I came across this book whilst ordering another book from this
publisher.  It is the connection between Ascension Island and the
Falklands War but seems to mention BBC Ascension

MB


http://moo.whittlespublishing.com/whittles/item/5114


Island Base
Ascension in the Falklands War

Captain Bob McQueen
Senior Officer, Ascension Island during the Falklands War

An important piece in the jigsaw of the history of the Falklands War

Foreword by First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West
Extract from the Foreword:
Much has been written about the war, but very little about the island
base, Ascension Island, which was crucial to our success. This book
explains how the island was an essential stepping stone in the execution
of a daring plan in response to Argentinian aggression. ...Lack of
facilities required much improvisation... which was accomplished with
commendable dedication and good humour by our armed forces.

The previously untold story of how Ascension Island was crucial to the
success of British operations during the Falklands War.

The book spans the length of the Falklands War and tells how a facility
consisting of next to nothing was turned into the advanced logistic base
for one of the most daring and successful displays of military force at
long range in the reclamation of British interests. From an island which
was largely devoid of all resources, the story of how Ascension Island
became the Forward Operating Base, doubled its population in a few weeks
and briefly became the busiest airfield in the world - 350 take-off and
landings in one day - makes fascinating reading. Air-to-air refuelling
proved itself to be a vital force extender throughout Operation
Corporate since reconnaissance aircraft had insufficient fuel to return
to base.

The author, Commander of British Forces Support Unit, has collected
together the accounts of several of the main participants including the
Royal Navy and Royal Marines, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Engineers
and also the American Airfield Commander where the willing co-operation
of the United States is underlined. These include the Royal Navy
Regulators, the RN Provost Detachment, the Amphibious Task Group
detailing the various logistic problems and how these were overcome. A
civilian viewpoint on the impact of such a huge influx of military
personnel on the native and civilian population is given by the head of
the resident BBC staff and other St. Helenian residents. Island Base
provides an authoritative overview of this recent conflict which will be
of wide appeal.
What the reviews say:
'...This short book is an important contribution to the history of
Operation Corporate that never more lived up to his name than at
Ascension. ... there is no excuse for anyone with an interest at any
level in the Falklands conflict not having it on their bookshelf'. Navy
News

'...This tale maintains the Navy's reputation for going anywhere and
doing anything. ...The Falklands proved to be the start of a return to
expeditionary warfare, to which the Navy has long been accustomed.
...Excellent photographs'. RNSA Journal

'...Would appeal to anyone who served on Ascension as it brings back
vivid memories...' Air Mail

'...an authoritative and enjoyable account of life on Ascension Island
throughout the campaign. ...With an easy-going style and dry humour,
Capt. McQueen gives lively descriptions of constantly hectic life at
this vital asset'. Airforces Monthly

'...The difference between this book and other works on the war is that
it is a compendium written by those who were involved. ...the book gives
a fascinating view of the heady atmosphere of 'going to war' and an
authoritative overview of the logistics involved in war...'. The
Northern Mariner

In article <3130303030373135479A06A184@invalid.invalid>, MB
<MB@invalid.invalid> wrote:

> I came across this book whilst ordering another book from this
> publisher.  It is the connection between Ascension Island and the
> Falklands War but seems to mention BBC Ascension
> 

The BBC World Service had (and for all I know still has) a relay
station on Ascension Island. It had only a small staff. In its early
days it simply received BBC shortwave broadcasts and rebroadcast them
so that South America could get a stronger signal. Later on non-topical
programmes were pre-recorded and shipped out to be played
simultaneously with the UK transmission: arrangements were in place for
a return to the live feed if there was a major news break and the
recorded programme was abandoned. Also single-sideband feed
transmissions were introduced.

All this was before satellites were readily available: now these are
used for many feeds, and indeed many transmissions are rebroadcast by
local FM stations.

In article <260120081023386695%rfwilmut@nospam.yahoo.com>,
   Roger Wilmut  wrote:
> In article <3130303030373135479A06A184@invalid.invalid>, MB
> <MB@invalid.invalid> wrote:

> > I came across this book whilst ordering another book from this
> > publisher.  It is the connection between Ascension Island and the
> > Falklands War but seems to mention BBC Ascension
> > 

> The BBC World Service had (and for all I know still has) a relay
> station on Ascension Island. It had only a small staff. 

At one point, the BBC also took over running the island's power station -
presumably because they were the major users.

> In its early days it simply received BBC shortwave broadcasts and
> rebroadcast them so that South America could get a stronger signal. 

also for the benefit of West Africa, ISTR.

-- 
From KT24 - in "Leafy Surrey"

Using a RISC OS computer running v5.11

"Roger Wilmut"  wrote in message 
news:260120081023386695%rfwilmut@nospam.yahoo.com...
> In article <3130303030373135479A06A184@invalid.invalid>, MB
> <MB@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>
>> I came across this book whilst ordering another book from this
>> publisher.  It is the connection between Ascension Island and the
>> Falklands War but seems to mention BBC Ascension
>>
>
> The BBC World Service had (and for all I know still has) a relay
> station on Ascension Island. It had only a small staff.

Does this book record the fact that it was me who pulled the Ascension 
telecomm plug so that no islander (or BBC WS staff) was able to tell the 
world that they had just seen a heavily laden Vulcan lumber into the 
sky? :-)
-- 
Malcolm

In article , Malcolm Knight 
 writes

>Does this book record the fact that it was me who pulled the Ascension
>telecomm plug so that no islander (or BBC WS staff) was able to tell the
>world that they had just seen a heavily laden Vulcan lumber into the
>sky? :-)

Excellent!

I was standing in Bristol A sound gallery (grams) when the announcement 
of the raid was made afterwards. We had network permanently on the 
preview monitor for the duration. I remember exactly where I stood, but 
can't remember the show!

Regards,

Simonm.

-- 
simonm|at|muircom|dot|demon|.|c|oh|dot|u|kay
SIMON MUIR, BRISTOL UK
EUROPEANS AGAINST THE EU                   http://www.eurofaq.freeuk.com/
GT250A'76  R80/RT'86  110CSW TDi'88  www.kc3ltd.co.uk/profile/eurofollie/

"SpamTrapSeeSig"  wrote in message 
news:NndNySAClzmHFwFw@tigger.muircom.demon.co.uk...
> In article , Malcolm Knight 
>  writes
>
>>Does this book record the fact that it was me who pulled the Ascension
>>telecomm plug so that no islander (or BBC WS staff) was able to tell 
>>the
>>world that they had just seen a heavily laden Vulcan lumber into the
>>sky? :-)
>
> Excellent!
>
> I was standing in Bristol A sound gallery (grams) when the 
> announcement of the raid was made afterwards. We had network 
> permanently on the preview monitor for the duration. I remember 
> exactly where I stood, but can't remember the show!

I remember exactly where I was when I took the call too. My recollection 
is that the plug was pulled soon after 3pm GMT and next morning I was 
told by the MOD that I could reconnect it. I refused to do so on the 
grounds that if there was any chance of the raid being repeated pulling 
the plug the day before was nearly as good a signal of intent as sending 
a telegram to Beunos Aires. The point was taken but I was amazed that 
the MOD would make such a blunder.

As you will have surmised, the only public telecomm route out of 
Ascension was to London.
-- 
Malcolm

charles wrote:
> In article <260120081023386695%rfwilmut@nospam.yahoo.com>,
>   Roger Wilmut  wrote:
>> In article <3130303030373135479A06A184@invalid.invalid>, MB
>> <MB@invalid.invalid> wrote:
>
>>> I came across this book whilst ordering another book from this
>>> publisher.  It is the connection between Ascension Island and the
>>> Falklands War but seems to mention BBC Ascension
>>>
>
>> The BBC World Service had (and for all I know still has) a relay
>> station on Ascension Island. It had only a small staff.
>
> At one point, the BBC also took over running the island's power
> station - presumably because they were the major users.
[]
Didn't the MoD transmit to the Argentinian troops (in Spanish) from there, 
too - sort of reverse HawHaw (though I don't know if any untruth was 
broadcast)? ISTR hearing/reading that the programming was actually pretty 
crass, but that may or may not have mattered to the target audience.
-- 
J. P. Gilliver                  |  Tel. +44 1634 203298

Essex home for sale, £59,950: see http://www.soft255.demon.co.uk/home/