Full Description
Codenamed Operation Telic, the British component of the invasion of Iraq in 2003 was the largest gathering of British troops since the Second World War. Whilst the British public prepared for the worst as its soldiers were facing weapons of mass destruction, most servicemen and women were under no illusion that they were invading Iraq to rid the people of Saddam Hussein.
While much has been said about WMD and Tony Blair's government, not nearly enough has been heard from those men and women that took part in Operation Telic. Based upon dozens of veteran interviews, personal diaries and archival material, this book tells their stories, in their own words.
From controlling the vast Allied Air Forces at 34,000 feet in an AWACS plane down to submariners beneath the warm waves of the Persian Gulf firing Tomahawk Cruise missiles, from the steaming hot turret of a Challenger Tank as it is peppered with RPGs, to being on your belly in a sandstorm disarming unexploded bombs - these veteran accounts cover the whole spectrum of experiences.
Polarised public opinion and the post-war media portrayal of the war has detracted from what was achieved by these forces, when tasked to do so, often with insufficient or inadequate resources. These are their stories of courage, fortitude, pride, and brotherhood amidst the harsh realities of modern asymmetric warfare.
Contents
Order of Battle
Introduction
Chapter 1. 9/11 and all that
Chapter 2. The Brown envelope
Chapter 3. On the Bus
Chapter 4. SCUDs, Goolies and Gold
Chapter 5. Zero hour
Chapter 6. Breaching the berms
Chapter 7. Danger: UXB
Chapter 8. Caveman and Bondo
Chapter 9. Hackles raised
Chapter 10. Here come the Cavalry
Chapter 11. Major Combat Operations cease
Chapter 12. Going home
The Veterans - where are they now
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
