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Goose Green
Goose Green was the critical land engagement in the Falklands War. This detailed account is based on interviews with the men who fought in the battle, and their commanders. It describes the horrors of a vicious, 14-hour infantry struggle.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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About the author
Mark Adkin
31 books12 followersMark Adkin became a professional soldier in 1956. After leaving the British Army he was one of the last British District officers (in the Gilbert and Ellice Islands) and as the Caribbean Operations Staff Officer he participated in the US invasion of Grenada in 1983. He has written several books on military subjects, including Urgent Fury, Goose Green, Prisoner of the Turnip Heads and The Charge.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 16, 2020
Well written and detailed account of the battle fought by 2 Para during the Falklands war.
Many myths about this battle are corrected in this book which shows the heavy fighting and the suffering of the men involved. It also shows some of this from the Argentine side, which is always welcome to balance things out.
Only negative in my opinion are the somewhat small and difficult to study maps. As the text references these maps and help to follow the battle, they would have been more helpful if somewhat better printed. Positive is that the effort was made to help the reader to understand the actions by including a large number of maps.
Anyway, recommended.
Many myths about this battle are corrected in this book which shows the heavy fighting and the suffering of the men involved. It also shows some of this from the Argentine side, which is always welcome to balance things out.
Only negative in my opinion are the somewhat small and difficult to study maps. As the text references these maps and help to follow the battle, they would have been more helpful if somewhat better printed. Positive is that the effort was made to help the reader to understand the actions by including a large number of maps.
Anyway, recommended.
April 14, 2023
Today's book takes us back almost 40 years. In fact, the war of the Falklands Malvinas Islands (Falklands for the British, Malvinas is the name given to them by the Argentines) is about to enter 2022 on its 40th anniversary. When it erupted in 1982, few in the world knew of these South Atlantic islands close to Argentina but since long time British territory. If we look at some curious testimonies of British veterans (I recommend the documentary "Fix Bayonets, The Battle for Goose Green") we even discover that someone thought the Falklands were north of Scotland! And it is precisely this war that we are talking about today by presenting the book that I propose to you: "The Battle of Goose Green - A Battle is fought to be won" by Mark Adkin. I haven't reviewed a book by this prolific and knowledgeable historian yet, but I can assure you that his "The Charge" about the cavalry charge of the Light Brigade in Balaklava is perhaps one of the best texts on that episode of the Crimean War, so when I started reading the book about Goose Green (an extremely different battle from that famous cavalry charge) I had very high expectations. All satisfied.
In fact, the book tells of the first combat action of the British troops landed in San Carlos in the eastern part of the island of East Falkland. In fact, on this island was the main objective of the task force that had crossed (in about a month after a little stop at Ascension Island) the Atlantic to free them from Argentine troops, this objective was the town of Stanley, located to the east. But first the troops had to neutralize an Argentine force located south of the landing , in the settlements of Darwin and Goose Green, which were located on an isthmus that connected East Falkland with the territory south of the island called "Lafonia". Perhaps one of the most prestigious units of the British Task Force, the 2nd Parachute Battalion of Colonel Herbert "H" Jones, went into action against about 3 Argentine companies (of various origins and qualities) placed in defense of the isthmus. Anyone who knows the history of the Falklands war knows that one of the decisive attacks was precisely that carried out on ships, with the destruction of the Atlantic Conveyor by Argentine aircraft. This carried numerous helicopters, and their destruction thus compromised the logistical and displacement capabilities of the Task Force, which was forced to march ("Tab" or "Yomp" in Para or Royal Marine slang)to Stanley. This also partly influenced the Goose Green clash which saw all units of Jones's battalion engaged.
This action was originally configured by the British command as a raid, influencing the choice of equipment. Then the clashes turned out to be much harsher than expected and the loss of H Jones who died obtaining a Victoria Cross, meant that this clash was very bloody, also influenced by a terrain devoid of cover.
Adkin's narrative is clear and precise and a truly satisfying number of maps, which also narrates the unfolding of the fighting at the platoon level, helps the reader to know who is where and when. If there is a moment of confusion it is obviously not due to the narrator but to the testimonies, and this happens in the phase of the battle for the Darwin school, where the troops attacked incoherently towards a school defended and occupied by the Argentines. The choice of testimonies, taken personally by the author and not long after the facts (the book was printed in 1992 and this edition is from 2019) is vast and what is missing, on the Argentine side, can be made up for by the excellent "Argentine Fight for the Falklands "by Martin Middlebrook. Indeed, if possible, I recommend reading the two books in conjunction to appreciate some controversial points such as the "Flagpole" incident where many soldiers lost their lives due to a misunderstanding in the surrender negotiations of an Argentine detachment. A series of photos of both the protagonists and the places, although in black and white, help to understand both the terrain and the personalities. The Battle of Goose Green was a battle that engaged the British not only against a well entrenched enemy (but with some flaws in the defense mechanism) but also against a terrain and climate that were at the extreme. Adkin's narration makes us appreciate the effort of the 4 rifle companies, and the lack of support received from logistics and support units. In fact, it almost seems to hear about a clash of 100 years ago, during the Great War. Adkin therefore produces, even today after 30 years from its first release, the best book on Goose Green and on that clash that started the battle on the ground of the Falklands-Malvinas islands. A book that cannot miss on the shelves of every fan and curious about that strange and terrible war that lasted two months and a little more and that this year will enter its 40th anniversary.
In fact, the book tells of the first combat action of the British troops landed in San Carlos in the eastern part of the island of East Falkland. In fact, on this island was the main objective of the task force that had crossed (in about a month after a little stop at Ascension Island) the Atlantic to free them from Argentine troops, this objective was the town of Stanley, located to the east. But first the troops had to neutralize an Argentine force located south of the landing , in the settlements of Darwin and Goose Green, which were located on an isthmus that connected East Falkland with the territory south of the island called "Lafonia". Perhaps one of the most prestigious units of the British Task Force, the 2nd Parachute Battalion of Colonel Herbert "H" Jones, went into action against about 3 Argentine companies (of various origins and qualities) placed in defense of the isthmus. Anyone who knows the history of the Falklands war knows that one of the decisive attacks was precisely that carried out on ships, with the destruction of the Atlantic Conveyor by Argentine aircraft. This carried numerous helicopters, and their destruction thus compromised the logistical and displacement capabilities of the Task Force, which was forced to march ("Tab" or "Yomp" in Para or Royal Marine slang)to Stanley. This also partly influenced the Goose Green clash which saw all units of Jones's battalion engaged.
This action was originally configured by the British command as a raid, influencing the choice of equipment. Then the clashes turned out to be much harsher than expected and the loss of H Jones who died obtaining a Victoria Cross, meant that this clash was very bloody, also influenced by a terrain devoid of cover.
Adkin's narrative is clear and precise and a truly satisfying number of maps, which also narrates the unfolding of the fighting at the platoon level, helps the reader to know who is where and when. If there is a moment of confusion it is obviously not due to the narrator but to the testimonies, and this happens in the phase of the battle for the Darwin school, where the troops attacked incoherently towards a school defended and occupied by the Argentines. The choice of testimonies, taken personally by the author and not long after the facts (the book was printed in 1992 and this edition is from 2019) is vast and what is missing, on the Argentine side, can be made up for by the excellent "Argentine Fight for the Falklands "by Martin Middlebrook. Indeed, if possible, I recommend reading the two books in conjunction to appreciate some controversial points such as the "Flagpole" incident where many soldiers lost their lives due to a misunderstanding in the surrender negotiations of an Argentine detachment. A series of photos of both the protagonists and the places, although in black and white, help to understand both the terrain and the personalities. The Battle of Goose Green was a battle that engaged the British not only against a well entrenched enemy (but with some flaws in the defense mechanism) but also against a terrain and climate that were at the extreme. Adkin's narration makes us appreciate the effort of the 4 rifle companies, and the lack of support received from logistics and support units. In fact, it almost seems to hear about a clash of 100 years ago, during the Great War. Adkin therefore produces, even today after 30 years from its first release, the best book on Goose Green and on that clash that started the battle on the ground of the Falklands-Malvinas islands. A book that cannot miss on the shelves of every fan and curious about that strange and terrible war that lasted two months and a little more and that this year will enter its 40th anniversary.
July 9, 2018
Such a brilliantly written and in depth look at not only the battle it's self but an infantry battalion as a whole
August 17, 2019
The definitive account of one of the greatest feats of arms in the history of the British Army.
December 1, 2019
analysis of the action at Goose Green.
I would consider this book and Not Mentioned in Dispatches as the best works on the subject of the action at Goose Green.
I would consider this book and Not Mentioned in Dispatches as the best works on the subject of the action at Goose Green.
December 12, 2019
Clear, factual, nicely balanced with interesting countering points of view of the same events.
Want to read
April 21, 20221982darwin
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2013
Detailed history of the controversial battle by an outstanding military author. A bit hard to follow if you are not familiar with the NATO-era organization of the British Army and the wider politics of the Falklands/Malvinas Crisis.
March 9, 2013
Poorly written
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews