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The Armourer June 2022

This is a decent account of the Royal Marines Arctic Warfare Cadre during the 1982 conflict by their CO at the time, Capt Rod Boswell.
Having given a good overview of the Mountain Leaders involved and their training methods and tactics, it goes on to describe their setting out on the first ship to leave the UK to retake the islands and the subsequent journey.

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Army Rumour Service (ARRSE)

This is a story that needed to be told and it is best summed up by the Commander of British Land Forces - “the battle initiation of the M&AW Cadre was an unqualified success …. Ideally suited to long range patrolling and information gathering in which role its performance compared most favourably with some of the Special Forces patrols”.

Warship World

I am old enough to remember the Falklands War, and for that matter I was the same age in 1982 as many of the men who were yomping across the island whilst I was hitch-hiking across Europe. For me, forty years later - forty years! - it's fascinating reading accounts like this and seeing the details which of course we never heard, nor expected to hear, at the time.

Rod Boswell writes engagingly and honestly, and his own account is only enhance by contributions from some of the men who served under him. This is a gripping first-hand telling of the opertions undertaken by the Royal Marines Mountain and Arctic Warfare cadre during the Falklands war and will be a must-have for anyone interested in that conflict specifically, or the British Army generally. We are all in their debt.

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Paul Nixon

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Comprising only 36 personnel, the Royal Marines’ Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre (M&AW Cadre) must have been one of the smallest units among the 25,000 strong Task Force dispatched to reclaim the Falkland Islands. Under the command of Captain Rod Boswell the Cadre, which provided the specialist Mountain Leaders for the Corps, became the Commando Brigade Reconnaissance Troop.

“Mountain Commandos at War in the Falklands” is Boswell’s account of the Cadre’s campaign, from mobilisation in the UK to its return. Boswell’s narrative is supplemented by anecdotes and memories from many other members of the small group, adding granular detail and authenticity, although there is inevitably some repetition. The Cadre is most well-known for its assault on Argentine Special Forces observation post Top Malo House, removing a danger to 3 Commando Brigade on its advance to Stanley. Despite being hampered by the lack of a helicopter to take them on time, a recurring theme in subsequent British operations through the years, the operation was a complete success despite a number of wounded. Boswell provides the most comprehensive account to date of the assault.

Transport issues also dogged subsequent operations, although one aborted mission potentially prevented the Cadre falling foul of Argentine forces on West Falkland, and a verbal exchange with the CO of the SAS who had “lost” a patrol. Boswell recalls a strained relationship with the SAS, from pilfered equipment through to lack of communication. With the Cadre providing forward reconnaissance with no knowledge of SAS movements, the danger of a “blue on blue” was ever present.

The book describes the Cadre’s rigorous and physically exerting reconnaissance and the endurance required for observation. It is packed full of detail, with a nominal roll, and lots of wry humour.

The M&AW Cadre is probably not very well known outside the Royal Marines family and Falklands aficionados. Their story, courage and professionalism deserve a wider stage.

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Amazon Customer, Peter Weedon

This is an excellent book concentrating on the RM M&AWC response to the invasion of the Falkland Islands. Written by the Cadre’s commanding officer, a soldier described by Major General Julian Thompson, as “a recce man of considerable experience and one whose judgement and skill I have valued in two very different campaigns.” This book is the real deal. Written by a Royal Marine at the heart of the development and deployment of these highly skilled soldiers into a unit operating beyond the front line.

Military History Group

An interesting read, explains how a trained unit complimented the operational capability of 3 Cdo Bde on deployment during the Falklands War.

South Atlantic Medal Assc