The First Casualty by Ricky Phillips

Splinter · Sep 10th 2018

I bought this book last week on Amazon having missed out last time around and should get stuck in once I've finished some other stuff.

I've read a lot of books oin the Falklands war, including Admiral Woodward's account and this book tells a very different tale and apparently neither the Argentine or the British governments wanted the story to be told.

Military history is one of my favourite subjects and I've read plenty, from Cromwell, Wellington and the Romans to the Falklands and Iraq wars.

Anyway, I can't say much more since I haven't read it yet, but I'll be sure to report back when I have.

Available on Amazon

Carlos · Sep 10th 2018

I have been told by an argentine colonel who fought in that war, that the Geneva convention was fully respected by both sides. Perhaps the book you refer tells other things.

This colonel was in the Gran Malvina island (that who is looking the continent) and he only received cannon hits by the Royal Navy. No man to man contact.

He received a British officer who told him that the Argentine forces surrendered. The colonel accepted it (he also was prepared to this event) and gave his gun to him. The British office did not accepted it, and invited the Colonel to dinner. Finally, the conversation was plenty of gentleness, no hard feelings. Both were professional colleagues and knew the war etiquette.

A good example that barbarian customs were not used.

I always thought that the military are "administrators of violence", as Liddel Hart says in his book.

Rice · Sep 12th 2018

Carlos , that is a very touching, almost heartbreaking story that exemplifies the historical embrace of war etiquette, even as both men were grieving the loss of their soldiers.

Splinter · Oct 11th 2018

My review of The First Casualty over at Goodreads.

Quote

The First Casualty is a revelation and a compelling read. Not just because it's a page turner, which it is, but because Ricky Phillips exposes the cynical politics behind the two belligerents, Argentina and the United Kingdom and the spin that both governments needed, to justify their respective postures.

Since I'm British and live in Argentina, perhaps this book has even more impact and what's impressive is that for the first time, we're able to see the events of 2nd April 1982 from both perspectives - the invading Argentines and the defending Royal Marines - as first hand accounts.

What stood out for me were the apparent lack of knowledge of the invasion by the UK government, the feeling that they let it happen on purpose to suit their political ends and the subsequent sacrificing of the islanders and Royal Marines, vastly outnumbered as they were, by a huge invasion force.

The author has skilfully interwoven first hand accounts of the build up from both sides, the soldiers fears and expectations, right down to the Royal Marine's beliefs that they were indeed all going to die with no support from their superiors. On the other hand, the Argentine soldiers in the initial invasion phase held great respect for the Royal Marines (and perhaps some fear), underestimated their numbers and determination, yet expected nothing more than a token defence, which in the end proved to be far from what either government had expected.

This riveting book finally exposes the inconvenient truth behind what really happened on that fateful day, laying to waste the accepted notion that the defence of Stanley was a mere footnote, but in fact a day of extreme bravery, stoic resilience, professionalism and British backbone.

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I might have added that I felt a frisson of shame at how the British government treated the islanders both prior to the invasion and later how both they and the marines were left to dies at the hands of the invading forces.

Rice · Oct 11th 2018

Excellent review, Splinter, of a book that would be very hard to read.

Splinter · Dec 12th 2019

Here's an entry from Ricky's blog which is well worth a read.

“The Lions of Stanley” – Britain’s hidden Falklands heroes who waited 35 years for justice.

The First Casualty by Ricky Phillips

“The Lions of Stanley” – Britain’s hidden Falklands heroes who waited 35 years for justice.

Beer Amount to be spent?

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