Bit of trivia for those that dont already know, comedian Amanda Hart's Dad was Captain of HMS Coventry. British Comedy Award-winner Miranda Hart's story of Falklands veteran father | Mail Online This is his book about it (the Falklands War that is, not being Miranda Hart's dad! )
After a bloody battle a Royal Marine found an enemy camera. Thirty years later Nick Taylor tracked down the Argentine soldier in the pictures | Mail Online
It'll soon be 30 years since those Argentine 'scrap metal workers' landed on South Georgia 19th March 1982. >> South Georgia As it's now the 19th , I'll quote my own post. I suppose this could be the day it all started ?
After a bloody battle a Royal Marine found an enemy camera. Thirty years later Nick Taylor tracked down the Argentine soldier in the pictures | Mail Online Will keep an eye for this, thanks for the shout on it.
I thought 'the Falklands most daring Raid' on C4 yesterday was excellent. A typically British story about how the Vulcans were hurriedly refitted and crews retrained before carrying out an incredible 8000 mile bombing mission. The in flight refuelling involved 13 Victor tankers and a plan so complicated most of the Vulcan crews didn't understand it. One of the Vulcans suffered pressurisation failure shortly into the mission and the standby aircraft took over as primary bomber. Both the final refuelling Victor and the Vulcan bomber ran so low on fuel they considered ditching in the South Atlantic and the Vulcab's navigator didn't have the right maps for the Falklands. And yet they dropped 21 bombs on Mount Pleasant airfield. What perhaps wasn't stated too clearly is that only 1 bomb hit the runway and as far as I am aware the airfield continued to operate, albeit not as a fighter base. The mission did however act as a 'statement of intent' and kept the Argentinians guessing at what the RAF could achieve. Good documentary and entertaining too.
Mike, agreed an excellent programme and a brilliant example of typical British make-do/can-do. Amused that a vital part of the Vulcan mid air refueling equipment was being used as an ashtray by the aircrew!
At the same time as the Vulcans were being refitted for air-to-air refuelling, the NImrod force was being fitted for the same. When I arrived on the fleet, some 10 years later, there were still some aircraft that you had to step over the fuel pipe (between the Air Engineers position and the toilet) to get to the front. Interceptions of an Argentinian ELINT Boeing 707 lead to the NImrod being armed with sidewinder air-to-air missiles. Had the aircraft been armed at the time of interception, the ccrew reckoned they could have shot it down. Shortly after 'zaps' were made extolling the virtues of the Nimrod as the 'Worlds Largest Fighter'. Roxy
Onyx was part of the (now defunct) Historic Warships collection an Birkenhead several years ago and I went on board. I think she set the record for length of tour for the type (diesel electric) during the Falklands. Also at Birkenhead at the time was HMS Plymouth and the formal Argentinian surrender was apparently signed in her tiny officers mess. Not sure where these vessels are now. Hi Mike HMS Plymouth was the last Type 12 Frigate in service, she played a very active role in the Falklands War and as you rightly say, the Argentinian surrender was signed in her wardroom by General Astiz. Commissioned in 1961 and decommissioned in 1988. She is still in Birkenhead at the moment, but sadly in spite of very determined attempts by The HMS Plymouth Association and others,to save her, a berth was never forthcoming and the owners are having her deconstructed and she is about to be scrapped. A very sad end for a gallant old Lady. Cheers Rosey
Hi Rosey, thanks for that, but a great shame. Last I heard the last Mk3 LCT '7074 Landfall' (also part of the Historic Warships collection) was still semi-submerged at Birkenhead and probably will remain so until she breaks up. Only in this country eh?
Hi Rosey, thanks for that, but a great shame. Last I heard the last Mk3 LCT '7074 Landfall' (also part of the Historic Warships collection) was still semi-submerged at Birkenhead and probably will remain so until she breaks up. Only in this country eh? Yes the LCT 7074 sank at her mooring and there are no plans to refloat her as far as is known. The rest of the collection - HMS Onyx was sold to a business man in Barrow in Furness, was towed there and will be part of a Submarine Heritage Centre that he is hoping to establish. HMS Bronington is in a bad state of repair , may be scrapped. The former Mersey Lightship "Planet" has been sold and has been moved across the Mersey to Canning Dock. My main interest is HMS Plymouth as my husband was a member of the crew (First Commission 1960/63) so we have a soft spot for her. Rosey
Falklands: Frigate Snub For HMS Montrose Fuels Row | UK News | Sky News Opps Is that OK to post with the new rules on news stories??
Stan, the widow you remember was the Wife of the Captain of Atlantic Conveyor, sunk by an exocet with most of the Army Chinooks on board, hence the great problems with moving troops and equipment later in the campaign. I have the documentary on video somewhere - will try to find her name. --------------------------------------------------------- Having just watched tonights documentary, I dug out the one I referred to earlier. Quite right Frank Foulkes, Atlantic Conveyer, Weds 26th May 1982. He was in the engine room though, not the Captain. The documentary closes with his widow talking about thier families sacrifice.
Stan, I realised my mistake and apologised in the next post (#171 I think). That closing statement in the documentary get to me every time.
Most moving bit I think in that doc is the British soldier talking about his attending an Argentine casualty who starts to speak to him in English before subsequently dying of a bad belly wound. The chap recounting this story says he wishes he's never spoken to him in English and that point he has to stop the interview as he's nearly in tears.
On Sky 1st April, Rick Jolly reflecting on his role as a Surgeon Commander and the work he and his team carried out in "The Red and Green Life Machine" , I think of anything which might be shown on the Falklands War this might well be the one which will stand out. (Apart with the revisit of Simon Weston to the Falklands). In the trailer for it RJ tells how they tried to save everyone uniform and nationality was never a consideration , he was the only man to be decorated by both sides...this in itself shows the quality of the men who manned that station. Be prepared for what might be a humbling experience....huge respect for them.
Stock markets are warned off Falklands / World / Britain/World / Home - Morning Star Funny I have not seen this any where else. Yes I know reading the Mornigstar and Guido Fawkes Fox does not give you a balance view of the news hehe. And no I not Commie. Just had to say that.
