Unsung Hero of the Falklands War

The contribution of Commodore Michael Clapp has been overlooked when compared with the other senior Falklands commanders and the time is ripe to redress the balance. Despite commanding the Amphibious Task Group and being responsible for Operation Sutton the successful San Carlos landing, Clapp was overlooked for promotion instead received several snubs including not being allowed a seat at the top tables of public events celebrating this stunning victory. Sadly, his naval superiors showed no interest in learning the amphibious lessons of the War preferring to focus on supporting the Army in a potential conflict with the Soviet Union in Europe. Michael Clapp’s career has illustrated many of the corrosive effects of inter-service rivalry and the author asks if the military establishment has now lost interest in amphibious operations in their purest form. This highly readable and controversial work covers Clapp’s distinguished wider career which included active service in Korea, the Cyprus Emergency and the Indonesia-Malayan Confrontation where he gained a reputation for decisive action. He was an observer and squadron commander in the Fleet Air Arm; took command of several warships and served in staff posts, playing a crucial role in the introduction of the famous Sea Harrier V/STOL strike aircraft before his appointment as Commodore Amphibious Warfare.

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