Half a world, and half a lifetime away.
Discussion
skeggysteve said:
Last night (10th April) I caught a bit of a programme on Channel 4 called Warship. They had a bit about the Atlantic Conveyor and showed a picture like this one:
Well worth a watch - Link to C4 catch up
Saw that on catch up today - there's a thread about HMS Ocean elsewhere I believe. Atlantic Conveyor was a major strategic loss - it almost derailed the entire campaign as the vast majority of the heavy lift helos were onboard. I will be covering the loss in greater detail soon.Well worth a watch - Link to C4 catch up
SD.
12th April
200 mile maritime exclusion zone around the Islands declared by Britain to prevent Argentine reinforcements and supplies reaching the Islands from the mainland. The TEZ will become a source of controversy later.
British submarine Spartan arrives on station off Stanley;
Haig arrives in London at 05:40, and discovers that nobody thought to arrange transport for him.
He eventually finds some cars, and recuperates for a while before entering more meetings. Francis Pym (Foreign secretary) hints that the British might agree to a joint administration with sovereignty on the table for later talks, but Resolution 502 had to come first. That said, no tight deadlines, no Argentine access to the islands until it was arranged, and the principle of self-determination needed to be affirmed.
This wasn't too far off what Nicanor Costa Mendez (Argentine foreign minister) was proposing, so Haig gives him a call to try to hammer out final details, only to discover the Argentine position had changed and they were now demanding a fixed timetable for a transfer of sovereignty.
HMS Spartan, nuclear attack submarine, becomes the first warship (Outside of the Ice Patrol Ship HMS Endurance) to arrive at the Total Exclusion Zone.
Majority of the Task Force arrives at Ascension, and starts on-loading the masses of stores and equipment flown to Wideawake (The US air base there) by the RAF. The US Air Force also transfers stores, notably the new AIM-9L all-aspect Sidewinder missile. Britain was going to get them delivered anyway, the US just bumped them up the priority list, diverting NATO stocks. The Lima was going to prove one of the war-winners in the coming air war: Unlike previous heat-seeking missiles, the 'L' was sensitive enough to detect a target from any direction, whereas previous versions including the Argentinian missiles, needed to be fired from behind the target where the exhaust was visible.
SD.
200 mile maritime exclusion zone around the Islands declared by Britain to prevent Argentine reinforcements and supplies reaching the Islands from the mainland. The TEZ will become a source of controversy later.
British submarine Spartan arrives on station off Stanley;
Haig arrives in London at 05:40, and discovers that nobody thought to arrange transport for him.
He eventually finds some cars, and recuperates for a while before entering more meetings. Francis Pym (Foreign secretary) hints that the British might agree to a joint administration with sovereignty on the table for later talks, but Resolution 502 had to come first. That said, no tight deadlines, no Argentine access to the islands until it was arranged, and the principle of self-determination needed to be affirmed.
This wasn't too far off what Nicanor Costa Mendez (Argentine foreign minister) was proposing, so Haig gives him a call to try to hammer out final details, only to discover the Argentine position had changed and they were now demanding a fixed timetable for a transfer of sovereignty.
HMS Spartan, nuclear attack submarine, becomes the first warship (Outside of the Ice Patrol Ship HMS Endurance) to arrive at the Total Exclusion Zone.
Majority of the Task Force arrives at Ascension, and starts on-loading the masses of stores and equipment flown to Wideawake (The US air base there) by the RAF. The US Air Force also transfers stores, notably the new AIM-9L all-aspect Sidewinder missile. Britain was going to get them delivered anyway, the US just bumped them up the priority list, diverting NATO stocks. The Lima was going to prove one of the war-winners in the coming air war: Unlike previous heat-seeking missiles, the 'L' was sensitive enough to detect a target from any direction, whereas previous versions including the Argentinian missiles, needed to be fired from behind the target where the exhaust was visible.
SD.
13th April
The Rothesay Class Frigate HMS Falmouth (F113) is taken off the sales list to be re commissioned.
Haig meets with Thatcher yet again, asking if there was any form of flexibility she could offer. Her concessions were a shift in the demand from the status quo ante to a 'recognisably British administration' and perhaps a downplaying of the weight of the Islanders' wishes.
In the meantime, the War Cabinet are getting a little tired of Haig's lumbering progress. They expected American support. Hints were dropped that Her Majesty would be less than enamoured to receive an 'even-handed Reagan' in the scheduled state visit that June. Pym did even better: At a press conference, he announced that he did not expect America to remain neutral in a dispute between a democracy and a dictatorship.
Haig flies back to Washington to brief Reagan before continuing his trip to Buenos Aries.
Updates may be a little sporadic over the next few days - hopefully there won't be too much delay.
SD.
The Rothesay Class Frigate HMS Falmouth (F113) is taken off the sales list to be re commissioned.
Haig meets with Thatcher yet again, asking if there was any form of flexibility she could offer. Her concessions were a shift in the demand from the status quo ante to a 'recognisably British administration' and perhaps a downplaying of the weight of the Islanders' wishes.
In the meantime, the War Cabinet are getting a little tired of Haig's lumbering progress. They expected American support. Hints were dropped that Her Majesty would be less than enamoured to receive an 'even-handed Reagan' in the scheduled state visit that June. Pym did even better: At a press conference, he announced that he did not expect America to remain neutral in a dispute between a democracy and a dictatorship.
Haig flies back to Washington to brief Reagan before continuing his trip to Buenos Aries.
Updates may be a little sporadic over the next few days - hopefully there won't be too much delay.
SD.
14th April
Haig lands in Washington to brief Reagan. He says that he can see no give on either side, but that it was time to threaten Argentina with the full weight of American support for Britain if it did not honour Resolution 502. This was not a universally popular proposal with the State Department, but Reagan agreed.
HMS Glamorgan rendezvous with the two carriers and escort just North of Ascension, and Admiral Woodward transfers his flag to HMS Hermes. A sizeable group, Type 42 destroyers Coventry, Sheffield, Glasgow, and the frigates Arrow and Brilliant are sent South at best possible speed, followed by a tanker. The intent was to have a force as far forward as possible in case a 'freeze' was put into place by the diplomats.
Argentine fleet leaves Puerto Belgrano.
Squadron of ships carrying Royal Marines and special forces sent to retake South Georgia rendezvous with HMS Endurance.
Read the briefing order from CinCFleet to the members of Chiefs of Staff Committee.
The press had been reporting America’s growing support for the UK rather than its stated policy of equanimity was causing disquiet in London, Washington, and Buenos Aries. There were concerns regarding the safety of US citizens in Argentina.
Alexander Haig gets busy on the phones trying to balance both sides.
Firstly a telex to General Galtieri, followed up by a call (in a decidedly more cordial manner) to Margaret Thatcher.
Read the analysis of the permanent secretary.
Note – the documents above were declassified in 2012 under the 30 year rule.
SD.
Haig lands in Washington to brief Reagan. He says that he can see no give on either side, but that it was time to threaten Argentina with the full weight of American support for Britain if it did not honour Resolution 502. This was not a universally popular proposal with the State Department, but Reagan agreed.
HMS Glamorgan rendezvous with the two carriers and escort just North of Ascension, and Admiral Woodward transfers his flag to HMS Hermes. A sizeable group, Type 42 destroyers Coventry, Sheffield, Glasgow, and the frigates Arrow and Brilliant are sent South at best possible speed, followed by a tanker. The intent was to have a force as far forward as possible in case a 'freeze' was put into place by the diplomats.
Argentine fleet leaves Puerto Belgrano.
Squadron of ships carrying Royal Marines and special forces sent to retake South Georgia rendezvous with HMS Endurance.
Read the briefing order from CinCFleet to the members of Chiefs of Staff Committee.
The press had been reporting America’s growing support for the UK rather than its stated policy of equanimity was causing disquiet in London, Washington, and Buenos Aries. There were concerns regarding the safety of US citizens in Argentina.
Alexander Haig gets busy on the phones trying to balance both sides.
Firstly a telex to General Galtieri, followed up by a call (in a decidedly more cordial manner) to Margaret Thatcher.
Read the analysis of the permanent secretary.
Note – the documents above were declassified in 2012 under the 30 year rule.
SD.
Gerber1 said:
Watching documentaries about the Falklands, I'm amazed/disappointed to hear that we got our arses handed to us.
Granted we "won", but how on earth did the Argentinians manage to sink or damage so many of our ships?
Maybe I am blinkered but I would have though that our weapons and tactics would have been superior to Argentina's.
Off on a tangent, but I wonder if the US could have done any better.
Without total air superiority a ship is very vulnerable. Close in defence such as Phalanx was not available and with limited maneuvering space such as in San Carlos water it was only going to be a matter of whether the land campaign would be concluded before the RN ran out of ships.Granted we "won", but how on earth did the Argentinians manage to sink or damage so many of our ships?
Maybe I am blinkered but I would have though that our weapons and tactics would have been superior to Argentina's.
Off on a tangent, but I wonder if the US could have done any better.
SD.
Good explanation Wildcat - thanks for taking the time to post it.
15th April
Argentina dispatches a 40-man platoon to South Georgia in the WWII era submarine Santa Fe, on the off chance that the British might execute a much-speculated 'South Georgia' option: The small island is much further from the Argentine mainland, and so much harder to defend.
British destroyer group takes up holding position in mid-Atlantic.
Haig returns to Buenos Aires.
SD.
15th April
Argentina dispatches a 40-man platoon to South Georgia in the WWII era submarine Santa Fe, on the off chance that the British might execute a much-speculated 'South Georgia' option: The small island is much further from the Argentine mainland, and so much harder to defend.
British destroyer group takes up holding position in mid-Atlantic.
Haig returns to Buenos Aires.
SD.
16th April
HMS Hermes arrives at Ascension.
Main Task Force departs Ascension.
Admiral Woodward flew north to HMS Fearless for talks with Commodore Clapp and Brigadier Thompson and returned to HMS Hermes the same day.
HMS Invincible arrives at Ascension.
Wideawake airfield on Ascension busiest in world that day.
Stenna Seaspread departs from Portsmouth after being refitted to act as a repair ship.
Fitting out of the Cunard container ship Atlantic Conveyor begins at Devonport.
RFA Tidepool on passage for delivery to Chilean navy summoned back.
Haig arrives in Buenos Aries again. Even before he arrived, Galtieri had figured out that the Americans meant business, and he called Reagan to assure him that he desired a peaceful solution, and hoped that America would not desert its new ally.
Costa Mendes really began to get the American's goat. He was a lawyer. Questions like 'how high should the flagpole be', 'what should the observers be called', and so on were posed by him, some might argue that they really were just a waste of time. Just to help out, the three armed services each sent a representative to the talks as well, but unlike Mendes, they didn't speak English, requiring everything to be interpreted and slowing everything down. They had no more authority than Mendes did though: Without Admiral Anaya's say-so, nothing was a given, regardless of what the negotiators promised, and Anaya was convinced he was on the brink of a victory.
HMS Spartan spots a landing ship, Cabo San Antonio, laying mines off Port Stanley harbour, and wants to know if she should sink it. The War Cabinet concluded that, really, the landing ship wasn't a warship, and it wasn't trying to breach the exclusion zone as it was already in it. Oh, and they weren't sure about revealing the presence of the submarine yet, and they really weren't sure if they wanted to escalate by sinking an Argentine ship this early in the war.
Cabo San Antonio would survive, for now.
SD.
HMS Hermes arrives at Ascension.
Main Task Force departs Ascension.
Admiral Woodward flew north to HMS Fearless for talks with Commodore Clapp and Brigadier Thompson and returned to HMS Hermes the same day.
HMS Invincible arrives at Ascension.
Wideawake airfield on Ascension busiest in world that day.
Stenna Seaspread departs from Portsmouth after being refitted to act as a repair ship.
Fitting out of the Cunard container ship Atlantic Conveyor begins at Devonport.
RFA Tidepool on passage for delivery to Chilean navy summoned back.
Haig arrives in Buenos Aries again. Even before he arrived, Galtieri had figured out that the Americans meant business, and he called Reagan to assure him that he desired a peaceful solution, and hoped that America would not desert its new ally.
Costa Mendes really began to get the American's goat. He was a lawyer. Questions like 'how high should the flagpole be', 'what should the observers be called', and so on were posed by him, some might argue that they really were just a waste of time. Just to help out, the three armed services each sent a representative to the talks as well, but unlike Mendes, they didn't speak English, requiring everything to be interpreted and slowing everything down. They had no more authority than Mendes did though: Without Admiral Anaya's say-so, nothing was a given, regardless of what the negotiators promised, and Anaya was convinced he was on the brink of a victory.
HMS Spartan spots a landing ship, Cabo San Antonio, laying mines off Port Stanley harbour, and wants to know if she should sink it. The War Cabinet concluded that, really, the landing ship wasn't a warship, and it wasn't trying to breach the exclusion zone as it was already in it. Oh, and they weren't sure about revealing the presence of the submarine yet, and they really weren't sure if they wanted to escalate by sinking an Argentine ship this early in the war.
Cabo San Antonio would survive, for now.
SD.
ChocolateFrog said:
Great thread, I was -3 months at the time so don't obviously remember it first hand.
I do remember my dad telling me that he was going through his final year of medical school with an Argentinian colleague who copped more than his fair share of abuse (banter).
He wasn't the only one. Tottenham footballer Ossie Ardiles faced a huge amount of criticism and fury from fans when he played.I do remember my dad telling me that he was going through his final year of medical school with an Argentinian colleague who copped more than his fair share of abuse (banter).
SD.
April 17th
The main task force sails south from Ascension Island.
Haig presents Argentine junta with 5-point plan. Withdrawal by both sides, three-flag-administration until December, restored communication with the mainland, talks in the new year on a long-term settlement, and consultation to ascertain the islanders' views.
The Argentine military's working groups studied this long into the night. Only the Air Force seemed willing at all to compromise.
Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse chairs conference at Ascension Island with Admiral Sandy Woodward and 3 Commando Brigade which sets out detailed plans for the retaking of the Islands by force.
They are informed that the government is utterly committed to the recapture of the Falklands by whatever means necessary, "without limitation." If diplomacy failed, the Task Force could count on absolute political support for its operations.
The basics of the timeline are hammered out at this meeting:
The earliest a landing could possibly take place was May 16th. With only one assault ship, Fearless, the Task Force had no backup capability, and possibly insufficient assault lift. The Navy's other assault ship, HMS Intrepid, had already been put into mothballs as an early part of Nott's downsizing plan, and it would take at least until then to reverse the process and get the ship South. The latest was May 25th, otherwise the troops may not have sufficient time to complete operations before the onset of Winter, which would also seriously bash the warships about and make cover difficult.
Argentine service councils debate Haig's proposals.
The main task force sails south from Ascension Island.
Haig presents Argentine junta with 5-point plan. Withdrawal by both sides, three-flag-administration until December, restored communication with the mainland, talks in the new year on a long-term settlement, and consultation to ascertain the islanders' views.
The Argentine military's working groups studied this long into the night. Only the Air Force seemed willing at all to compromise.
Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse chairs conference at Ascension Island with Admiral Sandy Woodward and 3 Commando Brigade which sets out detailed plans for the retaking of the Islands by force.
They are informed that the government is utterly committed to the recapture of the Falklands by whatever means necessary, "without limitation." If diplomacy failed, the Task Force could count on absolute political support for its operations.
The basics of the timeline are hammered out at this meeting:
The earliest a landing could possibly take place was May 16th. With only one assault ship, Fearless, the Task Force had no backup capability, and possibly insufficient assault lift. The Navy's other assault ship, HMS Intrepid, had already been put into mothballs as an early part of Nott's downsizing plan, and it would take at least until then to reverse the process and get the ship South. The latest was May 25th, otherwise the troops may not have sufficient time to complete operations before the onset of Winter, which would also seriously bash the warships about and make cover difficult.
Argentine service councils debate Haig's proposals.
18th April
Leaving the troops and troopships behind at Ascension to continue their training and rehearsals, the third battlegroup now moves South.
HMS Antrim has shot off ahead, the Type 42s are the middle group, this is the third). This group consists of the two carriers, destroyer Glamorgan, and frigates Yarmouth (Type 12), Alacrity (Type 21), and Broadsword, (Type 22), and the replenishment ships Resource and Olmeda.
They got off to a rather hasty start, Olmeda reported seeing a periscope feather, so the ships hauled away a couple of hours earlier than expected. Given that the sonar operators tracked the target evading rapidly, it was either a Soviet nuclear boat taking a gander, or a whale.
Turned out it was a whale.
|https://thumbsnap.com/IIWlHIWx[/url]
Argentine aircraft carrier Veinticinco de Mayo returns to port with engine trouble.
Meantime, in Buenos Aries, Haig gets fed up, and tells the Junta outright that Britain was not bluffing, and America could not see two friends at war. Also, Washington would not tolerate the fall of the Thatcher government. As a result, either Argentina entered into realistic negotiations on the basis of Resolution 502, or America would side with Britain.
This didn't have much effect, especially on Admiral Anaya. He expressed the view that the British had no stomach for a fight, that democracies could not sustain casualties, and that the Task Force would simply break down in the South Atlantic Winter. He was also aware of the divisions within the American administration, and didn't believe that Haig could deliver a 'tilt' towards Britain. So he simply told Haig point blank that he was lying.
Alexander Haig sends telegram to William Clark (National Security Advisor) explaining the state of negotiations to date.
That said, they didn't reject the Haig plan outright. (As one American observed, that would have required of them a decision). They were discussed amongst the Army Council, a 54-man body probably equivalent to an extended cabinet or small parliament. No commander doubted their ability to inflict unacceptable losses on the British, well, at least, not in the company of his peers. They had air superiority, submarines, anti-ship missiles, and 8,000 men dug in around Stanley alone. Why negotiate?
SD.
Leaving the troops and troopships behind at Ascension to continue their training and rehearsals, the third battlegroup now moves South.
HMS Antrim has shot off ahead, the Type 42s are the middle group, this is the third). This group consists of the two carriers, destroyer Glamorgan, and frigates Yarmouth (Type 12), Alacrity (Type 21), and Broadsword, (Type 22), and the replenishment ships Resource and Olmeda.
They got off to a rather hasty start, Olmeda reported seeing a periscope feather, so the ships hauled away a couple of hours earlier than expected. Given that the sonar operators tracked the target evading rapidly, it was either a Soviet nuclear boat taking a gander, or a whale.
Turned out it was a whale.
|https://thumbsnap.com/IIWlHIWx[/url]Argentine aircraft carrier Veinticinco de Mayo returns to port with engine trouble.
Meantime, in Buenos Aries, Haig gets fed up, and tells the Junta outright that Britain was not bluffing, and America could not see two friends at war. Also, Washington would not tolerate the fall of the Thatcher government. As a result, either Argentina entered into realistic negotiations on the basis of Resolution 502, or America would side with Britain.
This didn't have much effect, especially on Admiral Anaya. He expressed the view that the British had no stomach for a fight, that democracies could not sustain casualties, and that the Task Force would simply break down in the South Atlantic Winter. He was also aware of the divisions within the American administration, and didn't believe that Haig could deliver a 'tilt' towards Britain. So he simply told Haig point blank that he was lying.
Alexander Haig sends telegram to William Clark (National Security Advisor) explaining the state of negotiations to date.
That said, they didn't reject the Haig plan outright. (As one American observed, that would have required of them a decision). They were discussed amongst the Army Council, a 54-man body probably equivalent to an extended cabinet or small parliament. No commander doubted their ability to inflict unacceptable losses on the British, well, at least, not in the company of his peers. They had air superiority, submarines, anti-ship missiles, and 8,000 men dug in around Stanley alone. Why negotiate?
SD.
19th April
Argentina rejects Haig's plan unless Britain agrees to transfer sovereignty by 31 December 1982 and allow Argentine nationals to settle in the Islands.
EEC foreign ministers declare support for Britain.
Alexander Haig sends a telegram to Francis Pym outlining the Argentinean demands.
Read also Haig's annotations to the text.
This is the end of the Shuttle Diplomacy - Alexander Haig has flown a total of 32,965 miles. (Does he get points for this? And not once was he manhandled off a United plane!)
SD.
Argentina rejects Haig's plan unless Britain agrees to transfer sovereignty by 31 December 1982 and allow Argentine nationals to settle in the Islands.
EEC foreign ministers declare support for Britain.
Alexander Haig sends a telegram to Francis Pym outlining the Argentinean demands.
Read also Haig's annotations to the text.
This is the end of the Shuttle Diplomacy - Alexander Haig has flown a total of 32,965 miles. (Does he get points for this? And not once was he manhandled off a United plane!)
SD.
20thApril
British War Cabinet orders repossession of Islands
Canberra arrives at Ascension Island
Hospital ship HMS Hecla left Gibraltar.
Canberra and Elk arrived at Ascension.
The tug Salvageman anchored off Ascension.
There will be a little delay over the next few days - I'm on Bury's Gallipoli parade this weekend. I may be able to catch up on Monday. I don't really want to jump the gun and post the events too early. Unless that's the general consensus?
SD.
British War Cabinet orders repossession of Islands
Canberra arrives at Ascension Island
Hospital ship HMS Hecla left Gibraltar.
Canberra and Elk arrived at Ascension.
The tug Salvageman anchored off Ascension.
There will be a little delay over the next few days - I'm on Bury's Gallipoli parade this weekend. I may be able to catch up on Monday. I don't really want to jump the gun and post the events too early. Unless that's the general consensus?
SD.
21st April
Organisation of American States passes Resolution 360.
Operation Paraquet – the South Georgia operation begins with failed landing by SAS on Fortuna Glacier. A Wessex HAS 3, radar-equipped, leaves HMS Antrim for a recon of Fortuna Glacier, near Leith, on South Georgia. Some wind and rain, but not too bad, so the chopper returns to base, and picks up four SAS men from Mountain Troop, D Sqdn, 22nd SAS. Two Wessex 5s, from the tanker Tidespring, load another 11 men between them, and they deliver them to the glacier.
The weather goes bad. Force 10 snowstorm, 70mph winds, blowing away the shelters of the men. They sit tight, waiting for the storm to abate a bit.
Note - the operation is called Paraquet - an old spelling of Parakeet. It's not as widely but erroneously thought Paraquat, the weed killer. It was known as Paraquat by members of the task force.
SD,
Organisation of American States passes Resolution 360.
Operation Paraquet – the South Georgia operation begins with failed landing by SAS on Fortuna Glacier. A Wessex HAS 3, radar-equipped, leaves HMS Antrim for a recon of Fortuna Glacier, near Leith, on South Georgia. Some wind and rain, but not too bad, so the chopper returns to base, and picks up four SAS men from Mountain Troop, D Sqdn, 22nd SAS. Two Wessex 5s, from the tanker Tidespring, load another 11 men between them, and they deliver them to the glacier.
The weather goes bad. Force 10 snowstorm, 70mph winds, blowing away the shelters of the men. They sit tight, waiting for the storm to abate a bit.
Note - the operation is called Paraquet - an old spelling of Parakeet. It's not as widely but erroneously thought Paraquat, the weed killer. It was known as Paraquat by members of the task force.
SD,
22nd April
British Tay reached Ascension.
At 0230, an Argentine Boeing 707 shows up to shadow the fleet, only to be chased off by a Harrier. Woodward requests, and to his surprise gets, permission to shoot it down. Only two stipulations are that they're sure it's the Argentine 707, and it comes within a certain distance.
11:00 Captain Hamilton, leading the SAS on South Georgia radios that they had been unable to move off the glacier, and if they didn't get extraction soon, they would start taking environmental casualties. The same three Wessexes were sent to retrieve them.
At the first try, the Wessex 3 went ahead while the other two landed on a spit to save fuel. It was unsuccessful, the helicopters returned to the ships for refuelling. A second attempt was more successful, and the troops were located. As the first helicopter lifted off, the pilot lost his bearings in the white-out and crashed. The other two helicopters re-landed next to the crash, and split the passengers and crew between them, dumping fuel to reduce weight.
En route back to the ships, the second Wessex 5 struck a ridge, and rolled. No radio contact. The last remaining Wessex flew the 30 miles to the ship, refuelled and took on blankets and medical supplies before returning to the crash site. Weather prevented landing, but radio contact was re-established, with no serious casualties to report. The Wessex returned to HMS Antrim.
About an hour later, the weather abated sufficiently for another attempt to be made, this one was successful. Lt Commander Ian Stanley received a Distinguished Service Order for his efforts that day. Read his citation.
In the meantime, the British tried again. Fifteen men of the 2nd SBS and Boat Troop, D Sqdn 22nd SAS went out in five Gemini inflatables. Almost immediately, the engine on one boat failed and was swept out to sea. The engine on a second failed half-way to shore. The first crew were picked up by helicopter, the second managed to make land-fall on the last spit of land before open sea. The other three boats and nine men made landfall more or less where they were supposed to.
20:00 Argentine 707 makes another appearance, but evades.
RFA Brambleleaf joined the Antrim Group.
HMS Brilliant detached from Brilliant Group with her two helicopters to support Antrim Group at South Georgia.
Captain J F T G Salt, commanding HMS Sheffield deputed to lead the Brilliant Group.
Pym visits Washington with the British response to Haig's proposals.
Britain warns all British nationals to leave Argentina.
British task force arrives in Falklands waters.
General Galtieri visits the Islands.
Argentine navy commandeers trawler Narwhal for intelligence purposes.
British Tay reached Ascension.
At 0230, an Argentine Boeing 707 shows up to shadow the fleet, only to be chased off by a Harrier. Woodward requests, and to his surprise gets, permission to shoot it down. Only two stipulations are that they're sure it's the Argentine 707, and it comes within a certain distance.
11:00 Captain Hamilton, leading the SAS on South Georgia radios that they had been unable to move off the glacier, and if they didn't get extraction soon, they would start taking environmental casualties. The same three Wessexes were sent to retrieve them.
At the first try, the Wessex 3 went ahead while the other two landed on a spit to save fuel. It was unsuccessful, the helicopters returned to the ships for refuelling. A second attempt was more successful, and the troops were located. As the first helicopter lifted off, the pilot lost his bearings in the white-out and crashed. The other two helicopters re-landed next to the crash, and split the passengers and crew between them, dumping fuel to reduce weight.
En route back to the ships, the second Wessex 5 struck a ridge, and rolled. No radio contact. The last remaining Wessex flew the 30 miles to the ship, refuelled and took on blankets and medical supplies before returning to the crash site. Weather prevented landing, but radio contact was re-established, with no serious casualties to report. The Wessex returned to HMS Antrim.
About an hour later, the weather abated sufficiently for another attempt to be made, this one was successful. Lt Commander Ian Stanley received a Distinguished Service Order for his efforts that day. Read his citation.
In the meantime, the British tried again. Fifteen men of the 2nd SBS and Boat Troop, D Sqdn 22nd SAS went out in five Gemini inflatables. Almost immediately, the engine on one boat failed and was swept out to sea. The engine on a second failed half-way to shore. The first crew were picked up by helicopter, the second managed to make land-fall on the last spit of land before open sea. The other three boats and nine men made landfall more or less where they were supposed to.
20:00 Argentine 707 makes another appearance, but evades.
RFA Brambleleaf joined the Antrim Group.
HMS Brilliant detached from Brilliant Group with her two helicopters to support Antrim Group at South Georgia.
Captain J F T G Salt, commanding HMS Sheffield deputed to lead the Brilliant Group.
Pym visits Washington with the British response to Haig's proposals.
Britain warns all British nationals to leave Argentina.
British task force arrives in Falklands waters.
General Galtieri visits the Islands.
Argentine navy commandeers trawler Narwhal for intelligence purposes.
23rd April
1134The Argentine 707 shows up again. Sea Harriers again go up, and again fail to intercept.
Mountain Troop SAS goes back to Fortuna Glacier during a lull in the blizzard. Potential submarine contact made, thought to be ARA Santa Fe. HMS Brilliant meets up with Antrim and Tidespring.
Sunset Argentine 707 appears yet again. This time it is on a course to enter HMS Invincible's missile range. Listening to a small voice inside his head Woodward asks if there are any airliners scheduled over the South Atlantic. The response is negative. Listening to the voice again, he asks that a line be drawn on the map showing the airplane's course. Two miles outside of missile range, the plotter reports 'he seems to be on a direct line running from Durban to Rio de Janeiro.' Sea Harrier eventually catches up and reports a Brazillian airliner.
Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft, are equipped with Sidewinder missiles just in case they meet the Argentine 707, making them the largest fighters in the world. Thanks to above posters who have added to this part of the timeline.
SD.
1134The Argentine 707 shows up again. Sea Harriers again go up, and again fail to intercept.
Mountain Troop SAS goes back to Fortuna Glacier during a lull in the blizzard. Potential submarine contact made, thought to be ARA Santa Fe. HMS Brilliant meets up with Antrim and Tidespring.
Sunset Argentine 707 appears yet again. This time it is on a course to enter HMS Invincible's missile range. Listening to a small voice inside his head Woodward asks if there are any airliners scheduled over the South Atlantic. The response is negative. Listening to the voice again, he asks that a line be drawn on the map showing the airplane's course. Two miles outside of missile range, the plotter reports 'he seems to be on a direct line running from Durban to Rio de Janeiro.' Sea Harrier eventually catches up and reports a Brazillian airliner.
Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft, are equipped with Sidewinder missiles just in case they meet the Argentine 707, making them the largest fighters in the world. Thanks to above posters who have added to this part of the timeline.
SD.
24th April
RFA Tidespring leaves the South Georgia area, moves North to rejoin the battlegroup.
PO K S Casey (from 846 Naval Air Squadron) becomes the first British fatality when his Sea King from HMS Hermes crashes into the sea after dark.
Thatcher considers resigning following Haig's proposed peace plan. Read an extract from Thatcher's autobiography.
Atlantic Conveyor completes fitting out at Devonport.
HMS Brilliant joins Antrim Group off South Georgia.
Argentine submarine Santa Fe arrives at South Georgia.
Hospital ships HMS Hydra and Herald leave Portsmouth
.
RFA Brambleleaf heads for England.
The Argentine 707 returns, but is intercepted by a Sea Harrier, far enough out that it is not shot down.
SD.
RFA Tidespring leaves the South Georgia area, moves North to rejoin the battlegroup.
PO K S Casey (from 846 Naval Air Squadron) becomes the first British fatality when his Sea King from HMS Hermes crashes into the sea after dark.
Thatcher considers resigning following Haig's proposed peace plan. Read an extract from Thatcher's autobiography.
Atlantic Conveyor completes fitting out at Devonport.
HMS Brilliant joins Antrim Group off South Georgia.
Argentine submarine Santa Fe arrives at South Georgia.
Hospital ships HMS Hydra and Herald leave Portsmouth
.
RFA Brambleleaf heads for England.
The Argentine 707 returns, but is intercepted by a Sea Harrier, far enough out that it is not shot down.
SD.
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
Beknown said:
How did the Invincible not know it was an airliner? I thought planes squawk codes for this reason?
Generally speaking, when aircraft are oceanic then the IFF will be switched off because the a/c is out of Radar coverage.SD.
25th April
Sir Bedivere arrives in Marchwood from Vancouver for loading and re-storing.
Carrier Group meets with Sheffield Group.
Atlantic Conveyor and Europic Ferry depart for the South Atlantic.
British Tamar reaches Ascension.
Tug Irishman reaches Ascension.
Argentine submarine Santa Fe damaged by helicopter attacks off South Georgia.
Assault launched on Grytviken.
South Georgia recaptured.
SD.
Sir Bedivere arrives in Marchwood from Vancouver for loading and re-storing.
Carrier Group meets with Sheffield Group.
Atlantic Conveyor and Europic Ferry depart for the South Atlantic.
British Tamar reaches Ascension.
Tug Irishman reaches Ascension.
Argentine submarine Santa Fe damaged by helicopter attacks off South Georgia.
Assault launched on Grytviken.
South Georgia recaptured.
SD.
The Liberation of South Georgia.
On the Endurance the night of the 24th April was spent quietly, camouflaged amongst the icebergs to the south of South Georgia. Just before dawn she moved north east along the cost toward Grytivken and made a rendezvous with the rest of the Antrim group.
At 0810 “Humphrey”, the Antrim's Wessex, armed with depth-charges and piloted by Lt Cdr Stanley had taken off for an anti-submarine search. Radar silence was maintained to avoid detection. Once the Wessex had swept Cumberland Bay Lt Parry, “Humphrey's” observer made a single sweep with the radar. He immediately saw a 'blip' and the helicopter went to investigate. The 'blip' was the Santa Fe. The Wessex launched the first naval air attack on a submarine since World War II.
One of the two depth-charges dropped exploded close to the port side of the Santa Fe, causing enough internal damage to prevent the submarine from diving. The Santa Fe turned to run for the safety of Cumberland Bay and was followed by the Wessex firing its General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and HMS Brilliant's Lynx, which first fired a homing torpedo and followed with more GPMG fire.
HMS Plymouth's Wasp was scrambled following the Wessex's sighting of the Santa Fe but was beaten to a firing position by one of Endurance's helicopters piloted by Lt Cdr Ellerbeck. The helicopter, armed with AS12 missiles, got off her two shots, the first exploding inside the submarine's large fin. The helicopter had returned to the Endurance, reloaded and returned to the Santa Fe before the Plymouth's Wasp had time to fire. Again one hit and one miss was recorded by the Endurance's Wasp. The Plymouth Wasp had time to fire only one missile, the return flight to HMS Plymouth being 50 miles.
Endurance's second helicopter, piloted by Lt T S Finding was on her way by 10:00 and after encountering machine-gun fire from King Edward Point scored another hit on Santa Fe's fin. Lt Cdr Ellerbeck's third attack was more strongly opposed with anti-tank rockets, rifle-fire from the shore and at least one machine-gun in action on the Santa Fe. The Wasp escaped damage and scored its most damaging hit, striking the periscope standards. At 11:00, the Santa Fe was alongside the pier, listing and apparently on fire.
The task group Commander decided to make the most of the offensive, and sustain the effort to recover the island. The first team ashore were a Naval Gunfire Support (NGS) team, landed by Lt Cdr Ellerbeck's Wasp. The team's spotting officer almost immediately called for gunfire against troops on Brown Mountain which the frigate provided for the next twenty minutes. The first wave of the assault was landed by HMS Antrim's Wessex and HMS Brilliant's two Lynxes about two miles from Grytviken. The remainder of the landing force was ferried ashore by the three helicopters, which were later joined by Lt Cdr Ellerbeck's Wasp.
HMS Antrim and Plymouth provided fire when called to do so. The troops stormed Grytviken and very soon the Argentines raised the white flag, sang their national anthem, and lowered the Argentinian flag after just 23 days of occupation at Grytviken.
Lt Cdr Ellerbeck had the privilege of witnessing both the beginning and end of Argentine occupation. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions. HMS Plymouth and HMS [/i]Endurance[/i] were sent to Leith to seize the area where the scrap men had first been landed. The small garrison was called on the radio by Endurance and asked to surrender.
The military Commander Captain Alfredo Astiz requested that the civilians be given safe refuge which was granted. However, he refused to surrender the military force.
As darkness fell, Captain Astiz, did agree to surrender and was asked to assemble his troops on the football field - a few hundred metres to the west of Leith. This the Commander refused to do - the football field was heavily mined including a particularly potent charge under the helicopter landing H provided.
The ceremony at which Captain Astiz formally surrendered was held on board HMS Plymouth.
The Signal was sent - "Be pleased to inform Her Majesty that the White Ensign flies alongside the Union Jack in South Georgia. God save the Queen." Task Force Commander Sandy Woodward actually wanted "Operation Paraquet successful."
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Defence Minister John Nott gave an impromptu interview on the steps on No 10 with one of the more iconic quotes - "Rejoice!"
Nearly two hundred prisoners and civilian detainees were taken, in an operation with only one major casualty; a seaman on board Santa Fe was shot by a Royal Marine who mistook his actions as an attempt to scuttle the submarine. Read the Board of Inquiry report into the death of Felix Artuso.
SD.
On the Endurance the night of the 24th April was spent quietly, camouflaged amongst the icebergs to the south of South Georgia. Just before dawn she moved north east along the cost toward Grytivken and made a rendezvous with the rest of the Antrim group.
At 0810 “Humphrey”, the Antrim's Wessex, armed with depth-charges and piloted by Lt Cdr Stanley had taken off for an anti-submarine search. Radar silence was maintained to avoid detection. Once the Wessex had swept Cumberland Bay Lt Parry, “Humphrey's” observer made a single sweep with the radar. He immediately saw a 'blip' and the helicopter went to investigate. The 'blip' was the Santa Fe. The Wessex launched the first naval air attack on a submarine since World War II.
One of the two depth-charges dropped exploded close to the port side of the Santa Fe, causing enough internal damage to prevent the submarine from diving. The Santa Fe turned to run for the safety of Cumberland Bay and was followed by the Wessex firing its General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) and HMS Brilliant's Lynx, which first fired a homing torpedo and followed with more GPMG fire.
HMS Plymouth's Wasp was scrambled following the Wessex's sighting of the Santa Fe but was beaten to a firing position by one of Endurance's helicopters piloted by Lt Cdr Ellerbeck. The helicopter, armed with AS12 missiles, got off her two shots, the first exploding inside the submarine's large fin. The helicopter had returned to the Endurance, reloaded and returned to the Santa Fe before the Plymouth's Wasp had time to fire. Again one hit and one miss was recorded by the Endurance's Wasp. The Plymouth Wasp had time to fire only one missile, the return flight to HMS Plymouth being 50 miles.
Endurance's second helicopter, piloted by Lt T S Finding was on her way by 10:00 and after encountering machine-gun fire from King Edward Point scored another hit on Santa Fe's fin. Lt Cdr Ellerbeck's third attack was more strongly opposed with anti-tank rockets, rifle-fire from the shore and at least one machine-gun in action on the Santa Fe. The Wasp escaped damage and scored its most damaging hit, striking the periscope standards. At 11:00, the Santa Fe was alongside the pier, listing and apparently on fire.
The task group Commander decided to make the most of the offensive, and sustain the effort to recover the island. The first team ashore were a Naval Gunfire Support (NGS) team, landed by Lt Cdr Ellerbeck's Wasp. The team's spotting officer almost immediately called for gunfire against troops on Brown Mountain which the frigate provided for the next twenty minutes. The first wave of the assault was landed by HMS Antrim's Wessex and HMS Brilliant's two Lynxes about two miles from Grytviken. The remainder of the landing force was ferried ashore by the three helicopters, which were later joined by Lt Cdr Ellerbeck's Wasp.
HMS Antrim and Plymouth provided fire when called to do so. The troops stormed Grytviken and very soon the Argentines raised the white flag, sang their national anthem, and lowered the Argentinian flag after just 23 days of occupation at Grytviken.
Lt Cdr Ellerbeck had the privilege of witnessing both the beginning and end of Argentine occupation. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions. HMS Plymouth and HMS [/i]Endurance[/i] were sent to Leith to seize the area where the scrap men had first been landed. The small garrison was called on the radio by Endurance and asked to surrender.
The military Commander Captain Alfredo Astiz requested that the civilians be given safe refuge which was granted. However, he refused to surrender the military force.
As darkness fell, Captain Astiz, did agree to surrender and was asked to assemble his troops on the football field - a few hundred metres to the west of Leith. This the Commander refused to do - the football field was heavily mined including a particularly potent charge under the helicopter landing H provided.
The ceremony at which Captain Astiz formally surrendered was held on board HMS Plymouth.
The Signal was sent - "Be pleased to inform Her Majesty that the White Ensign flies alongside the Union Jack in South Georgia. God save the Queen." Task Force Commander Sandy Woodward actually wanted "Operation Paraquet successful."
Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Defence Minister John Nott gave an impromptu interview on the steps on No 10 with one of the more iconic quotes - "Rejoice!"
Nearly two hundred prisoners and civilian detainees were taken, in an operation with only one major casualty; a seaman on board Santa Fe was shot by a Royal Marine who mistook his actions as an attempt to scuttle the submarine. Read the Board of Inquiry report into the death of Felix Artuso.
SD.
Edited by shed driver on Tuesday 25th April 11:45
Beknown said:
All that in a day! Really interesting but, why was the submarine on the surface in the first place? Why were they shooting at it with machines guns? That sounds like shooting a tank with a hand gun.
It seems the Sante Fe took a beating but was still able to get to shore, I am guessing it had no anti air defenses?
Once a submarine is attacked and possibly holed the natural instinct is to surface and try to beach in shallow waters. Also a diesel-electric boat has only limited time underwater, the helo's would have the luxury to "Hunt to Exhaustion" - battery life and air being finite.It seems the Sante Fe took a beating but was still able to get to shore, I am guessing it had no anti air defenses?
Just a little more detail on the attack.
The original plan to use the full strength of M Company, still aboard RFA Tidespring, was scuppered, figuring that the Argentinians would probably have been pretty demoralised by what happened to their sub. They gathered together as many troops as were on Antrim (A total of 75) from SAS, SBS, Headquarters M Company, a few lads from the Mortar, Recon and Administrative sections, and ten Marines from Antrim's Complement, and started to fly them onto South Georgia. First down were some members of the Naval Gunfire Support team, who called in 4.5" shellfire from Plymouth and Antrim both as a show of force (None of the 235 rounds were within 800m of Argentine positions, though they walked it around the Argentine positions) and as a cover for the rest of the landing. The emphasis of the campaign at this stage was still on limiting casualties from both sides.
The Mk6 gun was older than the newer, single-barreled Mk8, but proved more popular in the gunfire support role as it put more shells downrange than the later gun.
The plan then was to finish landing even more troops from Plymouth and Endurance, and then just sail a few ships into view in the bay. (The ones with the 4.5" guns!). However, the Argentines were convinced to surrender by a few SAS men who walked through the minefields, and ran a Union Flag up the flagpole. One Argentine sailor had been seriously injured, and needed to have his leg amputated by the doctor from Antrim.
After the war, the submarine was determined to be too expensive to retain as a war trophy, and taken out to Grytviken Sound and scuttled.
Back at the main Task Force, which had caught up with the Sheffield group and also been joined by a number of auxilliaries and escorts, HMS Yarmouth reported a possible submarine right in the middle.
SD.
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