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In 1982 the military junta in Argentina decided to invade the British Falkland Islands which are called Malvinas in Argentina. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher responded by sending a Task Force to the South Atlantic. In an unprecedented military operation her Majesty's Forces regained the Falklands and showed the World that Britain sill was a force to be reckoned with.

 

Video

 

 

Overview

  • Date
  • 02 Apr – 20 May 1982
  • Location
  • South Atlantic
  • Start
  • Argentine invasion of the Falklands
  • End
  • British victory after the surrender of the Argentine forces on the Falklands

 

Main Parties & Persons Involved

  • United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
    • Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher (1925 – 2013)
    • Rear Admiral “Sandy“ Woodward (1932 – 2013)
    • Major General Jeremy Moore (1239 – 1307)
    • Brigadier Julian Thomsen (1239 – 1307)
  • Argentina
    • General (President) Leopoldo Galtieri (1926 – 2003)
    • Brigadier Mario Menendez (1930 – )

 

Background

  • Falklands:
    • Dutch, French, Argentine & British Influence over the centuries
    • More than 100 years under British reign
    • The people of the Falklands see themselves as British
    • The Argentine claims on the Falklands intensify during the 1960ies & 1970ies
  • Argentina:
    • The ruling military junta faces a growing unpopularity
    • Political & economic problems
  • Great Britain:
    • Civil unrest because of major economic & societal reforms
    • Decrease of international influence
    • Threat to become a 2nd or 3rd class power within NATO

 

History

Initial Phase

  • 02 Apr 1982: Argentina invades the Falklands & South Georgia
  • 04 Apr 1982: The British task force sets sail (127 ships in total)
  • The Royal Air Force establishes a base on Ascension
  • 01 May 1982: The Royal Air Force conducts the 1st of 5 Black Buck Raids against Stanley airfield from Ascension
  • 23 – 25 Apr 1982: Recapture of South Georgia

 

Naval Warfare

  • The Argentine navy commences a possible pincer movement north & south of the Falklands
  • 02 May 1982: HMS Conqueror sinks the ARA Belgrano
  • 03 May 1982: Argentine reaction to the loss of the Belgrano - all ships return to port

 

Land Campaign

  • 14 May 1982: SAS raid against ground attack aircraft on Pebble Island
  • 21 May 1982: The Royal Navy lands troops at San Carlos Bay
  • 21 May 1982: The Argentine air force sinks the Atlantic Conveyer & with her all but 1 Chinook
  • As a consequence of the loss of the Cinooks the Paras & Royal Marines “yomp“ across the island
  • 27 – 28 May 1982: 2 Para wins the Battle of Goose Green
  • 08 Jun 1982: Argentine air strikes against Sir Tristram & Sir Galahad at Bluff Cove lead to the single highest British loss during the war (56 killed & 150 wounded)
  • 11 – 13 Jun 1982: British Forces win the Battles of Mount Harriet, Two Sisters, Mount Longdon, Wireless Ridge & Mount Tumbledown
  • 14 Jun 1982: Ceasefire & surrender of the Argentine forces on the Falklands

 

Consequences & Impact

  • Falklands:
    • Restoration of the status quo ante bellum
  • Argentina:
    • The military junta collapses within a year
    • Argentina continues to claim the Falklands (Malvinas) diplomatically & propagandistically
  • Great Britain:
    • Restoration of self-esteem & national pride
    • The conservative government under Thatcher is consolidated
    • The international reputation & influence significantly grows