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FALKLANDS - The Battle Twenty-Five Years On
 Wharncliffe History Magazine, in association with Pen & Sword Military Books, has produced (just in time for the Falklands 25 commemorative events) a handy little (well actually it is 100 pages) booklet/magazine -
FALKLANDS - The Battle: Twenty Five years On.
The review copy was marked “Exclusive to W H Smith” at a very reasonable price of £6.99 and for the quality and quality of the production this represents value whilst at the same time the booklet/magazine provides a fine overview of the events of 1982 in the South Atlantic.
The text is set out in a series of chapters with much of the material extracted from published books. Thus we move through The Chronology of Events, The Political Problem, The Invasion by the Argentines, The Falkland Islanders at War: and thence through the War itself, Retaking South Georgia, The Task Force, The Pebble Island Attack and thus to the Infantry Battles across East Falkland with Goose Green the first to be covered.
The whole is accompanied by a set of very impressive (and for sailors) simple and clear maps by Jon Wilkinson who also produced the overall design and layout.
There are few quibbles: true the good old Red Plum – HMS Endurance - has her picture reproduced twice, well the first time it is the later model which replaced the true Red Plum but this error seems to be a common fault not just unique to this publication.
Rick Jolly’s magnificent work at Ajax Bay would, of course, also have justly deserved a chapter of its own but the aim has not been, nor would have been possible in something of its size, to produce every detail of the Conflict.
However an article extracted from Nine Battles to Stanley by Nicholas van der Bijl records the events in the final stages at Cortley Hill (the Islanders would know it as Cautley after Captain Henry Cautley RE who arrived in Stanley on 20 August 1881 to report on the defensive capabilities of the Island!).
This section is part of that dealing with the Battles for Tumbledown and Wireless Hill which also is not able to address all the subsequent questioned actions of moving the Guards by LPD to Fitzroy. Included in what must be totally new to many is the very minor action in scope, if not bravery, when the little HMS Cordella (the fishing boat taken up from trade) entered Berkeley Sound on the night of 12 June with an SAS raiding party as part of the Wireless Ridge operation. Although the raid achieved little the Argentines later indicated it had shattered their own plans to insert Special Forces in the British rear areas. Nevertheless cast an eye to the proximity of Berkeley Sound to the main Argentine force and place yourself in imagination in a small, barely armed North Sea fishing boat in such close proximity to the main Argentine force. Wisely, certainly in the face of such determination by the Navy and the Special Forces, the enemy surrendered two days later.
The final chapter, and well covered, is another aspect often overlooked, that of the Repatriation of the Argentine POWs.
Overall a well produced booklet/magazine which can be well recommended.
FALKLANDS The Battle Twenty Five Years On.
Reviewed by The Webmaster
Retail Price £6.99
Exclusive to W H Smith
ISBN 184415527-7
Contact: Pen & Sword Email: enquiries@pen-and-sword.co.uk Website: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk
Falklands Task Force Portfolio
 Maritime Books, of Lodge Hill, Liskeard, PL14 4EL have reprinted the two books which were originally produced immediately after the conflict in 1982.
Packed with photographs of the Task Force sailing South, in the conflict and their return home, many of the photographs are not to be found in later books dealing with the South Atlantic events.
The books retail at £9.99 each.
For further details or to obtain copies of the books please contact Maritime Books, tel no. 01579 343663 Contact: Maritime Books Email: marbooks@aol.com
WARSHIP 2007
 WARSHIP 2007 is edited by John Jordan
WARSHIP is devoted to the design, development and service history of the world's combat ships. With original, historical articles based on primary research, this first class collection by world authorities is a much-anticipated major contribution to naval scholarship.
The 29th volume of this perennially acclaimed annual maintains the well-established high standards of original research articles, rare and unusual photographs and drawings, news and reviews.
Of particular interest as regards aviation matters are three chapters;
HMS Girdle Ness Sea Slug Missile Trials Ship by Jon Wise
The Aerial Attack on the German High Seas Fleet Planned for 1918 by David Hobbs
The Italian Navy and the Aircraft Carrier 1907 – 2007 by Vincent O’Hara and Enrico Cernuschi.
But for all interested in naval matters and maritime history this book is recommended and the volume includes:
• Sir Nathaniel Barnaby KCB.
• The Contre-Torpilleurs of the Mogador Class.
• The Baden Trials.
• The Japanese Destroyers of the Hatsuharu Class.
• The Port Edgar Destroyer Base 1916-28.
• The lena Disaster 1907.
• The Loss of the Battleship Novorossiisk.
• Navies in Review - Conrad Waters summarises the significant naval events and developments during 2006.
• Naval Books of the year - reviewing some of the latest publications in naval history.
• Warship Gallery - Soviet Cruisers of the Second World War from the Boris Lemachko collection.
Published by Conway the book (ISBN; 1844860418) sells at a RRP of £30.00
Peter Rickard
Webmaster
FAAOA
Contact: CONWAY, 10 Southcombe Street, London, W14 0RA Contact Details:
To order a copy of Warship 2007 for only £25.00 including free p&p in the UK call 0870 787 1613 and quote reference CH747. Email: kpatel@anovabooks.com Website: www.anovabooks.com
SEA CHARTS OF THE BRITISH ISLES
 John Blake's second book, "Sea Charts of the British Isles" has recently been published. The Forward is by Admiral the Lord Boyce GCB OBE DL
His first book, "The Sea Chart" (with the Forward by HRH the Duke of York) was an illustrated history of nautical maps and navigational charts and this second book is a voyage of discovery around Britain and Ireland's coastline.
The book is "Splendidly evocative view of Britain's sea inheritance, with details trawled from a thousand years of colourful nautical history, this is a book to open the eyes. Using the device of a circumnavigation Blake shows how a mariner's perception of these shores has varied over the centuries, and includes fascinating detail of the charts and instruments that have conributed." Bosun's Chronicle
Sea Charts of the British Isles has over 110 illustrations of original charts and navigational views selected from eight major maritime archive which include the National Maritime Museum, British Library, Pepys Library, Admiralty Library, the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office, the Westminster Abbey Archives and the UK National Archives.
The author writes regularly for yachting and maritime magazines and gives talks on maritime exploration.
The book is published by Conway, RRP £30.00 with 160 pages
Special Offer
Purchase any one of John Blake's books at £2.00 off the RRP with free P & P. Call 0870 787 1613 and quote reference CH694
Contact: 0870 787 1613
CHARTS OF WAR
 John Blake's latest book can now be obtained direct from the Publisher.
KGFS Flagship magazine has reviewed the book as follows: -
"John Blake has produced a fascinating study of the development of charts (from some 15 international archives in the UK, USA and Europe) from the fanciful drawings of the Middle Ages down to the operational charts drawn up for the D-Day landings of June 1944.
Along the way he examines charts that have touched our history in iconic ways - Francis Drake's plans for the attack on Cadiz 1587 and Captain William Bligh's charts of the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801"
The RFA Association Magazine reviewed the book as well:-
"This third book in John Blake's series is an utterly beautiful work, and magnificently illustrated with charts from the Age of Discovery through to Jutland, Omaha Beach and finally the Falklands and the Gulf War. This superb book is a must for anyone with interest in the history of navigation and chart making."
The book is published by Conway, RRP £30.00 with 160 pages.
All three of John's books can however be purchased directly from the Publisher with the offer of a discount of £2.00 plus free UK p&p.
Call 0870 787 1613 and quote reference CH694
Contact: 0870 787 1613
THE ROYAL NAVY IN THE COD WARS 1958 - 1976
 Captain Andrew Welch, who was a participant himself in the Cod Wars, has produced a first rate book covering the 18 years of conflict from 1958 to 1976.
Many in the Royal Navy during those years and commanding or serving in the frigates, or embarked as aircrew, will at some stage most likely have found themselves in Icelandic waters. Inhospitable as the water are was to be added the dangers imposed by the tactics employed by the Icelandic Coastguard Vessels as they attempted to disrupt the UK fishing fleet whilst taking little regard for safety or the obligations of keeping clear of other vessels.
After reading the book a suitable question may be "who won" as Iceland today retains full control of its fishing grounds whilst the open waters of what used to be the United Kingdom’s areas have resulted in many cases of gross over fishing with loss of national control to European fishing fleets.
Politics apart though, the book recounts in detail the dangers faced by the Naval vessels and the several incidents of extreme damage which some of the ships incurred.
The book has superb photographs and diagrams to significantly add to its overall high quality, and as well as value to those involved is a comprehensive coverage of a significant part of the maritime history of those days and certainly should be part of the library where the valuable books of reference are to be found.
Well recommended.
Peter Rickard
The Royal Navy in the Cod Wars 1958-1976
Published by Maritime Books, Lodge Hill, Liskeard, PL14 4EL
324 pages
Price: £29.99
Contact: Maritime Books Contact Details:
Tel 01579 343663 Website: www.navybooks.com
A GENTLEMAN AVIATOR
 Just occasionally a book comes one’s way which whilst not likely to be a major best seller nevertheless has within it real gems of life as lived by those involved in aviation during the war years. Such is A Gentleman Aviator which is a biography of William “Bill” Atkinson DSC MiD CD with Clasp.
The book sets out Bill Atkinson’s record as a pilot with the FAA from joining at HMS Daedalus before going on to HMS St Vincent and then following the standard pattern through to service afloat in HMS Indomitable and HMS Formidable with 1844 Naval Air Squadron in the Far East. Thereafter his extensive service in Canada is covered in detail and his career is set out from joining as a Naval Airman RNVR to retirement as a Commander RCN. Along the way the record shows that with his number of enemy aircraft destroyed he became the top Canadian naval pilot of WWII serving with the FAA.
Included in the book are extracts from diaries bringing the story really to life but there is also a wealth of detail about the later years with service in the RCN which whilst particularly interesting to those from Canada nevertheless sets out the trials and tribulations not especially unique to Canada’s armed forces.
For the amateur historian it is a book with a wealth of information about war and peace service as an aviator in particular in the Far Eastern theatre.
Within 163 pages there is also a chapter contributed by Bill’s wife, Val which adds greatly to the fundamental “niceness” of the story.
Inevitably the reproduction of pictures is not especially good which reflects really on the sort of material available from the war years and the book whilst printed in good clear type is bound with a ring binder which makes for ease of reading in bed or on the train but may not look especially good in the bookcase. These are minor quibbles. The book is a really good piece of recorded history and recommended. The author is Peter Lawson who received his wings as an observer’s mate (that’s new to the Reviewer I’m afraid) but who was commissioned in 1961, later becoming a teacher and retiring in 1994 as chief inspector of schools for the Province of Nova Scotia.
A Gentleman Aviator – the Biography of Bill Atkinson
Reviewed by Peter Rickard
163 pages published November 2006
ISBN 0-9781572-0-6
The book is obtainable from:
Shearwater Aviation Museum, 12 Wing, PO Box 5000, Station Main, Shearwater, Nova Scotia, Canada, B0J – 3A0
as a fund raiser to assist with the museum projects which currently include re-finishing an Avenger for static display and re-furbishing a Firefly for air worthiness certification, among many projects.
The book costs $30.00 Canadian which includes the 14% tax. The postage and package to the UK adds @ another $13 Canadian to the price but check with the Museum.
The author can be contacted at Peter E Lawson, 287 Lacewood Drive, Unit 103, Suite 211, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3M – 3Y7
The cover is from a painting by Robert Banks, North Vancouver, B.C, Canada
Contact: As above: Shearwater Aviation Museum Email: awmuseum@ns.sympatico.ca
CRISES DO HAPPEN
 CRISES DO HAPPEN. The Royal Navy and Operation Musketeer, Suez 1956 by GEOFFREY CARTER.
Fifty years ago an Armada of Royal Naval ships headed back to Malta and the UK ports for Christmas 1956 after what became known as the Suez Campaign.
Shrouded in history as a political disaster, the part played at Suez by the armed forces in general and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines in particular has received little of its due recognition. Such was the political embarrassment that those returning from the Campaign received scant attention or even the Nation’s gratitude that later, sometimes lesser, conflicts provided to those who had carried out its policy and who had been placed in the firing line.
Against the background of the Cold War, the Royal Navy was called upon to land an army on a potentially hostile shore beyond the effective range of land based Allied aircraft.
To do this Naval air had to be the prime source of air cover to the fleet and the assault, as well as to be able to launch strikes against targets ashore. This it did effectively and for the first time assault from the sea included a small force of carrier borne helicopters which lifted Royal Marines Commandos to the shore.
Geoffrey Carter is the author of the long awaited book which for the first time sets out in any detail the full part played by the Royal Navy at Suez. He has done a very detailed job, as one would expect from a person holding a Doctorate in Maritime History from the University of Exeter.
The book is set out in a clear fashion from the Planning and Assembly of Forces Stage (including the Task Organisation), through to the Carrier Strike phase and thence the Assault from the Sea including a specific section on the operational use of the training carriers, Ocean and Theseus in their new helicopter assault role.
The part played by the United States Sixth Fleet and the anxiety caused by its operating close to the British and French carriers is not overlooked, nor is the constant political interference which frequently left objectives unclear for the military.
Details are also included of the later clearing of the wreckage left in the Canal.
Geoffrey has provided an historical record with the addition of well presented and accurately captioned pictures. All the well known ones are included plus many more which are not usually to be found in a book dealing with this series of events.
CRISES DO HAPPEN. The Royal Navy and Operation Musketeer, Suez 1956 by GEOFFREY CARTER
Reviewed by Peter Rickard.
ISBN 978-1-904459-24-8
142 pages.
Published by Maritime Books price £22.50
Contact: Maritime Books Contact Details:
tel 01579 343663; fax 01579 346747 Website: www.navybooks.com
A BIT OF A "TIFF" by BILL DRAKE
 See details on the flyer. Contact: Email address now as shown below. Email: billdrake@onetel.net
THE FLEET AIR ARM MUSEUM
 In the course of carrying out research on FAA aspects it is obviously best to try and use primary source material. One such source are aircrew flying logbooks, and a steady stream are either deposited with or loaned to, for copying, to the Fleet Air Arm Museum. These often contain vital bits of information including aircraft delivery dates to/from units, incident details and codes used etc, and are therefore an invaluable source of good data.
The Museum is always keen to try and persuade ex-aircrew to loan their logbooks to the Museum for copying so that relevant information can be extracted, and the Museum can then hold a copy in perpetuity for future reference. Those donating their log books for copying should ensure that copyright is not relinquished and that they and their families, retaining such copyright, will always be granted free access to the material. At the same time they should be prepared to allow the Museum to provide access to the material for research.
Incidentally the picture is titled "Where have we been!" and shows crews of 801 NAS from Ark Royal en-route from the Mediterranean via Yeovilton to Lossiemouth 12th March 1963 researching!.
All such donations/temporary loans for copying should be addressed to the following - Contact: Mrs Jan Keohane, the Assistant Curator Contact Details:
Records & Research Centre,
Fleet Air Arm Museum,
RNAS Yeovilton,
Ilchester,
Somerset,
BA22 8HT,
Tel: 01935 842628
RAY STURTIVANT
 The Association is pleased to include details here of Ray Sturtivant's latest book, which has been produced with the help of his co-authors Mick Burrow and Lee Howard.
"At the end of the Second World War the strength of the Fleet Air Arm had reached around 11,000 first and second line aircraft, including reserves. These numbers soon began to shrink as American Lend-Lease aircraft were scrapped or returned and the service adjusted to lesser peacetime demands, the piston-engined carrier and training aircraft giving way to their jet-powered successors in the process. Over the ensuing decades the number of squadrons gradually declined, only a relative handful surviving. With the change to helicopters for many functions, and the demise of the fleet carriers, the only fixed-wing first-line aircraft now still in naval service are a relatively small number of Sea Harrier jump-jets, and even these are operated jointly with the RAF's Harriers.
In the period covered by this book, fixed wing naval aircraft saw considerable service between 1950 and 1953 during the Korean War, and were briefly in action during the Suez Campaign in late 1956. By the time of the Falklands War in late 1982 the only practical fixed-wing capacity was the few Sea Harrier squadrons, which acquitted themselves well.
This book gives detailed individual histories of all FAA aircraft flown from the beginning of 1946 until the present day, the earlier entries following on from those in the authors' previous book 'FAA Aircraft 1939 to 1945'. In all over 8,500 aircraft are covered, including those British-built aircraft which served in the post-war years with the Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Australian Navy carrying British serials. In most cases precise movement dates are given between units as well as details of both minor and major accidents including the names of aircrew involved. An index of names has nearly 7,000 entries.
One can safely say that no major air arm has ever had its aircraft detailed in such depth and over such a lengthy period as has been achieved in this unique book, which reflects the efforts of nearly half a century of dedicated research into British post-war naval history by the main author.
This 656-page book includes over 200 black & white and colour illustrations of all the aircraft types involved as well as 16 pages of colour photographs and colour side views of FAA aircraft."
In a brief review of this book it can be said that it is absolutly fascinating. Not least with its extensive index it seems to contain a full roll call of the fixed wing aviators of the Fleet Air Arm from 1946 (at least those who encountered some sort of difficulty with their aircraft at some stage). Constructing such documentation means the author has to rely greatly on what was recorded at the time so just occasionally Observers may find that a particularly harrowing experience thrust upon them by their Pilots may not mention them. Charitably it can only be surmised that the Pilots in question or their Squadron Commanding Officers did not include the Observers on the accident reports as a gesture of apology.
A well recommended book for hours of study and enjoyment.
This book is to be followed by a companion work - Fleet Air Arm Helicopters - which is well under way. Contact: Ray Sturtivant - Air Historian Email: raysturtivant@btinternet.com Website: www.raysturtivant.btinternet.co.uk
RNAS STRETTON: HMS BLACKCAP
 We have been asked to publicise on the website the information about the former Royal Naval Air Station Stretton, H.M.S. BLACKCAP.
"We are a community organisation that has spent two years producing this book whilst financing it from our own funds.
R.N.A.S. Stretton, H.M.S. BLACKCAP.
Our book about this former Air Station is now on sale.
It has 210 A4 pages and over 200 black/white photos.
If you would like a copy it can be ordered for collection from ANTROBUS HERITAGE, BIRCHMOSS, NEW ROAD, ANTROBUS, CW9 6NY (01565 777248) or from ANTROBUS VILLAGE SHOP (01606 891551) and costs £10.00. If sent by post it is £13.50 in the U.K.
It is best to phone first to check availability.
Please make cheques payable to Antrobus Heritage".
If you require further information please contact me Derek Enfield
Contact: Mr Derek Enfield Contact Details:
01565 777248 Email: enfieldd@tiscali.co.uk
From Tailhooker to Mudmover by Dick Lord
 Mic Comber has kindly forwarded a book review - 'From Tailhooker to Mudmover' by Dick Lord
In the 1950s several South Africans came to England to join the Services. Dick Lord arrived in the late 50s, in time to train as pilot and experience the end of the Sea Venom years before converting to Sea Vixens. Thus he was flying in the large aircraft/small carrier era. Later he was one of the team sent to the States mainly for Phantom work. He will be well remembered by his contemporaries as a superb pilot and one hell of a nice guy.
He has written three books, one of which is of considerable interest to Fleet Air Arm personnel. Extremely informative and well written, the first section of 'From Tailhooker to Mudmover' covers Dick's R.N. experience. He has many stories of incidents and experiences, for several of which I was around and remember well. Dick is also very strong on recounting his opinions of different aircraft, comparing the handling characteristics in a very understandable way, even to non-pilots. He most certainly does not pull his punches on several aspects of designs of the types he flew. Some of his comments would make de Havilland extremely upset were there any of the Vixen design team still around. Dick is also extremely complimentary to Vixen observers and all we had to go through, so earns double points for that.
This book is the story of a military flyer and his career, which by no means ended after his twelve years in the Fleet Air Arm. On return to South Africa he joined the South African Air Force. Apart from considerable and highly enjoyable flying, fighters again, he rose up the ranks to that of Brigadier General.
From the Fleet Air Arm point of view, this is the best book you will ever read on flying in the 1950s and 60s. Compulsory reading for those of us who were involved at that time and for anyone with even a slight interest in that hairy era of carrier flying. A book that is both very informative and highly entertaining not just for Dick's FAA years but his years in the SAAF.
The only problem is getting hold of it. Whilst his other books - one on Air Sea Rescue, the other on the Mirage, both SAAF based - are listed on Amazon, this one is not. All is not lost however and you can buy direct from the publisher, Corporal Publications, in South Africa. An order form can be downloaded and printed from their website www.mazoe.com/corporalorders and then faxed, with your credit card details, to the number shown. Any queries should be passed to them, ask for Jonathan but in case of difficulty non-members please use the Contact Us facility (we will pass on questions) whilst members can contact Mic direct from his details in the website members list. Similarly with any general queries on the book.
At the current exchange rate late November 2005)the book costs GBP12.90, add to that insured airmail p&p of GBP10.34 .
Contact: +27 12 664 6340 (they are GMT + 2) Contact Details:
fax: +27 12 664 2241 Website: www.mazoe.com/corporalorders
THE OBSERVER IN THE ROYAL NAVY 1908 - 2003
 This 68 page softback book by an author with flying experience as an Observer can be purchased direct for £7.95 (incl p & p). Contact: Keith Davies. Contact Details:
25 Rectory Road,
Carlton Colville,
Lowestoft,
Suffolk,
NR33 8BA. Telephon01502 562548e Email: keith.davies28@btopenworld.com
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