The Bloodiest Year 1972

Written from the perspective of the British soldier, The Bloodiest Year chronicles the worst year of the Troubles. In 1972 a shocking total of 172 soldiers died as a direct consequence of the insanity that would grip Ulster for almost 30 years. Author Ken Wharton's empathy lies firstly with the men who tramped the streets and countryside of Northern Ireland - but also with the good folk of the six counties who never wanted their beautiful land to be the terrorists' battleground. Wharton is utterly condemnatory of the Provisional IRA and INLA but he pulls no punches in his assessment of the Loyalist paramilitaries and terror gangs who sought to outdo the barbarism of their Republican counterparts. Based on the testimony of the men who were there, every loss and incident is investigated in as much detail as time and space permit, including 'Bloody Friday', the appalling tragedy of Claudy and the terrible events of 'Bloody Sunday'. The Bloodiest Year is written with passion and a detailed knowledge in particular of Belfast and the experience of the ordinary squaddie. The Troubles have become Britain's forgotten war and, so long as he is able, Ken Wharton will do his best to keep the memory of Operation Banner alive.