The Falklands War

Discussion in 'Postwar' started by Drew5233, Nov 26, 2009.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I thought we had a thread running on the Falklands War? Please move if there is one.

    Feel free to add any Falklands War related stories :)
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I saw this on the news this morning and thought I'd share it. I remember reading/hearing when I was younger that some of the Argentinian Conscripts captured by British troops had gun shot injuries to their feet, allegedly committed by their officers to stop them retreating. A practise still used toady I'm sure. There was apparently some 'evidence' of this in Iraq in 2003.

    Seventy former Argentine army officers are accused of crimes against humanity for the alleged abuse, torture and, in one case, murder of their own troops during the 1982 war with Britain over the Falklands, or Malvinas, Islands. As the BBC's Angus Crawford reports, the case has divided Argentina's veteran community.


    BBC News - Argentina veterans divided over Falklands 'abuse' case
     
  3. A-58

    A-58 Not so senior Member

    I was working the Mardi Gras Detail in 1983, and there was a sizeable group of sailors and marines from the Royal Navy on the loose on the streets of the French Quarter at that time. We had no problems with them of any consequence, but there were plenty of problems when a USN aircraft carrier pulled in to port and off-loaded about 4,000 drunken US sailors and marines into the mix. I was quartered at the Sheraton Hotel on Canal Street for the detail, and there were two RN officers in the room next to me. They seemed to be having a great time in New Orleans. Later, I had the opportunity to talk to several Royal Marines at one of the many oyster bars on Bourbon Street. They said that they spent some time down at the Falklands during the war, and was glad that it was all over and done with. They wanted to drink beer, and really didn't want to talk about the fighting. Can't say that I blame them. They earned their R & R time, and then some.
     
    Steve Mac and Wobbler like this.
  4. geoff501

    geoff501 Achtung Feind hört mit

  5. James Daly

    James Daly Senior Member

    I've a friend who was down South in 1982, I've had some pretty interesting conversations with him. Although hes never told me exactly what unit he was in, and neither have I asked... make of that what you will :unsure:

    As for books on the Falklands, I like Martin Middlebrook's book on the Argentine aspect of the War. The Max Hastings and Simon Jenkins book is a good background read but I'm not sure I like Hastings' style. The commanders memoirs - Woodward, Clapp and Thompson - make fascinating reading, only because it shows just what a chaotic situation the command set up was!
     
    James S likes this.
  6. Sgt Bilko

    Sgt Bilko Member

    I worked as a fourth year apprentice plater at the Royal Naval Dockyard at Devonport during the conflict.... Worked on a lot of the conversions of merchant ships heading down and a lot of the damaged warships that came back.....
     
  7. airborne medic

    airborne medic Very Senior Member

    If I may add something to this I spoke today with my old boss Doc Hughes (well that's what he was to us)...otherwise Captain S Hughes RMO 2 Para in 1982......he speaks a little Spanish and he said that a lot of Argies thought they would be killed in the RAP......perhaps this now makes a little sense.....my Spanish is limited to dos cervezas....which wasn't much use.......
     
  8. Gage

    Gage The Battle of Barking Creek

    I keep meaning to get a copy of Sharkey Ward's book. Is it any good?

    There's loads of Special Forces stories from the Falklands.
     
  9. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I worked as a fourth year apprentice plater at the Royal Naval Dockyard at Devonport during the conflict.... Worked on a lot of the conversions of merchant ships heading down and a lot of the damaged warships that came back.....

    Mel did you work on the Atantic Conveyor - My brother under wrote her insurance before she was 'borrowed' by the MoD and the insurance was taken over by the Crown.

    Any details on HM Ships that came back?
     
  10. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    I keep meaning to get a copy of Sharkey Ward's book. Is it any good?

    There's loads of Special Forces stories from the Falklands.
    Sharkeys book is great he upset a few people with his ways;) but it is a great read.
     
  11. James Daly

    James Daly Senior Member

    Sharkeys book is great he upset a few people with his ways;) but it is a great read.

    its a very good read, he was obviously a real maverick and didnt get along with the establishment, but seems to have been quite some fighter pilot leader
     
  12. James Daly

    James Daly Senior Member

    I worked as a fourth year apprentice plater at the Royal Naval Dockyard at Devonport during the conflict.... Worked on a lot of the conversions of merchant ships heading down and a lot of the damaged warships that came back.....

    My Dad was an electrical fitter in HM Dockyard Portsmouth just before the Falklands. He left in March 1982 under John Nott's Defence cuts. Worked on Sheffield, Coventry, Glamorgan, Antrim, Invincible, Fearless, Intrepid, Bristol, and a few others. Also, interestingly, the Type 42 that the Args bought off us, Santissima Trinidad.
     
  13. Za Rodinu

    Za Rodinu Hot air manufacturer

    No Falklands thread is good enough without an Argentinian speaking his mind. I remember more than one elsewhere that almost ended in international incidents :lol:

    My compliments to those who 'saw the elephant' there, and to those 'who also served' :)
     
  14. Capt Bill

    Capt Bill wanderin off at a tangent

    If you have an entire day spare to go through 145+ pages

    heres an excellent resource - stories and research from both sides

    Falklands 25 - Military Photos
     
  15. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    No Falklands thread is good enough without an Argentinian speaking his mind. I remember more than one elsewhere that almost ended in international incidents :lol:

    My compliments to those who 'saw the elephant' there, and to those 'who also served' :)
    Za, methinks I know the Argentinian, of who you speak and he was put straight in no uncertein terms;) as for those 'who saw the elephant' I have a subdued cap badge that a ex Para gave my Dad, for me many years ago having heard of my miitary intrests he had worn it in the Falklands so not 'seen it' but touched part of it:D
     
  16. Sgt Bilko

    Sgt Bilko Member

    Mel did you work on the Atantic Conveyor - My brother under wrote her insurance before she was 'borrowed' by the MoD and the insurance was taken over by the Crown.

    Any details on HM Ships that came back?

    Worked the Conveyor and her sister ship Atlantic Causeway...

    Worked on most of the Type 21 Frigates Antelope, Ardent, Alacrity, Arrow...and the Broadsword class frigates... both squadrons ( is that the right word to describe them?? ) were based at Devonport.

    A requisitioned Ro-Ro ferry The Rangatira ( I think it was called that! ) and a container/cargo ship called the Contender Bezant ( which I believe was purchased by the MOD and became an RFA..

    Major damage was repaired on Argonaut which was hit by a bomb which went through the decking and came out through the side and one of the RFA landing ships... I think it was Sir Lancelot.. but can't remember for sure.
     
  17. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I think its Flotilla mate.

    Good shot here of Broadsword in 'Bomb Alley' taken from one of the brave Argentian pilots gunsight cameras.
    [​IMG]
    Broadsword Association
     
  18. peterhastie

    peterhastie Senior Member

    I was based in Rosyth and had just arrived home, at my mothers, on weekend leave when I received a phone call telling me to return to Rosyth pick up my kit and join HMS Achilles in Chatham by 0800 Mon. At this point the first task force had sailed and the second was getting ready to leave. I wasn’t told where the Achilles was going over the phone because of security reasons. I joined Achilles on Sunday night and went down the mess. I asked the lads where we were going. “The West Indies” they said. We went to the West Indies for two and a half months and the Coventry, which was West Indies Guardship at the time was tasked to go straight to the Falklands, the rest we know.

    I stayed on the Achilles and the following year we went to the Falklands for 3 months at the time of the anniversary. One night an inexperienced radar operator was left on watch in the Ops Room. He reported to the OOW that he had two unidentified contacts at 18miles. At the time of the anniversary the Argentinians where probing the 200mile exclusion zone with there aircraft. The OOW got him to double check and again he reported two unidentified aircraft at 18 -20 miles. The OOW informed the Captain who then brought the ship to Action Stations. The simple mistake was quickly spotted by more experienced crew who found that the radar plot was actually set at 200 miles and not 20. We had a couple of the crew from HMS Argonaut who had been in San Carlos Water the year before. They where not happy bunnies and made this poor lads life a misery for a some time.

    Whilst I was there I saw the Sir Galahad, or what was left of it, in Port Stanley.
     
  19. Gage

    Gage The Battle of Barking Creek

    Did anyone get the ATB Falklands book? Is it any good?
     
  20. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Yes and Yes and I've only looked at some of the pictures !

    I think I may struggle with the Then and Nows though :D
     

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