Half a world, and half a lifetime away.
Discussion
Some of the ephemera from the period - pictures, newspaper headlines and other media is largely forgotten until the memory is jogged. Some of the more famous headlines came at the beginning of the conflict show the general feeling of the country at the time. This was going to be an absolute walkover.
The conflict was never universally supported in this country - and one of the most controversial incidents - the sinking of ARA Belgrano gave us some of the most powerful moments.
As well as a famous interview with Margaret Thatcher.
https://youtu.be/AsQ0THsRPBQ
The losses by the Royal Navy gave the country a massive reality check. Sheffield, Coventry, Ardent, Antelope and all the others - names that at the time were all over the news, the only topic of conversation are now nothing but memories. This was the first modern Air versus Naval conflict and one important lesson was reinforced. "Planes kick boat ass."
The general description of the average Argentinean service man was one of a cold, shivering conscript who was unwilling to fight. Some of the pictures show dispirited young men.
As well as large amounts of abandoned weapons and equipment.
The reality was that many of the servicemen on both sides were young, frightened and cold. Professionalism and better training may have been one of the deciding factors.
After the final battles of the night of 13/14th June the surrender was negotiated and a ceasefire was called.
https://1drv.ms/b/s!Ane9lOTY5nFrrwBpJVGzNiBUJY0I
https://1drv.ms/b/s!Ane9lOTY5nFrrwEGeIQRjFItKxz_
This video, I think, sums up the conflict. (Warning, it may get a little dusty.)
Several years ago I was sent a recording of a piece of prose - it laments the diminution of the RN, once the largest Navy in the world, now with less vessels than CalMac ferries.
http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=08064...
It's been an honour to compile this timeline, all that remains is to publish the lists of the fallen on both sides. As soon as I have all the names of the Argentinean dead I will post them together, Brothers in Arms.
SD.
The conflict was never universally supported in this country - and one of the most controversial incidents - the sinking of ARA Belgrano gave us some of the most powerful moments.
As well as a famous interview with Margaret Thatcher.
https://youtu.be/AsQ0THsRPBQ
The losses by the Royal Navy gave the country a massive reality check. Sheffield, Coventry, Ardent, Antelope and all the others - names that at the time were all over the news, the only topic of conversation are now nothing but memories. This was the first modern Air versus Naval conflict and one important lesson was reinforced. "Planes kick boat ass."
The general description of the average Argentinean service man was one of a cold, shivering conscript who was unwilling to fight. Some of the pictures show dispirited young men.
As well as large amounts of abandoned weapons and equipment.
The reality was that many of the servicemen on both sides were young, frightened and cold. Professionalism and better training may have been one of the deciding factors.
After the final battles of the night of 13/14th June the surrender was negotiated and a ceasefire was called.
https://1drv.ms/b/s!Ane9lOTY5nFrrwBpJVGzNiBUJY0I
https://1drv.ms/b/s!Ane9lOTY5nFrrwEGeIQRjFItKxz_
This video, I think, sums up the conflict. (Warning, it may get a little dusty.)
Several years ago I was sent a recording of a piece of prose - it laments the diminution of the RN, once the largest Navy in the world, now with less vessels than CalMac ferries.
http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=08064...
It's been an honour to compile this timeline, all that remains is to publish the lists of the fallen on both sides. As soon as I have all the names of the Argentinean dead I will post them together, Brothers in Arms.
SD.
Ayahuasca said:
British special forces (SBS?) looking very pleased with themselves.
Not the ultimate hard b
ds that they probably are.shed driver said:
...Several years ago I was sent a recording of a piece of prose - it laments the diminution of the RN, once the largest Navy in the world, now with less vessels than CalMac ferries.
http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=08064...
As a kid I had a pack of cards in a Vinyl sleeve. It was called "Know Your Navy" and was 'recognition silhouettes' of all of the various types of RN surface vessels, submarines, and aircraft. 52 cards plus jokers, I think. I wish I still had them, because it would remind me of how irrelevant the modern armed forces seem in the world now, compared to the apparent might of the RN back then...http://s000.tinyupload.com/index.php?file_id=08064...
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/3008...
This link is for and older set of the cards. Mine were from the 1970s, I think, in a vinyl sleeve rather than boxed. I took them with my every time we went to the seaside or the docks, just in case I got lucky and spotted a RN or RFA vessel close to shore or alongside.
shed driver said:
The conflict was never universally supported in this country - and one of the most controversial incidents - the sinking of ARA Belgrano gave us some of the most powerful moments.
What gets forgotten is that that headline was a response to the report that Belgrano had been damaged. As soon as the news came through that it had sunk with heavy loss of life it was pulled.My recollection is that it wasn't expected to be a walkover at all, the hope was that the threat of the task foce would be sufficient to induce Argentina to withdraw. I remember reporters on the Hermes reporting with astonishment that the Harrier crews were confident they could cope with Argentine forces.
Shed, thank you for a superb thread, it's been a real eye opener for me. I was only 18 months old at the time, so other than a very vague understanding I didn't really have any idea of what went on. My knowledge of WW1 & 2, the Gulf War and more recent events is far better, but for some reason the FI has passed me by until now.
My impressions until now were that it was a walkover for the British forces. I was aware of the loss of Sheffield and Atlantic Conveyer, but assumed other than that we had complete control of the skies. I didn't realise how many other ships were lost as well, and how much of a struggle it was for the troops on the ground.
I've always had respect for anyone who's served, but this thread has reinforced that view.
My impressions until now were that it was a walkover for the British forces. I was aware of the loss of Sheffield and Atlantic Conveyer, but assumed other than that we had complete control of the skies. I didn't realise how many other ships were lost as well, and how much of a struggle it was for the troops on the ground.
I've always had respect for anyone who's served, but this thread has reinforced that view.
jan8p said:
Ayahuasca said:
British special forces (SBS?) looking very pleased with themselves.
Not the ultimate hard b
ds that they probably are.Zetec-S said:
Shed, thank you for a superb thread, it's been a real eye opener for me. I was only 18 months old at the time, so other than a very vague understanding I didn't really have any idea of what went on. My knowledge of WW1 & 2, the Gulf War and more recent events is far better, but for some reason the FI has passed me by until now.
My impressions until now were that it was a walkover for the British forces. I was aware of the loss of Sheffield and Atlantic Conveyer, but assumed other than that we had complete control of the skies. I didn't realise how many other ships were lost as well, and how much of a struggle it was for the troops on the ground.
I've always had respect for anyone who's served, but this thread has reinforced that view.
The Falklands operation was one of the most spectacular events in military history. The Russians were astonished, and prior to to the actual arrival of the task force senior military people all over the world (including the Americans) were privately saying it could not be done. My impressions until now were that it was a walkover for the British forces. I was aware of the loss of Sheffield and Atlantic Conveyer, but assumed other than that we had complete control of the skies. I didn't realise how many other ships were lost as well, and how much of a struggle it was for the troops on the ground.
I've always had respect for anyone who's served, but this thread has reinforced that view.
When you stop and think about it, we went to the opposite end of the world, and defeated the enemy in his own backyard. To turn it upon its head the Falkland Isalnds to Argentina are what the Channel Islands are to us. Imagine if Jersey was part of Peru (as example) and we invaded it....what odds would the bookies give on the Peruvians regaining it?
Hosenbugler said:
The Falklands operation was one of the most spectacular events in military history. The Russians were astonished, and prior to to the actual arrival of the task force senior military people all over the world (including the Americans) were privately saying it could not be done.
When you stop and think about it, we went to the opposite end of the world, and defeated the enemy in his own backyard. To turn it upon its head the Falkland Isalnds to Argentina are what the Channel Islands are to us. Imagine if Jersey was part of Peru (as example) and we invaded it....what odds would the bookies give on the Peruvians regaining it?
Not that it matters but I thought the Falklands were about 1k miles from Argentina?When you stop and think about it, we went to the opposite end of the world, and defeated the enemy in his own backyard. To turn it upon its head the Falkland Isalnds to Argentina are what the Channel Islands are to us. Imagine if Jersey was part of Peru (as example) and we invaded it....what odds would the bookies give on the Peruvians regaining it?
Kit was uncomfortable back then: crappy bergan, 58 pattern webbing perched on top of the bergan, shirt - wool itchy, jumper - wool scratchy, sleeping bag bulky. No body armour. No radio. No helmet camera. Although that is probably a good thing.
Edited by Ayahuasca on Thursday 15th June 18:16
Fast forward 35 years and veteran Falklands servicemen say to their colleagues: " Don’t let traumas of war beat you ".
PTSD still haunts some.
PTSD still haunts some.
I've been a member of PH for over 10 years. I read a lot of wide and varied threads from a lot of different categories. Sometimes, if a thread inspires, interests or winds me up, I will reply. On even rarer occasions, I will start a thread of my own. In all the years I have been reading threads I have never kept up with one the way I have with this one. Despite the fact I was in my early 20's in 1982 and I vividly remember the loss of HMS Sheffield and the Atlantic Conveyor, there were things that I had forgotten. In addition, the added detail from people who were there has made this a fantastic thread. The way the OP has handled the topic with commitment, sensitivity and an obvious passion for the subject has been truly inspirational. I llook forward to reading any further additions to the thread and I would like to thank SD for his efforts. Well done Sir. 
Mr.Chips said:
I've been a member of PH for over 10 years. I read a lot of wide and varied threads from a lot of different categories. Sometimes, if a thread inspires, interests or winds me up, I will reply. On even rarer occasions, I will start a thread of my own. In all the years I have been reading threads I have never kept up with one the way I have with this one. Despite the fact I was in my early 20's in 1982 and I vividly remember the loss of HMS Sheffield and the Atlantic Conveyor, there were things that I had forgotten. In addition, the added detail from people who were there has made this a fantastic thread. The way the OP has handled the topic with commitment, sensitivity and an obvious passion for the subject has been truly inspirational. I llook forward to reading any further additions to the thread and I would like to thank SD for his efforts. Well done Sir.
Totally agree. Top job Shed Driver.
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