Four Weeks in May: The Loss of "HMS Coventry"

by David Hart Dyke

In March, 1982, the guided-missile destroyer HMS Coventry was one of a small squadron of ships on exercise off Gibraltar. By the end of April that year she was sailing south in the vanguard of the Task Force towards the Falklands. As diplomacy failed, crisis became conflict. By the time the ship left Ascension Island, its company knew war was inevitable—a war in which they would be in the front line. For Coventry, the war began in earnest on May 1. Her job was to be "on picket" to the north west of the islands. She was to provide early warning of approaching enemy aircraft from the west, and fend off any incoming threat to the highly valuable ships and aircraft behind her. On May 25, Coventry was attacked by two Argentine Skyhawks, and hit by three bombs. The explosions tore out most of her port side and killed 19 of the crew, leaving many others injured—mostly by burns. Within 20 minutes she had capsized, and was to sink early the next day. In her final moments, when all those not killed by the explosions had been evacuated from the ship, her Captain, David Hart Dyke, himself badly burned, climbed down her starboard side and into a life raft. This is his compelling and moving story.

Genres: Military Fiction, History, Nonfiction, Biography, Military History, Leadership, Historical

Hardcover

First published January 13, 2007

Reviews

[Steve Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was ten during the Falklands Crisis - in fact the islands were liberated on my eleventh birthday - but I still remember the events incredibly clearly. Spurs beat QPR in the FA Cup final with the Spurs fans displaying a banner that said “Argentina can keep the Falklands if we can keep Ardiles and Villa” or some such nonsense (but that’s Spurs fans for you). Our family were on our summer holidays during half-term in the south-west when HMS Sheffield became the first ship to be sunk by the Argentinians; in fact I remember my dad tell me and my sister to behave ourselves the day after the Sheffield was lost when we visited Plymouth that day.

HMS Coventry was another Type-42 destroyer that was not to return to Portsmouth from the South Atlantic and this gripping book by the captain tells the truly heroic story of the crew aboard that vessel in the lead up to the invasion and their deployment, right through to the ship’s sinking and their return home aboard QE2. I remember watching QE2 steam into Southampton on the television news with the crews of HMS Ardent and HMS Antelope - two other ships sunk protecting the amphibious landing at San Carlos Water - with the company of Coventry holding aloft a banner bearing the name of their lost vessel.

The aftermath of the conflict; the memorial services, correspondence with the families of the men that did not return and the laying down of the keel of the vessel that was to continue to hold the battle honours belonging to HMS Coventry complete this fine memoir of the first conflict (though sadly, not the last) where the brave warriors of my nation were put into harm's way in my lifetime.

[chucklesthescot · Rating 4 out of 5]

My uncle didn't fight in the Falklands War but he got a job after the war as a labourer based there to help with reconstruction around the airport so I've always had an interest in hearing about the islands and reading about the war. I'd previously read about an Special Forces unit and their missions there so I was keen to read this one.

It's a good book. It gives you an idea of the layout of the ship, who the important people are, a bit of history of the ship in its various forms, the battles that Coventry have fought in, and a bit of backstory on the author himself. He talks about some members of his crew and gives an insight into what life is like on one of these warships.

The book begins with Coventry on a training mission with other ships while Argentine aggression over the Falklands is being discussed in government. It means that Coventry, instead of going home after the exercise, is deployed instantly to start heading south with no prior warning, which is a shock to everyone on board. We follow their journey down to what has now become a war zone, see the preparations involved, and get an idea of how well everyone did to get that task force deployed and ready to fight so quickly.

The book follows Coventry through the war at sea in May, detailing the various attacks that the battle group suffered at the hands of Argentine air forces, the constant fear of submarine attack, the tracking of enemy ships. I was shocked by the lack of good defensive weapons on Coventry and how dangerous their position really was in light of this. You hear about a war and think about modern ship weapons but British troops had very little to work with here. Disaster could have struck at any time, replacement equipment was not always easy to come by and many of the men had to perform vital repairs themselves using what they could salvage.

It was sad reading about the various ships being hit, as you can imagine the terror for not just those involved, but the families back home waiting for news. After Coventry was hit but not named, families of various ships were fearing the loss of their men, then after it was named, everyone had a further wait to hear who on it was killed. It must've been a horrific experience. It seemed sad to me that Coventry was sunk on basically the last real day of the sea part of the war and it was scary to read about it.

I enjoyed the book and would certainly want to read more about the war from others who were there. This book lays out the events in a clear order, explains things well so that non military people can enjoy the read and I recommend it.

[Mr Michael R Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I joined the Royal Navy in January 1970 and was 29 at the time of the Falklands Campaign. That war has defined our generation of RN personnel and its effects are still with us now.
I had long wanted to read this but always found a different book to read, normally a novel, but this year, the 38th anniversary I decided it was time.
This is a very personal account of the sinking of HMS Coventry, by its captain. The book was never intended to add hugely to the general history of the Falklands Conflict, it provides the Commanding Officers perspective and gives insights into the emotional side of warfare. What I found particularly moving and completely understood was David Hart-Dyke's difficulties in coming to terms with its effects and aftermath.
It is difficult to get the emotion across to those outside our service that when a ship is sunk those aboard her lose everything, home, possessions, comrades, everything but what they stand up in.
I found myself immensely moved by this book.

[Matthew Gleason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Modern Naval combat, and how it may transpire, is generally left to the imagination and forecasting of war games. The Falkland Islands’ War In 1982 is as close as we can come to assessing how a peer conflict at sea might transpire. Captain Hart Dyke gives the reader an inside look at how he prepared for combat, executed operations, and recovered from the sinking of HMS Coventry. His honest assessment of his emotions, concerns, and fears is refreshing and inspiring.

[Colm Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting first-hand account written 20 years after the original Falkland War took place. Walks through the decision-making and tough lifestyle of a modern navy warship in conflict. It's also one of the few examples of war on the Cold War era. missle warfare shows how quickly things can go wrong in modern naval warfare. Good read for anyone curious about naval history and conflict. Recommend for people currently in any navy as well.

[Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was excellent. I can really appreciate how the author focuses not on tactical decisions made in battle, nor on the politics that led to the conflict in the Falkland Islands, but rather on his personal view as a Captain of a warship sailing into harms way and then having his ship be sunk in battle.

[Mike Pinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very interesting and human account of the service and sinking in combat of HMS Coventry during the Falklands War. As the author states, the book sticks to THEIR part of the war. For the grand scheme of things one will need to read other books, but it mentions all one needs to understand the importance of what they went through.

[Margaret Backhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a personal account of the Falkland war and gives an insight into the emotions of the Captain and how he comes to terms with the loss of his ship and his men. As an ex navy wife I found the account gripping and very moving. Very well written

[David Crespin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very readable thought-provoking first hand account of the 1982 hostilities between Argentina and the UK.

[Anthony BEM · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two of my friends died on the Coventry, I joined the Navy with them in 1964 and th8s made the book special for me.

[Lindsay Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting and moving account of leadership, cameraderie and loss in war. Enjoyed it very much.

[David P · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very personal account of the sinking of HMS Coventry, by its captain. While the book does not add hugely to the general history of the Falklands conflict, it provides a fresh perspective and gives many insights into the emotional side of warfare, and particularly the difficulties in coming to terms with its effects.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good account of the part HMS COVENTRY played in the Falklands War in 1982 and her eventual demise. The stories of the final day by various members of the crew was moving and shows how close men become to each other and the bonds that form during times of danger in wartime shown by how they totally trust and rely on one another. An extremely readable book.

[Gareth · Rating 2 out of 5]

An Ok read. HMS Coventry captain's account of 4 weeks in May 1982 leading up to and in the aftermath of his ship being sunk by the Argentinian Air Force. Does what it says on the tin but nothing to make it stand out in any way.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, really takes you there.

[RAHIX · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly powerful perspective of an incredibly brave man. A fascinating and moving read. Humbling.

[Michael Mayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hard to put down