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The Secret History of Flight 149
- The True Story Behind the Most Shocking Government Cover-Up of the Last Thirty Years
- Narrated by: Colin Mace
- Length: 8 hrs and 39 mins
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The Secret History of Flight 149
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Summary
On 1 August, 1990, British Airways Flight 149 departed from Heathrow airport, destined for Kuala Lumpur. It never made it there, and neither did its nearly 400 passengers. Instead, Flight 149 stopped to refuel in Kuwait, as Iraqi troops amassed on the border—delivering the passengers and crew into the hands of Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi army, to be used as 'human shields' during their invasion.
Why did BA flight 149 proceed with plans to refuel in Kuwait City, even as all other flights were rerouted—and even though British and American governments had clear intelligence that Saddam was about to invade? The answer lies in an exchange of favours at the highest echelons of government, and a secret, unaccountable organization—authorised by Margaret Thatcher—carrying out a 'deniable' intelligence operation to sneak in a group of intelligence offers into Kuwait aboard the flight. The plane was the 'Trojan Horse', and the plan—as well as the horrific, traumatic consequences for the civilian passengers—has been lied about, denied and covered up by successive British Governments ever since.
Soon to be a major TV drama, this explosive book is written with the full cooperation of the survivors, as well as astonishing and conclusive input from a senior intelligence source. It is a story of scandal, betrayal and misuse of intelligence at the highest levels of UK and US governments—which has had direct, horrifying impact on terror attacks in the West and the shape of the Middle East today. It is high time the truth is told.
Previously published under the title Operation Trojan Horse
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What listeners say about The Secret History of Flight 149
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- David
- 31-12-21
Only one minor and very personal criticism of the reader.
I was born during the Second World War and consequently most of the adult males I knew while growing up had served in the forces. Possibly because my father was an engineer many of those men had served in The Royal Mechanical and Electrical Engineers, R.E.M.E. The shortened version was generally used but always pronounced ‘Reemee’.
As far as I know this remains the same today so to hear it shortened to merely the initials countless times rather grated on what was otherwise an excellent performance.
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- Andy
- 20-09-21
Absolutely riveting book
Fantastic. Well structured and paced. I felt for all of the hostages and human shields m. An amazing narrative on a historical event that received little publicity. Thank you
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- C21H30O5
- 18-12-23
A really good account of what happened.
A very good book, well written.
Colin Mace probably has the right sort of voice to narrate it - not posh, not rough, only very mildly London, BUT, P-L-E-A-S-E! If you're planning to narrate a book in which the words Kuwait and Kuwaiti are said hundreds of times, learn how to pronounce it!!! They are NOT pronounced 'Queue 8' and 'Queue 80'! They are pronounced [KOO] + [AYT] and [KOO] + [AY] + [TEE]
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- Amazon Customer
- 23-09-21
What a surprise devious the so called elite.!
Excellent book well presented a read. Which has confirmed that, that flight should been diverted and not allowed to land in Kuwait. I will recommend it to one and all.
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1 person found this helpful
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- Brent
- 10-08-21
Incredible book - a must read!
The story of passengers for BA149 used as human shields after the invasion of Kuwait in 1990 is shocking, and something that is not as well know as it should be. Their accounts, often harrowing, are retold in detail as is the background behind how their flight ended up in Kuwait at the start of the invasion. Well researched, and sourced it explains the involvement of UK Government of the time and British Airways in supporting a secret intelligence operation, without regard for the safety of passengers or crew, and the subsequent cover up that has last over 30 years. Could not put it down, best read in many years!
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- Mr G Mitchell
- 21-01-22
Bloody Hell - Harrowing true story of lies, deceit and betrayal.
The harrowing true story of the hostages from Kuwait, pre-Gulf War 1, used as human shields. I had friends, one named in the book, who taken captive. This book goes a long way to telling their story and the despicable behaviour of the British Government who failed in their duty of care for a large number of British citizens. Thank you Steven Davis for setting the record straight
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- getty
- 18-01-22
a story that must be heard
definitely worth hearing this story its a must. one the government wants to cover up at the expense of its own people.
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- Amazon Customer
- 01-11-21
Governments Can Not Be Trusted!
I wouldn't call it "The Most Shocking Government Cover-Up Of The Last 30 Years" (watch the Keira Knightley movie "Official Secrets" or do your own research into the covid "Pandemic") but it is another prime example of how governments and the mainstream media cannot be trusted!!
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4 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 08-01-22
Finally the truth is out!
A very well written and researched book that sheds light on the ordeal of the human shields used by Saddam Hussein in the first Gulf war.
We also get to know the origins of the current violent state of the Middle East, because of ignored intelligence about the capabilities and intentions of the Iraqi Army.
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- andrew surtees
- 22-09-21
Fantastic insight into the Gulf War
An incredible insight into the biggest cover up by the British and American government
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1 person found this helpful