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Logistics in the Falklands War: A Case Study in Expeditionary Warfare
While many books have been written on the Falklands War, this is the first to focus on the vital aspect of logistics. The challenges were huge; the lack of preparation time; the urgency; the huge distances involved; the need to requisition ships from trade to name but four. After a brief discussion of events leading to Argentina's invasion the book describes in detail the rush to re-organise and deploy forces, despatch a large task force, the innovative solutions needed to sustain the Task Force, the vital staging base at Ascension Island, the in-theatre resupply, the set-backs and finally the restoring of order after victory. Had the logistics plan failed, victory would have been impossible and humiliation inevitable, with no food for the troops, no ammunition for the guns, no medical support for casualties etc. The lessons learnt have never been more important with increasing numbers of out-of-area operations required in remote trouble spots at short notice. The Falklands experience is crucial for the education of new generations of military planners and fascinating for military buffs and this book fills an important gap.
304 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 18, 2015
A very interesting well researched and readable history of the 1982 Falklands war focusing on the enormous challenge of logistics/supplying a task force operating more than 8000 miles away from home.
December 5, 2017
American military men of a certain attitude like to proclaim that "amateurs study tactics, professionals study logistics" and the statement has a certain truth to it. The British campaign to retake the Falklands Islands from their Argentinian conquerors was an unexpected military effort on the part of the Brits (they were expecting and prepared for military operations in support of NATO in the Northern Hemisphere, but that was about it) and the campaign itself was a series of improvisations, not least by the UK's military logisticians who, it must be said, turned in a performance as every bit as brilliant and gritty as the combat arms. While all of the complications can't be covered here, a couple ought to be pointed out. First of all, the vast distance between the UK and the Falklands; some 8000 miles - two thousand miles further than the distance from the UK to Japan! Second, the failure of the Task Force to establish air superiority over the islands themselves during the campaign forced a series of decisions that lead to the safety of ships being placed above the rapid and smooth unloading of supplies due to the danger of air attack, the manifestation of which most spectacularly was the disaster at Fitzroy, where 2 British logistics ships were attacked by Argentine aircraft, killing over 50 servicemen. These and all the other myriad problems faced by the logisticians who were part of Operation Corperate are meticulously described by General Privratsky (himself an American logistician) in this well-written and fascinating look at how a medium-sized country organizes its forces for expeditionary warfare. If you have an interest in the campaign, this work is not to be missed.
January 8, 2022
I will be the first to admit that I don’t pay enough attention to military logistics as I should. It has always been black magic, where stuff magically appears when you need it. Now, I know that is not really magic and that it requires work by people to make supplies appear but as I said I never really thought much about it.
This book goes over the challenges that the British Forces had in 1982 when they went to war with Argentina over the fate of the Falklands Islands, deciding if they would remain British Territory or if they would become Argentinian. The book covered these main logistics phases: 1) preparing to move the men, equipment, and supplies 2) Shipping the men, equipment, and supplies. 3) The amphibious assault to gain an initial foothold on the East Falklands Islands 4) Suppling the forces as they advanced inland 5) The post-war issues, dealing with the prisoners of war, supplying the civilian population, and restoring the infrastructure of the islands.
This conflict had some unique challenges that the British had not faced in quite a number of years. The primary being the distance, it is roughly 8,000 miles (12,875 km) from the UK to the Falklands Islands with the only staging area being the Ascension Islands which is about ½ way. The second was the fact that the British did not have air superiority, and this fact cost them hard. The Argentinian forces were able to penetrate the British air defence and caused major damage which caused havoc with the logistics effort. Finally, the actual terrain that they were fighting in, the islands are an inhospitable place that with the exception of inside the towns has no road or transportation network so it is hard to move supplies across the territory.
The author does a great job of explaining how the British forces handled these issues and were successful in supplying their forces enabling them to recapture the Islands and force the surrender of the invading Argentinian forces (spoiler 😊). He also explains what is going on in the actual war and some of the background to the conflict so if you are not overly familiar with the conflict you will not be lost reading this book.
If you are like me and not very knowledgeable about logistics issues then I recommend reading this book, I think you will find it quite enlightening. I also recommend it to anyone that is just interested in military history.
This book goes over the challenges that the British Forces had in 1982 when they went to war with Argentina over the fate of the Falklands Islands, deciding if they would remain British Territory or if they would become Argentinian. The book covered these main logistics phases: 1) preparing to move the men, equipment, and supplies 2) Shipping the men, equipment, and supplies. 3) The amphibious assault to gain an initial foothold on the East Falklands Islands 4) Suppling the forces as they advanced inland 5) The post-war issues, dealing with the prisoners of war, supplying the civilian population, and restoring the infrastructure of the islands.
This conflict had some unique challenges that the British had not faced in quite a number of years. The primary being the distance, it is roughly 8,000 miles (12,875 km) from the UK to the Falklands Islands with the only staging area being the Ascension Islands which is about ½ way. The second was the fact that the British did not have air superiority, and this fact cost them hard. The Argentinian forces were able to penetrate the British air defence and caused major damage which caused havoc with the logistics effort. Finally, the actual terrain that they were fighting in, the islands are an inhospitable place that with the exception of inside the towns has no road or transportation network so it is hard to move supplies across the territory.
The author does a great job of explaining how the British forces handled these issues and were successful in supplying their forces enabling them to recapture the Islands and force the surrender of the invading Argentinian forces (spoiler 😊). He also explains what is going on in the actual war and some of the background to the conflict so if you are not overly familiar with the conflict you will not be lost reading this book.
If you are like me and not very knowledgeable about logistics issues then I recommend reading this book, I think you will find it quite enlightening. I also recommend it to anyone that is just interested in military history.
September 24, 2019
“Logistics in the Falklands War” – by Major General Kenneth Privratsky, US Army (Retired) published in 2016 is highly recommended for all those interested in logistics. It tells the story of an almost unimaginable effort to transport and supply 3 Commando Brigade and 5 Infantry BDE across the 8000 miles between UK and the South Atlantic where air superiority was contested.
As it is almost 40 years since the war, I found the book fascinating in recalling the context of the conflict, and the challenges of logistics.
For a full book review link here https://jmvh.org/article/logistics-in...
I can recommend the reading of the whole book, it is an easy read
This book is written by an American General Officer/ professional logistician, with input from, among others, BRIG Julian Thompson, Commander of 3 Commando Brigade. The book details the saga of British efforts to supply the modern logistical equivalents of “Beans, Bullets, Black Oil and Bandages” to the invasion force.
As noted by BRIG Julian Thompson ….“Surely one of the strangest things in military history is the almost complete silence upon the problems of supply
“It takes little skill or imagination to see where you would like your army to be, and when; it takes much knowledge and hard work to know where you can place your forces and whether you can maintain them there. A real knowledge of supply and movement factors must be the basis of every leader’s plan; only then can he know how and when to take risks with those factors; and battles and wars are won only by taking risks.”
As it is almost 40 years since the war, I found the book fascinating in recalling the context of the conflict, and the challenges of logistics.
For a full book review link here https://jmvh.org/article/logistics-in...
I can recommend the reading of the whole book, it is an easy read
This book is written by an American General Officer/ professional logistician, with input from, among others, BRIG Julian Thompson, Commander of 3 Commando Brigade. The book details the saga of British efforts to supply the modern logistical equivalents of “Beans, Bullets, Black Oil and Bandages” to the invasion force.
As noted by BRIG Julian Thompson ….“Surely one of the strangest things in military history is the almost complete silence upon the problems of supply
“It takes little skill or imagination to see where you would like your army to be, and when; it takes much knowledge and hard work to know where you can place your forces and whether you can maintain them there. A real knowledge of supply and movement factors must be the basis of every leader’s plan; only then can he know how and when to take risks with those factors; and battles and wars are won only by taking risks.”
September 11, 2023
Not going to lie this book was extremely dry to read. It did have some great military logistics stuff in it though. It can also serve as a general history book of the Falkland war, which I had no clue about before. Recommend for a Logistics Officer and not really anyone else unless you are into reading dry history books written in a military manner (Dry). Though this sounds somewhat negative, it does have a good amount of learning value in it so I overall appreciated reading it and do not consider it a waste of time. My negativity stems from a deeper animosity against how so many military books are written in a flavor that is comparable to eating cardboard rather than steak.
January 15, 2019
Brilliant and solid account of the logistical planning, preparations for the British Falklands Campaign in 1982. The author manages to provide insight at all levels and succinctly describe how closely interwoven logistical and operational/tactical capabilities are.
The Argentine side is only described fleetingly, but still provides a glimpse of harsh realities at both the operational and tactical levels.
A highly recommended read for anyone with a professional interest in military campaigns over large distances and adverse climatic and terrain conditions.
The Argentine side is only described fleetingly, but still provides a glimpse of harsh realities at both the operational and tactical levels.
A highly recommended read for anyone with a professional interest in military campaigns over large distances and adverse climatic and terrain conditions.
November 28, 2022
Scorrevole e tuttavia estremamente puntuale nel chiarire al lettore le sfide logistiche, e i modi di soddisfarle, che hanno permesso ai britannici di riconquistare le isole, pur partendo da una situazione estremamente svantaggiosa, soprattutto dal punto di vista logistico, appunto.
Tra i libri sulle Falklands che ho letto, è sicuramente uno dei migliori, necessario a fornire un quadro organico della situazione.
Tra i libri sulle Falklands che ho letto, è sicuramente uno dei migliori, necessario a fornire un quadro organico della situazione.
June 24, 2020
Falklands war interesting account of logistics victory
This account of the war to retake the islands from the Argentine focuses on the considerable logistic challenge faced by the the British forces involved with a nod to the effort of the British nation as a whole. It’s a good overview and very readable.
This account of the war to retake the islands from the Argentine focuses on the considerable logistic challenge faced by the the British forces involved with a nod to the effort of the British nation as a whole. It’s a good overview and very readable.
March 31, 2019
Fascinating look at the mechanics of war
Really interesting study at what it took to mount an effective response to the Argentine invasion. Plenty of military detail but the focus is on logistics and the decisions made to fight effectively.
Really interesting study at what it took to mount an effective response to the Argentine invasion. Plenty of military detail but the focus is on logistics and the decisions made to fight effectively.
September 2, 2020
Excellent read
Critically important work on the logistics of the Falklands campaign . I gained a whole new appreciation for the scope and intricacies of the Falklands War. Stacked with relevant lessons for today.
Critically important work on the logistics of the Falklands campaign . I gained a whole new appreciation for the scope and intricacies of the Falklands War. Stacked with relevant lessons for today.
January 26, 2019
Great read regarding Logistics
Great perspective and appreciation for all who provide support and resupply that are often never considered. Well organized and written.
Great perspective and appreciation for all who provide support and resupply that are often never considered. Well organized and written.
August 5, 2019
Logistics in modern war
Great, concise, and a reality that is often overlooked by the warfighter. This should be a required read for large scale combat operations.
Great, concise, and a reality that is often overlooked by the warfighter. This should be a required read for large scale combat operations.
June 23, 2020
Decent. Would have liked just a little more detail on logistics. That may seem odd but a great deal of the book dealt with the operations side.
July 27, 2021
Probably dry material for most but really good account of complicated logistics that supported a military operation 8000 miles from home. Every 10-15 pages found my self saying "no way thats crazy".
August 1, 2021
Fascinating
May 1, 2022
Reality of War
This would have been worthwhile reading for the Russians before their Ukraine adventure. Logistics may seem boring but it is the key.
This would have been worthwhile reading for the Russians before their Ukraine adventure. Logistics may seem boring but it is the key.
June 12, 2020
A very interesting deep dive in to the logistics necessary to support a modern war at the end of a very long supply chain. A bit repetitive. (Spoiler alert: the British won.)
February 5, 2019
Not an entertaining read, and rather dense in places.
However, very informative as a documentary on the logistical story of the Falklands War.
Much of the history has been told before, but this book includes information and insights which would only be of interest to the student of logistics.
Recommended for anyone who wants to know how to successfully conduct military ground action at a distance.
However, very informative as a documentary on the logistical story of the Falklands War.
Much of the history has been told before, but this book includes information and insights which would only be of interest to the student of logistics.
Recommended for anyone who wants to know how to successfully conduct military ground action at a distance.
August 31, 2017
The Falklands War
A very interesting and informative book. Lots of information and facts and figures about troop and supply movements. A Great insight into how hard it was to retake the falklands.
A very interesting and informative book. Lots of information and facts and figures about troop and supply movements. A Great insight into how hard it was to retake the falklands.
February 22, 2022
Este es el mejor libro que he leído sobre la guerra de las Falklands/Malvinas, el General Kenneth Privratsky (US Army) describe y analiza con profundo detalle y en forma sincrónica las operaciones logísticas ejecutadas por el Reino Unido para dar cumplimiento a los objetivos trazados : establecimiento de zona de exclusión total, reconquista de Georgia del Sur y las Falklands.
En ciclos de 72 horas buques civiles fueron adaptados y puestos a disposición de la TF, desplegada en menos de una semana posterior a la operación Rosario (más de 60)
La materialización de una red logística con una mezcla entre conceptos sea based , sea echelon y lots, pese a la presión aérea argentina pudo ,bajo muchas adversidades mantener , mover y sostener la LF en un área increíblemente compleja.
Las características especiales del Combat Logistic Regiment , en cuánto a que la mayoría de sus integrantes eran , así como las unidades de maniobra , RM Commandos género una perspectiva de previsión logística y supervivencia poco común.
Como me comento un destacado Oficial una fuerza puede tener una gran masa pero sin aceleración su valor final será cero , en términos militares la logística es aceleración. El que desestima la logística está condenado a ser derrotado.
En ciclos de 72 horas buques civiles fueron adaptados y puestos a disposición de la TF, desplegada en menos de una semana posterior a la operación Rosario (más de 60)
La materialización de una red logística con una mezcla entre conceptos sea based , sea echelon y lots, pese a la presión aérea argentina pudo ,bajo muchas adversidades mantener , mover y sostener la LF en un área increíblemente compleja.
Las características especiales del Combat Logistic Regiment , en cuánto a que la mayoría de sus integrantes eran , así como las unidades de maniobra , RM Commandos género una perspectiva de previsión logística y supervivencia poco común.
Como me comento un destacado Oficial una fuerza puede tener una gran masa pero sin aceleración su valor final será cero , en términos militares la logística es aceleración. El que desestima la logística está condenado a ser derrotado.
August 6, 2020
Detailed analysis
In depth analysis of the logistics support for this war are interspersed with detailed breakdown of the tactics used during the fighting. Key lessons are highlighted and provide a great synopsis of logistics challenges that nations face when projecting power far from their own shores. The plans, missteps, and unexpected events all serve as reminders for staffs looking to future operations.
In depth analysis of the logistics support for this war are interspersed with detailed breakdown of the tactics used during the fighting. Key lessons are highlighted and provide a great synopsis of logistics challenges that nations face when projecting power far from their own shores. The plans, missteps, and unexpected events all serve as reminders for staffs looking to future operations.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews