Half a world, and half a lifetime away.
Discussion
5th April
Argentine headline: "TU YO TENGO"
More or less translates as "GOTCHA." The point is obvious.
As Woodward's wife later put it, when word that Sheffield had been sunk (It hadn't been, but that was the word) got around the UK, people "began to stop thinking of the Argentine Navy as something rather out of a Gilbert and Sullivan opera".
Unlike the Belgrano incident, where a 40-year-old cruiser was sunk by a modern nuclear submarine, Sheffield was a modern destroyer, so modern that only half the Type-42s planned had yet been built. If anyone was under any delusions that this would not be a fight, or one-sided, this would woke people up. (Interestingly, the Irish are silent)
Coincidently, Woodward had been Sheffield's first commander, and Sheffield had been Woodward's first surface ship command.
The fire starts to burn itself out.
HMS Exeter, a Type 42 destroyer, is ordered to proceed to join the Task Group.
HMS Cardiff, another Type 42, is ordered to proceed to Gibraltar for maintenance and storage.
Emergency meeting of full British cabinet debates the Peruvian peace plan.
Although any perception of 'going too easy' vanished as soon as the news of Sheffield hit, the incident reinforced London's desire for a settlement. It seemed to be a lose-lose: If that were the only loss, and Britain continued to fight and won handily, the 'bullies' tag would re-surface. If it were a close fight, the British would lose more men and equipment, though perhaps not lose so much in international standing on principle. Not much of an improvement overall. As a result, the Government announces in the Commons that they had made a 'Very constructive response' to the Peruvian plan.
SD.
Argentine headline: "TU YO TENGO"
More or less translates as "GOTCHA." The point is obvious.
As Woodward's wife later put it, when word that Sheffield had been sunk (It hadn't been, but that was the word) got around the UK, people "began to stop thinking of the Argentine Navy as something rather out of a Gilbert and Sullivan opera".
Unlike the Belgrano incident, where a 40-year-old cruiser was sunk by a modern nuclear submarine, Sheffield was a modern destroyer, so modern that only half the Type-42s planned had yet been built. If anyone was under any delusions that this would not be a fight, or one-sided, this would woke people up. (Interestingly, the Irish are silent)
Coincidently, Woodward had been Sheffield's first commander, and Sheffield had been Woodward's first surface ship command.
The fire starts to burn itself out.
HMS Exeter, a Type 42 destroyer, is ordered to proceed to join the Task Group.
HMS Cardiff, another Type 42, is ordered to proceed to Gibraltar for maintenance and storage.
Emergency meeting of full British cabinet debates the Peruvian peace plan.
Although any perception of 'going too easy' vanished as soon as the news of Sheffield hit, the incident reinforced London's desire for a settlement. It seemed to be a lose-lose: If that were the only loss, and Britain continued to fight and won handily, the 'bullies' tag would re-surface. If it were a close fight, the British would lose more men and equipment, though perhaps not lose so much in international standing on principle. Not much of an improvement overall. As a result, the Government announces in the Commons that they had made a 'Very constructive response' to the Peruvian plan.
SD.
cheddar said:
Wonderful thread.
Looking forward to reading HMS Avengers Falklands role, known as 'the fastest ship in the fleet' and captained by crazy boy racer Hugo White. They were the last ship to arrive as they were in dry dock when it all kicked off, unperturbed Hugo got the crew together and travelled the 8000 miles in only 13 days, averaging an astonishing 28 knots with short bursts up to 37 knots (43mph) when the weather allowed.
There's more incredible stories to come regarding Avengers role down south but I'll leave that to the OP.
Hi Cheddar,Looking forward to reading HMS Avengers Falklands role, known as 'the fastest ship in the fleet' and captained by crazy boy racer Hugo White. They were the last ship to arrive as they were in dry dock when it all kicked off, unperturbed Hugo got the crew together and travelled the 8000 miles in only 13 days, averaging an astonishing 28 knots with short bursts up to 37 knots (43mph) when the weather allowed.
There's more incredible stories to come regarding Avengers role down south but I'll leave that to the OP.
Any stories and dits from HMS Avenger's time down south, plus its high speed transit would be great - I've not got much myself. The crew must have been either very reticent in sharing or too busy tidying up broken crockery as she shook herself silly!
SD.
6th May
Argonaut Group left Ascension.
Argentina is basically not interested in diplomacy. After the Sheffield attack, its morale was soaring. A black war starts up, between Argentina's agents trying to buy Exocet missiles from anyone willing to sell, and Britain's agents trying to buy them first to stop Argentina from getting them.
Foggy weather. A helicopter from Invincible gets a bit lost, and mis-identifies a rock (on radar) as an enemy ship. The enemy rock is chased for about two hours by three helicopters until the mistake is figured out.
11:25. Two Sea Harriers, flown by LtCdr Eyton-Jones and Lt Curtis vanish without trace or signal. It is theorised that they collided in cloud.
SD.
Argonaut Group left Ascension.
Argentina is basically not interested in diplomacy. After the Sheffield attack, its morale was soaring. A black war starts up, between Argentina's agents trying to buy Exocet missiles from anyone willing to sell, and Britain's agents trying to buy them first to stop Argentina from getting them.
Foggy weather. A helicopter from Invincible gets a bit lost, and mis-identifies a rock (on radar) as an enemy ship. The enemy rock is chased for about two hours by three helicopters until the mistake is figured out.
11:25. Two Sea Harriers, flown by LtCdr Eyton-Jones and Lt Curtis vanish without trace or signal. It is theorised that they collided in cloud.
SD.
Looking over the notes I made there may be a few minor discrepancies in dates and times due to the time difference between the Falkland Isles and the UK. The majority of timings are Zulu (GMT) however there are some from personal diaries which use local time. I'll try to work out which is which, but there may be some errors creeping in. If anyone notices any then please accept my apologies.
SD.
SD.
7th May
Still foggy. Not much else going on. War cancelled due to weather.
Two more Harriers nearly lost in fog: They went up to intercept a suspected Argentine raid, but the fog closed in around the carrier while they were up. A lucky break in the cloud allowed them both to land.
HMS Hermes missed Broadsword by tens of yards.
New peace initiative launched by United Nations secretary-general, Javier Perez de Cuellar.
Britain widened war zone to within 12 nautical miles of Argentina's coast.
mv Norland, carrying 2 PARA, arrived at Ascension to join Amphibious Task Group.
Amphibious Group sailed from Ascension.
The Diplomacy Negotiations, such as they are (Argentina is stalling for time), move to the UN.
SD.
Still foggy. Not much else going on. War cancelled due to weather.
Two more Harriers nearly lost in fog: They went up to intercept a suspected Argentine raid, but the fog closed in around the carrier while they were up. A lucky break in the cloud allowed them both to land.
HMS Hermes missed Broadsword by tens of yards.
New peace initiative launched by United Nations secretary-general, Javier Perez de Cuellar.
Britain widened war zone to within 12 nautical miles of Argentina's coast.
mv Norland, carrying 2 PARA, arrived at Ascension to join Amphibious Task Group.
Amphibious Group sailed from Ascension.
The Diplomacy Negotiations, such as they are (Argentina is stalling for time), move to the UN.
SD.
Adam B said:
shed driver said:
Foggy weather. A helicopter from Invincible gets a bit lost, and mis-identifies a rock (on radar) as an enemy ship. The enemy rock is chased for about two hours by three helicopters until the mistake is figured out.
chased? was it a fast moving rock?SD
8th May
War cabinet dispatches landing force south from Ascension Island.
Argentina rejects Peru's peace proposals.
First long-range air supply drops to Task Force in South Atlantic.
Various ships in the Task Force start suffering problems with systems: Hermes has a propulsion issue, Glasgow's radar goes on the blink, and Glamorgan's fire control takes a holiday.
Harriers do some lob-tossing of bombs, and flying around at high altitude. The Argentines oblige by wasting a couple of missiles which run out of fuel before reaching the harriers at the high altitude.
SD.
War cabinet dispatches landing force south from Ascension Island.
Argentina rejects Peru's peace proposals.
First long-range air supply drops to Task Force in South Atlantic.
Various ships in the Task Force start suffering problems with systems: Hermes has a propulsion issue, Glasgow's radar goes on the blink, and Glamorgan's fire control takes a holiday.
Harriers do some lob-tossing of bombs, and flying around at high altitude. The Argentines oblige by wasting a couple of missiles which run out of fuel before reaching the harriers at the high altitude.
SD.
9th May
11:50 Sea Harriers detect the trawler Narwal again. They are instructed to stop her. Warning shots with the cannon did not stop her, instead, she started flying the Argentine flag. A bomb which failed to detonate still killed one crewman, Omar Alberto Rupp. Applied 30mm fire eventually brought the ship to a halt. Twelve more crew are wounded.
Seen below is the burial at sea of Omar Alberto Rupp.
The two carriers flew off three Sea Kings.
14:00Coventry engages a C-130 and two A-4 escorts with missiles at 38 miles. Two A-4s are shot down, though the British don't know it immediately.
16:00. Special forces land by helicopter on Narwal. amongst the crew is found LtCdr Gonzales Llanos, Armada Argentina, military radios, and a lot of intel. The ship is taken under tow.
The prisoners were winched up to the Sea Kings, which then headed back to the carriers.
It became clear that one of the Sea Kings had insufficient fuel to make it back to the carrier and HMS Glasgow made her way toward the helicopters.
The Sea King was landed on the destroyer's deck with just three feet clearance between the tips of the rotor blades and the flight-deck hangar.
HMS Broadsword and Coventry bombarded positions around Port Stanley.
HMS Coventry shot down an Argentine Puma helicopter with a Sea Dart missile.
Late in the evening HMS Brilliant and Glasgow relieved HMS Broadsword and Coventry on the 'gun-line'.
HMS Arrow and Alacrity patrolled the ends of Falkland Sound.
RFA Sir Bedivere left Ascension.
HMS Alacrity fires some 90 rounds at the Argentine positions around Stanley. Official purpose is "While we don't expect to do much damage, we want to keep the buggers awake at night"
Fires onboard Sheffield burn themselves out.
HMS Yarmouth takes HMS Sheffield under tow.
A new public opinion survey showed that 55 percent of the respondents now believe that "recovery of the Falklands is worth the loss of more British lives." Three out of five respondents polled by the same firm a few weeks ago had said they did not want to see the loss of even one British life.
Asked "if the Argentinian government refused to compromise and a long-term blockade seemed too risky, should the British government launch an invasion of the islands," 70 percent said yes.
"The broad overall message of this poll seems to be that the attitudes of the British people are toughening very considerably," said John Hanvey, chairman of Opinion Research, which conducted the poll for ITV.
SD.
Anyone know how to embed an mp3 sound clip in a post? Tried linking from Onedrive - keeps asking for flash (Win 7 Professional, Chrome)
11:50 Sea Harriers detect the trawler Narwal again. They are instructed to stop her. Warning shots with the cannon did not stop her, instead, she started flying the Argentine flag. A bomb which failed to detonate still killed one crewman, Omar Alberto Rupp. Applied 30mm fire eventually brought the ship to a halt. Twelve more crew are wounded.
Seen below is the burial at sea of Omar Alberto Rupp.
The two carriers flew off three Sea Kings.
14:00Coventry engages a C-130 and two A-4 escorts with missiles at 38 miles. Two A-4s are shot down, though the British don't know it immediately.
16:00. Special forces land by helicopter on Narwal. amongst the crew is found LtCdr Gonzales Llanos, Armada Argentina, military radios, and a lot of intel. The ship is taken under tow.
The prisoners were winched up to the Sea Kings, which then headed back to the carriers.
It became clear that one of the Sea Kings had insufficient fuel to make it back to the carrier and HMS Glasgow made her way toward the helicopters.
The Sea King was landed on the destroyer's deck with just three feet clearance between the tips of the rotor blades and the flight-deck hangar.
HMS Broadsword and Coventry bombarded positions around Port Stanley.
HMS Coventry shot down an Argentine Puma helicopter with a Sea Dart missile.
Late in the evening HMS Brilliant and Glasgow relieved HMS Broadsword and Coventry on the 'gun-line'.
HMS Arrow and Alacrity patrolled the ends of Falkland Sound.
RFA Sir Bedivere left Ascension.
HMS Alacrity fires some 90 rounds at the Argentine positions around Stanley. Official purpose is "While we don't expect to do much damage, we want to keep the buggers awake at night"
Fires onboard Sheffield burn themselves out.
HMS Yarmouth takes HMS Sheffield under tow.
A new public opinion survey showed that 55 percent of the respondents now believe that "recovery of the Falklands is worth the loss of more British lives." Three out of five respondents polled by the same firm a few weeks ago had said they did not want to see the loss of even one British life.
Asked "if the Argentinian government refused to compromise and a long-term blockade seemed too risky, should the British government launch an invasion of the islands," 70 percent said yes.
"The broad overall message of this poll seems to be that the attitudes of the British people are toughening very considerably," said John Hanvey, chairman of Opinion Research, which conducted the poll for ITV.
SD.
Anyone know how to embed an mp3 sound clip in a post? Tried linking from Onedrive - keeps asking for flash (Win 7 Professional, Chrome)
9th May - Additional.
The refuelling of the SeaKing on HMS Glasgow was a heroic feat of airmanship - here is audio from the ship's address system at the time.
Many thanks to Rob Guyatt for the audio.
SD.
The refuelling of the SeaKing on HMS Glasgow was a heroic feat of airmanship - here is audio from the ship's address system at the time.
Many thanks to Rob Guyatt for the audio.
SD.
10th May
Task Force is briefed about San Carlos landing plans.
Argentina declares the entire South Atlantic a war zone.
Bad weather prevents a great deal of aircraft movement on either side.
The remainder of the Narwal's crew is removed from the trawler by Sea King and the ship is sunk.
HMS Glasgow bombards positions at Moody Brook. HMS Brilliant engages in bombardment of Stanley airfield. Brilliant doesn't have a large-calibre gun, as it is an anti-submarine/anti-air escort.
0802: HMS Yarmouth reports "Sheffield sunk. Am searching to confirm" It is now designated a war grave at position 53°04'S, 56°56' W
Bristol Group leaves UK.
Worried that the Argentinians might have laid mines in Falkland Sound, through which the British would have to sail to reach their chosen landing point, Woodward decides he needs to find out for sure if there are any. Only problem was that the nearest minehunters were nowhere near the South Atlantic.
So, working on the premise that any ship can be a minehunter...once, Woodward calls up one of the most expendable ships he has: Alacrity, and asks if he wouldn't mind doing a circumnavigation of East Falkland, generally making a nuisance of himself. After a pause, Cdr Craig asks "Ummm.. would you like me to do a bit of zig-zagging too?" "Why, yes, that would be rather handy" "Very well, sir."
During this circumnavigation, Alacrity picked up a radar contact. Turned out to be the Argentine naval transport Isla de los Estados, after a starshell is fired. Three hits with 4.5" rounds set her alight, and since she was carrying 325,000 litres of aviation fuel, she shortly afterwards exploded.
This was to be the only surface action of the war. Alacrity continues North.
SD.
Task Force is briefed about San Carlos landing plans.
Argentina declares the entire South Atlantic a war zone.
Bad weather prevents a great deal of aircraft movement on either side.
The remainder of the Narwal's crew is removed from the trawler by Sea King and the ship is sunk.
HMS Glasgow bombards positions at Moody Brook. HMS Brilliant engages in bombardment of Stanley airfield. Brilliant doesn't have a large-calibre gun, as it is an anti-submarine/anti-air escort.
0802: HMS Yarmouth reports "Sheffield sunk. Am searching to confirm" It is now designated a war grave at position 53°04'S, 56°56' W
Bristol Group leaves UK.
Worried that the Argentinians might have laid mines in Falkland Sound, through which the British would have to sail to reach their chosen landing point, Woodward decides he needs to find out for sure if there are any. Only problem was that the nearest minehunters were nowhere near the South Atlantic.
So, working on the premise that any ship can be a minehunter...once, Woodward calls up one of the most expendable ships he has: Alacrity, and asks if he wouldn't mind doing a circumnavigation of East Falkland, generally making a nuisance of himself. After a pause, Cdr Craig asks "Ummm.. would you like me to do a bit of zig-zagging too?" "Why, yes, that would be rather handy" "Very well, sir."
During this circumnavigation, Alacrity picked up a radar contact. Turned out to be the Argentine naval transport Isla de los Estados, after a starshell is fired. Three hits with 4.5" rounds set her alight, and since she was carrying 325,000 litres of aviation fuel, she shortly afterwards exploded.
This was to be the only surface action of the war. Alacrity continues North.
SD.
11th May
Haig sends his deputy General Vernon Walters to Buenos Aires
Hospital Ship Uganda arrives off the Falklands and establishes a 'Red Cross Box' with Argentine counterpart, Bahia Paraiso.
ARA Bahia Paraiso.
Hospital Ship Uganda
HMS Broadsword and Coventry were despatched to operate to the west of the West Falklands.
Carrier Battle Group joined by RFA Regent and BP STUFT* tanker British Elk.
When Arrow's towed torpedo decoy is recovered later, it is found to have quite a dent in it. It seems the SST-4, upon autonomous guidance, tracked on the decoy, but not being yet given the 'arm' command, did not detonate.
Mechanical difficulties were not confined to the Argentine submarine.
All the Harriers were grounded for maintenance, Coventry's gun was out of action, and Broadsword's anti-air missile system was defective.
First British stress casualty, an aviator is removed from duty and sent back to the UK. Ultimately, the British would also have a doctor and engineering officer sent home suffering with stress.
An eight-man SAS team, with little boats, is flown to the mainland near Pebble Island. There is a small airfield there, probably in use by helicopters and much feared Pucara ground attack aircraft. When told of the proposed operation to remove the threat, the SAS commander had suggested recon and preparation for a successful mission would take about three weeks. Woodward gave them five days.
Glasgow and Broadsword return to the Stanley gun line for a bit more shelling on general principles.
SD.
Haig sends his deputy General Vernon Walters to Buenos Aires
Hospital Ship Uganda arrives off the Falklands and establishes a 'Red Cross Box' with Argentine counterpart, Bahia Paraiso.
ARA Bahia Paraiso.
Hospital Ship Uganda
HMS Broadsword and Coventry were despatched to operate to the west of the West Falklands.
Carrier Battle Group joined by RFA Regent and BP STUFT* tanker British Elk.
- Ships Taken Up From Trade.
When Arrow's towed torpedo decoy is recovered later, it is found to have quite a dent in it. It seems the SST-4, upon autonomous guidance, tracked on the decoy, but not being yet given the 'arm' command, did not detonate.
Mechanical difficulties were not confined to the Argentine submarine.
All the Harriers were grounded for maintenance, Coventry's gun was out of action, and Broadsword's anti-air missile system was defective.
First British stress casualty, an aviator is removed from duty and sent back to the UK. Ultimately, the British would also have a doctor and engineering officer sent home suffering with stress.
An eight-man SAS team, with little boats, is flown to the mainland near Pebble Island. There is a small airfield there, probably in use by helicopters and much feared Pucara ground attack aircraft. When told of the proposed operation to remove the threat, the SAS commander had suggested recon and preparation for a successful mission would take about three weeks. Woodward gave them five days.
Glasgow and Broadsword return to the Stanley gun line for a bit more shelling on general principles.
SD.
12th May
With some 3000 men of 5Bde (Welsh Guards, Scots Guards and Ghurkas) aboard, and converted into a troopship in 11 days, QE2 leaves Southampton for the South Atlantic. Ghurkas are notoriously poor sailors. There are not many oceans in Nepal, so they got the nicest rooms to make up for it.
The London Marathon was held. Soldiers who were unable to attend due to more pressing engagements instead did the marathon aboard Canberra. It's about 110 laps of the main deck.
The Junta sends the UK a private note confirming that sovereignty is not a precondition to talks, and it would merely negotiate in a search of a recognition of sovereignty.
Publicly, at a large rally in Buenos Aries Galtieri swore that the Argentine flag would never come down over the Malvinas as part of a settlement.
ARA Hercules. The more astute will notice similarities to some British ships. Indeed, Argentina had bought two Type-42 destroyers, given them excellent knowledge of the sensors and weapons systems of the British area defence ships, and their limitations.
ARAHercules
Glasgow and Brilliant remain more or less near the gunline, trying to cause as much of a nuisance as they can, with Glasgow's chopper flying around a bit just to focus attention. The Lynx takes fire and withdraws.
One of the limitations of the the Sea Dart missile system on the Type-42 was that it wasn't very good at low level, something with Argentina was well aware of. Although classed as a frigate, the Type-22 was larger than the Type-42, but had only short-ranged anti-air missiles. The Sea Wolf system was brand spanking new, but had proven capable of intercepting naval gun shells in flight. They were used as 'Goalkeepers', to defend against anything which got close to the Type 42s. The Type-42/22 combination became known as the Type-64 Destroyer, so often was it used.
Shortly after lunch, the "Type-64" is leaving the gunline, when four A-4s come over the horizon. An attempt by Glasgow to engage with Sea Dart fails when a little microswitch on the launcher fails to trigger, as it had become encrusted with salt from the heavy seas. (A failing which is rectified on later ships of the class by lengthening the bow). Glasgow is reduced to shooting with the 4.5" gun.
Brilliant (Commanded by the unfortunately named "Captain John Coward"), fires two Sea Wolf missiles. Two A-4s are destroyed. The third crashes into the sea as it attempts to evade. The fourth lines on Glasgow, dropping two bombs, both of which fall short, but one bounces off the water and sails right over the destroyer to land on the far side. Glasgow's gun jams, it's down to machineguns.
Though not admitted at the time, and never officially credited with anything, a number of British warships including Type-22s had been fitted with a Laser Dazzle System. It's basically a laser to blind the pilot. If the pilot can't see, even temporarily, he'll either crash into the sea, or pull up to avoid doing so, and make himself an easy target for missiles. This may be the cause for the A-4 crash. A land-based equivalent called "Stingray", mounted on a Bradley chassis saw limited service in the 1991 Gulf War. Most countries, including US and UK have abandoned this system on the grounds that LDSs may violate various conventions on humane weapon systems. Some countries still use them, China has a system mounted on its latest series of tanks.
Five minutes later, four more aircraft attack. Glasgow gets the gun unjammed, but the missile is still offline. They are instructed by Brilliant to stop shooting as the shells are cluttering up the radar screen and they can't get a lock on the incoming. Again the multi-million pound Glasgow is reduced to sailors manning the railings with machineguns and rifles.
Three A-4s go after Brilliant, all bombs miss, though two bounce right over the ship. One goes for Glasgow, and puts a bomb three feet above the waterline into the engine room. The bomb doesn't explode, and goes out the other side, injuring nobody. Engines are knocked out, and Glasgow is wallowing in a Force 8 gale, with water coming in both sides of the hull.
Four more A-4s are detected, but do not attack. Possibly after having seen the survival rate of the first wave, or possibly because Glasgow's A-4 had been damaged, and then shot down by friendly forces as it attempted to land at Goose Green.
Eventually power is restored, and Glasgow limps back to the Task Force. It is determined that she will need to return to England to effect proper repairs. The British started out with three modern destroyers in the task force. It was now down to one, Coventry.
One Sea King ditched into the sea, but all crew were rescued.
The foul weather prevents the SAS team on West Falkland from crossing to Pebble Island.
HMS Cardiff, which was on patrol in the Persian Gulf, left Gibraltar for South Atlantic.
3 Commando Brigade Operation Order for landing issued.
HS Uganda received first casualties, sailors from HMS Sheffield.
SD.
With some 3000 men of 5Bde (Welsh Guards, Scots Guards and Ghurkas) aboard, and converted into a troopship in 11 days, QE2 leaves Southampton for the South Atlantic. Ghurkas are notoriously poor sailors. There are not many oceans in Nepal, so they got the nicest rooms to make up for it.
The London Marathon was held. Soldiers who were unable to attend due to more pressing engagements instead did the marathon aboard Canberra. It's about 110 laps of the main deck.
The Junta sends the UK a private note confirming that sovereignty is not a precondition to talks, and it would merely negotiate in a search of a recognition of sovereignty.
Publicly, at a large rally in Buenos Aries Galtieri swore that the Argentine flag would never come down over the Malvinas as part of a settlement.
ARA Hercules. The more astute will notice similarities to some British ships. Indeed, Argentina had bought two Type-42 destroyers, given them excellent knowledge of the sensors and weapons systems of the British area defence ships, and their limitations.
ARAHercules
Glasgow and Brilliant remain more or less near the gunline, trying to cause as much of a nuisance as they can, with Glasgow's chopper flying around a bit just to focus attention. The Lynx takes fire and withdraws.
One of the limitations of the the Sea Dart missile system on the Type-42 was that it wasn't very good at low level, something with Argentina was well aware of. Although classed as a frigate, the Type-22 was larger than the Type-42, but had only short-ranged anti-air missiles. The Sea Wolf system was brand spanking new, but had proven capable of intercepting naval gun shells in flight. They were used as 'Goalkeepers', to defend against anything which got close to the Type 42s. The Type-42/22 combination became known as the Type-64 Destroyer, so often was it used.
Shortly after lunch, the "Type-64" is leaving the gunline, when four A-4s come over the horizon. An attempt by Glasgow to engage with Sea Dart fails when a little microswitch on the launcher fails to trigger, as it had become encrusted with salt from the heavy seas. (A failing which is rectified on later ships of the class by lengthening the bow). Glasgow is reduced to shooting with the 4.5" gun.
Brilliant (Commanded by the unfortunately named "Captain John Coward"), fires two Sea Wolf missiles. Two A-4s are destroyed. The third crashes into the sea as it attempts to evade. The fourth lines on Glasgow, dropping two bombs, both of which fall short, but one bounces off the water and sails right over the destroyer to land on the far side. Glasgow's gun jams, it's down to machineguns.
Though not admitted at the time, and never officially credited with anything, a number of British warships including Type-22s had been fitted with a Laser Dazzle System. It's basically a laser to blind the pilot. If the pilot can't see, even temporarily, he'll either crash into the sea, or pull up to avoid doing so, and make himself an easy target for missiles. This may be the cause for the A-4 crash. A land-based equivalent called "Stingray", mounted on a Bradley chassis saw limited service in the 1991 Gulf War. Most countries, including US and UK have abandoned this system on the grounds that LDSs may violate various conventions on humane weapon systems. Some countries still use them, China has a system mounted on its latest series of tanks.
Five minutes later, four more aircraft attack. Glasgow gets the gun unjammed, but the missile is still offline. They are instructed by Brilliant to stop shooting as the shells are cluttering up the radar screen and they can't get a lock on the incoming. Again the multi-million pound Glasgow is reduced to sailors manning the railings with machineguns and rifles.
Three A-4s go after Brilliant, all bombs miss, though two bounce right over the ship. One goes for Glasgow, and puts a bomb three feet above the waterline into the engine room. The bomb doesn't explode, and goes out the other side, injuring nobody. Engines are knocked out, and Glasgow is wallowing in a Force 8 gale, with water coming in both sides of the hull.
Four more A-4s are detected, but do not attack. Possibly after having seen the survival rate of the first wave, or possibly because Glasgow's A-4 had been damaged, and then shot down by friendly forces as it attempted to land at Goose Green.
Eventually power is restored, and Glasgow limps back to the Task Force. It is determined that she will need to return to England to effect proper repairs. The British started out with three modern destroyers in the task force. It was now down to one, Coventry.
One Sea King ditched into the sea, but all crew were rescued.
The foul weather prevents the SAS team on West Falkland from crossing to Pebble Island.
HMS Cardiff, which was on patrol in the Persian Gulf, left Gibraltar for South Atlantic.
3 Commando Brigade Operation Order for landing issued.
HS Uganda received first casualties, sailors from HMS Sheffield.
SD.
12th May 1982 – the attack on HMS Glasgow.
She was built at Swan Hunter Shipyard in Wallsend, Tyneside and launched on April 14, 1976 by Lady Kirstie Treacher, wife of Admiral Sir John Treacher. With a displacement of 4,820 tonnes, Glasgow is the 6th and last Batch 1 Type 42 Destroyer in the Fleet. Named after the Scottish city of Glasgow she is the eighth ship to bear the name. On 23rd September 1976, while being fitted out, a fire on board killed eight men and injured a further 6.
Glasgow saw early action in the war when on May 2 her Lynx helicopter badly damaged the Argentine naval vessel Alferez Sobral. On May 3, Glasgow detected an Exocet missile fired at the Task Force and warned the fleet. However Sheffield failed to receive the warning and was hit, later sinking. Down to two Type 42s (Exeter and Cardiff would not arrive until the end of May), Glasgow and Coventry were left to long range defence of the fleet.
However on May 12, Glasgow alongside HMS Brilliant were on a "42-22" combo whereby Glasgow's Sea Dart long range missiles would complement Brilliant's short range Sea Wolf missiles on anti-aircraft attacks. The ships attracted the attention of the Argentine Airforce when a wave of Skyhawk jets attacked. Although Glasgow's Sea Dart system failed, Brilliant's Sea Wolf shot down three jets. When a second wave of Skyhawks attacked, Sea Wolf also failed and the jets released three bombs, one of which damaged Glasgow, although it did not explode. Listen to a clip taken when Rob Guyatt was closed up at Action Stations. You can clearly hear the weapon systems opening up during the attack.
Here, Rob Guyatt describes it in his own words.
She was built at Swan Hunter Shipyard in Wallsend, Tyneside and launched on April 14, 1976 by Lady Kirstie Treacher, wife of Admiral Sir John Treacher. With a displacement of 4,820 tonnes, Glasgow is the 6th and last Batch 1 Type 42 Destroyer in the Fleet. Named after the Scottish city of Glasgow she is the eighth ship to bear the name. On 23rd September 1976, while being fitted out, a fire on board killed eight men and injured a further 6.
Glasgow saw early action in the war when on May 2 her Lynx helicopter badly damaged the Argentine naval vessel Alferez Sobral. On May 3, Glasgow detected an Exocet missile fired at the Task Force and warned the fleet. However Sheffield failed to receive the warning and was hit, later sinking. Down to two Type 42s (Exeter and Cardiff would not arrive until the end of May), Glasgow and Coventry were left to long range defence of the fleet.
However on May 12, Glasgow alongside HMS Brilliant were on a "42-22" combo whereby Glasgow's Sea Dart long range missiles would complement Brilliant's short range Sea Wolf missiles on anti-aircraft attacks. The ships attracted the attention of the Argentine Airforce when a wave of Skyhawk jets attacked. Although Glasgow's Sea Dart system failed, Brilliant's Sea Wolf shot down three jets. When a second wave of Skyhawks attacked, Sea Wolf also failed and the jets released three bombs, one of which damaged Glasgow, although it did not explode. Listen to a clip taken when Rob Guyatt was closed up at Action Stations. You can clearly hear the weapon systems opening up during the attack.
Here, Rob Guyatt describes it in his own words.
Rob Guyatt said:
This sample piece is on the day (May 12th) that we were attacked by four Sky Hawks. One managed to get through and drop his 1000lb bomb. It hit us on the starboard side, exiting port side. I am totally convinced that if it had gone off, I would not be here now and possibly another Type 42 lost!
During the playing of the tape you will hear a "thankyou" to the skipper when he informs us that we are pulling away from the "gun line" to rejoin the rest of the Fleet. There was definitely a little twitching of the arse during this evenful time? I went down to the Falklands as an atheist, I returned as a Christian, due to all the praying I done. "Andrex" also did its fair share to bring a little comfort?
To solve the welding problem of repairs, as it was at the waterline, the solution was to heel the ship over ten degrees by shifting fuel around the tanks and to steer the ship around in circles. Despite continual leaks, damaged equipment, and loss of control to the main engine, "Glasgow" returned to her air defence station within three days of being hit and stayed there until a relief ship arrived. On our trip home the engines and propellers had to be controlled manually and constant repairs were carried out.
The Supply Department done its bit, besides keeping the departments stocked up and the lads fed and paid, which reminds me.....The South Atlantic extra pay allowance was £4 per day but the powers to be decided that during this conflict they would REDUCE it to £1 a day...bloody marvellous..go to war and you get less!!!!
Getting back to my drift, the Supply Officer certainly done his bit and as will hear, he was much appreciated by your one and only Nobby G.......Here it is He was't a bad chap actually, his only downfall with me was adding cherries and cocktail sticks - for the Wardroom - to an emergency stores top up signal after a day of bombing. This added request was promptly removed by the skipper ,when I, the rat, pointed it out to him when he was about to sign the signal for release. Gee Gee, will you ever forgive me?
My Action Station was down in the Naval Stores, a few decks down, securely battened down with little chance of escape. There is nothing worse than being at an Action Station where you can do absolutely nothing to participate in the action, only to sit there with your head up your arse waiting the inevitable! I am sure, that if the bomb that hit us had exploded, I would have known nothing about it, likewise a few of our good 'ol engineers! I was once a Gunner having changed branches to "Jack Dusty" in 1971, now that's what I call "sods law". On hindsight though, I doubt if my expertise as a six inch Gun loader, Bofor loader, Bofor Aimer, 20mm Oerlikon operator, or, as on my SDB (HMS Ickford) a "Rambo" Bren Gun man, would have been of any help in this age of missiles?
A few of the targeted "Argie" bombs did not explode in the earlier part of the campaign, due to, we are told, incorrect priming. When the BBC heard of this, they broadcast it to the world, so naturally, on hearing this the "Argies" corrected it. The broadcasting of this fact by this BIG MOUTHED Broadcasting Company, in my opinion, was the cause of deaths to many sailors and soldiers, later on in the conflict. Luckily we had no BBC reporters aboard us, they obviously chose to be based within the moderately safe comfort of the Carriers, where they could send home reports for the BBC to broadcast and the "Argies" to assess.
I notice today that the BBC has not changed it's tactics, still reporting things that could be helpful to terrorists! Quite recently informing us and them (terrorists) that they had got their bomb mixture wrong. Is there no stopping this unnecessary reporting? " bugger me mate, that's what we forgot, the two tablespoons of sugar"!
Many thanks to the lads on HMS Brilliant, who was riding "shotgun", for downing the other attacking Sky Hawks on that day we were hit. If it wasn't for their "Sea Wolf" missile system we may have met the same fate as the other two Type 42's "Sheffield" and "Coventry". Well done "Brilliant"...BRILLIANT!
HMS Glasgow was the first ship to arrive in the "total exclusion zone" (May 1st) and the first ship to arrive back in the UK, (June 19th). Although damaged we did remain with the Fleet and released for the long slow haul home when our relief arrived on station. I believe it was HMS Exeter, who was promptly put on the "gun line". Another historical first for "Glasgow" was that she was the first of the Task Force ships to return to the Falklands on patrol, just a few months later, on 4th September 1982. Well done those "Pompey dockies" for a quick turn around !
A lot of fuss was made of the departure of the "Carriers" from Pompey, little did the public know that a few ships and submarines had sailed from Gibraltar sometime earlier, for Ascension Island, where we were to wait until the rest of the Task Force caught up with us. The ships happen to be in Gib for a "run ashore" after exercise "Spring Train".
Once the Task Force had stored up and generally organised itself we headed South. On our way South, Admiral Woodward flew round the fleet giving his "pep" talk and asking if there were any questions. On Glasgow the question was put to him as to what we might be up against. To this he replied that the army was mostly conscripts and probably demoralised. The Navy probably wouldnt put to sea and as for their Air Force, well ,they have a couple of missiles but mostly "iron bombs" not much threat there! NO NOT BLOODY MUCH, it was the "iron bombs" that nearly wiped us out. Why he should place a ship with one 4.5 inch gun a few miles off shore to do a bombardment, beats me. So after leading us into war, sacrificing a few ships, together with a few more "cock ups" he returns to the UK and gets a Knighthood. He obviously played a lot of sport as well, or he would'nt have even been an Admiral!
I recently watched "Sinking the Belgrano" on The National Geographic TV channel. Woodward was still at it. During his interview he stated that the "Escorts were expendable" and "if you don't like it you shouldn't have joined". The first part possibly a true comment but the second, blabbed out, with a smile on his face I found quite sickening. Tell that Admiral, to the families of the sailors who died for you! As Del Trotter would put it Admiral "your a total plonker".
Our Captain, Captain Hoddinott, can be said, was bloody great. Switched on, kept his cool and constantly kept us up to speed as to what was happening at all times. If he thought there was a possible attack coming in , then it was "Action Stations". No hanging about to get a positive report. On HMS Sheffields fateful day, we picked up the incoming raid. This was reported to Command who told us to "disregard, spurious". We remained at Action Stations and again our radar picked up possible targets, again we were told to "disregard". A few seconds later there was the sound of our "chaff" being launched, as we healed over to starboard, arse end down, to get ourselfs down wind. Shortly after this, poor old "Sheffield" was hit by an Exocet missile.
I am informed that on the fatefull day, two Etendard's were involved in the attack. One armed with Exocet. The one with Exocet remained at sea level at all times whilst the other also coming in at sea level would "pop" up to get a fix on the target ,then drop down again, to pass target details to the armed aircraft. Thus giving a false image to the fleets radar. Thankfully it didn’t fool our eagle eyed lads in "Glasgows" Ops Room.
The radar-guided Exocet, a large missile that carried a 950-pound warhead, could be fired at nearly 25 NM. It would streak along just above the wave tops at almost Mach 1, and once it acquired its target, it was very difficult to shoot down. If it struck its target, the result was likely to be devastating. It was an ideal standoff weapon, and its range allowed the strike aircraft to avoid closing with the enemy CAP (Combat Air Patrol). The best defence against the Exocet was to create a strong radar return (by shooting large amounts of chaff [small metal strips] over the sea and away from the ships being attacked) on which the Exocet’s guidance system would detect and engage, missing the real target.
I think it was on the day that Sheffield was hit that we realised that this was'nt a "turkey shoot" this was the real thing. Happy smiling faces vanished and sadness appeared........but moral could be felt throughout the ship, knowing we had a good skipper at the helm!
SD.During the playing of the tape you will hear a "thankyou" to the skipper when he informs us that we are pulling away from the "gun line" to rejoin the rest of the Fleet. There was definitely a little twitching of the arse during this evenful time? I went down to the Falklands as an atheist, I returned as a Christian, due to all the praying I done. "Andrex" also did its fair share to bring a little comfort?
To solve the welding problem of repairs, as it was at the waterline, the solution was to heel the ship over ten degrees by shifting fuel around the tanks and to steer the ship around in circles. Despite continual leaks, damaged equipment, and loss of control to the main engine, "Glasgow" returned to her air defence station within three days of being hit and stayed there until a relief ship arrived. On our trip home the engines and propellers had to be controlled manually and constant repairs were carried out.
The Supply Department done its bit, besides keeping the departments stocked up and the lads fed and paid, which reminds me.....The South Atlantic extra pay allowance was £4 per day but the powers to be decided that during this conflict they would REDUCE it to £1 a day...bloody marvellous..go to war and you get less!!!!
Getting back to my drift, the Supply Officer certainly done his bit and as will hear, he was much appreciated by your one and only Nobby G.......Here it is He was't a bad chap actually, his only downfall with me was adding cherries and cocktail sticks - for the Wardroom - to an emergency stores top up signal after a day of bombing. This added request was promptly removed by the skipper ,when I, the rat, pointed it out to him when he was about to sign the signal for release. Gee Gee, will you ever forgive me?
My Action Station was down in the Naval Stores, a few decks down, securely battened down with little chance of escape. There is nothing worse than being at an Action Station where you can do absolutely nothing to participate in the action, only to sit there with your head up your arse waiting the inevitable! I am sure, that if the bomb that hit us had exploded, I would have known nothing about it, likewise a few of our good 'ol engineers! I was once a Gunner having changed branches to "Jack Dusty" in 1971, now that's what I call "sods law". On hindsight though, I doubt if my expertise as a six inch Gun loader, Bofor loader, Bofor Aimer, 20mm Oerlikon operator, or, as on my SDB (HMS Ickford) a "Rambo" Bren Gun man, would have been of any help in this age of missiles?
A few of the targeted "Argie" bombs did not explode in the earlier part of the campaign, due to, we are told, incorrect priming. When the BBC heard of this, they broadcast it to the world, so naturally, on hearing this the "Argies" corrected it. The broadcasting of this fact by this BIG MOUTHED Broadcasting Company, in my opinion, was the cause of deaths to many sailors and soldiers, later on in the conflict. Luckily we had no BBC reporters aboard us, they obviously chose to be based within the moderately safe comfort of the Carriers, where they could send home reports for the BBC to broadcast and the "Argies" to assess.
I notice today that the BBC has not changed it's tactics, still reporting things that could be helpful to terrorists! Quite recently informing us and them (terrorists) that they had got their bomb mixture wrong. Is there no stopping this unnecessary reporting? " bugger me mate, that's what we forgot, the two tablespoons of sugar"!
Many thanks to the lads on HMS Brilliant, who was riding "shotgun", for downing the other attacking Sky Hawks on that day we were hit. If it wasn't for their "Sea Wolf" missile system we may have met the same fate as the other two Type 42's "Sheffield" and "Coventry". Well done "Brilliant"...BRILLIANT!
HMS Glasgow was the first ship to arrive in the "total exclusion zone" (May 1st) and the first ship to arrive back in the UK, (June 19th). Although damaged we did remain with the Fleet and released for the long slow haul home when our relief arrived on station. I believe it was HMS Exeter, who was promptly put on the "gun line". Another historical first for "Glasgow" was that she was the first of the Task Force ships to return to the Falklands on patrol, just a few months later, on 4th September 1982. Well done those "Pompey dockies" for a quick turn around !
A lot of fuss was made of the departure of the "Carriers" from Pompey, little did the public know that a few ships and submarines had sailed from Gibraltar sometime earlier, for Ascension Island, where we were to wait until the rest of the Task Force caught up with us. The ships happen to be in Gib for a "run ashore" after exercise "Spring Train".
Once the Task Force had stored up and generally organised itself we headed South. On our way South, Admiral Woodward flew round the fleet giving his "pep" talk and asking if there were any questions. On Glasgow the question was put to him as to what we might be up against. To this he replied that the army was mostly conscripts and probably demoralised. The Navy probably wouldnt put to sea and as for their Air Force, well ,they have a couple of missiles but mostly "iron bombs" not much threat there! NO NOT BLOODY MUCH, it was the "iron bombs" that nearly wiped us out. Why he should place a ship with one 4.5 inch gun a few miles off shore to do a bombardment, beats me. So after leading us into war, sacrificing a few ships, together with a few more "cock ups" he returns to the UK and gets a Knighthood. He obviously played a lot of sport as well, or he would'nt have even been an Admiral!
I recently watched "Sinking the Belgrano" on The National Geographic TV channel. Woodward was still at it. During his interview he stated that the "Escorts were expendable" and "if you don't like it you shouldn't have joined". The first part possibly a true comment but the second, blabbed out, with a smile on his face I found quite sickening. Tell that Admiral, to the families of the sailors who died for you! As Del Trotter would put it Admiral "your a total plonker".
Our Captain, Captain Hoddinott, can be said, was bloody great. Switched on, kept his cool and constantly kept us up to speed as to what was happening at all times. If he thought there was a possible attack coming in , then it was "Action Stations". No hanging about to get a positive report. On HMS Sheffields fateful day, we picked up the incoming raid. This was reported to Command who told us to "disregard, spurious". We remained at Action Stations and again our radar picked up possible targets, again we were told to "disregard". A few seconds later there was the sound of our "chaff" being launched, as we healed over to starboard, arse end down, to get ourselfs down wind. Shortly after this, poor old "Sheffield" was hit by an Exocet missile.
I am informed that on the fatefull day, two Etendard's were involved in the attack. One armed with Exocet. The one with Exocet remained at sea level at all times whilst the other also coming in at sea level would "pop" up to get a fix on the target ,then drop down again, to pass target details to the armed aircraft. Thus giving a false image to the fleets radar. Thankfully it didn’t fool our eagle eyed lads in "Glasgows" Ops Room.
The radar-guided Exocet, a large missile that carried a 950-pound warhead, could be fired at nearly 25 NM. It would streak along just above the wave tops at almost Mach 1, and once it acquired its target, it was very difficult to shoot down. If it struck its target, the result was likely to be devastating. It was an ideal standoff weapon, and its range allowed the strike aircraft to avoid closing with the enemy CAP (Combat Air Patrol). The best defence against the Exocet was to create a strong radar return (by shooting large amounts of chaff [small metal strips] over the sea and away from the ships being attacked) on which the Exocet’s guidance system would detect and engage, missing the real target.
I think it was on the day that Sheffield was hit that we realised that this was'nt a "turkey shoot" this was the real thing. Happy smiling faces vanished and sadness appeared........but moral could be felt throughout the ship, knowing we had a good skipper at the helm!
13th may
"Reagan's Roving Ambassador" - Vernon Walters meets with Chile's General Pinochet. View the report of this meeting.
Bad weather prevented the flight of CAPs and strike sorties.
Brigadier Thompson, Commander 3 Commando Brigade RM, held Orders Group meeting in HMS Fearless.
Five minesweeping trawlers left Ascension for South Georgia.
SAS team on West Falklands paddles across the gap to Pebble Island, and starts figuring out exactly what's where.
Band of the Royal Marines conducts a performance of the 1812 Overture aboard the freighter Elk, with orchestration from her anti-air guns.
Hermes, Broadsword and Glamorgan detach themselves and move West to place themselves within range of deploying the SAS strike team. The mission is called off due to insufficient information, and the ships withdraw.
SD.
"Reagan's Roving Ambassador" - Vernon Walters meets with Chile's General Pinochet. View the report of this meeting.
Bad weather prevented the flight of CAPs and strike sorties.
Brigadier Thompson, Commander 3 Commando Brigade RM, held Orders Group meeting in HMS Fearless.
Five minesweeping trawlers left Ascension for South Georgia.
SAS team on West Falklands paddles across the gap to Pebble Island, and starts figuring out exactly what's where.
Band of the Royal Marines conducts a performance of the 1812 Overture aboard the freighter Elk, with orchestration from her anti-air guns.
Hermes, Broadsword and Glamorgan detach themselves and move West to place themselves within range of deploying the SAS strike team. The mission is called off due to insufficient information, and the ships withdraw.
SD.
14th May
HMS Hermes, Broadsword and Glamorgan detached from the Battle Group to the north of East Falkland.In a Force 9 gale, for another crack at dropping off the 45-man SAS strike team. The wind was so strong that the rotor blades of the helicopters could not be opened on the deck, and the escort ship, Brilliant, had to be left trailing behind as it was too small to keep up. Eventually they hit upon they idea of opening the rotors in the carrier's hanger, and having the rotors turning and up to speed before they are lifted to the flight deck. Probably a violation of every safety rule in the book, but it worked. SAS team are dropped off three miles from Pebble Island airfield.
Britain's ambassadors to the US and the UN summoned back to London.
Thatcher warns Britain that a peaceful settlement may not be possible.
3 Argentine skyhawk aircraft are shot down by sea harriers.
801 Squadron dropped eight 1,000lb bombs on Stanley airfield. 800 Squadron dropped a further two later in the afternoon.
SD.
HMS Hermes, Broadsword and Glamorgan detached from the Battle Group to the north of East Falkland.In a Force 9 gale, for another crack at dropping off the 45-man SAS strike team. The wind was so strong that the rotor blades of the helicopters could not be opened on the deck, and the escort ship, Brilliant, had to be left trailing behind as it was too small to keep up. Eventually they hit upon they idea of opening the rotors in the carrier's hanger, and having the rotors turning and up to speed before they are lifted to the flight deck. Probably a violation of every safety rule in the book, but it worked. SAS team are dropped off three miles from Pebble Island airfield.
Britain's ambassadors to the US and the UN summoned back to London.
Thatcher warns Britain that a peaceful settlement may not be possible.
3 Argentine skyhawk aircraft are shot down by sea harriers.
801 Squadron dropped eight 1,000lb bombs on Stanley airfield. 800 Squadron dropped a further two later in the afternoon.
SD.
15th May
Time zones are going to make the next few day’s reports a little haphazard. All converted to Zulu where possible.
"Active Service " declared at midnight.
04:15. SAS team conducts the strike on the Pebble Island airfield. The Argentine garrison is sheltering from the storm, leaving a single guard who is bypassed.
Charges are placed on the aircraft, and detonated as the team exfiltrate. A total of six Pucaras, four Turbo-mentors, and a Shorts Skyvan transport are destroyed. Glamorgan conducts shelling which also destroys the fuel dump and ammunition dump.
This obviously attracts the attention of the Argentine garrison, which gives up the chase after their officer is killed. Two SAS troops are lightly wounded, and all return safely to the Task Force. The 25-person population of the settlement are confined to the manager's building for the next 30 days.
Bad weather prevented planned photo reconnaissance sorties to cover Port Stanley, Pebble Island and Fox Bay.
801 Squadron dropped 1,000lb bombs on Port Stanley airfield, Sapper Hill and a helicopter support base near Mount Kent.
800 Squadron's CAP dropped six 1,000lb bombs over the airfield.
The Carrier Battle Group operated to the East of the Falklands.
HMS Glasgow joined Coventry on the picket line.
The Argentine navy lost its last Neptune aircraft ending their long-ranging air reconnaissance and shadowing capability.
The weather began to clear in the late afternoon.
HMS Alacrity and later HMS Brilliant detached from the Battle Group for inshore operations.
Troops landed in Grantham Sound.
Being somewhat concerned about the Etendard/Exocet threat, it was decided that maybe another raid can be conducted against the Etendard base at Tierro del Fuego, on the Argentine mainland. Another SAS team is sent out from the UK to the Falklands. After a 23 hour trip in a C-130 Hercules, the SAS team are chucked out the back with all their gear, and land in the water. They float around a little bit until they get picked up by helicopters from RFA Fort Austin which had been sent to the DZ to pick them up.
SD.
Time zones are going to make the next few day’s reports a little haphazard. All converted to Zulu where possible.
"Active Service " declared at midnight.
04:15. SAS team conducts the strike on the Pebble Island airfield. The Argentine garrison is sheltering from the storm, leaving a single guard who is bypassed.
Charges are placed on the aircraft, and detonated as the team exfiltrate. A total of six Pucaras, four Turbo-mentors, and a Shorts Skyvan transport are destroyed. Glamorgan conducts shelling which also destroys the fuel dump and ammunition dump.
This obviously attracts the attention of the Argentine garrison, which gives up the chase after their officer is killed. Two SAS troops are lightly wounded, and all return safely to the Task Force. The 25-person population of the settlement are confined to the manager's building for the next 30 days.
Bad weather prevented planned photo reconnaissance sorties to cover Port Stanley, Pebble Island and Fox Bay.
801 Squadron dropped 1,000lb bombs on Port Stanley airfield, Sapper Hill and a helicopter support base near Mount Kent.
800 Squadron's CAP dropped six 1,000lb bombs over the airfield.
The Carrier Battle Group operated to the East of the Falklands.
HMS Glasgow joined Coventry on the picket line.
The Argentine navy lost its last Neptune aircraft ending their long-ranging air reconnaissance and shadowing capability.
The weather began to clear in the late afternoon.
HMS Alacrity and later HMS Brilliant detached from the Battle Group for inshore operations.
Troops landed in Grantham Sound.
Being somewhat concerned about the Etendard/Exocet threat, it was decided that maybe another raid can be conducted against the Etendard base at Tierro del Fuego, on the Argentine mainland. Another SAS team is sent out from the UK to the Falklands. After a 23 hour trip in a C-130 Hercules, the SAS team are chucked out the back with all their gear, and land in the water. They float around a little bit until they get picked up by helicopters from RFA Fort Austin which had been sent to the DZ to pick them up.
SD.
alfaspecial said:
Thank you Shed Driver (and other posters) for a very interesting thread.
I have two questions, back from the time, that posters might be able to assist me with:
1) Obviously it might have been politically impossible but legally could the UK have involved NATO? (An attack on one member is an attack on all, ie the Invasion of Afghanistan after 11 Sep 2001 was initiated at the USA's insistence). Had NATO formally got involved wouldn't Argentina have backed down saving 1000 plus lives?
Article 5 of the NATO treaty gives the Casus foederis, or Case for the Alliance. It commits each member state to consider an armed attack against one member state, in Europe or North America, to be an armed attack against them all.I have two questions, back from the time, that posters might be able to assist me with:
1) Obviously it might have been politically impossible but legally could the UK have involved NATO? (An attack on one member is an attack on all, ie the Invasion of Afghanistan after 11 Sep 2001 was initiated at the USA's insistence). Had NATO formally got involved wouldn't Argentina have backed down saving 1000 plus lives?
SD.
16th May
Britain sends its last negotiating offer via the UN in New York. It consisted of a mutual withdrawal of forces. Read the text of the proposal. A UN administrator and staff instead of the British Governor. The Falklands would for the interim be governed 'In accordance with the laws and practices traditionally obtaining' (i.e. British). There would be three observers from the UK and three from Argentina. Further negotiations would be 'without prejudice' and undertaken with the goal of completion by the end of the year. South Georgia was excluded from this deal. It was also delivered with a note asking for a rapid response.
801 Squadron dropped more bombs on Port Stanley airfield.
Two armed reconnaissance missions were flown off HMS Hermes.
M/V ELMA Río Carcarañá
At 1000hrs, the Río Carcarañá was overflown by a British Recon plane, but continued to make her 17 knot top speed for the protection of Puerto Rey, hoping to outrun any forthcoming attack.
At 1330hrs on the 16th two British Harriers appeared on the horizon and initiated a attack on the Río Carcarañá, repeatedly strafing the ship with canon fire and dropping two bombs into her hull.
The ship quickly caught fire and her Captain was quick to order the crew over the side, fearing his ship's volatile cargo could explode at any moment.
The crew of the Río Carcarañá were rescued by another Argentine Merchantman steaming in the same convoy and the ship was left to her fate, her superstructure burning furiously.
The explosion many feared would sink the ship never came and by May 19th the fires onboard had burned themselves out. The Río Carcarañá was towed into Fox Bay where she was boarded and inspected by Argentine Naval Forces. Both the ship and cargo were found to be damaged beyond repair or usefulness, so after all valuable and sensitive material was removed she was left to her fate once again, this time anchored in Fox Bay.
The naval auxiliary Bahia Buen Suceso, moored near the civilian settlement at Fox Bay was strafed by the Harriers.
ARA Bahia Buen Suceso,
Anti aircraft fire was heavy and one of the fighters returned with a bullet hole in its fin.
Late afternoon an 800 squadron sortie was flown off to photograph the damaged ships, Port Darwin, Moody Brook and Port Stanley airfield. The photographs showed another bomb crater on Port Stanley airfield runway. This had been created by the Argentine Air Force unit who had begun to simulate bomb craters using bulldozers to build piles of mud which could be removed at night allowing aircraft to land.
The Amphibious Group came together. Fifteen RFAs and STUFT, HMS Fearless, Intrepid, Antrim, Plymouth, Argonaut and Ardent.
HMS Glamorgan sent inshore to continue bombardment. 130 rounds fired at targets in Port Stanley, Darwin and Fitzroy. The object of this was to convince the Argentineans that landings were to take place to the south of Stanley.
SD.
Britain sends its last negotiating offer via the UN in New York. It consisted of a mutual withdrawal of forces. Read the text of the proposal. A UN administrator and staff instead of the British Governor. The Falklands would for the interim be governed 'In accordance with the laws and practices traditionally obtaining' (i.e. British). There would be three observers from the UK and three from Argentina. Further negotiations would be 'without prejudice' and undertaken with the goal of completion by the end of the year. South Georgia was excluded from this deal. It was also delivered with a note asking for a rapid response.
801 Squadron dropped more bombs on Port Stanley airfield.
Two armed reconnaissance missions were flown off HMS Hermes.
M/V ELMA Río Carcarañá
At 1000hrs, the Río Carcarañá was overflown by a British Recon plane, but continued to make her 17 knot top speed for the protection of Puerto Rey, hoping to outrun any forthcoming attack.
At 1330hrs on the 16th two British Harriers appeared on the horizon and initiated a attack on the Río Carcarañá, repeatedly strafing the ship with canon fire and dropping two bombs into her hull.
The ship quickly caught fire and her Captain was quick to order the crew over the side, fearing his ship's volatile cargo could explode at any moment.
The crew of the Río Carcarañá were rescued by another Argentine Merchantman steaming in the same convoy and the ship was left to her fate, her superstructure burning furiously.
The explosion many feared would sink the ship never came and by May 19th the fires onboard had burned themselves out. The Río Carcarañá was towed into Fox Bay where she was boarded and inspected by Argentine Naval Forces. Both the ship and cargo were found to be damaged beyond repair or usefulness, so after all valuable and sensitive material was removed she was left to her fate once again, this time anchored in Fox Bay.
The naval auxiliary Bahia Buen Suceso, moored near the civilian settlement at Fox Bay was strafed by the Harriers.
ARA Bahia Buen Suceso,
Anti aircraft fire was heavy and one of the fighters returned with a bullet hole in its fin.
Late afternoon an 800 squadron sortie was flown off to photograph the damaged ships, Port Darwin, Moody Brook and Port Stanley airfield. The photographs showed another bomb crater on Port Stanley airfield runway. This had been created by the Argentine Air Force unit who had begun to simulate bomb craters using bulldozers to build piles of mud which could be removed at night allowing aircraft to land.
The Amphibious Group came together. Fifteen RFAs and STUFT, HMS Fearless, Intrepid, Antrim, Plymouth, Argonaut and Ardent.
HMS Glamorgan sent inshore to continue bombardment. 130 rounds fired at targets in Port Stanley, Darwin and Fitzroy. The object of this was to convince the Argentineans that landings were to take place to the south of Stanley.
SD.
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