGHLY recommended. Cannot praise it enough.
A true soldier's bio spanning 15+ years of service. From the coal mines of Wales to the battlefields of the late 20th century - The Falklands, 1st Gulf War, The Balkans, all over the world on training and tutoring missions. The writing is very compelling. Nice alternative for those of us who usually have access to USA writers. This one comes from the pen of an SAS veteran. Very well thought insights about military life from a bloke who's also a hugby player, husband and proud dad.
Some insight on SAS - Delta relations and parallel events related to Bravo Two Zero. No SEALs mentioned at all, though they do find some sea leopards at the beach near Goose Green!
HIGHLY recommended. Cannot praise it enough.
December 19, 2011
Fed bog vejen til SAS og livet som elitesoldat. Mike beskriver med tør humor livet som faldskærmsjæger og Elitesoldat, samt beretter om de mange hårde øvelser og kampe han deltog i.
August 6, 2012
Very well written book. Full of action and a must for any military book fans. It is 1 of those that I couldn't put down once i'd started reading it.
May 28, 2013
An excellent read. For those who are interested in the role of an elite infantry soldier within the British Armed Forces this is a captivating and interesting story.
September 20, 2013
It's amazing
April 3, 2017
I really liked this book. I think any reader will enjoy it- although the military enthusiast/gamer will find it a gold mine of information. The author was a professional soldier for over 15 years, first as an elite paratrooper and then in the super-elite special forces SAS operator in the British Army. He fought in, and chronicles, the Falklands War, Northern Ireland, Gulf War I, and Bosnia. At each step there are stories within stories and plenty of gut-wrenching action. Overarching through tit all is another story, that of his rocky marriage, trying to keep up with world events. It is all compelling. Read it.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews