G TROOP T BATTERY 12 REGT RA

I'm on the Dortmund photo second row fourth from the right.

H Troop T Battery 12 Regiment RA, Celebrating victory 33 years ago today Falkland Islands.

(RG) Today marks 33 years since British forces defeated Argentina in the Falklands , This is H troop T battery 12 Regt, RA celebrating victory.

Thirty Three years ago I went to War

Today thirty-three years ago, I with the rest of T battery 12 Regt RA went ashore at San Carlos Falklands Islands to liberate the Islands from Argentina. The battery shot down 14 enemy aircraft, proud to have served with them. R.I.P those no longer with us.

FALKLANDS WAR AIR DEFENCE TATTOO

This is a Tattoo on the back of former Sergeant Steve Brookes, it is in dedication to the men of T battery 12 Regt Royal Artillery that defended the skies from Argentine air attack with Rapier missiles.

Dedication to Mickey Quinn.

I wanted to make a tribute to a comrade and fellow soldier that served with me on my Rapier missile system in the Falklands War called Mickey Quinn, I asked a friend who is very good at this type of work    Spud Jock Milne   and he made the fabulous tribute to Mickey who was sadly taken early from us all by his PTSD, thank you Spud and Mickey if your looking down from that big Gun Park in the sky , I hope you like it, “We Will Remember you “

Tony Brought down two enemy panes

I was looking through some of my old photographs the other day when I came across this copy from my local newspaper covering my time in the Falklands War. During our time at San Carlos with my call sign 32 Alpha I shot down an A4 Skyhawk and a Mirage with Rapier missiles. T battery went on to shoot down 14 emery aircraft during the brief but bloody War. You can read about the Air Defence War in my book Watching Men Burn 

TRIBUTE ART WORK TO THE SHOOTING DOWN OF TWO ARGENTINE SKYHAWKS WITH ONE RAPIER MISSILE.

Just to let people know the background to this painting by James Tracy Crook  This was the aftermath of a Rapier missile engagement during the Falklands War by Gunner McGiffen  of T battery  12 Regt RA who shot down two Argentine Skyhawks with one missile, the explosion and debris from the initial hit brought down the second jet, you can see the two distinct smoke trails in the sky. The painting will be auctioned at the 12 Regt RA reunion in Blackpool next weekend. Myself and the Regiment would like to thank James for this great tribute art work.

MY RAPIER MISSILE DETACHMENT 32 ALPHA T BATTERY IN THE FALKLANDS WAR

This is another photograph I have found on face book of my Rapier missile detachment in the Falklands War on the left of the photo is Gunner Mickey Quinn (R.I.P) sat in the tracker seat is sergeant Bob Pearson, I believe the location is Fitzroy the scene of the worst British loss of like of the War when the troop ships Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram were bombed by Argentine aircraft. 32 Alpha was credited with Three confirmed kills, Two Skyhawks and One Mirage.

The decision was now taken to use the LSL's to continue 5th Infantry's move forward. "Sir Tristram" reached Fitzroy on Monday 7th to start unloading ammo, and in San Carlos Water, "Sir Galahad" took on board the rest of the 1st Welsh from "Fearless" before sailing around Lafonia to arrive on Tuesday morning (8th). By now, only one LCU and a Mexeflote were left to complete offloading "Sir Tristram", and although by early afternoon, Rapier SAM's and 16 Field Ambulance had gone ashore from "Sir Galahad", plans to move the Guards to Bluff Cove to join the rest of the battalion had come to nothing. Worse still, the LSL's had been reported by enemy observers, and around 2.00 pm, five Skyhawk's of Grupo 5 and five Daggers of Grupo 6 were coming in over the Falklands.
First to be attacked by the Daggers, but in Falkland Sound was frigate "Plymouth" on her way to bombard an Argentine position on West Falkland. Hit by cannon fire and four UXB's, one of which detonated a depth charge, she was only slightly damaged. Shortly after, the Skyhawks reached Fitzroy. Three of them put two or more bombs into the crowded "SIR GALAHAD", and the other two hit "Sir Tristram" with two UXB's killing two crewmen. The ships caught fire and were soon abandoned, but by then the results for "Sir Galahad" were catastrophic with a total of 48 killed - five RFA crewmen, 32 Welsh Guards and eleven other Army personnel, with many more badly burned and wounded. "Sir Tristram" was later returned to the UK for repairs, but the burnt-out "Sir Galahad" was scuttled at sea as a war grave on the 25th June.

As the FAA's last major effort continued, four Grupo 4 Skyhawks attacked troops in the Fitzroy area later that afternoon, and minutes after, four Skyhawks of Grupo 5 arrived over Choiseul Sound to catch LCU F4 (belonging to "Fearless") sailing from Goose Green to Fitzroy with 5th Infantry HQ vehicles. Hit by one bomb, which killed the coxswain, Colour Sgt Johnston (post QGM) and five of the crew, she shortly sank. Two No.800 Sea Harriers over head on CAP immediately dived to the attack and brought down three of the Skyhawks with Sidewinders 

H TROOP T BATTERY 12 REGT RA FALKLANDS WAR 1982

One of the good things about Facebook is finding an interesting photo. I found this photo, its my old troop H troop straight after the Falklands War ended, to be honest I cannot remember having it taken. You can just see my head on the back row on the left of our Lieutenant Mr Waddle. I am in contact with a small majority of some of these ex soldiers, some have sadly passed away. If only we had the ability to take photographs then like we can now.

War Diary from T Battery (Sha Shujas Troop ) Royal Artillery Falklands War.

Its been over 30 years now since I went to War a young Gunner with the Royal artillery as a Rapier missile operator in the Falklands War of 1982. There has been much written about the Falklands War, some so called journalists get their information from sites such as Wikipedea. They can write what they want about our Regiment and our performance, but those of us who were there no the truth. T battery 12 Regt Royal Artillery had a challenging War, but we achieved 14 confirmed kills and six probable. Some of  what has been written in latter years is nothing short of disgraceful and a slur on a fine Regiment and T battery (Sha Shujas Troop). This is the official War diary.

If you want to read about the air battle for the Falklands you can read my book Watching Men Burn

I FOUND A PHOTO OF MY BROTHER IN ARMS ON THE NET.

Whilst surfing the internet yesterday looking for photos of Rapier missiles, I found a photograph of two brother soldiers that I served with in the 1982 Falklands War. Sergeant Bob Pearson (Right)  and Gunner  Mickey Quinn    (Left) R.I.P. When I went back to the Islands in 2007 I made a 2007 Pilgrimage to Bluff cove where I was to witness the biggest loss of life to British service since World War two when the RFA Galahad was hit by Argentine aircraft. Anyone who is not familiar with what happened on that terrible day can read about it in my book Watching Men Burn  about the Air Defence War in the Falklands.

T BATTERY FALKLANDS WAR

RAPIER FIRING FALKLAND ISLANDS

T Battery (Shah Sujahs Troop) 12 Regiment Royal Artillery San Carlos Falklands War

T Headquarter Battery (Shah Sujah’s Troop) Royal Artillery was raised on 1st October 1838 at Delhi and Meerut. The troop was part of a 6000 strong force, which invaded Afghanistan in support of the deposed Shah Sujah of Mook. The Horse Artillery of the Shah’s Army was a double Battery of ten 6-pounder Guns and two 12-pounder Howitzers – virtually two Batteries; Captain W Anderson of the Bengal Artillery commanded it at this time. The Troop performed very creditably during the Afghan War and was favourably mentioned in routine orders. Following the assassination of the Shah in 1842 further British intervention became pointless and the Battery returned to Ferozepore. The Battery was then transferred into the India Army of the Honourable East India Company as 5 (Native) Troop 1 Brigade Bengal Horse Artillery. The Troop continued to serve with distinction during the first Seik War and on frontier expeditions where elephant transport was used for the guns. The Troop remained loyal throughout the Indian Mutiny and the siege or Delhi where Lt G A Rennie won the Victoria Cross. The outstanding service of the troop was awarded the Order of Merit. In 1859 the Native Horse and Field Artillery units of the Bengal Army were abolished. The native gunners of the Troop were pensioned off or transferred and the Troop joined the list of British units. In 1862 the East India Company’s Armies were absorbed into the Queens Army and the Troop became E Battery 2nd Horse Brigade Royal Artillery, so beginning its service as an RHA unit – subsequent changes in the title the Troop became T Battery in 1889 and served as such throughout the South African war. During the First World War the Battery moved to France with the British Expeditionary Force and in 1917 went to Italy though finished the war in France. After the war there was reduction in the size of the RHA and the battery became T Field Battery in 1924 and in 1926 received the honour title ‘Shah Sujah’s Troop’. The title not only recalled the former RHA status but also its origin in the service of a foreign Prince. At the outbreak of World War II the battery was part of 15 Fd Regiment and moved to the Middle Eastern Theatre in 1940. In 1944 they moved to Italy and as the war ended the battery regained its RHA status though only for 18 months as, in 1947 with further reorganisation they became part of 12 Anti-Tank Regiment. In 1950 the battery returned to Italy and re-equipped with Bofers and formed as T LAA Battery and assumed the role it has held until this present reorganisation. Up until 1982 the Battery served in BAOR, Singapore, Malaya, Borneo, Northern Ireland and England. Of particular note they were the first Royal Artillery unit to form the Queens Guard at Buckingham Palace in 1971. In April 1982 the battery joined 3 Commando Brigade as part of the Falklands Task Force. They landed at San Carlos on 21st May and were finally credited with 14 confirmed kills and 4-6 probable hits on enemy aircraft. After the return from the Falklands the Battery moved to BAOR in 1985 and converted to Tracked Rapier. It was Tracked Rapier that the Battery deployed to the Gulf War with in 1991 as part of 1st Armoured Division. They took part in the whole of the offensive operation though were not required to fire due to lack of enemy aircraft activity over the battlefield. On return from the Gulf to BAOR the Honorary title was moved to Headquarter Battery 12 Regiment, whilst the men were moved to 9 (Plassey) Battery of the same Regiment. As part of options for change the Battery was arms plotted with the Regiment from Napier Barracks in Dortmund to Dempsey Barracks, Sennelager and completed handover in October 1995 in readiness to undertake the challenging task of deploying to Cyprus as part of the UNFICYP in December 1995. The Battery was housed in ‘Ledra Palace Hotel’ and had a very successful tour. On returning to Germany in June 1996 the Battery converted to ADCIS (Air Defence Command Information System). The Regiment deployed in April 1998 to Armagh and South Armagh. After a very successful tour with many notable achievements attentions were drawn Ex Winter Dart 99 the first Regimental deployment of SP HVM. 1997 was predominantly occupied with the acceptance of HVM and the Regiment being warned for a NI tour, training started in Jan 1998 with T/HQ Battery personnel attached to the 3 other Battery’s of 12 Regiment doing a variety of jobs. In April 1999 T/HQ Battery formed a large portion of the JRRF CAD (Joint Rapid Reaction Force Close Air Defence) Troop and was part of the first live firing of HVM over land and sea at Utska, Poland and notably the first troops to deploy to Poland after they become the newest members of NATO. With tensions rising in Kosovo the JRRF Troop deployed to Macedonia on 29th March 1999 with the DADC crew providing the command and control for the UK’s AD from 4 Brigade HQ. By mid July the troops entered Kosovo and after 4 months deployment the air threat was deemed low enough for AD to be stood down and adopt an infantry role in which 25% of weapon recovery was credited to the CAD troop. With the safe return of the JRRF CAD Troop at the end of July 1999 the Regiment was once again warned for a Northern Ireland tour with the majority of T/HQ Battery involved. In June 2001 the Battery deployed to Cyprus on a United Nations Peace Keeping Tour based in Ledra Palace in the capital Nicosia. The tour was a complete success with relations between the Turkish and Cypriot communities benefiting from every soldiers efforts. In Jan 2003 the Battery deployed to the Gulf to fight the war on terrorism on Op Telic. This involved almost every element of the battery being used to its full potential, with the main effort placed with Airspace management and POW handling. T/HQ) Battery (Shah Sujah’s’ Troop) has the distinction of being the only unit except for 22 SAS to have served in every major conflict.