‘Too Shallow for a Ship’, Reviews and comment on Lt Col Cripsin Black’s book ‘Too Thin for a Shroud’

‘Too Shallow for a Ship’, Reviews and comment on Lt Col Cripsin Black’s book ‘Too Thin for a Shroud’

10 Jan 24
Posted by: Maj Gen Julian Thompson, RAdm Jeremy Larken, Lt Col Ewen Southby-Tailyour, Maj Shane Cusack, Col Mark Waring, Col Ivar Hellberg, Brig David Chaundler
47 minutes, 41 seconds read
Message from the Editor

‘NIHL RHYFEL’

In Spring 2023, Lt Col Cripsin Black’s book Too Thin for a Shroud was published. In it he defends robustly 5 Bde’s C2 and the Welsh Guards’ who were still on board the LSLs RFA Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram on 8 June 1982 when they were attacked by the Argentinian Air Force during the Falklands conflict. Over 40 years after the event the opportunity for many, both Green and Navy Blue involved in these events no longer exists, however, the authors of the following  article layout the reasons why they seriously disagree with the book’s suggestions. The Naval Review is an ideal place to hold this rebuttal on record for the benefit of those that wish to study Operation CORPORATE, Amphibious Operations and the fog of war (nihl rhyfel). The following is a review essay dissecting Black’s claims. A 50 minute read.

“Amphibious operations are not an activity suitable for part time participants,” – Major General Julian Thompson. In the Falklands conflict of 1982, by Operation CORPORATE the UK won in 74 days from a ‘standing start’ the largest amphibious operation by any nation since World War II, at a mounting distance from home base (some 8,000 nautical miles – exceeded only by a lesser UK operation in 1942). The campaign attracted international admiration, notably for the nicely-judged strategic and tactical risks, for the accepted expectation to lose major maritime units, and for the remarka…

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