SAS: Sea King Down

by Mark Aston, Stuart Tootal

The thrilling, edge-of-your-seat true story of one soldier's Special Forces operations in the Falklands War'BRILLIANT. A ROLLERCOASTER OF BLISTERING ACTION, SURVIVAL AND BEHIND-THE-LINES DARING' DAMIEN LEWIS________THE BIGGEST SINGLE LOSS OF LIFE FOR THE SAS SINCE WORLD WAR TWO . . .1982, the British task force sails to liberate the Falkland Islands. SAS D Squadron, determined to make their mark.No one more so than Mark 'Splash' Aston.But they have barely seen action when their Sea King helicopter crashes in freezing South Atlantic waters, killing 22 of Mark's comrades.The last out of the sinking wreck, he suffers a broken neck. But defying medical evacuation orders, Mark sneaks off ship, re-joins his SAS comrades to land on a mountain near Port Stanley - to defend it against days of attacks by Argentine special forces . . .SAS Sea King Down is a pulse-pounding account of D-Squadron's tragic loss and subsequent heroic stand in one of the most hostile places on Earth.A story told by a man who barely survived to tell it.________'A gripping untold story of heroism, hardship and sacrifice within the SAS' BEAR GRYLLS 'Gripping, fast moving and completely authentic. A brilliant piece of work. Better than Bravo Two Zero' - Mike Rose, former Commanding Officer of the SAS

Genres: History, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, Audiobook, Biography

401 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 13, 2021

Reviews

[John Baird · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book, well written, down to earth/matter of fact. The story speaks for itself.

[Micheal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine joining the SAS. Just getting in is hard enough and most applicants fail. Then you get in and end up sent to the Falkland Islands to reclaim it from Argentina. You're in not one, but two helicopter crashes on top of a glacier in a pounding storm on the island of South Georgia, and then you're on ships under Argentine air-strikes. The ship could sink anytime, that's if your aren't incinerated by exocet missiles first. Holy Shit.
Okay, you survive that only to end up on another Sea King helicopter that crashes. This time right in the middle of the freezing South Atlantic. You are pulled from the water with possibly only minutes to live. Most of your blokes didn't make it. And that's just the start.
From there you land on the Falklands themselves and it only gets worse, much worse.
That's this book, a rollercoaster, edge of the seat tale so well told that you feel like you're there. And you're glad you weren't.
Salute these incredible SAS guys. They did and survived stuff we couldn't imagine.

[rainbeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the best book of the war.

This is probably the best book I have read on the war in the Falklands. The author is involved from start to finish with a large portion of the campaign of note. This includes the taking of South Georgia and the near disaster on the fortuna glacier. The Sea king disaster and the initial days in San carlos and what became known as bomb alley. The pebble island attack and the covert OP work on East Falkland also feature. The book is well written and easy to understand even for those with non military backgrounds. The author comes across as a true professional soldier and relates his accounts without any self-pity or drama or hype. There is no let up in the pace of the story or the events it portrays. The stories are absorbing, revealing, and interesting. I can't recommend this highly enough. I served on op corporate in 82, albeit from June onwards. I remember all these events as they happened while awaiting departure. RIP the fallen.

[Spad53 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first chapter really put me off this one, the author is obviously a weapon lover and also quite right-winged. I suppose it goes with the territory. The book improved immensely as it got going. The authors service on the Falklands and South Georgia covered every aspect of the war, most war memoirs cover a fairly narrow point of view, but this had it all, helicopters, ships, and ground battles. Amazing that one guy could get through so many helicopters, and so many different kinds of missions. Never a dull moment. In the end I was quite won over except for one more little niggle, the jargon was very irritating, I couldn't remember what everything meant, even though he went through it all in the beginning , I couldn't be bothered to keep looking it up, so I just guessed.
I'm glad I read it, there was a lot of stuff new to me in it.

[Simon Alphonso · Rating 5 out of 5]

moving and emotional

Concentrating on events in the Falklands as well as the author’s experience getting badged and life in the SAS, this book gives an insight into life as a special forces’ soldier. The sacrifices made by this elite troop and the determination to be at the forefront.

A tale regularly heard about scrimping to get by on the most basic of equipment whilst being asked to execute tasks requiring superior skill levels.

If the reader is interested in real life military biographies, then this is a book that hits the spot, although it will also satisfy any reader with an interest in military matters, whether factual or fictional, as it details the action the author was involved in.

[Paul Mulvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a fairly raw un-polished account of the SAS involvement in the Falklands. The big surprise for me was on the one hand they had sophisticated missile and fighter technology while on the other hand soldiers suffered from trench foot because of footwear that could not keep out water while walking knee deep in bog. Wellingtons would have performed better. Also there is much talk of sodden clothes even though Gore-Tex was available in the high street adventure stores. Just like in the World War 2 it was a close run thing for the Brits with a lot of lucky breaks and enemy mistakes contributing significantly to the victory. I'm looking forward to the SAS story from Ukraine when it is written!

[Andrew Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book along with Freefall by Tom Read are my 2 favourite regiment books.
Sea King Down is an enthralling account of the Sea King tragedy and the battle of the Falklands.
Makes you realise the jobs the SAS do behind enemy lines and get no publicity for them.
An astonishing book, for Mark and the rest of the guys who carried on with their tasks straight after the tragedy, hats off to them.
Like Mark mentions in the book it only sinks in what you have just gone through to win a war when you are on a coach deep in your thoughts on your way back to base.
Highly recommended.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Military History at its best

Well written by those who lived every moment, their grit, determination and bravery shine though. A logistical nightmare for those involved in a campaign where the Argentina's had the upper hand, beaten by better generals and fantastic soldiering by the British army. The 45 Marines hike to engage the enemy was a legendary feat of arms . Supported by SAS heroes.

[James Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable book that to me was less about the huge acts of bravery of the Falklands war (of which this book features some of the less known) but more focused on how friendships get you through tough days. Mark, thank you for sharing your story, for the blokes who didn’t make it back and those who can no longer share theirs.

[Andy Blanche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really outstanding account from the Falklands conflict and I believe I’ve read the best of them, such as Three Days in June.

Incredibly realistic and evocative tale, written in a gripping style. I’m always amazed by the grit, determination and ability to withstand hardship displayed by these young men.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a book to forget in a hurry. Certainly don't understand why these guys every want to see another helicopter again let alone get in one. Brave guys yes but would be interested in the psychology of a soldier. Why do they feel driven to this profession that so frequently leads to a harrowing life.

[A A WATERS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feels like you're there

Really enjoyed this read. Splash tells all with enough honesty to let you know of the failings you would not expect around the world's greatest military unit.

Full of the good, the bad and a smattering of squaddie humour, have a read to understand what these guys put up with.

28/LXI

[Mick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very compling and very graphic but a excellent read from front to back detailing the war from South Georgia to the Falklands from a veterans eye witness accounts.
Would recommend it to all !!

[Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely superb….

I have ready many books about the Falklands conflict, and this is one of the best. Really well written covering aspects of the SF contribution that aren’t well covered elsewhere. A must read for anyone interested in Mil History.

[geoff Bridgman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Can recommend this book,another aspect of the Falklands War.an insight viscerally the WAS are. This highlights the remarkable effort made by the SAS.

[Ceri Hurford-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cracking first person experience that had me hooked from the first chapter…really powerful true story that delivered his experience warts and all. A great read.

[Steve clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Great account of the war .I’ve read many accounts and this is a side I haven’t herd of before . Great read .

[Simon Beechinor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a well-written book that moves at a great pace. It is a rollicking read that deserves its place in any library of military history. Read it... Lest we forget.

[Douglas Law · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sitting my finals at Glasgow University in 1982 when this was happening. This is a great review on how I remember things going down.

[Jack Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good read about the tragedy and triumph of the sas in the falklands conflict

[WT · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a lot of fighting and sea king incident covered a small part

[Allen Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book, explains a lot of what many may not have known about the Falklands War.

[Chris Povey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real behind the scenes insight into soldering during the Falklands conflict. I’d highly recommend it.

[Russ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get stuck in

Great read,enjoyed every minute of this book.It also makes you think about the people that protect our country.As I said,get stuck in.

[Mr Keith Malda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great account of remarkable people in circumstances that most of us are lucky enough to never experience. Respect