New book recounts the history and horror of Falklands War

This month we remember those lost during the Falklands War 38 years ago.A new book has been published, Operation Argentina, giving a complete history of the islands and the war.
A memorial to those sailors who lost their lives in the Belgrano sinking.A memorial to those sailors who lost their lives in the Belgrano sinking.
A memorial to those sailors who lost their lives in the Belgrano sinking.

A new book has been published, Operation Argentina, giving a complete history of the islands and the war.

Written by Anthony Babb BEM, who spent 23 years in the navy, the book gives an insight into why and how the conflict came to be.

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It looks at why the Argentines still believe they should have ownership of the islands.

One of three museums in Argentina dedicated to the Falklands War.One of three museums in Argentina dedicated to the Falklands War.
One of three museums in Argentina dedicated to the Falklands War.

As part of talks he gives on the subject, he mentions that the people of Argentina are taught at school that the Falklands belong to them.

The book gives good reason as to why the Argentine people think they have a strong case for ownership.

Mr Babb visited the three museums in Argentina dedicated to the war and the many men who were lost.

Much is translated from Spanish into English.

Argentine soldiers stroll down a street in Port Stanley. Little did they know what was to hit them. Argentine soldiers stroll down a street in Port Stanley. Little did they know what was to hit them.
Argentine soldiers stroll down a street in Port Stanley. Little did they know what was to hit them.
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There is also a history of the ARS General Belgrano, sunk by the submarine HMS Conquerer.

She was formerly the American cruiser USS Phoenix and was in Pearl Harbour when the Japanese attacked and started the Pacific War in 1941.

After being hit by the two torpedoes, 323 men, including 130 conscripts and two civilians died when she went down – 793 survived.

The book gives a superb explanation about how the ship was hit and eye witness accounts of what it was like inside a ship that had been holed by torpedoes that each contained 365kg of explosive.

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Mr Babb says: ‘In the museums there is no finger pointing about who was to blame for the sinking.

‘The facts and figures bring realism of war and things that happen.

'Looking at the casualty figures they reveal only three officers died and these would most probably have been engineers down below.

'Any navy that has conscription is run mostly by the regulars, and that would explain why they are the majority that died.

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‘I do not favour conscription; the great majority of our forces were regulars and this contributed a great deal to our success.’

Mr Babb has been back to the Falklands several times and handed over personal artefacts from his time in the navy.

His book is a must for any Falklands War veteran or anyone interested in events in history about the Falklands.

Mr Babb’s book, Operation Argentina, is available as an e-book and paperback book.

To purchase one, please get in touch with Mr Babb by emailing [email protected] or calling 07866 828035.

The price is just £4.50, plus postage and packaging.

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