Penal Company on the Falklands: A Memoir of the Parachute Regiment at War 1982
Our Vice Chairman, Phil Neame, has recently published his memoir about his time serving with the Parachute Regiment in the 1992 Falklands War .
“One of the finest Falklands accounts, written by a man who was in the heart of the action. Phil Neame brings alive both the grit of the men at the sharp end, and the decision making of their commanders.”
Dan Snow, Popular Historian and Television Presenter
Phil’s book gives an honest but humorous account that explores the realities of war – the tightrope between success and disaster, comedy and tragedy; the strength of companionship and the solitude of fear.
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’.
The book is available now from Amazon.
18% of royalties for the book will be donated to The Ulysses Trust. So every copy sold will help support cadets and Reservists to undertake expeditions.