Sharkey ward commanded 801
Naval Air Squadron, HMS Invincible, during the Falklands War of April to
June 1982, and was senior Sea Harrier adviser to the Command on the tactics,
direction and progress of the air war. He flew over sixty war missions,
achieved three air-to-air kills, and took part in or witnessed a total
of ten kills; he was also the leading night pilot, and was decorated with
the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry. Those are the bare facts,
though they do no sort of justice to this remarkable and outspoken book,
nor to its author. For what, after all, could twenty Sea Harriers, operating
from a flight-deck bucketing about in the South Atlantic, do against more
than 200 Argentine military aircraft flown by pilots who, as the raids
against British shipping proved, displayed enormous skill and gallantry?
The world knows the answer - now; as it knows the debt owed to the author
and his fellow flyers. What is puzzling, therefore, is this book's truthful
depiction of the attitudes of some of the senior non-flying naval officers,
and of the RAF, towards the men (and indeed the machine) that made possible
the victory in the Falklands. This extraordinary first-hand account charts,
in clear and forthright detail, the naval pilots' journey to the South
Atlantic, and how they took on and triumphantly conquered the challenges
they faced. It is a dramatic story, leavened with brilliant accounts of
air-to-air fighting and of life in a squadron at sea and on a war footing.
But it is also a tale of inter-Service rivalry, bureaucratic interference,
and the less-than-generous attitudes of a number of senior commanders
who should certainly have known better; indeed, some of them might
even have lost the campaign through a lack of understanding of air warfare
- particularly if all their instructions had been followed to the letter
and without question. The author puts the record straight - no one interested
in the Falklands, or in aircraft and air combat as a
Reviews
Tim Parrott rated this book
Excellent
The book provides a clear and accurate description of the
way things were in 1982. It does miss out on some of the critical shortages of basic equipment and the innovation that went into getting the aircraft fit to fly. Not all the aircraft had radars, pre-production and bench test equipment was utilised. The airframes leaked and the salt water ingress affected the electronics, badly corroding magnesium alloy connectors. Aircraft availabilty was high but with very little margin for losses. The author is correct in describing how some of the
suggestions for aircraft tasking was received from the command with incredulity and common sense in preventing losses was taken as a reluctance to fly the missions. He is right to criticise. Compare this narrative to second world war ones and you will see that the same lessons are learnt in every conflict. Read it and form your own opinion, but learn from it as
well.
Steve Piercy rated this book
Excellent
I served under Sharkey Ward in 1982 and he has given a totally accurate account of what we all did down there. I was on deck as a Bombhead (weapons) in all weathers & this book pays tribute to the task force and the fallen.
If you get a chance visit the Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton & see the FRS MK1 Sea Harrier! John Richards Shame on you.
Philip Deller rated this book
Excellent
This book is written from a background of an Officer in the Royal Navy, who has come through all the events affecting the the Fleet Air Arm through the 60, 70,s and early 80,s. And subseqently his fears about this branch of the service which has gone on to be diluted of its strength in the 90's and 2000's, AS predicted by him.
This is a straight nononsene approach to what happened in the South Atlantic and how the Fleet Air Arm fighter squardons performed with the Sea Harrier. It is from a prespective of a person who has intermate knowledge of Air Warfare and one who has had, hard one pratice and experiance. This is a lone voice from the South Atlantic conflict from a man who kept his own integrity and viewpoint. And long may he do so.
An excellent book from a brillent Naval Officer.
John Fiedor rated this book
Excellent
A great account of the overlooked Sea Harrier. Exciting and informative, giving a critical account of the performance of the Royal Navy in 1982 Falklands conflict from somebody who knows better than anybody.
"Kicking the tyres and lighting the fires." Fantastic.
David Geaves rated this book
Excellent
A book that sits at the top along with other aviation classics. As a former RAF Weapons Controller who served in the Falklands twice and served 7 years on the AWACS I understand his frustration with some of his peers. Sharkey Ward was a supremely professional fighter pilot. He knew better than anyone else how to fly and fight in the Sea Harrier and what tactics to employ, unfortunately some of his peers did not value his knowledge or opinion. I understand his bitterness but there are very many people who don't like those who rock the boat, and if they are above you in rank they won't give you the time of day; no wonder he left. Well done Sharkey and the Sea Harrier pilots.
David Chalmers rated this book
Poor
This book gives a gripping insight of one individuals part in a complex war. It's a shame it is so badly coloured by the authors ego, which seems to have little regard to others around him.
Leadership: yes. But it should be tempered by humility and respect for others who were doing their best.
jan vlaanderen (holland)
rated this book
Excellent
A fascinating story of courage, skill and sacrifice. It nevertheless leaves an bitter aftertaste! The real hero, who willingly puts his life on the line, is put quietly aside for the glory of the 'politically correct' deskjockeys. Unfortunately a situation that occurs so often!
Rhys Morgan
rated this book
Excellent
I can only echo the majority of comments here and suggest that John Richards reads "Lions, Donkeys & Dinosaurs" by Lewis Page, well as Vulcan 607 to get a full picture of real life in the forces. The MOD has a lot to answer for..
Mark "Rabbit" Lim
rated this book
Excellent
The Sea Harrier is my favorite Royal Navy aircraft! My personal U.S.Navy favorite is the F-8 Crusader. In 2003 my friend, Neil Oldham(former RAF), loaned me the book to read. I found it exciting to the very end! I wanted to purchase a copy. Unfortunatly, every local bookstore in Chicago claims that the book is out of print! Purchasing a used copy proved fruitless! Will they ever reprint the book? Sharkey's accounts are quite excellent! It provides excellent insight on what a Sea Harrier could do in combat against a "Blowtorch"(aircraft with afterburner)! A perfect collection for the naval aviation or Falklands enthusiasts! Thanks Neil for letting me read this book and my hats off to you Sharkey!
Martin Griffin rated this book
Excellent
I lived throught the Falklands War as a kid and later served in the Falklands 17 years after the event. I found this account to be well written and much of his bitterness is well founded. The MOD were very shortsighted. Look at the standard of kit of all services then(putties anyone?). Despite his personal beliefs it gives the reader a first hand account of how the war was won from the air with such scant resources. Would the Argentines have attacked if we have proper A/C carriers and not through deck cruisers? and I'm ex-RAF.
Read "No escape Zone" By Nick Richardson for a 801 squadron sequel.
Andrew Lyons rated this
book
Excellent
Anybody who has worked in a monolthic organisation (I work for the NHS)can recognize the problems encountered by the author in the
Royal Navy.The outstanding contribution of mavericks in air warfare is well recognized (e.g. Douglas Bader), and has been well fabled by Len Dieghton in "Bomber". It is said that the side that makes the least
mistakes wins and this is why the Falklands War was one. Many errors were made and like all errors some were avoidable.
Everyone is enitled to an opinion, but I disgaree with John Richard's views because the facts speak differently. Argentine records suggest that tactics used by 801 were much more effective than those employed by the SHARs from Hermes. It has been acknowledged that the loss of Sheffield was negligent but that in the aftermath of the war the facts were swept under the carpet so as not to dent the post war victory euphioria, and the vast increase in prestige gained by the Royal Navy.
In Vulcan 607 the shambolic contribution made by the "Dads Army" of the RAF in their ageing Vulcan illustrated clearly why the RAF played a very poor second fiddle to the Fleet Air Arm in the Falklands Air War, although I would not denigrate the outstanding contribution of RAF Harrier pilots one of whom was shot down and lost his life.
Probably the best air war book I have read and certainly up there with First Flight.
Laurie Stewart rated this
book
Excellent
This book is above excellent (my fourth reading at the moment)& the man in my opinion is just outstanding.
If the Harrier operations had been lost so would the Falklands. Man after my own heart speak your mind & follow your instincts, absolute logic & experience what ever the re-percussions from others who are supposedly superior & in charge.
This book gives us the tale of a man dedicated to his career in which he uses this dedication in a short period of his life & without fear (with bravery) of his superiors to support his theories his pilots & his country.
A true Englishman.
Laurie Stewart.
On your bic John Richards. Any person who rates this book as other than magnificent must be a goon or madly jealous.
John H Olsen rated this
book
Excellent
I my humble opinion Sharkey Wards points are made very clear in that searching for his no. 801 squadron on the Internet, very little info is available.
I have read the book 3-4 times over the years and I rate it to be excellent still.
Nathan Lucy rated this
book
Excellent
A fantastic book. This was a gripping and honest account of one man and his squadrons achievements against not only the enemy but against the ever increasing levels of bureacracy and the failure to listen to his real experience by his superiors. You are kept totally captivated throughout the book from the first page to the "Fleet Air Arm Toast".
A refreshing experience to read the account of someone who is not afraid to tell it how it is as opposed to telling them what they want to hear. I felt honoured to read it.
If you have any knowledge or interest of the sea harrier world or the falklands this book is an absolute must.
Frank Wouts rated this
book
Excellent
I totally disagree with John Richards.
Sharkey's story is one word excellent. When his proposals and advices should have been followed by his arrogant and incapable superiors from the flagship Hermes, less casualties would have taken place. When the flag would have trusted to rely on the CAP stations, provided by the SHAR's, HMS Sheffield would not have been hit by an Excocet.
What's even worse, is the cover up of Sharkey's report of the event. Perhaps mister John Richards was serving on Hermes at the time?
Sharkey may be stubborn and sometimes have a big mouth, but he sure is the man they should have listened to at the time.
More so, they should have give him the opportunity to rewrite his report, that was altered along the way up.
That would have contributed a lot more to the nations defence than a cover up for the sake of the carreer of individuals.
Ken Summers rated this
book
Excellent
Well written account of the Falklands Airwar wriiten by a true warrior. Sharkey Ward is controversial, (Chopping down a fleeing Herk with 30mm after winging it with a 'winder), confrontational, (facing off his superiors over tactics) and not inclined to make friends in the ministries, (His accounts of inter-service rivalries must make bitter reading for anyone who lost kin down there)but is never boring and although finally "eased out" of the FAA he and his happy band of brothers together with their beloved Seajet have added fresh and perhaps final laurals to that force.
If you liked this book read "Chickenhawk"(Huey slicks) or "First Flight"(Spitfires)
James Thackray rated this
book
Excellent
An amaising insite into
life of a pilot in the war
Robert
Stanley rated this book
Excellent
A superb book... easily
the best to come out of the Falklands War.With the authority that can only
come from someone who was not only "there", but was indeed the Royal Navy's
"Mr Sea Harrier", it provides a wonderful insight on the activities of
the Seajet and the men who flew it. Ward's unique perspective (a
"maverick" indeed) makes the reader ask himself what the points of view
of others were too (Admiral Woodward ? the pilots of 800 Squadron
?), and indeed almost encourages it - a sign of supreme confidence on Ward's
part in the accuracy of his account.
Above all, the book is exciting...
historical battle narrative can easily be dry, but this is simply un-putdownable.
An essential purchase for
anyone interested in the Falklands, in modern air combat - or just wanting
a good read.
Kris Green
rated this book
Excellent
This book provides an exelent
view of the internal war bieng fought by the fleet air arm during this
conflict, and from a naval point of view extremly accurate withought bieng
boring
John
Roberts rated this book
Excellent
Brilliant and forthright.
It should be read by every Goverment minister before they decide to 'retire'
the Harrier from service.
John Richards rated this
book
Poor
This book is a badly written
account of the the Falklands Conflict by an author who is clearly bitter
and resentful. The reason for this anger is unclear as the author is a
skilled aviator with a lot to offer and an important story to tell. The
author insistence on stating his own superiority and importance over and
above all others and his own levels of influence is more symptomatic of
a a need to be seen as the best or even maybe a crisis of confidence. A
book written by someone who clearly feels he has not recieved the appropriate
amount of respect for his ability. Not the best account of the conflict,
aerial warfare or naval operations.
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