South Atlantic 1982: The Carrier Campaign in the Falklands War
96 pages
John Roberts
There have been so many books on the Falklands Conflict but nevertheless I enjoyed reading this brief refresher. Osprey have produced a handsomely illustrated slim, soft back volume on the air campaign in the Falklands Conflict, which is the latest edition in their Air Campaign series (ACM 51) of brief compact primers. Well set out as a basic textbook, it is crammed with information, photographs, splendid maps, diagrams, and dramatic two page spread paintings by Edouard Groult. Though it mostly covers the air war, and whilst it does not offer anything new, it is a very good summary, providing an excellent reminder of that watershed conflict.
Konstam devotes the first third of the book to sections on each side covering capabilities, weapons, objectives and ORBATS. He points out that the Argentine Air Force of some 240 aircraft was not prepared for an air war against British forces, as its aircraft, equipment, planning, doctrine and training had been focused against Chile. With many of its aircraft outdated, in a poor state of repair and stationed close to Chile, not the Atlantic seaboard, and with only two air-refuelling tankers (though later supported by a few more KC-130s), many aircraft had only a very limited time on target. Overall, he states that the lack of a strategic plan and preparations cost the Argentinians dearly.
Whilst for the British it was a relatively small task force (CTF317) at huge distance and only five days to assemble and sail for Operation CORPORATE, with just 20 Sea Harriers embarked (later reinforced with 14 SHAR and GR3s from Atlantic Conveyor). The section on weapon systems (SAM and AAM), with very clear diagrams, is first class.
The main section is a relatively detailed summary of the overall air campaign. Konstam starts with the story that when Admiral Fieldhouse was asked about planning and preparation, he quipped that they had been training to operate off Norway against the Warsaw Pact. So instead of turning left after they sailed from Portsmouth they just turned right.
Konstam certainly covers the air aspects well, concentrating on dogfights, patrols and air attacks in detail with maps and diagrams for the main events: Preps on the voyage south; the successful opening action in South Georgia; the limited value of ‘Black Buck’ and Harrier airfield strikes; the first dogfight kill of 1st May; a Sea Harrier of 801 NAS detects the Belgrano group 2nd May; the subsequent sinking of the old cruiser by Conqueror; two Super Etendards with Exocets fatally hit HMS Sheffield (excellent feature with detailed diagram); the reinforcement of Harriers from Atlantic Conveyorboosts operational Harrier strength to 31; an excellent section on the San Carlos landings (Operation SUTTON) on 21 May; with splendid details of the dogfights over West Falkland and sinkings of HMS Ardent and HMS Antelope on 24 May. The attacks on the 25th May sinking HMS Coventry and later the Atlantic Conveyor with her crucial cargo of helicopters, the tragedy of Bluff Cove and RFA Sir Tristram. That appears to complete the more detailed air side of the conflict. Konstam gives an impressive amount of information on the Argentine pilots and tactics.
In the final section he pulls together the main conclusions, lack of plans, unpreparedness, geographical constraints, imposing severe limits on time on task and the crucial importance of Hermes and Invincible. Nevertheless, it provided excellent combat testing for proving the Sea Harrier (“the war winning aircraft”) with 22 Argentinian aircraft shot down by Sea Harriers (18 with Sidewinders). Though six Sea Harriers and four Harrier GR3s were lost to ground fire or accident. It also proved the potency of the sea-skimming Exocet missile. Having been Secretary of the Defence Operations Staff throughout the conflict I was fascinated by this reminder of those very tense and dramatic days.
Altogether it is a first class quick reference book with many clear diagrams, maps and summary boxes, handsomely illustrated with excellent artwork, many photographs and full colour illustrations. Certainly very well recommended.
