Product Description

Goose Green was the first land battle of the Falklands War. It was also the longest, the hardest-fought, the most controversial and the most important to win. What began as a raid became a vicious, 14-hour infantry struggle, in which 2 Para - outnumbered, exhausted, forced to attack across open ground in full daylight, and with inadequate fire support - lost their commanding officer, and almost lost the action. This is the only full-length, detailed account of this crucial battle. Drawing on the eye-witness accounts of both British and Argentinian soldiers who fought at Goose Green, and their commanders' narratives, it has become the definitive account of most important and controversial land battle of the Falklands War. A compelling story of men engaged in a battle that hung in the balance for hours, in which Colonel 'H' Jones' solo charge against an entrenched enemy won him a posthumous V.C., and which for both sides was a gruelling and often terrifying encounter.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #286769 in Books
• Published on: 2000-07-06
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Customer Reviews

Compelling account of modern warfare
Don't buy this book expecting a detailed breakdown of the reasons why the Task Force was launched or the diplomatic machinations of the 1982 conflict. This is a straight writing of a military encounter and all the better for it.

The complexities of modern battle are well explained here. Such complexity means things inevitably go wrong.

The plethora of initials mean you are constantly referring to the glossary, but, unlike many military books, the large number of situation maps allows you to follow the action throughout.

The "Toms" come out very well - I particularly like the part when they are discussing the cricket and the wife's new car while under heavy fire in a gorse line. These are men we can relate to.

The reason why 2 Para won the battle requires some examination as they were constantly assaulting entrenched positions without much in the way of supporting fire. However the professionalism and will to win of the British far outmatched the Argentinian forces, who were largely poorly trained reservists and conscripts.

Criticisms would be that apart from "H" Jones, the British officers tend to blend into each other personality-wise and that occassionally the author gets a bit misty-eyed about the Brits and their achievements. This may be because the events are so close (in historical terms.)

Mostly this is a very good read. I got through it in two days

Excellent read and very detailled
As noted elsewhere, this is not an examination of the 'why' (Hastings is much recommended for that) - but as a history of the 'how', it is outstanding.

Adkin works his way in great (but not irritating) detail through the preparations for, and the attack on, Goose Green by 2PARA and attached units. I was particularly impressed by the maps and sketches, which were very clear (and drawn in the standard manner).

This is certainly a book written with its readership in mind - and those with a lack of knowledge of the British Army's organisation, training and weapons in the early 80s may need to refer to an appropriate work. However, for most the glossary and key should suffice.

In summary, an excellent tactical history of Goose Green - I hope Adkin is working on Tumbledown or Wireless Ridge as we speak!

Excellent account of the battle
If you are looking for the definitive account of 2 Para's battle at Goose Green and Darwin, then this is the book for you.

I was worried it would be far too intricate and detailed for what I wanted. I was proved wrong.

Mr Adkin should be roundly congratulated on his work.