Bomb Alley : Falkland Islands 1982 - Aboard HMS Antrim at War

This is the untold story of the Falklands War as experienced by a below-decks seaman on one of the most important ships to be dispatched to the South Atlantic. It is a no-holds-barred account as seen through the eyes of a Royal Navy matelot

This is the untold story of the Falklands War as experienced by a below-decks sailor on one of the most important ships to be despatched to the South Atlantic. It is a no-holds-barred account as seen through the eyes of a Royal Navy matelot who shared the terror of the first encounter with Argentinean forces when South Georgia was retaken from the invaders in Operation Paraquat. HMS Antrim then lead the first attack into the North Falklands Sound and San Carlos Water (Bomb Alley) where she destroyed enemy defences and later became part of the main antiaircraft defence force. During the largest air-sea battle since World War II, the ship came under repeated attack for over six hours and was struck by a 1000 lb bomb that destroyed her defensive missile system, but through pure chance the bomb did not explode and remained aboard wedged in the aft 'heads'. Other ships were not so lucky during the conflict. HMS Sheffield, HMS Ardent, HMS Antelope, HMS Coventry and Atlantic Conveyor were all lost within a short period whilst the army was trying to establish a bridgehead. With Antrim's main weapon system now knocked out, she became the Task Force's ferry, moving men and supplies around the South Atlantic in ferocious weather and seas.

This is a tale that recounts a heroic event in the true spirit of the British sailor. It melds humour, pathos and sheer guts into a fascinating adventure of true naval tradition that pulls no punches.

This is the untold story of the Falklands War as experienced by a below-decks seaman on one of the most important ships to be despatched to the South Atlantic. It is a no-holds-barred account as seen through the eyes of a Royal Navy matelot who shared the terror of the first encounter with Argentinean forces when South Georgia was retaken from the invaders in Operation Paraquat. Then, HMS Antrim lead the first attack into the North Falklands Sound where she destroyed enemy defences and later became part of the main force anti-aircraft defences in the infamous 'Bomb Alley' or San Carlos Water. During one of the many air attacks, the ship was struck by a bomb that destroyed her defensive missile system, but through pure chance, the bomb did not explode and remained aboard wedged in the aft 'heads'. All around the stricken ship other RN vessels were taking extreme punishment from the almost continuous onslaught from low-flying Argentinean jets. HMS Antelope, HMS Coventry and the Atlantic Conveyer were all lost within a short period whilst the army was trying to establish a bridgehead Tells the story of the Falklands War as experienced by a below-decks seaman on one of the most important ships to be despatched to the South Atlantic. This book presents an account from a Royal Navy matelot who shared the terror of the first encounter with Argentinean forces when South Georgia was retaken from the invaders in Operation Paraquat.