Product Description

Barrie Fieldgate was the Captain s steward onboard the Royal Navy frigate HMS Broadsword, which operated in the South Atlantic during the Falklands War. As the title indicates, the core of this book comprises the observations of a Falklands War veteran during the period of that conflict. Fieldgate s diary provides a detailed insight into the private thoughts, fears and views of a crew member whose main source of information was lower deck chat, supplemented by periodic situation reports from a senior officer. The end result, in the words of his commanding officer, is a book which while obviously of greatest interest to Broadsword s ship s company during the period from April to July 1982, will also appeal to a wider readership . Specifically, it should make a good read for anyone who had an involvement with the Falklands War or wants to gain a greater understanding of what it was like for some of the ordinary service personnel who took part. The diary begins on April 5, 1982, with the author outlining his general duties and daily life on board Broadsword. The author then describes routine naval life and many of the incidents that he and his colleagues have been involved in. He recalls that there is always excitement among the crew of a vessel when it arrives in a new port, particularly one overseas. Reverting back to the specific period of time covered by the diary, the author recalls that after leaving Gibraltar and heading for Naples in Italy, concern among the crew began to increase as they hear that more naval ships are being ordered to take on stores in Gibraltar. They are of course already well aware that tension is building up between Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands. Even so, he remembers, at that stage most of the crew think a peaceful solution will be found. Later that evening, though, Broadsword receives the one and only signal that the whole ship s company had hoped would never be received . Specifically, the ship is ordered to return to

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #580833 in Books
• Published on: 2007-02-15
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 432 pages

Customer Reviews

An unusal view of the Falklands War!
This excellent volume based on a diary written by Falkland's Veteran Barrie Fieldgate provides the reader with a fascinating insight into life aboard a British warship on the lead-up to and during the Falklands War of 1982. Although many volumes have already been written by about this conflict by senior officers, politicians and historians, this particular one has been written by an ordinary naval rating who along with his ship-mates did an extraordinary job in extreme conditions and therefore adds a new perspective to the written history of war.

The author served as the Captain's Steward onboard the Royal Navy frigate HMS Broadsword at this time and as such was ideally situated to experience the private thoughts and fears of everyone from the ordinary seaman on the mess deck to the officers in the Wardroom and the Captain- the man with overall responsibility for the multi million pound vessel and everyone on board her.

Fieldgate's diary begins on April 5, 1982. At this point he outlines his general duties and daily life on board Broadsword. OK, much of this is routine naval life, however it describes the many incidents that he and his colleagues were involved in at the time and the excitement amongst the crew when the ship arrived in an overseas port the ship had not previously visited and therefore from a social history point of view alone, this volume is important too. However back to the main story, Broadsword had in fact left Gibraltar and was heading for Naples, when the ship received "the one and only signal that the whole ship's company had hoped would never be received" - the ship had been ordered to return to Gibraltar and prepare to sail to the South Atlantic - and war! At that point, the author states "We all realise that this is for real," .This fascinating volume therefore continues and recounts the progress of the war and his experiences aboard as the number of casualties (men and ships) mounted as several British warships were hit by enemy fire. During the period between 01st May and the 24th May, British ships were in fact under constant attack from the enemy and this book reflects exactly what the author saw of those actions".

There is no doubt that this volume will interest men who served in the Falklands at that time. Those who were aboard Broadsword will not wish to be without it I am sure, however anyone with an interest in this war will find it an entertaining read and a useful source of reference. There is a very useful (although irrelevant) section on naval heroes in history and a guide to naval terminology, jargon and slang. There are some very good black and white and colour photos too that feature either life on board the ship or other ships either on fire or crippled by enemy action.

A useful addition to the maritime enthusiast's library!