The Falklands War took place in 1982
A Short History of The Falklands Conflict
The Falklands Conflict took place in 1982 and though its not declared as a war, to those who served and the Islanders that is exactly what it was. It was a short war between Argentina and Britain over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands (which are known as Islas Malvinas in Argentina), as well as South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The conflict lasted 74 days with the loss of over 900 lives, 255 of those were British service men and three Falklands Island women listed in the dead. Argentina has never fully declared factual figures as there are areas of controversy especially around those killed and wounded during the invasion by the members of both of the 8901 squadron defenders.
The islands were and still are British overseas territories, located in the South Atlantic, 8,000 miles from Britain. Sovereignty over the islands has been contested by Argentina since 1833. Though records show that the Islands were already under Britains rule. There have been several incidences over the years but nothing close to the scale of 1982.
The majority of all Falkland Islanders were, in 1982, of British descent and opposed the Argentinian claim. Argentina had in 1976 established an unauthorised but unopposed presence in the South Sandwich Islands
In 1982, President Leopoldo Galtieri of Argentina decided to take control of the islands by force. These actions were seen by many as a way to take the focus away from the turmoil within the country due to the Juntas Iron Fisted ruling. They hoped that by taking the Islands early in the year there would be less chance of Britain making a move as the South Atlantic would be heading for Winter.
The first signs of trouble were on the 19th of March on South Georgia where Argentinian Scrap Metal workers landed at the old whaling station along with a small military presence to start to dismantle the station for its scrap and raised the Argentinian flag. On the Falklands the garrison of Royal Marines, 8901 squadron, were in the starting phase of a handover to a replacement detachment who were there onboard HMS Endurance. The rumours had reached the UK and radio messages and communications were predicting an Invasion.
It was decided that a small detachment should sail on Endurance, to South Georgia with the task of seeing what was going on and defending the territory. On the 24th of March, under the command of Lieutenant Mills the Marines were landed at Leith from Endurance to put up a show of resistance. The force, later to come up with the name of ‘Mills Marauders’ would put up a valiant show of force. The 22 Royal Marines were to end up against a force of 60 Argentine Marines and an Argentine Navy Corvette the as well as the Argentinian Ice Breaker and both crews. The Royal Marines were to bloody the nose of the Argentine troops on the red of April, the day after the Royal Marines, naval ratings and Falkland Island militia had fought a battle against the elite Argentine special forces from Government House.
On the 2nd of April 1982, Argentinian forces occupied the Falkland Islands and South Georgia on the 3rd of April, a move condemned by the United Nations. A move that saw immediate action taken by Maggie Thatcher in the UK as the largest task force since WW2 was put together to sail South.
In the Falklands the British Governor, Sir Rex Hunt was to be deported and repatriated to Britain along with Naval Party 8901, a small contingent of Royal Marines and naval ratings, who had defended the islands before being ordered by Sir Rex Hunt to surrender. The decision was made to spare any loss of life should the fighting escalate to the streets and heavier weapons be deployed.
President Galtieri appointed General Mario Menéndez as Governor of the islands and commander of the large Argentinian force deployed to defend them.
In the weeks that followed, many restrictions were imposed on the islanders. Some of them were to be forcibly deported. Whilst others were to be incarcerated for weeks.
In Britain the Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher authorised a military operation, codenamed ‘Corporate’, to retake the islands.
It was the first since the Second World War in which all branches of the British armed forces deployed simultaneously.
Within days, the first ships were to sail forming a British task force comprising 127 warships, submarines and requisitioned merchant ships carrying troops, aircraft and equipment, they set sail for the South Atlantic. Though the hurried nature of departure meant a lengthy stop at Ascension Island. This allowed all the vessels to come together, training to take place and movement of personnel, equipment, stores and planning to take place. Also at this time discussions were ongoing to try to find a peaceful solution by politicians.
Operation Paraquet returned South Georgia to British control on April 25.
The Task Force then turned its attention to the retaking of the Falklands. On 30 April, the Task Force imposed a 200-mile Total Exclusion Zone around the Falklands, prohibiting all aircraft and ships from any country from entering. British special forces, the Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm attacked Argentinian ships and defences.
Two days later, Royal Navy submarine HMS Conqueror sank Argentinian cruiser ARA General Belgrano with the loss of over 300 of her crew. This was the pivotal moment that the World looked on and realised that this was not going to end with just talks. The sinking of the Belgrano was important as this ship was capable of inflicting heavy losses on the British fleet and the decision was made due to the Argentinian battle group changing direction in a way that said they were heading for an intercept course. The survivors were at this time left to the sea by the other Argentinian vessels which all tuned and ran instead of helping the survivors.
Argentina responded quickly. On the 4th May, the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Sheffield was hit by an AM39 Exocet cruise missile fired from an Argentinian Super Éntendard strike fighter aircraft. Twenty were killed in the explosion and resulting fire, which destroyed the ship.
The Argentinian Air Force continued to attack British ships with Exocet missiles and bombs, causing many casualties. In total, seven ships were lost and others were seriously damaged during the conflict. Attacks on landing logistic ships RFA Sir Galahad and RFA Sir Tristram (24 May) and merchant container ship SS Atlantic Conveyor (25 May) were particularly devastating.
Nevertheless, the Task Force landed 4,000 troops unopposed at San Carlos and Ajax Bay in East Falkland (21 May onwards). They faced a numerically superior but largely conscripted Argentinian army. Lack of cover and air superiority forced the British to attack Argentinian positions by night.
Goose Green was the first settlement to be taken by British forces (28-29 May). 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment fought a fierce battle, during which its commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert ‘H’ Jones was killed.
Colonel Jones was one of two soldiers to receive a posthumous award of the Victoria Cross for gallantry during the conflict. The other, Sergeant Ian McKay, was killed during the Battle of Mount Longdon on 11-12 June.
British troops faced an advance of 56 miles across East Falkland through difficult terrain, enemy minefields and hostile weather conditions to the islands’ capital, Port Stanley. Half of the troops completed the march on foot after the helicopters that were supposed to transport them were lost onboard the SS Atlantic Conveyor, which had sunk on 28 May.
One of the most famous images from the conflict, taken by Royal Marines photographer Petty Officer Peter Holdgate, shows Corporal Peter Robinson ‘yomping’ to Port Stanley with a Union Jack flag fixed to his radio antenna.
Media coverage of the war popularised the term ‘yomp’, which is Royal Marines slang meaning a long-distance march carrying full kit.
After fierce fighting in the mountains overlooking Port Stanley, Argentinian forces surrendered on the 14th of June.
British troops arrived in Port Stanley the same day to an enthusiastic welcome from the islanders.
Over 11,000 Argentinian troops were disarmed and repatriated to Argentina. The British also retook control of the South Sandwich Islands.
907 lives were lost during the conflict: 649 Argentinian, 255 British and three Falkland Islanders.
Today, the islands are British overseas territories under the protection of British Forces South Atlantic Islands.
The dispute with Argentina is still unresolved.