Product Description

Sharkey Ward commanded 801 Naval Air Squadron, "HMS Invincible", during the Falkland War of April to June 1982, and was senior Sea Harrier adviser to the command on the tactics, direction and progress of the air war. He flew over 60 war missions, achieved three air-to air kills, and took part in or witnessed a total of ten kills; he was also the leading night pilot, and was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry. But what, after all, could 20 Sea Harriers, operating from a flight-deck bucketing about in the South Atlantic, do against more than 200 Argentine military aircraft flown by pilots who, as the raids against the British shipping proved, displayed enormous skill and almost suicidal gallantry? The world knows the answer - now. What is puzzling, therefore, is this book's truthful depiction of the attitudes of some senior non-flying naval officers, and of the RAF, towards the men (and indeed the machine) that made possible the victory in the Falklands. This first-hand account charts, in detail, the naval pilots' journey to the South Atlantic, and how they took on and triumphantly conquered the challenges they faced. It is a dramatic story, leavened with accounts of the air-to-air fighting and of life in a squadron at sea and on a war footing. But it is also a tale of inter-Service rivalry, bureaucratic interference, and the less-than-generous attitudes of a number of senior commanders who should certainly have known better; indeed, some of them might even have lost the war through a lack of understanding of air warfare. The author attempts to put the record straight.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #587793 in Books
• Published on: 1993-08-05
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Navy News
"the definitive account of the battle above the South Atlantic islands"

About the Author
Nigel David Ward was born in Canada of 'RAF' parents in 1943 and joined the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, as an Officer Cadet in 1962. After Basic Flying Training he completed his Fleet Air Arm training on Hunters and Sea Vixens before joining 892 Naval Air Squadron in 1969, where he flew the F-4K Phantom from the deck of the HMS Ark Royal. A qualified Air Warfare Instructor, he worked at the Ministry of Defence and in 1981 took command of 801 Naval Air Squadron in HMS Invincible. Commander Ward holds the Air Force Cross for services to maritime VSTOL aviation and was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross in the Falklands Honours List.

Customer Reviews

A must for anyone interested in air combat or the Falklands
I read this book years ago and I dont agree with some other reviews slating Sharkey Ward for being arrogant and spoiling the book. This book is about the Sea Harrier, its operations in the Falklands war and the views of the man known as "Mr Sea Harrier". What you get is interesting insight into the development of this marvellous aircraft, the preparations undergone by pilots sailing to the Falklands, air operations during the war and the immediate aftermath. This a warts and all kind of a book. The behaviour of some parties was not up to scratch and the author makes no bones about it but does support opinions with facts. Was it right to think of court martialling a pilot for being shot down by a SAM? Was it right to have the air patrols at 10-15,000ft when attack aircraft were coming in on the deck? Was the RAF determined not to be "left out"? Sharkey gives his views on these. This book is great - you feel your are sat with this great fighter pilot listening to him talk. It is clearly his view on that aircraft in that war.

Cdr Ward
I served at RNAS Yeovilton where Cdr Ward was based with 801sqn. He had assumed almost legendary status even prior to the publication of this book. It was very apparent that if you wished to learn about the role of the SHAR his was the voice to listen to. This book is the voice of reason in an otherwise politically correct world. As a fighter pilot you HAVE to tell it as it is. This book does just that warts and all. A must read for any student of the Falklands war or modern air warfare.

brilliant story of a true fighter pilot's war
I couldn't put this down! It is a great read. Sharkey puts his spirit and his passion into this book, as he must have done into his flying and fighting.
He delivers some great knocking copy against the RAF, so I bought Vulcan 607 too in the interests of balance. Sharkey goes to some length to knock the RAF's efforts in the Falklands - the Vulcan raids used up so much fuel to very little effect, but he does miss the point that the RAF's mission was as political and strategic as well as military. Also, he appears to have felt that the Royal Navy, the FAA, and the Sea Harrier didn't get enough respect before during and after the war. I hope that isn't true. From what I recall, the Navy played the major role, the Harrier was highly vaunted and the sailors and airmen regarded as heroes, and rightly so.

This book isn't pure history, but an excellent memoir from a true fighter pilot hero. Nice one Sharkey, and thank you for all you have done for you Country.