McAlester, William St John Somerville (Oral history)

British officer served with 40 Commando, Royal Marines, 3rd Commando Bde during Falkland War, 4/1982-6/1982; served as Forward Air Controller with 608 Forward Air Control, 3rd Commando Bde in Belize, 1986

REEL 1 Aspects of period as officer with Royal Marines, 1977-1982: family's military background; reasons for joining Royal Marines, 1977; winter training in Norway; Exercise Rough Diamond; joining 40 Commando, Royal Marines, 1981. Recollections of operations as officer with 40 Commando, Royal Marines, 3rd Commando Bde during Falkland War, 4/1982-6/1982: reaction to hearing of crisis; explanation of term 'spearhead readiness'; question of what equipment to take; story of marine who received police escort; situation in Portsmouth and embarkation on board HMS Hermes; seasickness in Bay of Biscay; relations between Royal Navy and Royal Marine personnel; attitude towards British military reaction to crisis; damage control exercises on board HMS Hermes. REEL 2 Continues: physical exercises on board; transfer to RFA Sir Tristram; fishing competitions; transfer to SS Canberra; conditions on board SS Canberra at Ascension Island; crossing-decking of assault forces; briefing for landings at San Carlos Water; reaction to fire support from HMS Antrim; description of landings at San Carlos Water, 21/5/1982; encounter with Falkland Islanders; fate of Argentinean FMA IA Pucara aircraft; opinion of Argentinean Air Force pilots; patrolling against potential Argentinean airborne counter-attack; marine's narrow escape; bombardment of Mount Harriet; Milan Anti-Tank Guided Missile strike on Argentine positions on Mount Harriet; casualties in minefield; reaction to use of unit in reserve at San Carlos. REEL 3 Continues: move of unit to Fitzroy; reaction of 1/7th Bn Duke of Edinburgh's Own Gurkha Rifles to Argentinean artillery fire; opinion of Gurkhas; strength of Gurkha curry powder; narrow escape from Argentinean fire; use of plastic explosive for cooking; personal morale in action; chances of hitting aircraft with ground fire; move forward in helicopters during advance to Port Stanley; opinion of 1st Bn Welsh Guards; Argentinean equipment; character of Port Stanley defences; unit casualties; question of which unit arrived in Port Stanley first; opinion of Argentine Army boots; opinion of Argentine forces; attitude of Argentineans to British forces; attitude to units taking high number of casualties; problems with terrain including rock runs and high bogs; reception in Southampton, GB. REEL 4 Continues: initial unwillingness to talk about and psychological effect of experiences. Aspects of period as Forward Air Controller (FAC) with 608 Forward Air Control, 3rd Commando Bde in Belize, 1986: character of operations and terrain; attitude of civilians to British presence; method of controlling muggings in Belize City; reaction to posting to Belize; problems with snakes.