Bomb Alley: Aboard HMS Antrim at war

by David Yates

This is the untold story of the Falklands War as experienced by a below-decks seaman on one of the most important ships to be dispatched to the South Atlantic. It is a no-holds-barred account as seen through the eyes of a Royal Navy matelot.

Genres: Military Fiction, Naval History, Biography

224 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

David Yates was born in Berkshire in 1957. He served in the Royal Navy from 1976 to 2000, and saw active service in the Falklands War of 1982 and the First Gulf War of 1991. David’s first book, Bomb Alley, his personal account of the Falklands War aboard HMS Antrim, was published in 2006, and he finally realised his dream of moving to the Isle of Wight in the same year. During the events held to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Falklands War in the summer of 2007, David completed a circumnavigational walk of the island.

Reviews

[Steve Birchmore · Rating 4 out of 5]

A matelot's experience on HMS Antrim during the Falklands War. Gives a really good feel for what it was like below decks. Great read.

[Francisco Elizalde · Rating 4 out of 5]

La vida a bordo de un buque en guerra

Me interesó porque habla de la vida a bordo de un buque en guerra. Interesante para ver otra perspectiva de la guerra del Atlantico Sirm

[richard pinnuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Very good read was on the Antrim in the late 70s great ship glad that she proved herself when it really counted

[Derek Nudd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories that survive from any war are told not only by the victors but by those who played glamorous, influential or memorable roles. This riveting account is told by an articulate matelot who somehow kept a meticulous diary while working in a cramped steel box that could have become a coffin at almost any moment.

We remember the spectacular events of the sea battle: San Luis, Belgrano, Sheffield, Ardent, Coventry, Antelope, Atlantic Conveyor, Sir Galahad, Sir Tristram. This reminds us of the host of 'lesser' incidents from Glamorgan somehow making it home after an Exocet hit over the Seaslug magazine and Antrim's crew holding their breath as an unexploded bomb was swung overboard to the astonishing bravery and understated toughness of the embarked special forces.

The book also gives a new perspective - from underneath - on some of the scratchiness within the task force command and implies (rather than raising specifically) questions about the tactical management of the landings.

Heartily recommended.