Operation Sheepskin

In the early morning darkness of 19 March 1969, troops from Britain’s 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) and Royal Marines, clambered into the small landing craft and helicopters aboard HMS Minervaand HMS Rothesay. 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. Recent military intelligence reports had been patchy as to the level of resistance to be expected from the islanders; however, the number of firearms estimated to be on the island and the recent hostility experienced by British diplomats, suggested that the troops were about to encounter a storm of bullets as they hit the beaches.

Strangely enough, as the squaddies 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. The operation was presented as a farce and emblematic of Britain’s declining world role since the end of empire. This satirical interpretation has remained the abiding memory, if the invasion is remembered at all, within British public consciousness. Despite the military anti-climax however, this does not detract from the considerable importance of Operation Sheepskin for understanding the complexities of decolonisation in the Caribbean; Britain’s military performance following the retreat from ‘East of Suez’ and decision-making within the Labour government of Prime Minister Harold Wilson.

This book offers an in-depth military and political reappraisal of the Anguilla Crisis, exploring the countdown to military intervention, its tactical implementation and its legacy. In doing so, the book evaluates the reasons for the British government’s apparent overreaction to the crisis, the scandal that rocked Whitehall as Operation Sheepskin was being arranged and finally, the series of operational blunders which emerged as the operation was carried out. Constituting a neglected and unusual chapter of post-war British military history, the book will appeal to those readers interested in the wars of decolonisation, British politics in the 1960s and the history of the Caribbean at the end of empire.

"....This is an interesting story, and I am sure there will be others like me who remember the events taking place, but who will be interested to read this level of detail about what was actually happening at the time. Those interested in military equipment will enjoy the archive photos and the colour profiles featured in the middle of the book, especially with the Andover aircraft and the days when British troops still used the L1A1 rifle and Sterling sub-machine gun. The problems of drawing back from the days of Empire still make for some interesting reading I think." Robin Buckland, Military Model Scene

“…a political recap of the diplomatic efforts bouncing between St. Kitts, Anguilla, and Britain. Enjoyed it.” Historical Miniatures Gaming Society

"....Operation Sheepskin is short, but Lord provides so much information on all aspects of the operation that it is easily the definitive account. The work is full of images of the operation, uniform and weapons drawings, organizational diagrams, and examples of occupied island life supported by a large bibliography of primary and secondary source material with extensive endnotes from the narrative. Matthew Lord’s comprehensive presentation of the operation from myriad perspectives is not to be missed." US National Maritime Historical Society

“This monograph is filled with details of the operation, its backdrop, and the outcome.” The Journal of the Air Force Historical Foundation

“Matthew Lord’s comprehensive presentation of the operation from myriad perspectives is not to be missed.” The International Journal of Naval History