Phoenix Squadron

Book excerpt: 'COMPLETELY RIVETING. AS GRIPPING AS ANY TOM CLANCY THRILLER' JEREMY CLARKSON January 1972: the tiny Central American country of Belize is threatened with invasion by battle-hardened Guatemalan paratroops. Only HMS Ark Royal, an aging British aircraft carrier and her squadrons of fast jets and helicopters stand in her way. But as the great ship and her air group pound their way across the Atlantic the enemy are already deploying their air force to remote jungle strips close to the border. In Belize they prepare for the worst. Only a bold gamble looks likely to save the day. But it will require every ounce of skill and daring from the carrier's small band of aviators. The race is on. Drawing on brand new interviews with the participants Phoenix Squadron tells the riveting true story of a little known Cold War confrontation for the first time. 'A page-turning thriller of a book ... the story never lets up, ... a gripping, hugely entertaining book' Sunday Telegraph 'Stirring, gritty, punchy and compelling ... Phoenix Squadron succeeds on many levels ... Highly recommended.' Aircraft Magazine 'A truly outstanding narrative every ... there is no better read' Aviation News 'Reads more like a Tom Clancy novel than a history book' Daily Telegraph 'A gutsy you-are-there story that throbs with the sound and fury of carrier operations' Robert Gandt