The Band That Went to War: The Royal Marine Band in the Falklands War

by Brian Short, Julian Thompson (Foreword)

A first-hand account of the Falklands War from the perspective of the Royal Marine Band Service members who fought in the conflict. The Royal Marines are renowned for their military skill and also for having one of the finest military bands in the world. These highly trained and talented musicians are equally at home parading at Buckingham Palace, playing at the Royal Albert Hall, or on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier in a foreign port. Why then when the Argentines invaded the Falklands in April 1982 did these superb musicians get involved in what became a serious and deadly military campaign? The answer is that, in addition to their musical expertise, the RM Band Service members are trained for military service and fully qualified in a multitude of military and medical skills, providing support to their comrades, the fighting commandos.The Band That Went to War is a graphic first-hand account of the Falklands War as it has never been told before. It describes the roles played by Royal Marine musicians in the conflict; unloading the wounded from helicopters, moving tons of stores and ammunition, burying their dead at sea and guarding and repatriating Argentine prisoners of war. These and other unseen tasks were achieved while still ready to provide morale boosting music to their commando brethren and other frontline troops. These men are not just musicians; they are Royal Marines.Praise for The Band That Went to War “I really enjoyed this account of how the Band of the Royal Marines were involved in the attempt to liberate the Falkland Islands back in 1982 . . . Brian Short’s excellent book is really entertaining.” —Books Monthly

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 30, 2022

Reviews

[Dianne bashford]

I loved reading this book, it made me laugh and made me cry as I remember vividly my brother who has a mention in this book going off to “War” perhaps because it was more personal to me that I read it avidly I don’t know, but to read anothers personal account was lovely and more special

[Bertha Alicia]

The Band That Went to War is a brilliant, moving and often humorous memoir of the author's experiences during the Falkland War as a member of the Commando Forces Band aboard the Canberra.
Narrated in the first person and full of the memories of the moments lived by the author and his companions, this book is a true gem and a novelty, in that it is very rare to find a book that narrates a historical event written by someone involved in action and does not write his experiences too academically or resentfully.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Band That Went to War, especially the fine humor of the author, who gives each moment the appropriate touch of seriousness or humor.
...and by the way, at no point in my reading did I turn my eyes!
I thank the author, publishers, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book, and declare that the opinion I have expressed above is based solely on what I think of this book.

[Mantas Tamulevičius]

Kiek kitoks žvilgsnis į Folklandų karą - iš Karališkojo jūrų laivyno orkestro būgnininko perspektyvos. Nors autorius "karštajame" karo etape nedalyvavo, vis tiek viską stebėjo iš labai arti, nes jam ir kolegoms orkestrantams buvo pavesta ne tik palaikyti jūreivių dvasinę būklę, bet ir rūpintis sužeistaisiais, prižiūrėti argentiniečių karo belaisvius ir pan.

Norint sužinoti apie patį karą ši knyga nebus geriausias pasirinkimas, nes tai tik labai subjektyvi (to neslepiant) vieno dalyvio nuomonė. Bet norint pamatyt karą kitu kampu, tai gali būti visai nebloga knyga, nes galima nemažai sužinoti apie buitį, kuri nebūtinai nugula istorikų straipsniuose.

Didelis knygos privalumas yra geras britiškas humoras (ir vienas geriausių kalambūrų, kuriuos tik esu užmatęs knygose - "the Junta now became the hunted"). Bet labai plačių naujų horizontų ji neatvers. Tiesa, vieną naujieną aptikau - pasirodo vieno admirolo vadovaujami argentiniečių šnipai turėjo intencijų rengti teroristinius išpuolius prieš britų laivyną dar šiam sustojus Gibraltare, pakeliui į Pietų pusrutulį, bet planų buvo atsisakyta - ar juos išaiškino britų žvalgyba, ar sąmokslininkai persigalvojo, nes neturėjo valdžios palaipinimo, nepatikslinta.

[Svein M]

A nice read and an interesting book. Not written fresh but rather retrospective glance based on diaries and memories from the author and some of his comerads in arms. More of the human side of the conflict and the role of a military band. not only there to entertaine or support the moral but doing needed tasks from medical support and chores like moving supplies but also prisoner of war guarding and treating the same.