Ewen Southby-Tailyour, a Royal Marines commando and landing-craft officer with a string of campaigns under his belt, in 1977 found himself posted to the Falkland Islands to command the small Royal Marines detachment stationed there. He was ordered by the Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence to reassess the passive defence of the Islands, make recommendations for a positive and active defence, and, once it had been approved, implement this new concept of operations. His unrealistic remit was to "buy bargaining time in the ...
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Ewen Southby-Tailyour, a Royal Marines commando and landing-craft officer with a string of campaigns under his belt, in 1977 found himself posted to the Falkland Islands to command the small Royal Marines detachment stationed there. He was ordered by the Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence to reassess the passive defence of the Islands, make recommendations for a positive and active defence, and, once it had been approved, implement this new concept of operations. His unrealistic remit was to "buy bargaining time in the United Nations" while keeping at bay a determined enemy "for three weeks". There would be no increase in the size of the detachment (42 marines) and no defence-weapons or stores. A keen sailor and navigator, Southby-Tailyour took the opportunity to sail round the Islands, charting many of the bays and beaches for private use, while carrying on a ceaseless battle with the then Governor, and Whitehall, over their differing interpretations of his orders. To say that he became unpopular would be putting it mildly - not least because he smuggled out his wife and family (courtesy of the Argentinian Air Force) to join him in what was an "unaccompanied posting". When the Argentinians invaded the Falklands, it took the MOD little time to realize that they had on hand, since the day he had returned to the UK, the only person who knew the detailed geography of the Islands. And so, on the day of the invasion, Southby-Tailyour was sent for. He found that not all of his advice was appreciated. At one stage Admiral Woodward dismissed his maps and charts, saying that they were too untidy, despite the fact that they were the only ones available in the required detail. Southby-Tailyour was party to nearly all the planning discussions - and arguments. In the end it was generally accepted that he knew more about the Islands than anyone except the Falklanders themselves, who were incommunicado, and so, after helping to plan the initial assault, he was ordered to lead it. Subsequently he helped to plan, and then commanded, all the major seaborne moves of the land forces, including those of Bluff Cove and Fitzroy. This account includes Southby-Tailyour's criticisms of those about him, and also records his love of the Falklands and their abundant wildlife, stark landmass and turbulent waters, as well as the appalling dangers faced by the members of the Task Force in carrying out their duties. That they succeeded was in so small way due to the author, whose efforts were recognized with the award of a modest OBE.
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Seller's Description:
Please note this is the BCA edition. A hardback volume in Very Good condition, in a similar dustjacket. This book is in stock now, in our UK premises. Photos of our books are available on request (the pictures you see on Alibris are NOT our own). Are you outside UK? Then unless you arrange shipping 'Via Alibris' we WILL cancel your order; this is due to the derisory shipping allowance that Alibris make to sellers for overseas orders.
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Seller's Description:
Good. Size: 6x1x9; Leo Cooper (Redwood Press); London, 1993. Hardcover. A Good, green cloth binding with gilt lettering on spine, binding sturdy and intact, bit of crimping to spine edges, some rubbing to board and spine edges, mild scattered foxing to text block edges, rectangular cut out top front free endpaper, previous owner embossed stamp bottom half title page, few pages with pencil notes on page margins, in a Very Good, some handling/scuff marks to panels, mild edge/corner wear, bit of sunning to panels and flaps, Mylar protected, Dust wrapper. A nice and clean copy. 8vo[octavo or approx. 6 x 9 inches], 383pp., bibliography, indexed, color and b&w illustrations. We pack securely and ship daily with delivery confirmation on every book (the glare in the photograph is from the Mylar). The picture on the listing page is of the actual book for sale. Additional Scan(s) are available for any item, please inquire.
