OPERATION SHEEPSKIN: British Military Intervention in Anguilla, 1969

1-242290

Military and political reappraisal of the Anguilla Crisis, exploring the countdown to military intervention, its tactical implementation, and its legacy. Evaluates the reasons for the British government's apparent overreaction to the crisis with March 19, 1969 deployment of Britain's 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) and Royal Marines. Their objective, under 'Operation Sheepskin,' was to invade the small Caribbean island of Anguilla through both an amphibious and airborne assault. The operation aimed to crush a two-year island rebellion against the postcolonial government of Robert Bradshaw on St Kitts.

Strangely enough, as the troops splashed ashore, they were met by the thunderous silence of an empty beach apart from the clicks of journalists' cameras. To the surprise of all involved, the occupation of the island was subsequently achieved without bloodshed. Whilst British policymakers soon questioned whether they had misread the situation in Anguilla and overreacted militarily, Fleet Street and the international media responded with ridicule. Contains 53 b/w photos, 6 color profiles, 3 color illustrations, and 1 color map.