Scimitar into Stanley

Summary

In May 1982, Captain Roger Field, The Blues and Royals, attached to HQ 5th Infantry Brigade, sailed on the Queen Elizabeth 2 as part of the second wave to liberate the Falkland Islands. Surprised by what he saw at Brigade HQ, he started writing a diary.

His journey took him to Fitzroy as the Argentinean aircraft struck the landing ships Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram. A chance meeting led him to fighting alongside the Commanding Officer of 2 Para at the Battle of Wireless Ridge. When the commander of one of the four attached armoured cars of The Blues and Royals was knocked out part way through the battle, Roger took command of that Scimitar. Next day his Scimitar was at the very tip of the spear as 2 Para and The Blues and Royals led the victorious charge into Port Stanley.

‘Revisionist’ in places and always refreshingly candid, this account is unique as it describes the War from the viewpoint of a staff officer, infanteer and armoured vehicle commander. A gripping listen.