Half a world, and half a lifetime away.
Discussion
Ginetta G15 Girl said:
coanda said:
Thanks SD, I presume the bombs were pushed out the back and armed via static line then?
The initial attack (on 29 May) on the tanker "British Wye" was done that way. They attacked using 8 American Mk82 500lb bombs which were rolled off the ramp.On June 8 a Liberian registered tanker named (strangely enough) "Hercules" was attacked. For this attack it is claimed that the C-130 had been fitted with pylons under the wings that had been modified from a Pucara, although I think this is probably unlikely. Twin Triple Ejector Racks were fitted capable of carrying 6 BR250 Expal bombs and mounted on the standard External fuel tank pylon:
I expect someone on the Harvest Hawk program reckons they were dead 'innovative' putting hellfire and viper strike on herc pylons! Or maybe I am not giving them enough credit and your pictures inspired them.
Ayahuasca said:
shed driver said:
1st June
A C-130 engaged on reconnaissance... was shot down by Lieutenant-Commander Ward of 801 using his sidewinder missiles and 30mm cannon against the Hercules.
I know war is hell and all that, but this does seem rather unsporting.A C-130 engaged on reconnaissance... was shot down by Lieutenant-Commander Ward of 801 using his sidewinder missiles and 30mm cannon against the Hercules.
Anyone know if any crew survived?
Edited by Ayahuasca on Thursday 1st June 19:44
DMN said:
(going by my limited knowledge)
The AWC is a long course and the blokes on it will have been replaced in the front line units by other NCO's. So better to leave the front line units as they are and use the AWC has a quasi-elite scouting unit. The front line units will already have trained Artic Warfare instructors from previous courses.
There was I think a BBC series about the course. Its very demanding and includes escape and evasion and resistence to interregation training (though not on the same level as the SAS/SBS).
It was a mix of mountain leader trainees just finishing a course and the instructors who had trained them. Julian Thompson had developed a habit of employing them as a Brigade Patrol Troop during exercises before the war, filling the gap between the embedded recce troops in the Commandos and the SAS/SBS strategic reconnaissance role.The AWC is a long course and the blokes on it will have been replaced in the front line units by other NCO's. So better to leave the front line units as they are and use the AWC has a quasi-elite scouting unit. The front line units will already have trained Artic Warfare instructors from previous courses.
There was I think a BBC series about the course. Its very demanding and includes escape and evasion and resistence to interregation training (though not on the same level as the SAS/SBS).
Documentary on iPlayer as mentioned by someone - http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p00j9v8j
2nd June
2 Para reach Bluff Cove.
Argentine military envoys arrive in New York offering to surrender to the UN.
Exeter, Active and Ambuscade withdrew from their positions to be back on the Battle Group's screen before dawn.
HMS Avenger covered inbound and outbound convoys before returning to the Battle Group.
Canberra anchored deep in San Carlos Water, off Ajax Bay before dawn.
The day dawned with fog, which would protect the liner's anchorage from air attack as the two Guards battalions and their stores were offloaded. Unfortunately, the offloading took longer than planned and Canberra had to remain in San Carlos Water overnight.
The northern approach to Port Stanley was by now properly established. The next stage, supplying the new forward area and bringing up reinforcements and supplies was not straightforward. The number of available helicopters had increased with the arrival of Atlantic Causeway but the LSLs had been reduced in carrying capacity due the damage done to Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad.
HMS Active and Ambuscade proceeded inshore for a harassing bombardment but the bad weather prevented visual spotting.
HMS Cardiff was forming the missile trap off Port Stanley where she detected a single C-130 on a resupply flight. Although Cardiff launched a Sea Dart, the aircraft was able to take avoidance action and landed at Port Stanley. When it took off again twenty minutes later, it was treated to a second Sea Dart from Cardiff.
HMS Arrow bombarded Fox Bay and although Argentine anti-aircraft guns engaged her Lynx which was acting as Arrow's spotter, they did not succeed in damaging the helicopter.
'Friendly fire' incident between an SBS patrol and an SAS patrol. An SBS patrol had apparently strayed into the SAS patrol's designated area and were mistaken for Argentine forces. A brief firefight was initiated during which one of the SBS patrol, Sergeant Ian Hunt, was killed.
SD.
2 Para reach Bluff Cove.
Argentine military envoys arrive in New York offering to surrender to the UN.
Exeter, Active and Ambuscade withdrew from their positions to be back on the Battle Group's screen before dawn.
HMS Avenger covered inbound and outbound convoys before returning to the Battle Group.
Canberra anchored deep in San Carlos Water, off Ajax Bay before dawn.
The day dawned with fog, which would protect the liner's anchorage from air attack as the two Guards battalions and their stores were offloaded. Unfortunately, the offloading took longer than planned and Canberra had to remain in San Carlos Water overnight.
The northern approach to Port Stanley was by now properly established. The next stage, supplying the new forward area and bringing up reinforcements and supplies was not straightforward. The number of available helicopters had increased with the arrival of Atlantic Causeway but the LSLs had been reduced in carrying capacity due the damage done to Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad.
HMS Active and Ambuscade proceeded inshore for a harassing bombardment but the bad weather prevented visual spotting.
HMS Cardiff was forming the missile trap off Port Stanley where she detected a single C-130 on a resupply flight. Although Cardiff launched a Sea Dart, the aircraft was able to take avoidance action and landed at Port Stanley. When it took off again twenty minutes later, it was treated to a second Sea Dart from Cardiff.
HMS Arrow bombarded Fox Bay and although Argentine anti-aircraft guns engaged her Lynx which was acting as Arrow's spotter, they did not succeed in damaging the helicopter.
'Friendly fire' incident between an SBS patrol and an SAS patrol. An SBS patrol had apparently strayed into the SAS patrol's designated area and were mistaken for Argentine forces. A brief firefight was initiated during which one of the SBS patrol, Sergeant Ian Hunt, was killed.
SD.
Not perfect in the timeline.
But a Falklands story today (Falklands War: Experts bid to identify Argentine dead): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40129096
But a Falklands story today (Falklands War: Experts bid to identify Argentine dead): http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40129096
3rd June
It’s a Thursay, my 16th Birthday and Madness is number one with “House of Fun.” Not much fun as O levels were in full swing.
Cardiff and Active rejoined the Carrier Battle Group in the early morning.
Visibility was once again poor and the planned use of Sea Harriers to use baiting tactics in support of another Vulcan anti-radar attack had to be abandoned, leaving the big bomber to attract all the defences' attention. The bad weather prevented any fighter operations by the carriers.
HMS Minerva was despatched to make a visual reconnaissance along the coast using her Lynx to search for land based Exocet launching sites.
The unloading of Canberra was completed.
RFA Sir Percivale completed unloading at Teal Inlet.
Canberra, Stromness and Blue Rover, escorted by HMS Plymouth, sailed from San Carlos Water that evening.
Plymouth moved on to bombard Port Howard garrison.
The first three minesweeping trawlers left South Georgia.
RAF Vulcan bomber diverts to Brazil with refuelling problems after raid on Stanley airfield. This caused a few feathers to be ruffled and an interesting diplomatic discussion as to whether we were actually at war.
Flash telegram from the UK Embassy in Brasillia to the FCO, MOD and to Washington.
A telex regarding the application of US pressure to protect missile technology (Is this the Shrike?)
An interesting discussion around the legalities of whether we are at war.
SD.
It’s a Thursay, my 16th Birthday and Madness is number one with “House of Fun.” Not much fun as O levels were in full swing.
Cardiff and Active rejoined the Carrier Battle Group in the early morning.
Visibility was once again poor and the planned use of Sea Harriers to use baiting tactics in support of another Vulcan anti-radar attack had to be abandoned, leaving the big bomber to attract all the defences' attention. The bad weather prevented any fighter operations by the carriers.
HMS Minerva was despatched to make a visual reconnaissance along the coast using her Lynx to search for land based Exocet launching sites.
The unloading of Canberra was completed.
RFA Sir Percivale completed unloading at Teal Inlet.
Canberra, Stromness and Blue Rover, escorted by HMS Plymouth, sailed from San Carlos Water that evening.
Plymouth moved on to bombard Port Howard garrison.
The first three minesweeping trawlers left South Georgia.
RAF Vulcan bomber diverts to Brazil with refuelling problems after raid on Stanley airfield. This caused a few feathers to be ruffled and an interesting diplomatic discussion as to whether we were actually at war.
Flash telegram from the UK Embassy in Brasillia to the FCO, MOD and to Washington.
A telex regarding the application of US pressure to protect missile technology (Is this the Shrike?)
An interesting discussion around the legalities of whether we are at war.
SD.
shed driver said:
RAF Vulcan bomber diverts to Brazil with refuelling problems after raid on Stanley airfield. This caused a few feathers to be ruffled and an interesting diplomatic discussion as to whether we were actually at war.
Flash telegram from the UK Embassy in Brasillia to the FCO, MOD and to Washington.
A telex regarding the application of US pressure to protect missile technology (Is this the Shrike?)
An interesting discussion around the legalities of whether we are at war.
SD.
There was also the small matter of the pope about to put in an appearance and kiss the tarmac, which might have helped the brazilian authorities opt for allowing a swift refuel and bugger off rather than internment.Flash telegram from the UK Embassy in Brasillia to the FCO, MOD and to Washington.
A telex regarding the application of US pressure to protect missile technology (Is this the Shrike?)
An interesting discussion around the legalities of whether we are at war.
SD.
As has been said several times, an outstanding thread, and the only one I can recall going right through from page one with 24 pages to go!
I am fortunate to have some great memories of people I've met who are Faklands veterans. Whislt while the war was on, I only knew 2 people who were "down there". One was an old mate In HMS Alacrity and the other my elder brother who I knew would be as far in the teeth of it as anyone would . With the attached worries that brings of course.
I don't think I've been glued to news sources as much since as I was for those few months, quite astonishing. After the war I met quite a number people with varying rolls down there. It turned out a brother of a good mate got off HMS Sheffield and a chap who became a good customer of mine got off HMS Coventry. I sold a computer to a bloke who was a comms man on HMS Conqueror when they sank the Belgrano and a chap viewed a property I was selling , who had been Mentioned in Despatches serving with Scots Guards at Tumbledown, there's near half a page on him in the book "Above all Courage" .Very pleasant , unnasuming Scot I thought him, It was, after all, his wife who spilled the beans, not him, she was obviously proud as punch of her husband. He did not buy my place , but he bought a place locally, and by sheer coincidence I bumped into him again when I was tasked to do a job there.
I came across several others as well, in varying rolls , some talk about it a lot, others far more reticent ,the latter often those who were most heavily engaged, Marines, Para's. Certainly the one's I've met , albeit little more than a handful.
By far the most strange incident though , concerned an American, called Alan Wolfe. Both he and I shared (he's sadly no longer with us) a deep interest in the pre 1947 Indian Army. We also were both members of an association centred on said IA and that , via correspondence is how we came aware of each other . This happened in the mid to late 80's. Alan was still working and he worked for the "American Government" . We shared facts, information and sources over the years and once he retired , became a regular visitor to London to attend conventions, and we became quite good friends, I liked the bloke, we got on well.
Anyhow, fast forward in the late 90's. I buy a copy of Rupert Allason's (Nigel West) book , "Secret War of the Falklands" . I got stuck into it and came to a page which nearly caused me to fall out my chair. During the Falklands war my friend Alan was bureau chief CIA in London and a key player in the denial of Exocets to the Argentines.
As may be imagined the next time he came to London, this bloke was full of questions. He thought it hugely amusing , funny what you can come across in life.
As to the Falklands war itself, for me, an unforgettable time, even though I was not there. I reckon this little old island renewed it's pride in itself after being humiliated in Musketeer , when you sit and reflect, it was a quite remarkable military operation, fighting a war thousands of miles away outside the enemies back door . Anyone who did take part in it, must be very proud , quite rightly too.
I am fortunate to have some great memories of people I've met who are Faklands veterans. Whislt while the war was on, I only knew 2 people who were "down there". One was an old mate In HMS Alacrity and the other my elder brother who I knew would be as far in the teeth of it as anyone would . With the attached worries that brings of course.
I don't think I've been glued to news sources as much since as I was for those few months, quite astonishing. After the war I met quite a number people with varying rolls down there. It turned out a brother of a good mate got off HMS Sheffield and a chap who became a good customer of mine got off HMS Coventry. I sold a computer to a bloke who was a comms man on HMS Conqueror when they sank the Belgrano and a chap viewed a property I was selling , who had been Mentioned in Despatches serving with Scots Guards at Tumbledown, there's near half a page on him in the book "Above all Courage" .Very pleasant , unnasuming Scot I thought him, It was, after all, his wife who spilled the beans, not him, she was obviously proud as punch of her husband. He did not buy my place , but he bought a place locally, and by sheer coincidence I bumped into him again when I was tasked to do a job there.
I came across several others as well, in varying rolls , some talk about it a lot, others far more reticent ,the latter often those who were most heavily engaged, Marines, Para's. Certainly the one's I've met , albeit little more than a handful.
By far the most strange incident though , concerned an American, called Alan Wolfe. Both he and I shared (he's sadly no longer with us) a deep interest in the pre 1947 Indian Army. We also were both members of an association centred on said IA and that , via correspondence is how we came aware of each other . This happened in the mid to late 80's. Alan was still working and he worked for the "American Government" . We shared facts, information and sources over the years and once he retired , became a regular visitor to London to attend conventions, and we became quite good friends, I liked the bloke, we got on well.
Anyhow, fast forward in the late 90's. I buy a copy of Rupert Allason's (Nigel West) book , "Secret War of the Falklands" . I got stuck into it and came to a page which nearly caused me to fall out my chair. During the Falklands war my friend Alan was bureau chief CIA in London and a key player in the denial of Exocets to the Argentines.
As may be imagined the next time he came to London, this bloke was full of questions. He thought it hugely amusing , funny what you can come across in life.
As to the Falklands war itself, for me, an unforgettable time, even though I was not there. I reckon this little old island renewed it's pride in itself after being humiliated in Musketeer , when you sit and reflect, it was a quite remarkable military operation, fighting a war thousands of miles away outside the enemies back door . Anyone who did take part in it, must be very proud , quite rightly too.
ApOrbital said:
I like Ginetta G15 Girl she does know a lot more than me.
Thank You. 
jbudgie said:
Would be nice if she sometimes came back with a 
or 
or something.
I'm not one generally for stuff like that. Imagine, if you will, arriving on your first flying Sqn to be told by your Flt Cdr that "We don't want people like you on this Sqn." (ie 'Lumpy Jumper types). That's why I don't accept sexist crap very well and why I can be described as 'prickly'. or or something.4th June
An inbound convoy anchored in San Carlos Water after dawn.
Sir Galahad began her entry into the Salvador narrows in daylight. There was little risk of air attack as low cloud and mist continued to shroud the ships.
The Bahia Paraiso arrived in the Red Cross box and transferred Argentine wounded from Uganda.
The weather limited helicopter activity and only one 105mm gun could be lifted into Bluff Cove.
The Battle Group had suspended bombardments of Port Stanley until the Exocet threat had been examined. Although it was known that the air launched threat was passed, Exocet could also be launched from land-based launchers.
Exeter arrived on her station that evening and flew off her Lynx, carrying a home-made radar reflector, the helicopter flew along the gun-line pretending to be a ship, in the hope of attracting an Exocet. No missile was fired.
SD.
An inbound convoy anchored in San Carlos Water after dawn.
Sir Galahad began her entry into the Salvador narrows in daylight. There was little risk of air attack as low cloud and mist continued to shroud the ships.
The Bahia Paraiso arrived in the Red Cross box and transferred Argentine wounded from Uganda.
The weather limited helicopter activity and only one 105mm gun could be lifted into Bluff Cove.
The Battle Group had suspended bombardments of Port Stanley until the Exocet threat had been examined. Although it was known that the air launched threat was passed, Exocet could also be launched from land-based launchers.
Exeter arrived on her station that evening and flew off her Lynx, carrying a home-made radar reflector, the helicopter flew along the gun-line pretending to be a ship, in the hope of attracting an Exocet. No missile was fired.
SD.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff