Under an English Heaven

Book excerpt: In early 1969, word reached London that the little Caribbean island of Anguilla had become a hotbed of rebellion and a haven for gangsters. Such flagrant disregard for the rule of law in one of Britain's last remaining overseas outposts could not be allowed to stand. Her Majesty's government acted decisively, despatching a force of three hundred paratroopers and commandos backed by warships, helicopters and fifty of the Metropolitan Police's finest. But their mission soon descended into farce. On arrival, the troops were welcomed by several bemused islanders, many reporters from around the world, and a handful of entirely indifferent goats. But absolutely no resistance whatsoever. Where, asked Downing Street, are the gangsters? What had happened to the violent insurgency? Could it all have been a terrible misunderstanding? UNDER AN ENGLISH HEAVEN is the extraordinary and hilarious true story of what Time magazine described as 'Britain's Bay of Piglets'.