Osprey Men-at-Arms 135 : Battle for the Falklands (3) : Air Forces

During the Falklands conflict, aircraft (both fixed and rotary-wing) were of crucial importance to both sides: in moving reinforcements quickly across the sea and over the islands, in attacking surface vessels, and in providing protection (with varying degrees of success) against attacks from both above and below the waves. The role of air power was thus to assist friendly surface forces in theirs. Consequently, the air arms of the two antagonists functioned in what was essentially a supporting role, but nevertheless a vital one. The British Task Force might have sailed without any other ship, but its commander, Admiral Woodward, is reliably reported to have said that it could not have sailed without HMS Hermes, the larger of the two aircraft carriers. As for the Argentinians, it is extremely unlikely that a major operation would have been mounted against the Falklands if the islands had been beyond the reach of land-based aircraft. In this companion book to Men-at-Arms 133 : Battle for the Falklands (1) : Land Forces and Men-at-Arms 134 : Battle for the Falklands (2) : Naval Forces Roy Braybrook examines the role of the air forces of both sides which fought in the battle for the Falklands. Illustrated throughout, with eight full page colour plates by Michael Roffe, Terry Hadler and Michael Chappell.

Contents

• Introduction
• The Problems
• The Preparations
• The War in the Air
• The Plates