The Falklands War

I’m not sure what your point is.

Those 120 members of the FIDF were not all concentrated in Stanley. They were in small settlements scattered across the 4,700 square miles of the Falkland Is with poor routes of communication to get to Stanley.

Given the short notice of the invasion, less than a day, it is hardly surprising that so few were able to report for duty.

And a correction. The FIDF Official History says 32 not 23.
History

 

Just watching a Ben Fogle ITV documentary (60mins, actually 47mins as adverts interrupt) on Naval Party 8901 and in summary:

I had forgotten it was double its normal size, as a replacement unit had arrived. Sir John Nott even appears alongside several RM veterans. Plus a sole Argentinian marine speaks briefly.

Lord Carrington's telegram the evening before to the Falklands instructed them to: 'make your dispositions accordingly' and a previous assessment of the threat had never been passed to them. This reflected the diplomatic position - assume they will not invade.

The RM garrison leader, Major Norman, had not seen the report by the British Military Attache in Buenos Aires; the FCO response "it says nothing we don't already know". The Argentinian special forces (Marines) first target was a "textbook house clearing assault" on the RM barracks at Moody Brook, no prisoners to be taken - assuming the RM would be asleep!

NP8901 was quickly returned to the UK; where - oddly the press - reported no resistance was made. A reporter on the islands says it was the "fog of war" and Kelvin McKenzie, Editor of 'The Sun' gives his comment.

Seven weeks later NP8901 returned to the islands, and started their three week walk or yomp to Port Stanley. Via the grim scenes at Goose Green. Raising the Union Jack at Government House.

Link: Falklands War: The Forgotten Battle - Falklands War: The Forgotten Battle

 

Post 339 refers to a recent C4 documentary, which included Sir Michael Rose commenting, I was not aware his comments had led to adverse comments - discovered on LinkedIn. Two articles were linked, both are on open access: Marines and SAS at war over disasters in taking of South Georgia | News | The Sunday Times and also on the retaking of South Georgia: South Georgia 1982 and Operation PARAQUAT — RM Historical Society

 

In November 2021 in Post 324 I referred to a forthcoming Kings College London's War Studies Depmt. a forty years after online conference on 3rd May 2022. The website entry states:

The half-day conference details and bookings have just been announced via: Falklands 40: War and Defence Studies' perspectives in the 21st century

 

Just spotted and not watched in full a Mark Felton video on:

Some interesting comments too.
Link:

 

If you want more detail on Falklands sub operations on both sides I’d recommend these books
https://www.amazon.co.uk/find-him-b...x=bring+me+back+his+hat,stripbooks,228&sr=1-1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carrier-Ri...00a64&pd_rd_wg=6i9vL&pd_rd_i=1911628704&psc=1

The first of those titles has a blow by blow account of the hunt for the San Luis, from both sides, and other ASW operations in the Falklands War including details of each recorded contact by each ship and helicopter and type of weapon expended. All told 24 Mk46 and 6 Mk44 AS torpedoes, 49 Mk.11 depth charges and 22 Limbo salvoes (70 projectiles) were expended by the RN ships and helicopters from 24 April to 12 June 1982.

Despite the RN being probably the best navy in NATO at anti-submarine warfare at the time that experience was largely in the deep waters of the North Atlantic. Operating in the shallow waters around the Falklands presented a whole new set of challenges which it took sonar operators some time to adjust to. The biggest casualties in it was the sea life. The false alarms reduced over time, helped no doubt by the knowledge that the San Luis had gone home.

I recall reading somewhere else that when the Leander class were refitted with Ikara in the mid-1970s it was decided to keep the Limbo AS mortar on them because with the technology of the day homing torpedoes like the Mk.44 & 46 couldn’t be relied on in shallow waters while a Limbo salvo could be accurately placed using the ship’s sonars.

 

From an obituary column (behind a pay wall so abridged):

 

Another very nice Falklands related medal group here. Sadly, already on hold as purchased, otherwise.........

Campaign Pair to Warrant Officer Cl2 D Moore RA / Supported the Scots Guards at Battle of Mount Tumbledown

 

Hmm, Every day a school day. I was not aware that 143 battery served in the Falklands. They replaced 88 battery who ended up in Belize

 

I did listen to the recent online conference Falklands 40 and there was a statement it would all be added to YouTube. So far only the academic introduction, then the Falklands rep in London and Professor Lawrence Freedman (at 21:35) and the first session (starts at 46:34) :

Link:

This session did add to my knowledge, Commodore Clapp being rather forthright on whether lessons were learnt and Major-General Julian Thompson on the risks from unwise use of radios by the SAS.

 

Falkland Islands local newsletter, Penguin News has been archived online. May be of interest to those with an interest in the conflict:

Penguin News - Oct 1979 to Dec 2015 - Archives

 

A second outing for Julian Thompson, Royal Marines CO, on Wednesday 1/6/22, at 7pm (Zoom opens 630pm) and the summary:

Link: News & Events — RM Historical Society

 

The Institution of Royal Engineers and the Royal Engineers Historical Society are hosting a series of webinars on current and historical military engineering. They are being promoted on the Royal Engineers Historical Society Twitter Account @RE_Hist_Society. Registration is by emailing Secretary@rehs.org.uk

It is not clear whether you have to be a member. below details from their website: https://www.instre.org/rehs/