
With the SAS and Other Animals
A Vet's Experiences During the Dhofar War 1974
Andrew Higgins(Author)
Pen & Sword Military (Publisher)
Published on 21. July 2011
Book
Hardback
256 pages
978-1-84884-486-5 (ISBN)
Description
In 1970 at the height of the Cold War, the young Sandhurst-trained Sultan Qaboos of Oman, with secret British military backing, took on the communist rebels in a fierce but little known war. Along with regular British Army and 'contract' officers, the SAS played a key role in this bitterly fought but ultimately successful campaign.The value of winning the 'Hearts and Minds' of the local population was quickly recognised and this is where a select band of Royal Army Veterinary Corps officers came in. The local economy was a primitive one based on agriculture and the author, freshly qualified and, by his own admission, somewhat naive particularly in military matters, found himself solely responsible for the veterinary care of a territory the size of Hungary.Attached to A Squadron, 22 SAS, Andrew Higgins learnt how to respond to the Jebali people's love and concern for their animals who provided their livelihood - goats, camels, sheep and cattle. Then there were the Sultan's horses, dogs, birds and even bears.His first-hand experiences and anecdotes of life dealing with every level of Omani society from rulers to black slaves and their varied livestock make for wonderfully atmospheric and often amusing reading.
In short, With the SAS and Other Animals is an unusual and potent mix of Special Forces action and veterinary experiences. Readers may well conclude that it really shouldn't have happened to a vet even in a desert war!
In short, With the SAS and Other Animals is an unusual and potent mix of Special Forces action and veterinary experiences. Readers may well conclude that it really shouldn't have happened to a vet even in a desert war!
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
South Yorkshire
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Pen & Sword Books Ltd
Illustrations
8pp of B&W and 8pp of Colour Plates
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-84884-486-5 (9781848844865)
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Other editions
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E-Book
01/2020
Pen & Sword Military
€7.48
Available for download