Penal Company on the Falklands: A Memoir of the Parachute Regiment at War 1982

by Philip Neame

Overview

On 1 April 1982 the Argentinian junta invaded the Falkland Islands, while the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment was on leave. Recalled to barracks, it joined the hastily assembled task force to recover the Islands. No parachutes – instead a journey of 8000 miles on a North Sea ferry to deliver the battalion into battle. Philip Neame commanded D Company, one of the battalion’s three 100-strong rifle companies, and in this compelling book he tells their story.

2 PARA was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel ‘H’ Jones, who was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross at the Battle of Goose Green. After winning the first major land battle on the Falklands, 2 PARA were the only battalion to fight two, going on to fight at Wireless Ridge, the final gateway to Port Stanley. D Company played the decisive role, but, in the closing moments, suffered a deadly artillery barrage – from their own guns.

D Company was the Cinderella of 2 PARA, at the back for everything: on training, always in reserve; in barracks, the parking lot for those who proved too troublesome for A and B. It was nicknamed ‘Penal Company’.

This searingly honest but humorous account explores the realities of war – the tightrope between success and disaster, comedy and tragedy; the strength of companionship and the solitude of fear.

Above all, it is a tribute to a band of brothers who, taking their nickname as a badge of honor, fought, cursed and laughed together, to win through on those ‘ringing plains of windy Troy.’

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781399070751
Publisher:	Pen and Sword
Publication date:	08/15/2024
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.20(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

List of Plates and Maps vii

Foreword Lieutenant General Sir Cedric Delves ix

Author's Note and Acknowledgements xiii

Glossary xvii

Chronology of Events, 1982 xxv

2 PARA Group Roll of Honour xxvi

Prologue 1

1 MV Norland: Midnight, 20 May 1982, Falklands Time 3

2 Penal Company 5

3 An Ocean Cruise 13

4 Welcome to the Falkland Islands 33

5 The Battle for Darwin and Goose Green: the Prelude 43

6 The Battle for Darwin and Goose Green: 'Operation Dinosaur' 55

7 The Battle for Darwin and Goose Green: the Aftermath 83

8 On to Fitzroy and Bluff Cove 93

9 The Battle for Wireless Ridge 105

10 Into Stanley 133

11 Back to the Mother Ship 139

12 Homecoming: the Hard Part 147

Epilogue 159

Appendices

I The Surrender Ultimatum to the Argentinian Garrison in Goose Green 167

II Enemy and Friendly Forces at Goose Green 169

III Enemy and Friendly Forces at Wireless Ridge 171

IV D Company Honours and Awards 173