Royal Aeronautical Society Top 10 Reads for 2016
Simply astonishing!
There are a lot of very good books out there – but few would be as good as this. To tell the truth, I’ve been putting off writing my review of it, out of fear that I wouldn’t do it justice.
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Airscape magazine – David Foxx
An outstanding account from Will Laidlaw on how effective, deadly and professional the Apache has become in the hands of the Army Air Corps. Simply an awesome book from a number of points of view. First of all, the sheer honesty that comes out in the writing, its very compelling reading. If work had not got in the way, I would have read it in one sitting. Secondly, the technology shift that the military has seen post the Afghan era is astonishing, and I hope required reading for our enemies who may think twice. I would recommend buying a copy without hesitation…
Rob Misselbrook
This account is modern warfare under a microscope, a very personal and heartfelt story of the strains of combat and command, of planning, leadership, de-briefing, while at the same time coping with some long-handled screwdriving from London and the penny-wise, pound-foolish, parsimonious attitude of Whitehall.
The text is supported by an excellent selection of photographs. I thoroughly recommend this book and would urge the reader to dwell on the author’s comments on pages 166-7 and 169.
Guy Warner, Author
Offers a profoundly unromantic view of war: one of the long stretches of exhausting work and preparation, fraught with moments of intense, high-risk combat… an engaging account of the Libyan intervention that provides a firsthand perspective of aerial warfare, as well as a view of the challenges overcome along the way. Laidlaw’s book, a significant contribution towards the literature on Apache operations and NATO’s Libyan campaign, is the most compelling memoir of the war published to date.
Naval Historical Foundation
Very enjoyable read that frequently had me engrossed for far longer than I intended. Really takes you into the scene and just how innovative and dangerous these sorties were.
Amazon Reviewer
Superb book. An excellent account of the Apache operations in Libya. Mr Laidlaw highlights the skill and dedication of everyone who plays a part in getting the Apache into the air and safely home. Very highly recommended.
Amazon Reviewer
Got this book three days ago and can’t put it down. I was there in a ship so remember the events vividly, the author has hit the right tone and resisted sensationalist writing. Very recommended to those who are military history enthusiasts and those who are interested in the stories behind the headlines.
Amazon Reviewer
I couldn’t put this book down! A 100% true account of events, no tinsel and shiny bits…just the truth!
Amazon Reviewer
A great read. Factual, exciting and gritty. I hope this inspires the next generation of pilots, engineers and ground crew.
Amazon Reviewer
This fascinating book tells an important story; the author is an Army Air Corps pilot who was the commanding officer of 656 Squadron which was embarked in HMS Ocean during 2011. At the stroke of a politician’s pen the UK had just lost the aircraft carriers Ark Royal and the RN strike wing of Harriers that was trained to operate from her. However, within weeks the British Government joined an international coalition that supported forces opposed to the Gaddafi regime in Libya. Other nation positioned aircraft carriers to strike from the sea but Ark Royal and her Harriers had already gone; The Italian Navy and US Marine Corps used Harriers very successfully but, fortunately, Ocean wars in the Mediterranean with Army Apaches and RN ASaC Sea Kings embarked for an exercise. The former were used to strike at targets deep in Libya, often against very sophisticated air defence systems. The book is based on the combined recollections of the author and the men and women under his command who kept note-books and diaries at the time.
Laidlaw writes with clarity in a very readable style and his account of these operations is important for two reasons. First it gives those interested in these operations an excellent account of what happened from a senior pilot’s perspective. Secondly, and as important, it describes operations that were the precursor of the joint tailored air groups envisaged for deployment in the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers after 2020. He describes how his team, which included 2 RN pilots on loan to the Army Air Corps, was gathered together and trained for embarked operations. Successive chapters describe in detail individual strike operations and raids and it ends with reflections and an overview. There are end-notes, maps and a glossary but my only criticism is that the book lacks an index. Despite that I that I thoroughly recommend it as the most important work yet to appear on this important subject.
Warship World – September/October 2016 – DAH
What follows is the account of many hair raising missions over Libyan territory, behind enemy lines, mostly at night…. It is extremely interesting to read how the pilots trained, how they prepared their missions and how they managed to beat Gaddafi’s considerable – Russian – air defenses AND inflicted heavy losses on the enemy, thus being instrumental in the progress of the ground war.
Not only are the missions described in much detail, taking the reader along in the cockpit over the dark desert with missiles streaking over and underneath, the book also has quite a number of good maps showing where the action took place and it has a center section with many photographs.
This was so different from WW2 aerial fighting. Flying at treetop level, facing adversaries driving Toyota pickups with anti-aircraft guns and shoulder fired AA weapons. Not to mention the much more advanced Soviet AA missiles that Gaddafi also had… and used.
Also very much worth notable is that the proceeds of this book will go to two British military charities, the Combat Stress and the SSAFA!
Warmly recommended!
Silver Cloud Publishing
As featured in
Helico Revue
This is a very well written account that really does put the reader in the cockpit of an Apache in the hostile skies over Libya – Excellent read.
The Eagle Vol. 14
Apache Over Libya 