OPERATION BLACK BUCK 1982

OPERATION BLACK BUCK 1982
By Andrew D. BIRD.

Another book finally off the TBR pile. The delay in reading it is really down to the story being so well known to me. Being a Lincolnshire lad originally, I passed Avro Vulcan XM607 almost on a daily basis as it stood by the A15 at RAF Waddington. 

Number 37 in Osprey's 'AIR CAMPAIGN' series, the book begins with a brief, but very useful history of the Falklands and the tensions between Britain and Argentina over the territories' sovereignty. 
In March 1982 intelligence reports regarding a likely Argentinian invasion of the islands landed on British desks. The invasion began just a few days later on 2 April.

Andrew provides a useful Chronology of the key events of the war, but the book's main focus is on the planning and execution of all the remarkable Black Buck raids. 
His narrative is backed up with some excellent maps, tables and artwork, as one has come to expect from Osprey. 
Also included throughout are many great photographs and an interesting look at the Argentine defences. 

A lot is crammed in to this 96 page publication and it is both an excellent addition to Osprey's series, as well as to the literature on the Falklands War.

Published by Osprey Publishing, the book is available now from their website in both paperback and eBook.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MITCHELL

Image
MITCHELL: Father of the Spitfire  By Paul Beaver. The majority of readers will have heard the name R.J. Mitchell and certainly his most famous aircraft design, the beloved Spitfire. Yet many, myself included, might not have known that his career began in railway engineering. This and so much more is revealed by author , Paul Beaver, who shares the full story of this remarkable man who became Supermarine's chief designer at the age of just 24. Alongside Reginald's career, we also learn how the Supermarine company was founded and then grew during the decades between the two world wars.  Mitchell's answering of Supermarine's job advertisement  would prove to be the beginning of a remarkable legacy. Importantly, o ne the author also states came about with the brains and skills of a talented group of people who have been too often overlooked. This legacy is of course far more than just the Spitfire. Many other types of aircraft especially flying boats were also d...
Read more

THE DUMMY DRONE

Image
THE DUMMY DRONE BY Rob More. Away from the Battle of Britain in the skies over the English Channel and Southern counties, or the devastating blitz bombing of London and other major cities, surely  the far North of Scotland would hardly be effected by the second world war?  Well the opposite was true. In this fabulous new book, local author and resident, Rob More reveals how the county of Caithness was a scene of great change from the coastline and beaches to the farmland, hills and villages. Not forgetting all those who lived and worked there.  With the area hosting a range of wartime installations and airfields it received many visits from the Luftwaffe. As we learn in the book, civilians and their properties would also be caught up in these raids. From the radar stations searching for enemy aircraft, to those recruited for the local Home Guard and the lesser known Auxiliary Units. Communities the length of Britain prepared for an expected German invasion. Ro...
Read more

ROYAL NAVY FORCE H: 1940-42

Image
ROYAL NAVY FORCE H 1940-42 This is book 14 in Osprey's 'Fleet' series and is written by naval historian, Angus Konstam. If you have read any second world war books on the Mediterranean war and/or Malta, then it is highly likely that Force H and its well respected commander, V.Adm. Sir James Somerville, is mentioned. Based at Gibraltar, Force H patrolled both the Atlantic and the Western Mediterranean often escorting vital convoys to Malta. It was Somerville who led the fleet in the attack on the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir and they would also be later involved in the hunt for the Bismarck.  As well as describing the fleet's ships, its commander and their wartime endeavors, the role and defences of Gibraltar is also covered. This is an added bonus as most books generally only give Gibraltar a passing mention. With a fascinating narrative, aided with many useful maps, charts and original artwork, it is a book I have certainly enjoyed and would definitely rec...
Read more