Burning Horizon: British Veteran Accounts of the Iraq War, 2003

The British component of the invasion of Iraq in 2003, codenamed Operation Telic, was the largest gathering of British troops since the Second World War. This book tells the stories of the servicemen and women who took part in the operation, from controlling Allied Air Forces to submariners firing Tomahawk Cruise missiles and Challenger Tank crews facing RPGs. Their accounts cover the spectrum of experiences, showcasing courage, fortitude, pride, and brotherhood amidst the harsh realities of modern asymmetric warfare.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 15 February 2023
Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Codenamed Operation Telic, the British component of the invasion of Iraq in 2003 marked the largest gathering of British troops since the Second World War. As the British public braced for the worst, with soldiers facing potential weapons of mass destruction, it is important to recognize that most servicemen and women were not deluded into believing that their mission was to rid the people of Saddam Hussein.

While much has been discussed about the WMD and the government of Tony Blair, the voices of those who participated in Operation Telic have been relatively overlooked. To rectify this, this book draws upon dozens of veteran interviews, personal diaries, and archival material to present their stories in their own words.

From the vantage point of an AWACS plane, controlling the vast Allied Air Forces at 34,000 feet, to submariners beneath the warm waves of the Persian Gulf launching Tomahawk Cruise missiles, to the scorching heat of a Challenger Tank as it is pelted with RPGs, and the gritty experience of disarming unexploded bombs on one's belly amidst a sandstorm, these veteran accounts encompass a wide range of experiences.

However, the polarized public opinion and the post-war media portrayal of the war have somewhat overshadowed the remarkable achievements of these forces, often tasked with accomplishing their missions with insufficient or inadequate resources. This book seeks to shed light on their stories of courage, fortitude, pride, and brotherhood amidst the harsh realities of modern asymmetric warfare.

Weight: 586g
Dimension: 160 x 237 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636242972