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The Dhofar War was one of the best-conducted counter-insurgency campaigns ever fought. The Special Air Service played a key role in these operations by shaping the perceptions and loyalty of the population in the face of a clever, well-resourced and ruthless enemy. The Hearts and Minds campaign of Operation Storm aimed to show how security and intelligence gathering, combined with psychological operations and practical help with agriculture, animal health, medicine, education and religion, could defeat the enemy forces. Although accounts have been written of the Dhofar War, nothing has been published describing the contribution of British army veterinarians to winning over the hearts of the Dhofari people. Hearts and Minds are as critically important today as they were in the 1970s. Parallels can be drawn between fighting counter insurgency in Afghanistan in 2011 and in Dhofar in 1974
This book tells the story of six months in the life of a twenty-five year-old army vet, posted out of the blue to D Squadron 22 SAS Regiment as part of the British Army Training Team (or BATT). It describes a unique time in the evolution of a little-known country where a strategically important war was fought and won under difficult and bleak conditions. The experiences of a young, newly qualified vet, moved abruptly from a desolate winter in turbulent Northern Ireland to a desert war in remote Arabia, provide a fascinating insight into a remarkable operation.
As BATT Vet, he discovers he has sole responsibility for the health and veterinary care of all animals in a territory the size of Hungary. He discovers and learns how to respond to the jebali people's love and concern for their animals in a society where modern medicine is largely unknown. He has successes and failures as he tries to cope not only with his work in the war zone but also with dhows crammed with goats and sheep from Somalia, patients as diverse as camels and bears, the horses and pedigree dogs belonging to the animal-loving Sultan and his Royal Household, and the importation of expensive pedigree cattle from Kenya.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More than just another Vet story.,
By Ned Middleton (British professional underwater photo-journalist & author) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER) (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)
This review is from: With the SAS and Other Animals: A Vet's Experiences During the Dhofar War 1974 (Hardcover)
In 1970, the very young Sultan of Oman - who had been trained as an officer at Sandhurst, confronted the Communist rebels in his country and received some very secretive support from the British government. That support largely involved the SAS and other elite forces. I was a corporal serving with 22 SAS at that time and, whilst I knew nothing of the intimate details of operations so far away, I do recall wondering why a Veterinary Surgeon was attached to one of the operational squadrons. Well now I know!At a time when British Forces were failing to realise the importance of "winning the hearts and minds" of the local populace in Northern Ireland, that very concept of British troops not being hated by the people of Dhofar was instantly recognised and put into practise. Part of that recognition was an acceptance that the local people were poor and that their wealth was measured by how much cattle they owned. So important were those animals that a succession of officers from the RAVC (Royal Army Veterinary Corps) were attached to A Squadron 22 SAS as part of the overall military programme. After so many years, one of those young officers - Andrew Higgins, has finally put pen to paper to tell his incredible story from those days of an overlooked war. In an economy where animals were (and still are!) vitally important, he recounts his encounters with the camels, sheep and goats on the one side of the social scale before also including the pedigree horses, dogs, exotic birds and even bears and Hyenas which belonged to the Sultan. In this work, Higgins relives his first-hand experiences with every level of Omani society from the royal palace to the poorest people with their livestock alongside a potent mix of special forces military action. It is a fascinating and rather original mix which comes together very well in a work where the author simply wishes to tell his story. On finishing the book, I was left with two indelible thoughts. The first of these was how this book should be held up as a prime example of "HOW" to win those hearts and minds in any conflict - be it at home or abroad! The second was the irony of the time in question. British Vet James Wight wrote several part-fiction, part-factual accounts of his life as a Veterinary Surgeon under the name of James Herriot with the first being published in 1970. His more well known "All Creatures Great and Small" (which lent its name to a long-running TV series) was published in 1972. This book (with its own many amusing anecdotes) might so easily have been penned at the same time. Altogether an excellent read and one which adds another important piece to the overall jigsaw of history. NM British Army major (Retired)
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
great read,
By davo rhinehart "lucius" (samui) - See all my reviews
This review is from: With the SAS and Other Animals: A Vet's Experiences During the Dhofar War 1974 (Hardcover)
I think the previous reviewer covered all the important points about this book. I found it a fascinating read with a unique take on this genre - the gung ho boys own style has been done to death already. This was an intelligent, thoughtful, well-written novel that I am glad I stumbled across. I am sure Andrew must have many stories that weren't covered here - I hope he considers a follow-up.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vet in a hot country,
By SKS (UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: With the SAS and Other Animals: A Vet's Experiences During the Dhofar War 1974 (Hardcover)
This is a well written book that takes a reader back to a place and time far removed from today. The author has blended his experiences of treating animals into the context of working in a complex and sometimes hostile environment. The challenges of working in this different culture in strained conditions come through clearly as he confronts "immutable and non-negotiable priorities". This book sits well along side Rory Stewart's "Occupational Hazards" as today UK forces are still operating in the Gulf. In contrast to now, the Iranians are amongst the good guys in this book. And now pirates and not communists are the bad guys. Throughout the political and military backdrop, the author retains a clear compassion for the animals he deals with.
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