The Falklands War 1982 by Dr Duncan Anderson

Author:Dr Duncan Anderson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: The Falklands War 1982
ISBN: 9781472809964
Publisher: Osprey Publishing Ltd

1. SAS followed by 42 Commando move by helicopter to Mt Kent 25–30 May.

2. SBS reconnoitre Teal Inlet 25 May. HQ 3 Brigade moves in 1 June.

3. 3 Para and 45 Commando ‘tab’ and ‘yomp’ across the island 27–30 May.

4. 2 Para by helicopter 3 June.

5. 2 Scots Guards and 1 Welsh Guards move to Fitzroy and Bluff Cove by sea 6–8 June.

6. Argentine Skyhawks bomb Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram 8 June.

During the five hours Sir Galahad had been at anchor, an Argentine observation post 10 miles away on Mt Harriet had radioed details of this and other British shipping movements (Sir Tristram was also unloading supplies in Fitzroy) via Stanley to mainland Argentine air force units. Mainland air bases scrambled eight Skyhawks and six Daggers, of which five Skyhawks and five Daggers reached the islands. Flying up Falkland Sound before turning to attack Fitzroy from the west, the Daggers spotted and bombed HMS Plymouth, scoring four direct hits, none of which detonated. Two Sea Harriers on routine patrol south of Fitzroy turned north-west in pursuit of the Daggers. Meanwhile the Skyhawks flew on to Fitzroy. The British had already set up four Rapier missile launchers, but the launcher covering the harbour had been damaged in transit and was out of action while a new sighting mechanism was being fitted. The Skyhawks hit Sir Tristram with two bombs, one passing straight through the ship without detonating, the other exploding on the vehicle deck and killing two crewmen. The attack on Sir Galahad was launched from a higher altitude than usual. Three bombs crashed into the ship, their casings burst open, and the explosive contents burnt fiercely, creating fireballs. For the British this was the single bloodiest incident of the war: 46 men died on Sir Galahad and another 150 were injured, some very seriously. Two hours later the Argentines were back. Four Skyhawks, attempting to attack Bluff Cove, were driven off by intense ground fire from the Scots Guards, who discharged 18,500 rounds in just 45 seconds. Swinging around on Fitzroy, the Skyhawks encountered a barrage of at least seven Rapier missiles, and broke off the attack. Yet another flight of four Skyhawks spotted the landing craft Foxtrot Four halfway between Goose Green and Fitzroy and launched a devastating attack, killing six of the crew. The landing craft was saved from almost certain destruction by the arrival of two Sea Harriers, which promptly shot down three of the Skyhawks with Sidewinders.

Meanwhile on the northern side of East Falkland, 3 Commando Brigade’s build-up was continuing unabated. Patrols from 3 Para and 45 and 42 Commando had pushed into the hills and mountains ringing Stanley to the west and had largely confirmed the dispositions outlined in the Argentine map captured on Mt Kent. By the evening of 6 June Thompson believed he had enough information to launch an attack on Argentine positions on Mt Longdon, Two Sisters and Mt Harriet on or about 9 June. Logistics continued to be a problem, particularly the stockpiling of artillery ammunition.

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