An interesting account of the ships sunk during the Falklands conflict. Thoroughly researched with details on the preparations, attacks and subsequent actions. It was interesting to note the Royal Navy did not show too well with various areas needing huge improvements before being deployed to war.
Whilst the book is interesting and very well researched I think the book will only appeal to a niche market as the subject matter does not make light reading and feels quite dry at times.

This is the conflict that all of us above a certain age know all about - right? Well......err....not exactly. We all remember the names: the ships - HMS Sheffield, HMS Coventry and the rest; the places - San Carlos Water, Fitzroy, Pebble Island etc, but when it comes down to it, our knowledge and understanding is superficial at best. We may remember the precise clipped tones of the MOD spokesman announcing the loss of an unnamed warship in the first instance and then the slow reveal of the key facts: name, numbers of casualties and whether struck by bombs or missiles. But we never really had to come to terms with just what was involved, for example, when ‘HMS Sheffield was struck by an Exocet missile and was abandoned prior to sinking’.
This book explores in painstaking detail just what happens when a modern warship, logistics support ship or merchant ship is struck by a missile or bomb. The events leading up to the sinking and the actions or omissions that contributed to the loss of the ship are reviewed. No individual or organisation is spared from scrutiny, and many readers will share the surprising decisions to expose warships to intense air attack knowing that key defensive systems, notably the SeaCat mission system, were known to be largely ineffective. The findings of relevant Boards of Inquiry for each sinking are considered, and where the author has a dissenting view, an alternative perspective is provided.
This isn’t an easy read insofar as the effect of modern weapons on human flesh and blood is unforgiving and devastating, although the author avoids any sense of gratuitous horror or any sense of voyeurism. However, if detailed analysis of modern military action is something that interests you this will be required reading. This reader is left only hoping and praying that our servicemen are either given the tools for the mission or not asked to risk their lives when equipped with substandard kit.

Abandon Ship covers the specific background stories behind the military events leading up to the catastrophic loss of the seven ships that were sunk during the Falklands conflict.
The author has clearly undertaken an immense amount of research into the conflict and has been able to uncover many new facts following the de-classification of previously confidential documents. The latest facts are quite shocking and make one question - how very close to defeat the British forces were during the battle? The Royal Navy was very fortunate in that many Argentinian bombs failed to explode when they impacted their ships.
Many heroic and tragic stories are covered in the book. The courage of most of the servicemen involved is beyond reproach. Sadly, a number of the casualties were probably preventable if the crews had been better trained and they had access to working fire-fighting equipment.
The loss of HMS Sheffield was perhaps avoidable. The newly appointed Captain was a submariner and his No 2 was a Fleet Air Arm observer. It seemed that neither officer knew how to effectively manage a sophisticated anti-aircraft warfare destroyer. They lacked the necessary training and technical knowledge for their roles. When hit by an Argentinian Exocet missile, a number of the key members of the ship’s crew were not at their action stations.
I was appalled at the poor design of many of the Royal Navy warships, the general lack of battle training for the crews, the dreadful unreliability of the various weapon systems, ineffective communications at all levels, and most importantly incompetent leadership at the strategic level. A number of bad decisions were made throughout the entire campaign by Admiral Woodward (another submariner).
The sinking of the Argentinian cruiser, General Belgrano, is well documented, with a scathing indictment of political machinations back in the UK. I was surprised by the Argentinian military perspective that they would have sunk our ship if the position was reversed!
I really enjoyed reading this book. The technical detail and personal stories of the personnel involved are perfectly described for the military buff.
By the way, I have absolutely nothing against submariners!

An interesting read on the naval conflict between the UK and Argentina during the war in the Falklands. The author does a great job of telling the story and the aftermath from each ship sinking. He concentrates on what and why things went wrong. A great historical literary work.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.