MV Norland, Secret Weapon of the Falklands War - From North Sea Ferry to Task Force Assault Ship (Paperback)

In 1982, North Sea ferry MV Norland transported passengers and vehicles between Hull and Rotterdam. Requisitioned as a troop ship to take the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment to the Falklands, the 'volunteer' merchant navy crew were told they would only go as far as the Ascension Island and that they should think of it as an extended North Sea booze-cruise run. However, without notice Norland's role was changed and it became the first vessel to enter San Carlos Water, ending up a sitting duck in 'Bomb Alley' air raids while disembarking troops and carrying out resupply runs. Narrowly escaping sinking, the ship was used as a shelter for survivors and for collecting the Gurkhas from the QE2 in South Georgia, ready for disembarking in San Carlos Bay, before repatriating Argentine POWs. Long after the surrender, MV Norland provided a ferry service between the Falklands and Ascension Island. While many in the war served an average of 100 days, for the crew of the Norland it was ten months; indeed, they were considered the first in and the last out. This is a gripping account of non-combatant volunteers railroaded into serving in a war they hadn't signed up for.

General

Imprint:	The History Press Ltd
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	August 2021
First published:	2021
Authors:	Reg Kemp • Michael Wood
Dimensions:	234 x 156 x 22mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	256
ISBN-13:	978-0-7509-9712-6
Categories:	Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Maritime history Books > Humanities > History > History of specific subjects > Military history Books > Social sciences > Warfare & defence > War & defence operations > Battles & campaigns Books > Sport & Leisure > Transport: general interest > Ships & shipping: general interest > General Books > Humanities > History > World history > From 1900 > Postwar, from 1945 Books > History > History of specific subjects > Maritime history Books > History > History of specific subjects > Military history Books > History > World history > From 1900 > Postwar, from 1945
LSN:	0-7509-9712-5
Barcode:	9780750997126

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