With the S.A.S. And Other Animals : A Vet's Experiences During the Dhofar War, 1974

In 1970 at the height of the Cold War, the young Sandhurst-trained Sultan Qaboos of Oman, with secret British military backing, took on communist insurgents in a fierce but little known war. Along with regular British Army and contract officers, the Special Air Service 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, found himself solely responsible for the veterinary care of a territory the size of Hungary. Attached to A Squadron, 22 SAS, Andrew Higgins learned how to respond to the Jebali peoples love and concern for the animals that provided their livelihood goats, camels, sheep and most importantly their cattle. Then there were the Sultans horses, pedigree dogs, exotic birds and even bears and hyenas. His first-hand experiences and anecdotes of life dealing with every level of Omani society, from the Ruler and his Court to the humblest refugees and their varied livestock make for wonderfully atmospheric and amusing reading. It also provides a thoughtful insight into the value of hearts and minds campaigns in other military operations where the support of the civilian population is crucial to success. 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 shouldnt have happened to a vet even in a desert war! In 1970 at the height of the Cold War, the young Sandhurst-trained Sultan Qaboes 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 recognized 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 nave particularly in military matters, found himself solely responsible for the veterinary care of a territory the size of Hungary.Attached to D Squadron, 22 SAS, Andrew Higgins learnt how to respond to the Jebali peoples love and concern for the animals which provided their livelihood goats, camels, sheep, horses, cattle, even bears, hunting birds and pedigree hunting dogs.His firsthand 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 shouldnt have happened to a vet even in a desert war! [Elib] In 1970 at the height of the Cold War, the young Sandhurst-trained Sultan Qaboes 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 recognized 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 nave particularly in military matters, found himself solely responsible for the veterinary care of a territory the size of Hungary. Attached to D Squadron, 22 SAS, Andrew Higgins learnt how to respond to the Jebali peoples love and concern for the animals which provided their livelihood goats, camels, sheep, horses, cattle, even bears, hunting birds and pedigree hunting dogs. His firsthand 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 shouldnt have happened to a vet even in a desert war! The Kennel Club Bir Bint Ahmed BATTman The Wali of Sudh The Flying Scotsman Flotsam and Jetsam A good audience An iron in the fire Up the hill The royal connection The winged dagger The muscateer A close run thing His Majesty's Zoo White city Court and social The animals come first The coming of the Irish A load of bull A sleepless night Ma'a as-salaama