UNPREPARED FOR COMBAT

Row erupts over who was to blame for naval disaster that killed 56 in Falkands

- SEAN RAYMENT

A WAR of words has broken out over a book that claims the Bluff Cove disaster in the Falklands was "avoidable".

Rear Admiral Jeremy Larken, captain of HMS Fearless, has criticised former Welsh Guards officer-turned-author Crispin Black, who survived the attack.

His book about the 1982 tragedy, which killed 56 servicemen and injured hundreds more, is due out this month.

Mr Black, 63, claims the book - entitled Too Thin for a Shroud - throws new light on the disaster, which recently released documents show was down to "poor planning and communication by senior Royal Navy officers".

But RAdm Larken, 84, hit back and said the Welsh should never have been sent to fight in the first place because they were "unprepared for combat".

In emails sent to Mr Black's publisher, RAdm Larken claimed the Welsh were an unprofessional and poorly led unit responsible for "pilfering" on his ship. He also said their contribution to the campaign was "deeply flawed".