A Very Strange Way to go to War: THE CANBERRA IN THE FALKLANDS

This book tells the story of Canberra going to the Falklands war. The book is a thoroughly gripping account of the call up, conversion, sailing and service of the Great White Whale. From the secret rendez-vous at Gibraltar as the first conversion calculations had to be done, through to the homecoming, the author makes you feel as if you were there with them. The tales of the mini dramas along the way are told in detail, the equipment shortages, the make do approach and the pride of Canberra's crew in doing their bit. Like most wars it began with the delusion that a diplomatic solution was coming and many of the crew were looking forward initially to a different kind of cruise. The author tells of the early friction as the new passengers adjusted to their surroundings and the early pointless rows about things like not wearing boots to run around the deck. We hear some of the P&O head office dealings with MoD and the problem they faced when MoD insisted no non-Brits were to be on the ship.The incongruity is sailing to battle at the ends of the earth in the glamorous surroundings of a cruise ship shines through the pages, the P&O crew doing their best to keep things as close to normal operation as possible, the band of the marines becoming strolling players providing entertainment. The story becomes more tense as all realize that they won't be turning back and you can feel you are there in San Carlos water as the Argentinians unsuccessfully target the ship repeatedly. The book tells of the great animosity between Canberra and QE2 when she eventually comes south. We hear how QE2 refused to transfer supplies of food to Canberra with the troops despite the latter ship running low - the cunarder claiming she needed it for the return journey. In fact she dumped tons of food back in Southampton, rotten and unused. The amazement and fright of the Argentinian prisoners aboard the ship is also documented. They boarded a ship that they genuinely believed had been sunk.For anyone interested in feeling the atmosphere, the tension, the hopes and fears of a modern day troopship, this is a thoroughly good read. Highly recommended.

A very strange way to go to a very strange war.What has not been written about the Falklands war? probably quite a lot but it will be difficult to find stranger story of a Luxury Liner and crew sailing into Port San Carlos with the intention of anchoring in water that shallow that she could not really be sunk.There are stories aplenty in this book that you feel Hollywood would never dare to put into a film, but happened anyway. I really liked the account of the board of trade "jobsworth" standing beside the ship as she was being overloaded in Southampton and repainting the max. load marking so they remained visible.While the combat forces have always had the most coverage in this conflict you cannot forget or ignore those others who took a risk, that they were not trained for, such as the ships doctor who phoned her brother to tell him she was sailing to war on the Canberra, while he was staying in Germany as a RAF pilot.The Canberra was truly one of the last of the great liners and I cannot help but wonder how one of the current floating hotels would cope in this situation.

This book is so well written that after a few chapters you almost feel you are aboard with the troops and the P&O officers and crew. When P&O asked for volunteers from the civilian crew to sail to the South Atlantic only one member refused to do so. All the rest volunteered although not all were taken. The extraordinary way these men and women of P&O took to the embarked troops and cared for them and the way this was reciprocated by the soldiers and sailors is indeed a heart-warming tale. And the ship herself, the Canberra, seems to have a spirit and mind all of her own which is lovely.Most people associate Belfast with the RMS Titanic, but this is another Belfast built ship which after decades of lines voyages to Australia, World cruises and genteel meanders around the Mediterranean, was suddenly requisitioned, hastily adapted and sent off as a troop ship to the South Atlantic. It is a riveting read and once I had started I was unable to stop. A great read and I enjoyed every single page.

This was an excellent book. I loved reading it so much. I just couldn't put it down. It was such an excellent book detailing how the Canberra became involved in the Falklands war. Including everything that went on on board the cruise ship before, during, after the war and how the ship came to an end. It was just so fascinating and I learnt so much from reading it. I just loved how the book flowed seamlessly from chapter to chapter giving me a complete and thrilling account of life on board. I really can't recommend this book enough. It would be a fantastic read for all those who love military history. Also those who loved to learn what it was like on board a cruise ship during the Falklands war . I will definitely be looking out for more books by this wonderful author. I just have to mention how I just loved the section at the end of the book full of pictures.So much praise goes out to the author and publishers for creating such a marvellous book depicting the lives of all those wonderful people who served on the Canberra during the Falklands war. Im sure like me you won't be able to put this book down.

I love this book, not least because I worked on Canberra for a number of years and recognised some of the characters who worked on her.I think it would be a great read, no matter how unfamiliar you are with the ship. It gives a great perspective on how very different sets of people come together under strained circumstances and work as a team in preparing for the trip south, and what they experienced in the Falklands. It made me laugh and cry, and reminded me how great the human spirit can be, and what an amazing vessel Canberra was.

.............................See above as I think I posted wrong way around . Hope it reads ok as I wished Gary