Book SummaryHarrier 809, by Rowland White

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Harrier 809

The British Naval Task Force was actively engaged in the dispute concerning the Falkland Islands.

The makeup and functional capacity of the Task Force.

White emphasizes the specific challenges and constraints faced by the British Task Force in the Falklands skirmish. The Task Force, positioned an immense 8,000 miles away from its home base, relied on a constrained number of ships and aircraft to reclaim the islands from the determined Argentine forces. The success of the operation was critically dependent on the essential contribution of the Navy's HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible, as well as the twenty Sea Harrier FRS.1 jump jets they carried.

The HMS Hermes was distinguished by its deployment of Sea Harrier aircraft.

The Task Force primarily operated from HMS Hermes, which was the larger of the two carriers. Commissioned in 1959, she had a seasoned history serving in multiple capacities, including operating as a base for offensive missions, in addition to being outfitted for helicopter deployment and committed to anti-submarine warfare. White details the substantial modifications made to the vessel in the late 1970s, which encompassed the addition of a ski-jump to improve the operational effectiveness of the Sea Harriers. Lyn Middleton, who led the unit, gained recognition for his strict standards and belief in the versatility of the Sea Harrier, which was influenced by his experience flying Buccaneers. The Hermes embarked with twelve Sea Harriers, initially under the command of the 800 Naval Air Squadron, and later received reinforcements in the form of both personnel and planes from the 809 Naval Air Squadron and the 1(F) Squadron of the Royal Air Force.

The Hermes' air contingent was chiefly responsible for launching attacks from the sky on Argentine airstrips, military assembly areas, and depots during the entire duration of the conflict. The squadrons of Sea Harriers played an indispensable role in shielding the carriers, along with the entire amphibious task force, from Argentine air attacks.

HMS Invincible functioned as a pivotal center for coordinating air defense and executing specific operations.

The Royal Navy's capabilities were significantly bolstered by the addition of HMS Invincible, the newest aircraft carrier introduced to the fleet in 1980. The ship's design, initially intended for underwater defense, proved equally adept at air defense by accommodating Sea Harriers, offering a more compact and nimble alternative to the larger Hermes. The group's morale and resolve were significantly shaped by their commander, a former gunnery officer whose past position had garnered him substantial admiration.

The ship named Invincible embarked with eight Sea Harriers from 801 Naval Air Squadron, and its contingent expanded to ten as it welcomed additional crew and aircraft from 809 Squadron. The 801 Naval Air Squadron's main duty was to execute ongoing aerial defense operations to protect the Task Force from potential Argentine air attacks. The aircraft carrier Invincible played a pivotal role in launching clandestine missions, including the ill-fated Operation PLUM DUFF, where a Special Air Service team was sent to gather intelligence in Argentina prior to a planned attack on the Super Etendard base at Rio Grande.

The ship referred to as the Atlantic Conveyor served as an additional aircraft carrier and earned the moniker "Thirty Day Wonder."

White underscores the crucial role played by the requisitioned freight ship Atlantic Conveyor in enhancing the aerial capabilities of the Task Force. The Ministry of Defence swiftly acknowledged the campaign's triumph, highlighting the pivotal part she played in transporting additional RAF Harriers.

The ship was retrofitted with helicopter landing zones at both the bow and stern, expanded operational spaces, and upgraded military communication systems at the shipyards in Devonport. The vessel embarked with a complement of five Royal Air Force 18 Squadron Chinook HC.1 helicopters, six 848 Naval Air Squadron Wessex HU.5s, a group of six Harrier GR.3s from 1(F) Squadron of the RAF, and was accompanied by eight Sea Harriers from the newly formed 809 Naval Air Squadron. White emphasizes the transformation of the Conveyor, outfitting it with capabilities akin to those of an additional aircraft carrier. The Chinooks she transported significantly enhanced the heavy-lift support for ground operations, and the aluminum matting she carried played a crucial role in establishing a forward operating base utilized by the Royal Air Force's Harrier GR.3s.

The group faced numerous challenges, undertook preparations, and conducted operations.

The narrative describes the rapid formation of the Task Force following Argentina's occupation of the Falkland Islands. The story highlights the considerable challenges and perils associated with executing missions over the immense stretches of the South Atlantic, a trek that covers 8,000 miles from the United Kingdom. Within seven days following the invasion,...

Harrier 809 Summary The Sea Harrier's pivotal role in aerial combat scenarios.

White addresses several misconceptions concerning the Sea Harrier FRS.1. The design and construction of the aircraft prioritized maritime operations, enhancing its range of action compared to conventional land-based fighter jets, to ensure the protection of the fewer aircraft carriers in the Royal Navy's fleet. The plane's potential for engaging in air battles and functioning above land surfaces was an unexpected and untested side effect.

The operational strengths and weaknesses of the 'Sea Harrier' aircraft.

Judging merely from its technical data, the Sea Harrier appeared to be an improbable choice for a successful fighter plane. The combat effectiveness hinged on capitalizing on its unique strengths and mitigating its weaknesses, rather than outperforming the adversary.

The capabilities and constraints of the Blue Fox radars.

The Sea Harrier's radar, referred to as the Marconi Blue Fox, frequently had difficulty differentiating actual targets from ground clutter. The system was not capable of detecting aircraft flying at low levels above terrestrial landscapes. Both the Fleet Air Arm and their adversaries were well aware of this limitation. During their combat air...

Harrier 809 Summary The logistical and technological challenges originated due to the hostilities in the Falkland Islands.

The conflict that ensued caught the military forces of the UK by surprise due to its unexpected circumstances. White underscores the unique obstacles stemming from geographical constraints and logistical complexities encountered by the Task Force. The Harrier 809 encountered considerable logistical hurdles, tasked with missions in a combat zone 8,000 miles from its home base, in an area where it had to operate without extensive assistance from Britain's aerial warfare force, with these challenges exacerbated by meteorological conditions, the constrained size of the Task Force, dependence on a single resupply route, and the absence of alternate airstrips.

Operating from a base situated 8,000 miles distant from the primary hub posed considerable challenges in logistics.

The British Task Force depended on a solitary supply center, an island under British sovereignty, situated centrally in the Atlantic. The continuous transportation of military personnel and materials to the area of conflict by the Royal Air Force placed a significant strain on the solitary runway and its associated infrastructure on the island, situated 3,900 miles from Stanley and 3,300 miles from the United...

Harrier 809 Summary Strategic decisions and intelligence efforts significantly influenced the conflict's resolution.

Argentine forces rapidly took control of the Falkland Islands, igniting a multifaceted conflict that compelled Britain to engage in a perilous and intricate military campaign, operating with scarce resources and without the proximity of allied support or infrastructure.

Britain's reaction was shaped by a multifaceted mix of political and diplomatic considerations.

The narrative of the book delves into the complex international and diplomatic hurdles faced throughout the crisis, highlighting the determination of Margaret Thatcher to recover the territory and the global efforts to resolve the conflict amicably. Sir Henry Leach, the First Sea Lord, significantly strengthened the Prime Minister's belief in the Navy's ability to successfully carry out the operation through his compelling support.

A maritime squadron was established under the command of the Naval Chief of Staff.

The initiative to dispatch a Naval Task Force to reclaim the Falkland Islands was spearheaded by Admiral Sir Henry Leach, in his capacity as the First Sea Lord. In Leach's view, the Navy suffered from misconceptions and a lack of recognition, particularly in the wake of the defense policy changes...