The Falklands War.

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From another site, I thought it might be of interest to some.

My thanks to Jack Lewiss originator of the We Remember Submariners site(and hopefully soon to be a charity.)

THE FALKLANDS WAR - 5th APRIL 1982 - THE FLEET SAILS

In under 1 week, the UK has assembled the largest amphibious assault force since WWII totalling over 100 sh...ips.

Due to budget cuts in the UK leading to demomissioning over several years of a great number of vessels required for this type of operation so far from home ports, roughly 50% are ships 'taken up from trade'. These are vessels requisitioned from commercial use and hastily adapted for use in hostile seas

Royal Navy ships sent include:

2 Carriers, including Hermes, the Taskforce Flagship carrying Admiral Sandy Woodward, Commander Carrier/ Battle Group and Flag Officer. The carriers will be the essential ships that enable the operation, now named 'Corporate' to take place.
2 Landing Platform Docks, specialised amphibious assault vessels, including HMS Fearless, carrying Commodore Mike Clapp, Commander Amphibious Task Group
1, Type 82 Destroyer,
5 Type 42 Destroyers,
2 County Class Destroyers,

2 Type 22 Frigates,

7 Type 21 Frigates,

4 Leander Class Frigates,

2 Rothesay Class Frigates,

1 Ice Patrol Ship,

2 Castle Class Patrol Vessels,

2 Churchill Class Submarines (Including HMS Conqueror),

1 Oberon Class Submarine,

1 Valiant Class Submarine,

2 Swiftsure Class Submarines,

3 Survey Vessels,

5 Trawler/Minesweepers (these will not reach the islands until after hostilities have been concluded)

Royal Fleet Auxilliary Vessels Included:

10 Tankers,
6 Landing Ships Logistics (Including RFA Galahad),
5 Supply Ships,
1 Helicopter Support Ship,

2 Royal Maritime Auxillary Service ships

Commercial Ships taken up from trade included:

3 Passenger Liners,
8 Roll On Roll Off Ferries (Built for short trips across the English Channel and North Sea),
4 Container Cargo Ships (including Atlantic Conveyor),
7 Freighters,
15 Fuel Tankers,
8 assorted Tugs Repair and Support Vessels

Not all of these ships will be available immediately. Some will need to return to the UK from their commercial or naval movements to be refitted or stored for operations. Aver the coming weeks they will leave in small packets to sail for Ascension Island. Due to the rush they have not been stored for war and will require re-storing enroute and at Ascension Island.

Lord Carington, Foreign Secretary, resigns over Falklands debacle.

Peter Alexander Rupert Carington, 6th Baron Carrington KG GCMG CH MC PC DL (born 6 June 1919) is a British Conservative politician. He served as British Defence Secretary between 1970 and 1974, Foreign Secretary between 1979 and 1982, and as the sixth Secretary General of NATO from 1984 to 1988. He is the last surviving member of the 1951–55 government of Winston Churchill, and of the Cabinets of both Harold Macmillan and Alec Douglas-Home. Following the House of Lords Act 1999, which removed the automatic right of hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords, Carrington was created a life peer as Baron Carington of Upton, of Upton in the County of Nottinghamshire, to enable him to continue to sit there.

Carrington was Foreign Secretary in 1982 when the Falkland Islands were invaded by Argentina. He took full responsibility for the complacency and failures in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to foresee this development and resigned. However, as Secretary General of NATO, he played a very constructive role in preventing a war between Greece and Turkey (both members of the Alliance) in March 1987, having the trust and respect of both Andreas Papandreou of Greece and Turgut Özal of Turkey.
Photos: Lord Carigton, The fleet sails.

 

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THE FALKLANDS WAR - 6th April 1982 - RFA Sir Galahad sails from Devonport

6th April 1982; Royal Fleet Auxilliary vessel Sir Galahad slips out of HMNB Devonport ...carrying 300 Royal Marines of ten Commando Logistics Regiment bound for Ascension Island , where where they will be re-storing and then head on to the Falkland Islands.

Sadly she will never return to a UK port.

Living under Occupation

Having Conquered nthe Falklands, the Argentines seem confused about what to do with them - or with their inhabitants. President Galtieri arrived on the Island to celebrate the triumph and to swear in General Mario Benjamin Menendez as Military Governor.
Menendez installs himself in Rex Hunts old office, changing little except the nationnal flag and portrait of the Queen on the wall. His rule is full blown Martial Law. Curfews are instituted, driving on the right decreed. Schools will be converted to Spanish Language and curriculum.

 

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THE FALKLANDS WAR - 7th April 1982 - Maritime Exclusion Zone

7th April 1982; the British Goverment declares a Maritime Exclusion Zone (MEZ) Around the Falklan...d Island of 200 Nautical miles, to be effective from 12th April

Within this zone Great Britain declares that the nuclear powered submarines on station will be empowered to sink and Argentine naval or military vessel. The MEZ is intended to restrict the conflict to the islands and immediate maritime area as opposed to a full declaration of war whereby all Argenting military ships could be designated as targets regardless of their location

The other intention of course is ot clear the seas around the islands to allow passage of the Taskforce through the threat posed by the submarines, and to prevent Argentina from sending reinforcements by sea

 

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THE FALKLANDS WAR - 8th April 1982 - America Promotes Peace

8th April 1982, US Secretary of State Alexander Haig arrives in London on his mission of shuttle dip...lomacy to find a last minute peaceful resolution to the conflict

Mrs Thatcher admits that the idea of a mediated solution was not seriously considered as possible when the news of the invasion was received. American documents reveal the role of minister Francis Pym in convincing her to put the possibility of peaceful resolution ahead of military action. The British government agrees to go to the negotiating table if Argentina agrees

Meanwhile the bulk of the Taskforce continues on its voyage to Ascension Island whilst further ships leave port and take on full speed for the rendezvous in the Atlantic before heading south west to the MEZ

 

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THE FALKLANDS WAR - 9th April 1982 - The Passenger Liner SS Canberra joins the Taskforce

9th April 1982, SS Canberra leaves port to join the majority of the Tas...kforce already sailing for Ascension

The SS Canberra was built by the famous Harland & Wolff in Belfast, the same company that built the RMS Titanic and a slew of other famous ships, for £17m. She was launched in 1960 and entered service with P&O Cruises as a luxury Ocean Liner in 1961.

in 1982, as war became increasingly likely, planners in the Admiralty began looking at ships they would need for an amphibious operation and it became clear the Royal Navy lacked anywhere near the number of ships it would need. In particular it lacked the nnumber of necessary tankers, supply ships, freighters and troop transports. P&O were contacted and informed that the Navy required to requisition the Queen Elizabeth II and the Canberra

At the time the Canberra was on a cruise of the Mediterranean and was heading for Gibraltar. On arrival at Gibraltar her captain received a message informing him that the ship had been requisitioned and he was required to set sale immediately for Southampton

She arrived in Southampton on 7th April where her passegers were unloaded in great haste and refit was hastily undertaken to prepare her for war. This was completed in only two days and the ship then onloaded the bulk of 3 Commando Brigade and 2 Para (elements of 3 Commando Brigade including Commando Logistics Regt had already sailed on the RFA Sir Lancelot on 6th April)

The QE2 was considered too vulnerable to enter the war zone itself and would remain outside the Total Exclusion Zone, but the Canberra would be right at the heart of the Amphibious phase of the operation anchored in San Carlos water. After unloading her troops she would act as a hospital ship during hostilities and afterwards would be used to repatriate many of the 10,000 Argentine prisoners.

 

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THE FALKLANDS WAR - - The US Tries to Being Argentina to the Peace Table

10th April 1982, US Secretary of State Alexander Haig attempts to bring Argentina to ...the negotiation table. His proposals amount to a disguised handover of sovereignty to Argentina over time and in stages to gain the acceptance of the Islanders

The Junta refuses the proposals in favour of their current position. General Leopold Galtieri tells Haig 'Why are you telling me this? The British will not fight'

Wrong.

 

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THE FALKLANDS WAR - Submarines Lead the Way to the Falklands
April 11 1982, The Nuclear Powered Swiftsure Class Hunter-Killer Submarines HMS Splendid and HMS Sp...artan arrive at the Falkland Islands Maritime Exclusion Zone
They are two of the most recently designed and launched vessels in the taskforce, each being under three years old. They are designed for anti-submarine warfare, specifically to detect and sink enemy submarines. Their role will be to prevent enemy submarines from approaching or attacking the amphibious assualt force or the carrier force. They will also gather intelligence
On arrival Spartan has the opportunity to fire upon several Argentine transports off Port Stanley, but is ordered not to in order to keep the submarines' presence secret, and thus avoid alerting higher value targets which may be in the area, such as the Veinticinco de Mayo, to their presence

 

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FALKLANDS WAR - US Woos Britain, Argentina Rejects peace

12th April 1982 the Maritime Exclusion Zone around the Falkland Islands comes into effect. All Argent...ine air and sea movement within the 200 mile zone surrounding the islands is now subject to being fired upon by whatever British forces may be in the area

Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State's diplomatic peace mission is in London again. During dinner with the Prime Minister and Ministers, Haig is summoned away for a telephone call with Argentine Foreign Minister Costa Mendez. Costa Mendez confirms that despite some original softening in the Argentine line towards accepting the Haig plan (Plan involves cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of Argentine forces and a structured handover of sovereignty over time to Argentina with joint Argentine, UK and US Custodianship until handover is completed) Their line has now hardened and they refuse to accept the plan unless the UK accepts full priori Argentine sovereignty immediately

The Argentine position leaves no room for negotiation and war moves one step closer to inevitability

Nicanor Costa Méndez (October 30, 1922 – August 3, 1992) was an Argentine diplomat.

Costa Méndez was born into a privileged background in Buenos Aires, in 1922. He attended the University of Buenos Aires, graduating with a Law Degree in 1943. He went on to receive his juris doctor and opened a law practice.

Costa Méndez served as the Argentine ambassador to Chile from 1962 to 1964, and chargé d'affaires and ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan) from 1965 to 1966. He was appointed Foreign Minister by President Juan Carlos Onganía in 1966 and served in that post until 1969.[2] An avowed anti-Communist, Costa Méndez favored close ties with the United States.

Costa Méndez returned to the Foreign Ministry under a later dictator, Gen. Leopoldo Galtieri, at the end of 1981, and remained in the post during the April–June 1982 Falklands War between the United Kingdom and Argentina.[3] President Galtieri, a significant supporter of the Contras during the Nicaraguan Civil War, believed that support would be forthcoming from Reagan administration; when the United States and Western Europe sided with Britain during the conflict, however, Costa Méndez sought the support of the Communist bloc, flying to Cuba to attend a meeting of Non-aligned nations and to confer with President Fidel Castro.

During meetings at the time of the United Nations Security Council and the Organization of American States, Costa Méndez depicted United States support for Britain in the Falklands War as a "betrayal to the rest of the Americas," and following Argentine surrender on June 14, Galtieri and his Foreign Minister were removed.

Costa Méndez's duplicity in his capacity as both the nation's chief diplomat and the junta's leading civilian adviser was highlighted by a local, 1983 official board of inquiry. The report documented that Costa Méndez had assured Galtieri that the United States would remain neutral in the event of war, despite an explicit message to the contrary from the American Secretary of State, Alexander Haig (by then, the British Royal Navy was advancing toward the islands)

 

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THE FALKLANDS WAR - The Organisation for American States Calls for Peace.

13th April 1982, the Organisation of American States, a regional caucus of 35 North an...d South American States that includes Argentina, issues the following Resolution 359:


"The situation obtaining between the Republic of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in relation to the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands.

Whereas: The dispute between the Republic of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in relation to the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands is endangering the peace of the hemisphere, and the fundamental principles and purposes established in the Charter of the Organization of American States include those of strengthening the peace and security of the continent, preventing possible causes of difficulties and ensuring the peaceful settlement of disputes, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States resolves:-

(1) To express its profound concern over the serious situation that the Republic of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland now face;

(2) To express its fervent hope that a rapid, peaceful solution can be found to the disagreement between the two nations within the context of the rules of international law;

(3) To offer its friendly cooperation in the peace efforts already under way, in the hope of contributing in this way to a peaceful settlement of the dispute that will avert once and for all the danger of war between countries that deserve the respect of the international community

 

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14 April ·
THE FALKLANDS WAR - Parliament is Recalled

Parliament is recalled in London from a break . In the Commons, Mrs Thatcher addresses the house and lays out the Bri...tish case and the measures that have been taken

Below are excerpts full text of the speech can be found here:

http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/104918

''It is right, at this time of grave concern over the Falkland Islands and their people, that Parliament should be recalled so that the Government may report and the House may discuss the latest developments.

Our objective, endorsed by all sides of the House in recent debates, is that the people of the Falkland Islands shall be free to determine their own way of life and their own future. The wishes of the islanders must be paramount. But they cannot be freely expressed, let alone implemented, while the present illegal Argentine occupation continues.

That is why our immediate goal in recent days has been to secure the withdrawal of all Argentine forces in accordance with resolution 502 of the United Nations Security Council and to secure the restoration of British administration. Our strategy has been based on a combination of diplomatic, military and economic pressures and I should like to deal with each of these in turn.

First of all, we seek a peaceful solution by diplomatic effort. This, too, is in accordance with the Security Council resolution. In this approach we have been helped by the widespread disapproval of the use of force which the Argentine aggression has aroused across the world, and also by the tireless efforts of Secretary of State Haig, who has now paid two visits to this country and one to Buenos Aires."

"Diplomatic efforts are more likely to succeed if they are backed by military strength. At 5 am London time on Monday 12 April, the maritime exclusion zone of 200 miles around the Falkland Islands came into effect. From that time any Argentine warships and Argentine naval auxiliaries found within this zone are treated as hostile and are liable to be attacked by British forces.

We see this measure as the first step towards achieving the withdrawal of Argentine forces. It appears to have exerted influence on Argentina, whose navy has been concentrated outside the zone. If the zone is challenged, we shall take that as the clearest evidence that the search for a peaceful solution has been abandoned. We shall then take the necessary action. Let no one doubt that.

The naval task force is proceeding with all speed towards the South Atlantic. It is a formidable force, comprising two aircraft carriers, five guided missile destroyers, seven frigates, an assault ship with five landing ships, together with supporting vessels. The composition of the force and the speed with which it was assembled and put to sea clearly demonstrate our determination.

on board the ships in the task force is very high. The ships and aircraft are carrying out exercises on passage, and by the time the force arrives off the Falklands it will be at a very high state of fighting efficiency."

 

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15 April ·
FALKLANDS WAR - British Task Force takes up positions in the Middle of the Atlantic.

It was kept SECRET at the time, but the Task Force waited days at Ascensio...n, Canberra's troops stayed two weeks.The Task Force had sailed so hurriedly that all its equipment was stowed in a muddle. While Helicopters shifted Gear between Vessels, the men had the grind of endurance marches and the pleasure of prodigal weapons practise. (In one day 3 para fired 37 1/2 years worth of anti tank ammunition). Each Unit also had an afternoon on the beach.

 

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16 April ·
THE FALKLANDS WAR --

* "Up till now you have seen fit to take the Queens Shiling. Now you must stand by to front up and earn it the hard way. There is no poss...ibility of anyone being allowed to opt out now, and this is actually what you joined the Royal Navy for, wether you knew it or not,chaps. It's too late to change your mind, so face up to it. The British sailor has a phrase for it, well known to all: "You shouldnt have joined if you cant take a joke""

All contracts were automatically extended 'for the duration' by the Ministry of Defence.

*Admiral Sir Sandy Woodward - One Hundred days.

 

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17 April ·
THE FALKLANDS WAR - Council of War

[Extract from One Hundred Days by Sandy Woodward]

My Captains assembled quietly in the Day Cabin of Glamorgan - John Coward, ...David Hart Dyke, Sam Salt, Phil Hodinott, Paul Bootherstone and Mike Burrow. We all knew this would probably be the last chance for such a meeting, for within days we would be heading South again, into more dangerous waters, when communication could no longer be by face to face but only by encrypted voice radio telephone or by computer.
The meeting was also attended by my operations staff among whom was Colonel Richard Preston of the Royal Marines. Like many Naval Officers, I have a preconceived idea, based on profound ignorance of their problems, that land forces will take forever to do anything, given half a chance.
The History of amphibious warfare has been one of misunderstanding between the land and sea forces, with consequent delay.
I think the Colonel was very aware of my genuine worries on the subject. Early in our conversations, as he outlined the requirements for seemingly endless reconnaisance, he turned to me and said "Remember, Admiral, time spent in reconnaisance is never wasted"
I looked at him and said "Are you sure?"
"I'm sorry?"
"Surely, it should be that time spent in reconnaisance is SELDOM wasted" i corrected him.
He smiled cheerfully at the revelation that this Naval Officer knew the old military axiom better than he did.

The next morning was taken up with my shift to HMS Hermes.I later saw the picture of my arrival in a National newspaper. That ridiculous figure prancing around on Hermes flight deck cant be me, can it?
Afraid so Woodward. My Tropical whites were covered by the green flying suit we call baby grows because the lower legs stop short to accomodate flying boots. I have always felt fairly daft wearing this kit, which is completely strange to a Submariner.
Photo: The grim clutter of the Hermes hanger deck crammed with more Harriers than it had ever carried. More were stowed on the flight deck.

 

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THE FALKLANDS WAR - The Long Voyage South.

April 18th. The main elements of the Fleet depart from Ascension.

It was a limbo, neither peace nor war. Even as they... sailed South, few in the Task Force could believe there would be fighting. And the fact that the ships cruised below their top speed and on occasion even sailed in a big circle - presumably to waste time whilst diplomacy was tried - added to the unreality.
So the Marine band aboard Canberra played a medley, of their own arranging, called South American Holiday. A titled young tank Commander in the Blues and Royals was heard lamenting that he really didn't want to go to war with Argentina; all the best polo ponies came from there.

HMS Antrim, Plymouth,Brilliant and RFA Tidespring hurry off towards South Georgia....

"We are strong,
we are tough,
because we eat
our wheaty-puffs"

Marine exercise chant.

 

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FALKLANDS WAR - THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK

General Haigh was still shuttling, the Anphibians were sorting themselves out at Ascension and the Sonar Operators of t...he Battlegroup where finding whales in great numbers. Non of this took my attention but there was one consideration very much on my mind. London had put me under orders to go towards the TEZ and make aggressive noises, but only when I got there. Presumably they hoped it would frighten the Argentinians into going home. It was certainly worth a try. I wrote down my thoughts on this strategy in my diary that night...

Militarily not very sharp,since, should the opposition decide to the contrary, they will be able to carry out a co-ordinated pre-emptive strike on my aircraft carriers and ruin my chances of retaking the Falkland Islands. Not happy with this state of affairs

 

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FALKLANDS WAR - Operation Paraquet
Mrs Thatcher wanted results. Operation Paraquet, codename for the retaking of South Georgia, supplied them. 110 men of M Comp...any 42 Commando embarked upon HMS Antrim and RFA Tidespring. Also aboard were 60 men of the SAS and SBS Bat Squadron. On 19th April they made contact with Endurance, which had sailed up from South Georgia carrying scientists of the Islands British Antarctic Survey team.
Endurance has been brilliantly playing hide and seek with Argentine forces for several weeks using her Captains superb knowledge of the Antarctic to hide amongst Ice flows, thwarting Argentine attempts to find her.
Now the scientists brief the SAS and SBS on Argentine strength and locations and on possible reconnaisance and assault routes. Major Guy Sheridan (i/c 42 Commando) decides to send in SAS and SBS recce parties. A storm begins to brew over the Island.

 

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21 April ·
THE FALKLANDS WAR -

Operation Paraquet (part two)
The SAS men helicoptered on to the Fortuna Glacier, to look down on the Argentine forces at Leith Harbour. The... blizzard rose to 100 knots and by next morning the SAS men were in real physical peril. A helicopter from Antrim rescued them but then crashed in the gale. A second helicopter sent out to rescue them (and the crew from the first helicopter) also crashed. Miraculously a third, grossly overloaded with 17 people aboard, made it back to HMS Antrim but crashlanded on the heaving deck.

Meanwhile,1500 miles south of Ascencion, the Task Force comes under Argentine observation, HMS Hermes radar operators pick up a high altitude unidentified contact. A Sea Harrier is sent to intercept and reports an Boeing 707 in Argentine Air Force regalia No weapons could be seen on him, and on sighting the Harrier the pilot altered course to clear the area.

This put an important question into Admiral Woodwards mind. Was he going to allow this 'Burglar' to go on reporting our latest position or was he going to 'splash' him, in flagrant defiance of my own rules of engagement?

 

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24 April ·


THE FALKLANDS WAR

WITH THE CONQUEROR...
On the journey back to South Georgia the Sonar Operators picked up a target with similar characteristics to yesterdays contact, but the signature was lost everytime she went deep to find a convergence layer. It may have been the SANTA FE running on the surface, but even if it was it was by now too close to South Georgia to be intercepted.

WITH THE TASK FORCE
Commander Christopher Craigs ALACRITY trailed behind us with engine problems, The Burglar tried again just before dawn but was intercepted by a Harrier at 80 miles - so something went right at least. We were now some 1400 miles east of the Brazilian town of Port Allegro. YARMOUTH, RESOURCE and OLMEDA are 120 miles astern having been detached to search for the missing airman yesterday. I am extremly keen to join SHEFFIELD, COVENTRY, GLASGOW and ARDENT who are up ahead of us and also looking forward to the return of ANTRIM, BRILLIANT,PLYMOUTH and TIDESPRING from South Georgia, if that bit of business can be settled quickly.
Tension is rising, the South Georgia operation seems bogged down for fear of the Argentine submarine SANTA FE.

WITH THE SANTA FE
On the night of the 24th the SANTA FE docked at Grytvicken in Cumberland Bay and the Argentine marines were disembarked. Captain Bicain's orders were now to leave Grytvicken as soon as possible and head out to sea to attack the British force attempting to retake South Georgia. His ROE was unambiguous. He could attack any warship he saw.

WITH THE ANTRIM
The aircrew of the Wessex onboard ANTRIM reasoned that the SANTA FE would likely come out of Cumberland Bay on the surface, due to the dangers from icebergs and they had a radar set installed for a surface search, They were remarkably astute.
The Wessex would be ready at first light, armed with two depth charges. HMS ENDURANCE's Wasps were to be in support, armed with AS-12 missiles and BRILLIANTS Lynx would carry Two torpedoes. The morning coming was going to be a busy one.

 

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25 April ·
THE FALKLANDS WAR

Overnight the winds died down.

WITH THE SANTA FE...
On the morning of the 25th,at around 6am the SANTA FE put to sea and the Wessex picked it up as it passed the headland. Captain Bicain assumed the wessex would be armed with torpedoes and decided to stay on the surface, which was his biggest mistake.

WITH THE WESSEX
The pilot of the Wessx,Ian Stanley, made a classic attack on the SANTA FE. Quickly estimating the speed of the Submarine, he calculated his aiming point and the speed he needed to achieve and approached from the rear along the centreline of the Submarine. He launched and saw one depth charge bounce high off the casing before exploding in the water, the other landed close to the side. Two columns of water exploded into the air and the stern of the Submarine was lifted clear of the water.

WITH THE SANTA FE
Its Port ballast tank ruptured and an oil tank had cracked. Captain Bicain could not dive the Submarine anymore even if he wanted to. The planned attack on the Task Force was now in ruins, and morso, his Submarine was in mortal peril. He changed course, back to Grytviken.

WITH BRILLIANTS LYNX
Nick Butler, flying the Lynx, approached and confirmed the good luck that the SANTA FE was still on the surface. He launnched a torpedo designed to home in automatically on submerged submarines. However it passed harmlessly underneath the Boat.

WITH THE SANTA FE
Bicain and his crew were extremly shaken by this second sudden and unexpected attack against which he had no defence. He sent out a Mayday signal. He became even more frightened when he saw a third helicopter lining up on him.

WITH ENDURANCES WASP
Tom Ellerbeck, the wasp pilot, got a fix on the submarine from two miles out and fired one of his AS 12 missiles. It hit the SANTA FE on its fin,

WITH THE SANTA FE
Because the Fin was mostly glass fibre construction the missile did not explode. It hit a crewmember who was in the fin trying to fire a machine gun and he fell down into the control room bleeding from a badly wounded leg. To bicains disbelief two more helicopters turned up to harras him. He did no know it, but one was ANTRIMs wessx re-armed and the other was a second lynx from BRILLIANT. Bicain managed to approach the jetty at King Edwards point but still the attacks went on

WITH ENDURANCES WASP
The final attack came . SANTA FE was tied up alongside and its crew was disembarking. The Wasp launched a missile which flew into the fin, this time exploding, blowing pieces of pressure hull, aerials and periscope violently into the air.

The war was brought home to the Argentine forces in Grytviken, apparently overwhelming force had arrived from God knows where...

WITH THE ANTRIM
Major Sheridan realized the impact this sudden return of the SANTA FE must have had and he and Captain Young agreed. Orders were given for an immediate attack. A force comprised of 75 soldiers,SAS troops and Royal Marines would be put ashore south of Gyrtviken, ANTRIM and PLYMOUTH began shelling the landing area and the high ground round it. At 4pm ANTRIM entered Cumberland Bay to improve her aim on King Edward point. Shells were now landing within 1000 yards of the buildings housing the Argentines The first Naval Gunfire of the Falklands Campaign fired 225 shells on the area all round the Argentines. The message was clear. We know where you are..Surrender before we blow you all to bits.

The British troops approaching saw a white flag flying. At 5.29 Captain Young sent a signal to London that the forces on South Georgia had surrendered to British forces.

There was , however , some other argentine forces at Leith that needed dealing with, these were headed by Lt Cdr Alfredo Astiz, a notorious torturer. He was called upon to surrender. PLYMOUTH hove into sight, ready to Bombard his positions. He surrendered, signing his surrender aboard HMS PLYMOUTH.

 

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26 April ·
THE FALKLANDS WAR

WITH HMS CONQUEROR
With the end of the fighting, and a succesful conclusion to Operation Paraquet, Commander Wreford-Brown could look again to... rejoin the nuclear submarine force. But first he had to disembark his group of SBS, who had been on his Submarine for more than 6 weeks. They were becoming jaded and out of condition.On 26th April they received orders to disembark by helicopter transfer from HMS ANTRIM. CONQUEROR surfaced at the mouth of Cumberland bay, the sea was rough, there was a force 8 wind blowing and it was close to darkness. Ten of the troop had been airlifted off when Wreford-Brown decided to call of the operation as it was becoming unsafe.CONQUERORS radio mast had failed again so she stayed on the roof for repairs. The only way of contacting ANTRIM was by flashing light.

WITH THE TASK FORCE
The winds had begun to die down..we weret through the low and pushing on at a better speed. The SHEFFIELD group had rejoined us The message from ANTRIM had been simple enough..
"Be pleased to inform Her Majesty that the White Ensign flies beside the Union Flag in South Georgia. God save the Queen"
Not quite my style..too much of an imperial ring to it - 'Op Paraquet Completed ' would have done for me, but then I have no sense of occasion.
The day ended with an uncomfortable shambles when YARMOUTH got a sonar contact that seemed very submarine like to him. YARMOUTH had just brought RFA OLMEDA and RFA RESOURCE back to join the fleet. Now we had a 'probable submarine' on the loose, in the middle of the grouup, in pitch black conditions, with ships all over the place as they tried either to track the contact or take up station. It was nothing short of a melee..