Operation Corporate by Martin Middlebrook

Though told mainly from the British point of view, the book offers new information about President Galtieri's original expectations, the tactics of his troops and details of the surrender. Based partly on interviews with Falklanders as well as with military veterans, this is the most thoughtful and detailed account to date of the Anglo-Argentine conflict. 'The author's descriptions of confrontations in the air, on the sea and on the various battlegrounds are superb, as are his explanations of the use of new weapons, such as the Sea Harrier and the Exocet missile.Middlebrook quotes an observer's comment that the Falklands War was 'like two bald men fighting over a comb,' then goes on to contradict that remark, suggesting that the war may have been the opening phase of a struggle to control the world's last reserves of oil and minerals. Originally published as Operation Corporate: The Story of the Falklands War, 1982. Thirty years on, Middlebrook's The Falklands War is still an authoritative and thoroughly readable account of this historic enterprise. The experiences of the Falkland Islanders during the Argentine occupation are also included. The author's use of many first-hand accounts reveals what it was like to be part of this audacious military endeavor. Thanks to his meticulous research he covers action at sea, on the land and in the air as well as providing the strategic overview. Martin Middlebrook, the renowned military historian, has skillfully weaved the many strands of this extraordinary achievement into a fascinating, thorough and highly readable account. By any standards this was an outstanding feat of arms, cooperation made possible by political resolve, sound planning, strong leadership and the courage and determination of the British forces. Remarkably, just over two months later, the islands were liberated, and the invaders defeated. Due to the resolve of a determined Prime Minister and the resourcefulness of the Armed Forces, a task force, codenamed Operation Corporate, was quickly dispatched. With the surprise Argentine invasion of the remote Falkland Islands on April 2, 1982, the United Kingdom found itself at war. A detailed history of the brief 1980s conflict between the UK and Argentina, from the author of The First Day on the Somme.

Operation Corporate by Martin Middlebrook