How the British recapture South Georgia

On the 3rd April 1982 23 Royal Marines, commanded by Lieutenant Keith Mills RM, surrendered to the Argentinians after putting up a brave resistance in the face of air and naval support, armed as they were with only infantry weapons. The Marines did not lose a single man in the action, but destroyed two helicopters and did severe damage to the ARA Guerrico, a frigate operating in support of the Argentine Marines attacking Grytviken. Given that there was still a small hope of the conflict being resolved in the United Nations, the recapture of South Georgia was seen as the first logical step in recovering all the British territories in the South Atlantic. It was hoped that a successful operation on the remote and forbidding island may give the Argentine leadership pause for thought, and prove that the British Task Force now sailing south and approaching the Falkland area rapidly, was serious in both capability and intent.Therefore, on the 7th April Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse was ordered to plan the islands recapture. It was known that the Argentine forces that remained on South Georgia were based at Leith and Grytviken, and had limited if any naval and no air support. Because of the terrain of South Georgia, described as a cross between the volcanic areas of Iceland and the dark side of the Moon, along with the frequently inhospitable and dangerous climate, it was also known that the Argentine troops did not stray far from these places. The Argentine force was commanded by a naval engineering officer named Lt. Commander Alfredo Astiz. Astiz had a poor reputation as an officer and a military commander, but to be fair the forces under him were insufficient to properly occupy and control the whole island. As a result, members of the British Antartic Survey (BAS) and 2 women from ITV, Cindy Buxton and Annie Price, who were already on assignment for the 'Survival' nature programme on the island, had remained at large and undetected.Read more HERE

A robust Falklands policy is crucial to British interests

Britain’s presence in the South Atlantic, particularly on the Falkland Islands, continues to generate emotion and controversy.

As most Britons celebrated the 30th Anniversary of what is probably our most recent decisive victory and commemorate those who were killed, and the Falkland Islanders celebrated their freedom from fascist rule, Cristina Kirchner seized on the opportunity to unite her Argentine electorate behind her in the midst of economic disaster – not dissimilar to Galtieri’s use of the issue in 1982 (short of invasion).  Despite current patriotism in Britain, such feelings rarely last forever, and it is time for a real discussion on the importance of our place in the South Atlantic.

The Strategic Situation

The centre of gravity on the Falkland Islands is undoubtedly the Mount Pleasant Airbase which has two runways capable of taking all types of aircraft.  It currently has four RAF Typhoons (the main strategic defence) and is defended by an infantry company with Rapier air defence. We are told there is a hunter-killer submarine patrolling the South Atlantic, a Royal Navy frigate or destroyer visits occasionally (other naval assets are within a few days’ sailing), and HMS Protector is active in the region 330 days per year. Militarily Britain spent £75 million in 2010-11. Whoever controls Mount Pleasant controls the Falklands.

The islands are clearly better defended than in April 1982 and with a much greater intelligence effort to discern Argentine intentions.  However Major General Julian Thompson (who commanded 3 Commando Brigade during the war), Captain Michael Clapp (Commodore of the amphibious task group), Air Commodore Andrew Lambert, and historian Andrew Roberts have expressed strong concern. Read more
 HERE 

Falklands War part 1 of 15

THE FALKLAND ISLANDS WILL REMAIN BRITISH FOREVER, RIP THOSE THAT MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.