Greenhill, 2002, 19.95 pounds, ISBN 1-85367-491-1, 224 pages, hardback

The author served in 3 Para Battalion during the British counterattack in the Falklands--or Malvinas as the Argentineans called this desolate island chain in the South Atlantic. As Sergeant in charge of the MILAN section, he waded ashore at Port San Carlos and marched with the battalion across East Falkland Island to eventual victory at Stanley.

His is a very personal memoir, filled with details and observations about the build-up, voyage, and attack from a Sergeant's level view. If something affects him, you'll read about it, down to trench digging, trench foot, practical jokes, combat, and all the rest that occurs during wars. He kept a diary, from which most of this book is drawn, as well as a camera--47 of his photos are included.

Colbeck's prose offers a smoothness that keeps you reading. Indeed, I finished the book in one sitting.

Remember, this is a first person account, so don't expect grand strategies or an in-depth look at Argentinean tactics. This is straight up, old-fashioned, "I was there and this happened" from the perspective of an NCO. This goes well with No Picnic: Falklands War 1982 By Brig. Gen. Julian Thompson.

June 14, 2002 marked the 20th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War. What a marvelous way to commemorate the occasion by reading With 3 Para for a down-and-dirty look at how an individual soldier contributes to an army's victory.