Product Description

This account of the Falklands War is by the commander of the British Task Force, Admiral Sandy Woodward. On 5 April 1982, three days after the invasion of the Falkland Islands, British armed forces were ordered to sail 8,000 miles to the South Atlantic unaware of what lay ahead of them or whether they would be committed to war with Argentina. In his memoirs, Admiral Sandy Woodward, Task Force commander from the aircraft carrier Hermes, take us from day one to day 100 of the conflict; from sailing through the waters of the Atlantic with hopes of a political settlement fading, and war becoming increasingly likely, to the repulse of the Argentinian navy and the daring amphibious landing at San Carlos Water. The war, which cost the lives of over 1000 men, has left a legacy of many historical debates and controversies, from the sinking of ships such as HMS Coventry, HMS Sheffield and Sir Galahad, and the Argentinian cruiser, the Belgrano, to wider issues such as what was it like to command and fight a modern air and naval war, the biggest naval action since the Second World War. "One Hundred Days" is a portrayal of the world of modern naval warfare, where despite the use of sophisticated equipment and communications, the margins for human error and courage were as wide as they were in the days of Nelson.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #206581 in Books
• Published on: 2003-02-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 511 pages

Review
'One of the most gripping, convincing and realistic accounts of a naval battle ever published' John Keegan, Daily Telegraph 'Perceptive, vivid, engaging', Guardian 'One of the clearest and frankest accounts ever written of modern naval warfare' Field Marshal Lord carver' Sunday Telegraph

About the Author
Admiral Sir John Woodward entered the Royal Navy at age 13 in 1946; he became a submarine specialist. As Rear Admiral in 1981 he assumed the duties of Flag Officer First Flotilla. In 1982, flying his Flag in the aircraft carrier HMS Hermes, he commanded the South Atlantic Task Groups in the Falklands War, after which he was awarded the KCB. He retired from active service in 1989.He is married with two children.

Customer Reviews

A good account of the responsiblities of command
One of the most interesting things about the book is the new foreward that Admiral Woodward has written to accompany this new edition. In it he acknowledges the communications problems that beset the British during the war, and the problems that led to with some of his opposite numbers such as Brigadier Thompson and Commander Mike Clapp (who commanded the amphibious group).
Woodward admits that during the fighting, he often wasn't aware that sometimes he had stepped on his counterparts' toes.
A better satellite communications system would certainly have helped cure some of these headaches, it seems.

What comes across is something of the loneliness of command. Wodward says he dealt with it by letting off steam in his diary -- of which there are chunks in the book.

In all a well-written account - for which the Admiral quite properly thanks Patrick Robinson, who wrote most of the book.

A fascinating insight into the difficulties of top command
Woodward honestly exposes his own fears, flaws and failures alongside his victories in this eminently readable insight into the problems of top command before and during a major conflict. The first half of the book focussing on the preparation of the leader and the behind the scenes work to prepare the task force is perhaps more insightful then the second half which seems a little rushed. However, this is an excellent insight into the naval problems faced by an fleet admiral asked to achieve the seemingly impossible with very limited means.

Not only full of facts but readable, too!
Not a hero's tale but a factbook offering an inside view of how the situation developed for the Task Force Commander. It is very readable, not only because of the honesty on human errors and technical shortcomings. This, together with healthy self-irony makes it a worthwile read.