Half a world, and half a lifetime away.
Discussion
Kermit power said:
Hugo a Gogo said:
DMN said:
Ayahuasca said:
The Vambo said:
Ayahuasca said:
I was never convinced that 'tabbing' is 'tactical advance to battle'. Any proof of that? It is however a fiendishly difficult way of marching involving too-long strides (felt like almost goose-stepping) at a ludicrous pace with a strange hip wiggle, with your arms moving side to side across your body, rather than the fore-and-aft of normal marching. I was always relieved when the command came to start running again as that was easier. The idea is to average 10.5 - 12 minutes per mile, which is jogging pace, but whilst walking half the time.
The average man can Tab for a far further distance than he can jog, much much further.To run you have to lift you and your kit (20 Stone roughly on the Falklands) clean off the ground every step. Tabbing uses the locked knee and rotation of the hip joint to do the same job but without the lift effort.
And I was taught that Tab was Tac advance to battle at ITC Catterick.
Kermit power said:
Hugo a Gogo said:
DMN said:
Ayahuasca said:
The Vambo said:
Ayahuasca said:
I was never convinced that 'tabbing' is 'tactical advance to battle'. Any proof of that? It is however a fiendishly difficult way of marching involving too-long strides (felt like almost goose-stepping) at a ludicrous pace with a strange hip wiggle, with your arms moving side to side across your body, rather than the fore-and-aft of normal marching. I was always relieved when the command came to start running again as that was easier. The idea is to average 10.5 - 12 minutes per mile, which is jogging pace, but whilst walking half the time.
The average man can Tab for a far further distance than he can jog, much much further.To run you have to lift you and your kit (20 Stone roughly on the Falklands) clean off the ground every step. Tabbing uses the locked knee and rotation of the hip joint to do the same job but without the lift effort.
And I was taught that Tab was Tac advance to battle at ITC Catterick.
I've seen. Ravi November in action. I was on a gas platform when the marines practiced storming the rig, abbsailing from the rear ramp and side door on to the helideck. It was very impressive.
BN stuck in my mind as there was a feature about it in the old Warplane magazine which I collected as a teen.
BN stuck in my mind as there was a feature about it in the old Warplane magazine which I collected as a teen.
Oilchange said:
to get to their start lines the troops would have had to trapse through waterlogged bog interspersed with rocky outcrops. Awful terrain.
Have you seen the Dartmoor (Marines) and Sennybridge (Paras) training areas? It happens to be waterlogged bog interspersed with rocky outcrops. Awful terrain. The troops felt right at home.
louiechevy said:
According to a couple of ex service men mates of mine the lost kit that was recorded as being on the Atlantic Conveyer means it must of been the largest cargo ship ever built!
Likewise the fabled depot in Donnington that went up like a roman candle in the mid-80s; if all the equipment written off by enterprising Q blokes as having been destroyed by the fire had fitted inside, the store would have made the warehouse at the end of 'The Raiders of the Lost Ark' look like a garden shed.Truckosaurus said:
On the subject of battlefield logistics.
So the troops tabbed/yomped across the island carrying huge backpacks, I assume they then only take the bare minimum of equipment into battle.
How does each soldier get reunited with his kit that was left behind?
Two 'states' of equipment...So the troops tabbed/yomped across the island carrying huge backpacks, I assume they then only take the bare minimum of equipment into battle.
How does each soldier get reunited with his kit that was left behind?
CEMO - Complete Equipment, Marching Order - Bergen, webbing, weapon, helmet, kitchen sink. And forget any notion of just carrying your own personal kit. Add in extra ammunition, spare radio batteries, bits of section weapons, etc. Everything needed to go into battle, along with everything needed to admin yourself in the field between re-supplies.
CEFO - Complete Equipment, Fighting Order - Helmet now worn, not carried, weapon, webbing, everything you need immediately to fight. Everything else is dumped in an admin area, where you can re-pack kit, prepare weapons, re-distribute ammunition and get heavy weapons back into one piece for the upcoming firefight.
...then it's "Advance to Contact" time. Twitchy sphincter, working your way forward (difficult enough in itself up some of those mountains on the Falklands in peacetime) until the enemy try to throw a massive spanner into the works.
If/when you win the firefight, or achieve your objective, and can dig in to hold it, either some of the unit will filter back to collect kit, or "Echelon" (Quartermaster types) will bring it forward with your resupply. Fighting through is only a small part of winning wars. The biggest battle is often the logistics one. Every man has basic needs for food, water, and shelter, without which he soon becomes useless. On top of that you need to keep up a steady supply of ammunition in order to keep fighting. If your logistics chain is stretched too thin, something will have to give...
yellowjack said:
Two 'states' of equipment...
CEMO - Complete Equipment, Marching Order - Bergen, webbing, weapon, helmet, kitchen sink. And forget any notion of just carrying your own personal kit. Add in extra ammunition, spare radio batteries, bits of section weapons, etc. Everything needed to go into battle, along with everything needed to admin yourself in the field between re-supplies.
CEFO - Complete Equipment, Fighting Order - Helmet now worn, not carried, weapon, webbing, everything you need immediately to fight. Everything else is dumped in an admin area, where you can re-pack kit, prepare weapons, re-distribute ammunition and get heavy weapons back into one piece for the upcoming firefight.
...then it's "Advance to Contact" time. Twitchy sphincter, working your way forward (difficult enough in itself up some of those mountains on the Falklands in peacetime) until the enemy try to throw a massive spanner into the works.
If/when you win the firefight, or achieve your objective, and can dig in to hold it, either some of the unit will filter back to collect kit, or "Echelon" (Quartermaster types) will bring it forward with your resupply. Fighting through is only a small part of winning wars. The biggest battle is often the logistics one. Every man has basic needs for food, water, and shelter, without which he soon becomes useless. On top of that you need to keep up a steady supply of ammunition in order to keep fighting. If your logistics chain is stretched too thin, something will have to give...
CEMO - Complete Equipment, Marching Order - Bergen, webbing, weapon, helmet, kitchen sink. And forget any notion of just carrying your own personal kit. Add in extra ammunition, spare radio batteries, bits of section weapons, etc. Everything needed to go into battle, along with everything needed to admin yourself in the field between re-supplies.
CEFO - Complete Equipment, Fighting Order - Helmet now worn, not carried, weapon, webbing, everything you need immediately to fight. Everything else is dumped in an admin area, where you can re-pack kit, prepare weapons, re-distribute ammunition and get heavy weapons back into one piece for the upcoming firefight.
...then it's "Advance to Contact" time. Twitchy sphincter, working your way forward (difficult enough in itself up some of those mountains on the Falklands in peacetime) until the enemy try to throw a massive spanner into the works.
If/when you win the firefight, or achieve your objective, and can dig in to hold it, either some of the unit will filter back to collect kit, or "Echelon" (Quartermaster types) will bring it forward with your resupply. Fighting through is only a small part of winning wars. The biggest battle is often the logistics one. Every man has basic needs for food, water, and shelter, without which he soon becomes useless. On top of that you need to keep up a steady supply of ammunition in order to keep fighting. If your logistics chain is stretched too thin, something will have to give...
In reply to the specific question the Bergen's, Gerry cans of water, additional ammunition, anti-armour and mortar rounds will be left with the Colour Sergeant 2 or so Ks away.
I wouldn't be surprised if in the Falklands a really unlucky work party had to do round trips taking each sections gear up to them on foot.
8th June
President Regan becomes first US President to address both Houses of Parliament. Read his speech.
HMS Cardiff and Yarmouth took up the bombardment line to the south-east of Bluff Cove.
HMS Plymouth in Falkland Sound is hit by 4 Argentine bombs but none explode.
Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram are bombed at Fitzroy while the Welsh Guards are waiting to disembark - 51 die including 38 Welsh Guards and 55 are seriously wounded.
PM Margaret Thatcher asked the War cabinet asked not to reveal Fitzroy casualties.
Landing craft Foxtrot-4 sunk with British vehicles aboard.
3 Argentine skyhawks are shot down by sea harriers.
General Moore finalises battle plan for Stanley.
The attack on HMS Plymouth
HMS Plymouth was attacked by five Mirage aircraft. Although she managed to destroy two and damage another two, HMS Plymouth was hit by four bombs and numerous shells. One shell hit her flight deck, detonating a depth charge and starting a fire.
HMS Plymouth burns following the depth charge explosion.
Another bomb entered her funnel and failed to explode, whilst the other two destroyed her anti-submarine mortar but also failed to explode. Five men were injured in the attack and HMS Plymouth was assisted in putting her fires out by HMS Avenger.
HMS Plymouth and Avenger
Aftermath of the fire, seen here in the galley.
Aftermath of the fire.
HMS Plymouth left the Falklands with the County Class Destroyer HMS Glamorgan on June 21st, and returned to Rosyth on July 14th where she underwent full repairs. She had steamed 34,000 miles, fired over nine hundred 4.5 inch shells and destroyed five enemy aircraft.
I'll complete the loss of Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram after work tonight.
SD.
President Regan becomes first US President to address both Houses of Parliament. Read his speech.
HMS Cardiff and Yarmouth took up the bombardment line to the south-east of Bluff Cove.
HMS Plymouth in Falkland Sound is hit by 4 Argentine bombs but none explode.
Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram are bombed at Fitzroy while the Welsh Guards are waiting to disembark - 51 die including 38 Welsh Guards and 55 are seriously wounded.
PM Margaret Thatcher asked the War cabinet asked not to reveal Fitzroy casualties.
Landing craft Foxtrot-4 sunk with British vehicles aboard.
3 Argentine skyhawks are shot down by sea harriers.
General Moore finalises battle plan for Stanley.
The attack on HMS Plymouth
HMS Plymouth was attacked by five Mirage aircraft. Although she managed to destroy two and damage another two, HMS Plymouth was hit by four bombs and numerous shells. One shell hit her flight deck, detonating a depth charge and starting a fire.
HMS Plymouth burns following the depth charge explosion.
Another bomb entered her funnel and failed to explode, whilst the other two destroyed her anti-submarine mortar but also failed to explode. Five men were injured in the attack and HMS Plymouth was assisted in putting her fires out by HMS Avenger.
HMS Plymouth and Avenger
Aftermath of the fire, seen here in the galley.
Aftermath of the fire.
An Injured Sailor from HMS Plymouth said:
copied verbatim from personal diaries.
FALKLANDS PART:: Sailed from Rosyth, March 15th, 1982, to visit the Caribbean and USA, (never got there!!) Falklands invaded by Argentina, April 2nd 1982. “crossed the line” (equator), 8th April on route to South Atlantic. Beer issue is cut to 2 tinnies per day and not usual 3!!!
April-June 7th 1982, This was a time of high adrenalin and constant fighting with limited breaks as HMS Plymouth was at the forefront of most sea fighting activities, including a battle to regain South Georgia, Assisting Troops, SAS, SBS with naval gun support, NGS. After the retake of South Georgia, which seemed quite comfortable, I was given the task of guarding the surrendered scrap metal merchants, including 7-8 Argentine troops,(POW`s) in the dining room with my SMG!! (disgusting aroma)
Days were pretty similar to typical: Action Stations, Action Stations, Air Raid Warning RED, Hit the Deck, Hit the Deck!!! HMS Plymouths 4.5 turrets firing constantly, GPMG`s firing constantly, Chaff firing, Mortars firing occasionally, Sea-Cat missiles and of course the inevitable being bombed, shot at and just waiting for that Exocet to come through the bulkhead!!!(These times were very scary)
Lots happened during these months, as diary shows! (short stories, dits, of everyday life) June 8th 1982 is a day I remember very vividly. This is the day that HMS Plymouth, again, was attacked by several (5-10) aircraft. While out of “the safety” of San Carlos bay, Falklands Sound, Chief Stoker says fuel needs changing, “I think Jan`s down the boiler room, Jack, change the fuel tanks over from number 4 to number 3”, locking the door behind me and on my way to complete this task, little did I know I may not be seeing them again…… …….Air Raid Warning RED, Hit the Deck!!!…… Whilst lying face down directly outside of aft PO' mess, (having just read my now wife's, maily, and praying “please god, not now”, an almighty sound of the ship being hit by a 1000lb bomb.
This turns out to be through the funnel, and the ripping/tearing of the sheet steel metal. Totally panic stricken, “Bob, Bob, we'e been hit, we'e been f
kin hit”!!!
My fight……for life! We had been hit alright, one of the 5-10, 1000lb bombs, that were dropped from the attacking aircraft, actually hit our own Depth Charge, on the flight deck, that was awaiting in preparation, to be air lifted by our wasp helicopter, in the event of an enemy submarine being in the vicinity. At this point I awoke from the blast/explosion with a 3 inch aluminium emergency kick out panel door bracket sticking out of my head and the heavy steel door resting on my back, with a very intense smell of smoke and fire burning. While guys were fighting the fire, I remember saying, (as my thoughts were, we will not get back to San Carlos bay without changing the fuel, we`re to low!) “tell Jan I`ve not changed over the fuel tanks, someone tell Jan I`ve not changed over the fuel!!” At this point I was standing up on my own feet being supported by the Canteen-Manager The conversation consisted of “ can we get to the wardroom”, “which ways that”, I said, as I could not see anything with all the bandages over my head/eyes. “We`ll have to go over the top and back down the other hatch” “Just guide me”, I says From managing to get through the smoke and mayhem, I reached the wardroom with Can-Man support, and some true Navy training grit/spirit Whilst laying on the bed, in the wardroom, bandages removed, metal bracket protruding from my blood weeping skull, the Doc, and a surgeon took a closer look and I heard “There`s nothing we can do for him on here”
To this day, I can say “That was the day I thought I had to be dead” ( my own outta body experience ) I crushed the Can-Mans hand in dis-belief. I am now a totally petrified, scared and very frightened young man with no where to run and hide from this nightmare, ( I`m actually in the nightmare, and it doesn`t get any scarier than being in it!! ) I then proceeded to the forward 4.5 turret gun, where a helicopter winched me clear and flew me to a field hospital, as a crew member attempted to keep me awake, which lasted seconds! I awoke at Ajax Bay field hospital, from life saving/critical surgery to remove the 3 inch metal bracket, smashed bone, severely damaged outer brain tissue (membrane), loose hair, and having a face slightly larger than the elephant man!! Unfortunately the injured guy next to me, Ajax bay, was sick all over my right side and there was lots of shouting going on in the background, (bit vague that bit) However, I was then transferred to the hospital ship SS Uganda, intensive care. Tony, broken arm, and Bob, (we`ve been hit), broken arm, came to my bedside and brought me up to speed with what actually happened, Ouch!!! At this point I can only thank the surgeon ( who I now know was Rick Jolly ), for saving my life. I have been fortunate enough to speak with Rick recently, Dec 06, and I was able to say “Thank You” over the telephone, some 24 years later!! Transferred to lower decks, once I was out of the serious/critical zone. I remember speaking to mum and dad on the phone, (first time for a while), and feeling the relief that their son was seriously injured but was OK.
The road to recovery…..maybe??? Being transferred to HMS Herald, as an ambulance ship transporting injured personnel to Montevideo, Uruguay. This was a short journey that seemed to take an eternity, maybe just anxious to get home. On arrival at Montevideo, together with a few others, I was transported to the A&E, for a scan on my head to ensure it was safe to fly back to the UK. Results concluded for a safe journey home. On the “converted to an ambulance” plane home, at a meal time, I was on my top bunk style bed, and below was a soldier who had been shot through his head, ( who I now know as Lt Lawrence, of the “Battle at Tumbledown” experience), and he was bleeding from his head wound into his dinner, at which I pointed out to our flight stewards, and they quickly sorted out the problem. I landed back in the UK, after a long flight, at Brize Norton. We were ushered to our ward and a few hours later visitors were allowed. My mum and ex navy (22 yrs) dad came to my bedside and were very relieved to see their son, as normal as possible. A very emotional experience.
After a day at Brize, I was transferred to Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Gosport. This was a quiet period of monitoring and being nursed while waiting to see a Neurology Specialist at Southampton General. On 28th June, (3 weeks after being blown up), the RN hospital, had a visit from HRH Prince of Wales. At which we shook hands and I showed him the said metal bracket. From his astonished look on his face, and his remark of “that was actually embedded in your head”, I could sense I was very fortunate to even still be here to speak with the Prince. Days passed and I finally got to Southampton Neurology, General Hospital. I spent a number of weeks at Southampton, being operated on to remove loose hair, and smashed bone particles. There was also an opportunity to remove some thigh muscle, from my left leg, and use it to repair the shattered membrane surrounding my brain. However, this was done, and a waiting time of up to 18 months was put in place to allow time for the membrane to repair and give it a good chance to heal and gain enough strength for future ops!!
So I am now walking around with a “hole in my head”, which you can see the brain pulsating!! A few months pass and I get married, 08/01/83, and still a hole in my head, taking the precautionary anti-epilepsy pills. Although drafted to HMS Nelson, along came married quarters, Portsmouth. During our stay at married quarters, I received an invite to attend a Garden Party, at Kensington Palace, from HRH Prince and Princess of Wales, in July 83, being held for Falklands injured personnel. Some 15 months pass, post membrane operation, and I am asked to attend Southampton Neurology to continue with a final operation. This operation consisted of Cranioplasty,(polyfilla), filling the gaping hole in my skull. I believe a straight forward operation, and a successful one, maybe!!
What happens next?? I return to HMS Nelson to complete my short spell of RN life. (5yrs+) 2 weeks after leaving the RN, along came my eldest daughter. Having left the Royal Navy, I found it very difficult to settle in work and home life. Some 4 years later came my youngest daughter and I have been happily married for 24 years Some of my interests have included playing football, regularly winning trophies, cups and stuff, golfing to a respectable 18 handicap, and cycling has become my main fitness tool, to which I have just completed, (Sept 06) “Cycle around Isle of Wight”, 65 miles, in aid of Alzheimers Society.
I still attend HMS Plymouth reunions, up until Oct 5th 06, when I went for a routine hospital check up, and was kept in for 4 nights due to an infection on, yep!! you`ve guessed it, my war wound!! (24 yrs later!!) An X-Ray showed signs of an infection in the area of the cranioplasty. Antibiotics were administered intravenously, as a precaution and a CT scan was taken. However, scaring me again, it has turned out to have been a precautionary measure, due to the abnormal clouding of the Cranioplasty surgery!! Spookily enough, my wife was having an operation on Oct 6th 06, so we did manage to share the same ward for our remaining 3 nights. Things you do to be together!! Then my follow-up appointment to see a Neuro surgeon, (first time since 1983) The Surgeon has said he is concerned by the shrinkage of the brain, then he swiftly moved on to the reason why I was visiting him. The CT scan shows actual brain damage, probably caused by the impact of the blast. This has come as a bit of a shock to me as I knew nothing of this. I was only concerned by the possible infection. However, I am sure everthing is OK, as can be, as all my functions, function! My main concern, at this moment in time, is Neuro surgeon says: “ We will have to remove the cranioplasty, that’s been there since 1983 and replace it with a new Titanium Plate, and there is no guarantee that this will not get infected”. I have always maintained a good spirit about my injuries and will continue to do so, but to get cut up again through no fault of my own, I find difficult to understand……hence “the road to recovery……maybe!!!”
She then underwent emergency repairs from the Stena Seaspread before re-joining the fleet. She then provided naval gunfire bombardment during the retaking of the island. After the surrender of Stanley, HMS Plymouth was the first ship to enter Stanley Harbour. FALKLANDS PART:: Sailed from Rosyth, March 15th, 1982, to visit the Caribbean and USA, (never got there!!) Falklands invaded by Argentina, April 2nd 1982. “crossed the line” (equator), 8th April on route to South Atlantic. Beer issue is cut to 2 tinnies per day and not usual 3!!!
April-June 7th 1982, This was a time of high adrenalin and constant fighting with limited breaks as HMS Plymouth was at the forefront of most sea fighting activities, including a battle to regain South Georgia, Assisting Troops, SAS, SBS with naval gun support, NGS. After the retake of South Georgia, which seemed quite comfortable, I was given the task of guarding the surrendered scrap metal merchants, including 7-8 Argentine troops,(POW`s) in the dining room with my SMG!! (disgusting aroma)
Days were pretty similar to typical: Action Stations, Action Stations, Air Raid Warning RED, Hit the Deck, Hit the Deck!!! HMS Plymouths 4.5 turrets firing constantly, GPMG`s firing constantly, Chaff firing, Mortars firing occasionally, Sea-Cat missiles and of course the inevitable being bombed, shot at and just waiting for that Exocet to come through the bulkhead!!!(These times were very scary)
Lots happened during these months, as diary shows! (short stories, dits, of everyday life) June 8th 1982 is a day I remember very vividly. This is the day that HMS Plymouth, again, was attacked by several (5-10) aircraft. While out of “the safety” of San Carlos bay, Falklands Sound, Chief Stoker says fuel needs changing, “I think Jan`s down the boiler room, Jack, change the fuel tanks over from number 4 to number 3”, locking the door behind me and on my way to complete this task, little did I know I may not be seeing them again…… …….Air Raid Warning RED, Hit the Deck!!!…… Whilst lying face down directly outside of aft PO' mess, (having just read my now wife's, maily, and praying “please god, not now”, an almighty sound of the ship being hit by a 1000lb bomb.
This turns out to be through the funnel, and the ripping/tearing of the sheet steel metal. Totally panic stricken, “Bob, Bob, we'e been hit, we'e been f
kin hit”!!! My fight……for life! We had been hit alright, one of the 5-10, 1000lb bombs, that were dropped from the attacking aircraft, actually hit our own Depth Charge, on the flight deck, that was awaiting in preparation, to be air lifted by our wasp helicopter, in the event of an enemy submarine being in the vicinity. At this point I awoke from the blast/explosion with a 3 inch aluminium emergency kick out panel door bracket sticking out of my head and the heavy steel door resting on my back, with a very intense smell of smoke and fire burning. While guys were fighting the fire, I remember saying, (as my thoughts were, we will not get back to San Carlos bay without changing the fuel, we`re to low!) “tell Jan I`ve not changed over the fuel tanks, someone tell Jan I`ve not changed over the fuel!!” At this point I was standing up on my own feet being supported by the Canteen-Manager The conversation consisted of “ can we get to the wardroom”, “which ways that”, I said, as I could not see anything with all the bandages over my head/eyes. “We`ll have to go over the top and back down the other hatch” “Just guide me”, I says From managing to get through the smoke and mayhem, I reached the wardroom with Can-Man support, and some true Navy training grit/spirit Whilst laying on the bed, in the wardroom, bandages removed, metal bracket protruding from my blood weeping skull, the Doc, and a surgeon took a closer look and I heard “There`s nothing we can do for him on here”
To this day, I can say “That was the day I thought I had to be dead” ( my own outta body experience ) I crushed the Can-Mans hand in dis-belief. I am now a totally petrified, scared and very frightened young man with no where to run and hide from this nightmare, ( I`m actually in the nightmare, and it doesn`t get any scarier than being in it!! ) I then proceeded to the forward 4.5 turret gun, where a helicopter winched me clear and flew me to a field hospital, as a crew member attempted to keep me awake, which lasted seconds! I awoke at Ajax Bay field hospital, from life saving/critical surgery to remove the 3 inch metal bracket, smashed bone, severely damaged outer brain tissue (membrane), loose hair, and having a face slightly larger than the elephant man!! Unfortunately the injured guy next to me, Ajax bay, was sick all over my right side and there was lots of shouting going on in the background, (bit vague that bit) However, I was then transferred to the hospital ship SS Uganda, intensive care. Tony, broken arm, and Bob, (we`ve been hit), broken arm, came to my bedside and brought me up to speed with what actually happened, Ouch!!! At this point I can only thank the surgeon ( who I now know was Rick Jolly ), for saving my life. I have been fortunate enough to speak with Rick recently, Dec 06, and I was able to say “Thank You” over the telephone, some 24 years later!! Transferred to lower decks, once I was out of the serious/critical zone. I remember speaking to mum and dad on the phone, (first time for a while), and feeling the relief that their son was seriously injured but was OK.
The road to recovery…..maybe??? Being transferred to HMS Herald, as an ambulance ship transporting injured personnel to Montevideo, Uruguay. This was a short journey that seemed to take an eternity, maybe just anxious to get home. On arrival at Montevideo, together with a few others, I was transported to the A&E, for a scan on my head to ensure it was safe to fly back to the UK. Results concluded for a safe journey home. On the “converted to an ambulance” plane home, at a meal time, I was on my top bunk style bed, and below was a soldier who had been shot through his head, ( who I now know as Lt Lawrence, of the “Battle at Tumbledown” experience), and he was bleeding from his head wound into his dinner, at which I pointed out to our flight stewards, and they quickly sorted out the problem. I landed back in the UK, after a long flight, at Brize Norton. We were ushered to our ward and a few hours later visitors were allowed. My mum and ex navy (22 yrs) dad came to my bedside and were very relieved to see their son, as normal as possible. A very emotional experience.
After a day at Brize, I was transferred to Royal Naval Hospital, Haslar, Gosport. This was a quiet period of monitoring and being nursed while waiting to see a Neurology Specialist at Southampton General. On 28th June, (3 weeks after being blown up), the RN hospital, had a visit from HRH Prince of Wales. At which we shook hands and I showed him the said metal bracket. From his astonished look on his face, and his remark of “that was actually embedded in your head”, I could sense I was very fortunate to even still be here to speak with the Prince. Days passed and I finally got to Southampton Neurology, General Hospital. I spent a number of weeks at Southampton, being operated on to remove loose hair, and smashed bone particles. There was also an opportunity to remove some thigh muscle, from my left leg, and use it to repair the shattered membrane surrounding my brain. However, this was done, and a waiting time of up to 18 months was put in place to allow time for the membrane to repair and give it a good chance to heal and gain enough strength for future ops!!
So I am now walking around with a “hole in my head”, which you can see the brain pulsating!! A few months pass and I get married, 08/01/83, and still a hole in my head, taking the precautionary anti-epilepsy pills. Although drafted to HMS Nelson, along came married quarters, Portsmouth. During our stay at married quarters, I received an invite to attend a Garden Party, at Kensington Palace, from HRH Prince and Princess of Wales, in July 83, being held for Falklands injured personnel. Some 15 months pass, post membrane operation, and I am asked to attend Southampton Neurology to continue with a final operation. This operation consisted of Cranioplasty,(polyfilla), filling the gaping hole in my skull. I believe a straight forward operation, and a successful one, maybe!!
What happens next?? I return to HMS Nelson to complete my short spell of RN life. (5yrs+) 2 weeks after leaving the RN, along came my eldest daughter. Having left the Royal Navy, I found it very difficult to settle in work and home life. Some 4 years later came my youngest daughter and I have been happily married for 24 years Some of my interests have included playing football, regularly winning trophies, cups and stuff, golfing to a respectable 18 handicap, and cycling has become my main fitness tool, to which I have just completed, (Sept 06) “Cycle around Isle of Wight”, 65 miles, in aid of Alzheimers Society.
I still attend HMS Plymouth reunions, up until Oct 5th 06, when I went for a routine hospital check up, and was kept in for 4 nights due to an infection on, yep!! you`ve guessed it, my war wound!! (24 yrs later!!) An X-Ray showed signs of an infection in the area of the cranioplasty. Antibiotics were administered intravenously, as a precaution and a CT scan was taken. However, scaring me again, it has turned out to have been a precautionary measure, due to the abnormal clouding of the Cranioplasty surgery!! Spookily enough, my wife was having an operation on Oct 6th 06, so we did manage to share the same ward for our remaining 3 nights. Things you do to be together!! Then my follow-up appointment to see a Neuro surgeon, (first time since 1983) The Surgeon has said he is concerned by the shrinkage of the brain, then he swiftly moved on to the reason why I was visiting him. The CT scan shows actual brain damage, probably caused by the impact of the blast. This has come as a bit of a shock to me as I knew nothing of this. I was only concerned by the possible infection. However, I am sure everthing is OK, as can be, as all my functions, function! My main concern, at this moment in time, is Neuro surgeon says: “ We will have to remove the cranioplasty, that’s been there since 1983 and replace it with a new Titanium Plate, and there is no guarantee that this will not get infected”. I have always maintained a good spirit about my injuries and will continue to do so, but to get cut up again through no fault of my own, I find difficult to understand……hence “the road to recovery……maybe!!!”
HMS Plymouth left the Falklands with the County Class Destroyer HMS Glamorgan on June 21st, and returned to Rosyth on July 14th where she underwent full repairs. She had steamed 34,000 miles, fired over nine hundred 4.5 inch shells and destroyed five enemy aircraft.
I'll complete the loss of Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram after work tonight.
SD.
yellowjack said:
Truckosaurus said:
On the subject of battlefield logistics.
So the troops tabbed/yomped across the island carrying huge backpacks, I assume they then only take the bare minimum of equipment into battle.
How does each soldier get reunited with his kit that was left behind?
Two 'states' of equipment...So the troops tabbed/yomped across the island carrying huge backpacks, I assume they then only take the bare minimum of equipment into battle.
How does each soldier get reunited with his kit that was left behind?
CEMO - Complete Equipment, Marching Order - Bergen, webbing, weapon, helmet, kitchen sink. And forget any notion of just carrying your own personal kit. Add in extra ammunition, spare radio batteries, bits of section weapons, etc. Everything needed to go into battle, along with everything needed to admin yourself in the field between re-supplies.
CEFO - Complete Equipment, Fighting Order - Helmet now worn, not carried, weapon, webbing, everything you need immediately to fight. Everything else is dumped in an admin area, where you can re-pack kit, prepare weapons, re-distribute ammunition and get heavy weapons back into one piece for the upcoming firefight.
...then it's "Advance to Contact" time. Twitchy sphincter, working your way forward (difficult enough in itself up some of those mountains on the Falklands in peacetime) until the enemy try to throw a massive spanner into the works.
If/when you win the firefight, or achieve your objective, and can dig in to hold it, either some of the unit will filter back to collect kit, or "Echelon" (Quartermaster types) will bring it forward with your resupply. Fighting through is only a small part of winning wars. The biggest battle is often the logistics one. Every man has basic needs for food, water, and shelter, without which he soon becomes useless. On top of that you need to keep up a steady supply of ammunition in order to keep fighting. If your logistics chain is stretched too thin, something will have to give...
8th June Supplemental.
Disaster at Fitzroy
Sir Galahad entered Fitzroy on 8 June just after 0800 hrs local time, to the surprise of some of the Welsh Guards whose understanding was still that they were being taken directly to Bluff Cove. Out of the six landing craft that were in the anchorage the day before, four had returned to HMS Intrepid in order to speed the supply situation at San Carlos, one had gone to Goose Green to fetch 5 Brigade's sorely needed signals vehicles, and only one, named Foxtrot One, was left unloading the ammunition from Sir Tristram. There was also a Mexeflote, a kind of powered pontoon raft which was used for unloading stores to the beach, but both this and Foxtrot One were both nearly fully loaded with ammunition crates. The commanders in charge of unloading the ships at Fitzroy knew that the 350 Welsh Guards had to be off the ship as soon as possible in case of air attack. It was suggested that the Guards could sit on top of the stores on the Mexeflote pontoon and be on shore within the hour.
The Guards Company Commanders were not keen on this as it meant they would have to march 5 miles to Bluff Cove and they were unwilling to weary their men unnecessarily, and all their heavy equipment would have to be left on board, with no guarantee of it being delivered to Bluff Cove in the near future. A compromise was then reached and the landing craft was made available to run the Guards to Bluff Cove, along with local tractors for the heavy equipment and a local 20 foot cutter.
As this was being discussed, an 846 Squadron Sea King was airlifting the Rapier units ashore, which was to take a total of 18 lifts. Foxtrot One came alongside Sir Galahad at noon in order to start embarking the Welsh Guards, but the Commander of the 16 Field Ambulance, the senior ranking officer there, said that the Guards had already had a chance of disembarking and it was vital that the leading echelon of his unit should have priority. Twelve men and nine vehicles of the medical unit were then transported ashore which took another hour to do. On the last trip, the loading ramp of the landing craft was damaged, so the heavy equipment of the Welsh Guards could not be loaded at Sir Galahad's stern doors. Instead it was decided that the equipment would be loaded on to the craft by crane, an incredibly slow process, before the men were taken off the ship. By this time Sir Galahad had been sitting in Fitzroy for 5 hours, largely due to misunderstandings and a lack of communication. Sir Tristram had now been unloaded, but was also still in the harbour. Argentinian observation posts on Mount Harriet had been watching the ships and reporting their presence all that time.
A reaction was inevitable, eventually eight Skyhawks and six Daggers took off from the mainland and headed toward the ripe target. The British forces at San Carlos were warned of the raid, probably by a submarine patrolling off Rio Grande, but again due to the communications difficulties the warning did not reach the Sir Galahad. The stage for tragedy was set.
Three of the Skyhawks and one of the Daggers had to return to base after experiencing technical problems but the rest carried on, going to low level as they approached the islands, the two formations splitting to fly around Lafonia north and south about in order to attack Fitzroy from different directions. The Dagger formation found HMS Plymouth in Falkland Sound however, steaming to carry out a bombardment of Argentine positions on Mount Rosalie, and decided to attack her. Plymouth was hit by three bombs, but again the fusing problems of low level releases meant that none exploded. The impact of the bombs detonated a depth charge and started a fire which caused much superficial damage, injuring four men. One of the Daggers was slightly damaged in the attack. At Fitzroy the five remaining Skyhawks from Grupo 5 de Caza fell upon the anchorage with almost complete surprise, the units ashore had finally received a warning, but there was no way of passing it to the ships. The Royal Marine gunners on the ships managed to engage the aircraft, and one Blowpipe shoulder launched missile was fired, but failed to find a target.Three Skyhawks attacked Sir Galahad and two attacked Sir Tristram. The air defences were ill prepared for this strike; the two Sea Harriers that had formed the Combat Air Patrol to the south were now in pursuit of the Dagger formation and the operational Rapier sites were mainly covering the 5 Brigade Headquarters and the new supply base, not the anchorage. Unfortunately the Rapier site covering the anchorage to the east, the direction from which the Skyhawks attacked, had been damaged in transit and a spare part was just being landed by Sea King as the attack came in. This tragic combination of circumstance was to cause the single largest British loss of life of the campaign.
Two bombs hit Sir Tristram, one passing straight through the ship without exploding, the other exploding in a small compartment killing two Chinese crewmen. Sir Galahad suffered far, far worse. Three bombs hit the ship, one passing through a hatch hitting the tank deck, one hitting the engine room and galley and the last burst in the officer's quarters. The bombs did not explode as the term is commonly understood, they all deflagrated, the casings smashing open on impact, and the contents burning rapidly rather than detonating. The bomb that hit the tank deck caused most of the casualties, for that was where most of the troops were concentrated, along with twenty tons of ammunition and a large amount of petrol, which became an inferno.
Sir Galahad burns.
At least 45 men died on that tank deck, and 150 were injured and burned, many of them very seriously.
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh8c8SgaN5M&t=10s]Video of the attack.[/i]
Immediately helicopters came in and started to take the injured off the ship. Foxtrot One was already alongside, protected by the bulk of Sir Galahad from the explosions and began taking wounded aboard.
Landing the wounded at Fitzroy.
The Mexeflote pontoon also moved in, and some of the survivors got away on it. Although no-one was controlling the rescue, the Sea Kings of 846 and 825 Squadrons, the Wessex from 847 and a Gazelle from 656 Squadrons all co-operated with the surface vessels in perfect harmony. The wounded were taken at first to the Fitzroy landing site, before a shuttle of helicopters started taking them to Ajax Bay and then on to the hospital ship Uganda, who received 159 casualties this day. Captain Philip Roberts was the last man to leave the ship some forty five minutes after the attack, which due to the heat of the inferno, was left to burn itself out. Sir Galahad was towed out to sea later in June and sunk as a war grave. Forty-eight men died in the ship, thirty-two of whom were Welsh Guardsmen.
Read the Board of Inquiry into the losses of RFAs Sir Tristram and Sir Galahad.
Roll of Honour
RFA Sir Galahad
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Royal Marines
Disaster at Fitzroy
Sir Galahad entered Fitzroy on 8 June just after 0800 hrs local time, to the surprise of some of the Welsh Guards whose understanding was still that they were being taken directly to Bluff Cove. Out of the six landing craft that were in the anchorage the day before, four had returned to HMS Intrepid in order to speed the supply situation at San Carlos, one had gone to Goose Green to fetch 5 Brigade's sorely needed signals vehicles, and only one, named Foxtrot One, was left unloading the ammunition from Sir Tristram. There was also a Mexeflote, a kind of powered pontoon raft which was used for unloading stores to the beach, but both this and Foxtrot One were both nearly fully loaded with ammunition crates. The commanders in charge of unloading the ships at Fitzroy knew that the 350 Welsh Guards had to be off the ship as soon as possible in case of air attack. It was suggested that the Guards could sit on top of the stores on the Mexeflote pontoon and be on shore within the hour.
The Guards Company Commanders were not keen on this as it meant they would have to march 5 miles to Bluff Cove and they were unwilling to weary their men unnecessarily, and all their heavy equipment would have to be left on board, with no guarantee of it being delivered to Bluff Cove in the near future. A compromise was then reached and the landing craft was made available to run the Guards to Bluff Cove, along with local tractors for the heavy equipment and a local 20 foot cutter.
As this was being discussed, an 846 Squadron Sea King was airlifting the Rapier units ashore, which was to take a total of 18 lifts. Foxtrot One came alongside Sir Galahad at noon in order to start embarking the Welsh Guards, but the Commander of the 16 Field Ambulance, the senior ranking officer there, said that the Guards had already had a chance of disembarking and it was vital that the leading echelon of his unit should have priority. Twelve men and nine vehicles of the medical unit were then transported ashore which took another hour to do. On the last trip, the loading ramp of the landing craft was damaged, so the heavy equipment of the Welsh Guards could not be loaded at Sir Galahad's stern doors. Instead it was decided that the equipment would be loaded on to the craft by crane, an incredibly slow process, before the men were taken off the ship. By this time Sir Galahad had been sitting in Fitzroy for 5 hours, largely due to misunderstandings and a lack of communication. Sir Tristram had now been unloaded, but was also still in the harbour. Argentinian observation posts on Mount Harriet had been watching the ships and reporting their presence all that time.
A reaction was inevitable, eventually eight Skyhawks and six Daggers took off from the mainland and headed toward the ripe target. The British forces at San Carlos were warned of the raid, probably by a submarine patrolling off Rio Grande, but again due to the communications difficulties the warning did not reach the Sir Galahad. The stage for tragedy was set.
Three of the Skyhawks and one of the Daggers had to return to base after experiencing technical problems but the rest carried on, going to low level as they approached the islands, the two formations splitting to fly around Lafonia north and south about in order to attack Fitzroy from different directions. The Dagger formation found HMS Plymouth in Falkland Sound however, steaming to carry out a bombardment of Argentine positions on Mount Rosalie, and decided to attack her. Plymouth was hit by three bombs, but again the fusing problems of low level releases meant that none exploded. The impact of the bombs detonated a depth charge and started a fire which caused much superficial damage, injuring four men. One of the Daggers was slightly damaged in the attack. At Fitzroy the five remaining Skyhawks from Grupo 5 de Caza fell upon the anchorage with almost complete surprise, the units ashore had finally received a warning, but there was no way of passing it to the ships. The Royal Marine gunners on the ships managed to engage the aircraft, and one Blowpipe shoulder launched missile was fired, but failed to find a target.Three Skyhawks attacked Sir Galahad and two attacked Sir Tristram. The air defences were ill prepared for this strike; the two Sea Harriers that had formed the Combat Air Patrol to the south were now in pursuit of the Dagger formation and the operational Rapier sites were mainly covering the 5 Brigade Headquarters and the new supply base, not the anchorage. Unfortunately the Rapier site covering the anchorage to the east, the direction from which the Skyhawks attacked, had been damaged in transit and a spare part was just being landed by Sea King as the attack came in. This tragic combination of circumstance was to cause the single largest British loss of life of the campaign.
Two bombs hit Sir Tristram, one passing straight through the ship without exploding, the other exploding in a small compartment killing two Chinese crewmen. Sir Galahad suffered far, far worse. Three bombs hit the ship, one passing through a hatch hitting the tank deck, one hitting the engine room and galley and the last burst in the officer's quarters. The bombs did not explode as the term is commonly understood, they all deflagrated, the casings smashing open on impact, and the contents burning rapidly rather than detonating. The bomb that hit the tank deck caused most of the casualties, for that was where most of the troops were concentrated, along with twenty tons of ammunition and a large amount of petrol, which became an inferno.
Sir Galahad burns.
At least 45 men died on that tank deck, and 150 were injured and burned, many of them very seriously.
[url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh8c8SgaN5M&t=10s]Video of the attack.[/i]
Immediately helicopters came in and started to take the injured off the ship. Foxtrot One was already alongside, protected by the bulk of Sir Galahad from the explosions and began taking wounded aboard.
Landing the wounded at Fitzroy.
The Mexeflote pontoon also moved in, and some of the survivors got away on it. Although no-one was controlling the rescue, the Sea Kings of 846 and 825 Squadrons, the Wessex from 847 and a Gazelle from 656 Squadrons all co-operated with the surface vessels in perfect harmony. The wounded were taken at first to the Fitzroy landing site, before a shuttle of helicopters started taking them to Ajax Bay and then on to the hospital ship Uganda, who received 159 casualties this day. Captain Philip Roberts was the last man to leave the ship some forty five minutes after the attack, which due to the heat of the inferno, was left to burn itself out. Sir Galahad was towed out to sea later in June and sunk as a war grave. Forty-eight men died in the ship, thirty-two of whom were Welsh Guardsmen.
Read the Board of Inquiry into the losses of RFAs Sir Tristram and Sir Galahad.
Roll of Honour
RFA Sir Galahad
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
- Electric Fitter Leung Chau
- 3rd Engineering Officer Christopher F. Hailwood
- 2nd Engineering Officer Paul A. Henry, G.M.
- 3rd Engineering Officer Andrew J. Morris
- Butcher Sung Yuk Pai
- Lance Corporal Anthony Burke
- Lance Sergeant Jim R. Carlyle
- Guardsman Ian A. Dale
- Guardsman Michael J. Dunphy
- Guardsman Peter Edwards
- Sergeant Clifford Elley
- Guardsman Mark Gibby
- Guardsman Glenn C. Grace
- Guardsman Paul Green
- Guardsman Gareth M. Griffiths
- Guardsman Denis N. Hughes
- Guardsman Gareth Hughes
- Guardsman Brian Jasper
- Guardsman Anthony Keeble
- Lance Sergeant Kevin Keoghane
- Guardsman Michael J. Marks
- Guardsman Christopher Mordecai
- Lance Corporal Stephen J. Newbury
- Guardsman Gareth D. Nicholson
- Guardsman Colin C. Parsons
- Guardsman Eirwyn J. Phillips
- Guardsman Gareth W. Poole
- Guardsman Nigel A. Rowberry
- Lance Corporal Philip A. Sweet
- Guardsman Glyn K. Thomas
- Lance Corporal Nicholas D. M. Thomas
- Guardsman Raymond G. Thomas
- Guardsman Andrew Walker
- Lance Corporal Christopher F. Ward
- Guardsman James F. Weaver
- Sergeant Malcolm Wigley
- Guardsman David R. Williams
- Lance Corporal Barry C. Bullers
- Private Albert M. Connett
- Private Michael L. Jones
- Private Richard W. Middlewick
- Lance Corporal Ian R. Farrell
- Major Roger Nutbeem
- Private Ken Preston
- Corporal Andrew G. McIlvenny
- Sapper Wayne D. Tarbard
- Craftsman Mark W. Rollins
- Lance Corporal Anthony R. Streatfield
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
- Seaman Yeung Shi Cam
- Bosun Yu Sik Chee
Royal Marines
- Marine Robert D. Griffin
- Colour Sergeant Brian R. Johnson, QGM
- Sergeant Ronald J. Rotherham
- Marine Anthony J. Rundle
- Marine Engineering Arfificer Alexander S. James
- Leading Marine Engineering Mechanician David Miller
9th June
HMS Yarmouth bombarded the Moody Brook area and went to the aid of the Monsunnen as she withdrew from the area. Monsunnen, a transport ship belonging to the Falkland Islands Company had a rope wrapped around its propeller and needed the divers from Yarmouth to help to free it.
Unloading at San Carlos went undisturbed but for two air raid warnings.
The unwounded survivors of the two Welsh Guards companies were flown back to San Carlos.
The casualties from the Sir Galahad had received first aid, but the many serious burns cases needed the specialist attention of the Uganda's burns unit.
HMS Yarmouth headed for the gunline off Port Pleasant that night.
SD.
HMS Yarmouth bombarded the Moody Brook area and went to the aid of the Monsunnen as she withdrew from the area. Monsunnen, a transport ship belonging to the Falkland Islands Company had a rope wrapped around its propeller and needed the divers from Yarmouth to help to free it.
Unloading at San Carlos went undisturbed but for two air raid warnings.
The unwounded survivors of the two Welsh Guards companies were flown back to San Carlos.
The casualties from the Sir Galahad had received first aid, but the many serious burns cases needed the specialist attention of the Uganda's burns unit.
HMS Yarmouth headed for the gunline off Port Pleasant that night.
SD.
Royal Marine PO23116X Colour Sergeant Brian R. Johnson, QGM
Killed along with members of his crew on LCU F4. Posthumously awarded his QGM for his actions earlier in the conflict during the loss of HMS Antelope...
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/49134/su...
Killed along with members of his crew on LCU F4. Posthumously awarded his QGM for his actions earlier in the conflict during the loss of HMS Antelope...
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/49134/su...
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