14th April 1982 - Parliament is Recalled

Parliament is recalled in London from a break . In the Commons, Mrs Thatcher addresses the house and lays out the British case and the measures that have been taken
 

Below are excerpts full text of the speech can be found here:

http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/104918

''It is right, at this time of grave concern over the Falkland Islands and their people, that Parliament should be recalled so that the Government may report and the House may discuss the latest developments.

Our objective, endorsed by all sides of the House in recent debates, is that the people of the Falkland Islands shall be free to determine their own way of life and their own future. The wishes of the islanders must be paramount. But they cannot be freely expressed, let alone implemented, while the present illegal Argentine occupation continues.

That is why our immediate goal in recent days has been to secure the withdrawal of all Argentine forces in accordance with resolution 502 of the United Nations Security Council and to secure the restoration of British administration. Our strategy has been based on a combination of diplomatic, military and economic pressures and I should like to deal with each of these in turn.

First of all, we seek a peaceful solution by diplomatic effort. This, too, is in accordance with the Security Council resolution. In this approach we have been helped by the widespread disapproval of the use of force which the Argentine aggression has aroused across the world, and also by the tireless efforts of Secretary of State Haig, who has now paid two visits to this country and one to Buenos Aires."

"Diplomatic efforts are more likely to succeed if they are backed by military strength. At 5 am London time on Monday 12 April, the maritime exclusion zone of 200 miles around the Falkland Islands came into effect. From that time any Argentine warships and Argentine naval auxiliaries found within this zone are treated as hostile and are liable to be attacked by British forces.

We see this measure as the first step towards achieving the withdrawal of Argentine forces. It appears to have exerted influence on Argentina, whose navy has been concentrated outside the zone. If the zone is challenged, we shall take that as the clearest evidence that the search for a peaceful solution has been abandoned. We shall then take the necessary action. Let no one doubt that.

The naval task force is proceeding with all speed towards the South Atlantic. It is a formidable force, comprising two aircraft carriers, five guided missile destroyers, seven frigates, an assault ship with five landing ships, together with supporting vessels. The composition of the force and the speed with which it was assembled and put to sea clearly demonstrate our determination.

on board the ships in the task force is very high. The ships and aircraft are carrying out exercises on passage, and by the time the force arrives off the Falklands it will be at a very high state of fighting efficiency."

13th April 1982 - The Organisation for American States Calls for Peace

13th April 1982, the Organisation of American States, a regional caucus of 35 North and South American States that includes Argentina, issues the following Resolution 359:
 

"The situation obtaining between the Republic of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in relation to the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands.

Whereas: The dispute between the Republic of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in relation to the Malvinas (Falkland) Islands is endangering the peace of the hemisphere, and the fundamental principles and purposes established in the Charter of the Organization of American States include those of strengthening the peace and security of the continent, preventing possible causes of difficulties and ensuring the peaceful settlement of disputes, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States resolves:-

(1) To express its profound concern over the serious situation that the Republic of Argentina and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland now face;

(2) To express its fervent hope that a rapid, peaceful solution can be found to the disagreement between the two nations within the context of the rules of international law;

(3) To offer its friendly cooperation in the peace efforts already under way, in the hope of contributing in this way to a peaceful settlement of the dispute that will avert once and for all the danger of war between countries that deserve the respect of the international community."

12th April 1982 - US Woos Britain, Argentina Rejects Peace

12th April 1982 the Maritime Exclusion Zone around the Falkland Islands comes into effect. All Argentine air and sea movement within the 200 mile zone surrounding the islands is now subject to being fired upon by whatever British forces may be in the area

Meanwhile, the US Secretary of State's diplomatic peace mission is in London again. During dinner with the Prime Minister and Ministers, Haig is summoned away for a telephone call with Argentine Foreign Minister Costa Mendez. Costa Mendez confirms that despite some original softening in the Argentine line towards accepting the Haig plan (Plan involves cessation of hostilities, withdrawal of Argentine forces and a structured handover of sovereignty over time to Argentina with joint Argentine, UK and US Custodianship until handover is completed) Their line has now hardened and they refuse to accept the plan unless the UK accepts full priori Argentine sovereignty immediately

The Argentine position leaves no room for negotiation and war moves one step closer to inevitability

Diary Entry 12.04.82 Jim Rentschler, NSC Official for European Affairs, Alexander Haig Mission:
http://www.margaretthatcher.org/document/114324

11th April 1982 - Submarines Lead the Way to the Falklands

April 11 1982, The Nuclear Powered Swiftsure Class Hunter-Killer Submarines HMS Splendid and HMS Spartan arrive at the Falkland Islands Maritime Exclusion Zone

They are two of the most recently designed and launched vessels in the taskforce, each being under three years old. They are designed for anti-submarine warfare, specifically to detect and sink enemy submarines. Their role will be to prevent enemy submarines from approaching or attacking the amphibious assualt force or the carrier force. They will also gather intelligence

On arrival Spartan has the opportunity to fire upon several Argentine transports off Port Stanley, but is ordered not to in order to keep the submarines' presence secret, and thus avoid alerting higher value targets which may be in the area, such as the Veinticinco de Mayo, to their presence

HMS Spartan

 

HMS Splendid

10th April 1982 - The US Tries to Being Argentina to the Peace Table

10th April 1982, US Secretary of State Alexander Haig attempts to bring Argentina to the negotiation table. His proposals amount to a disguised handover of sovereignty to Argentina over time and in stages to gain the acceptance of the Islanders

The Junta refuses the proposals in favour of their current position. General Leopold Galtieri tells Haig 'Why are you telling me this? The British will not fight'

  General Leopoldo Galtieri

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

US Secretary of State Alexander Haig

9th April 1982 - The Passenger Liner SS Canberra joins the Taskforce

9th April 1982, SS Canberra leaves port to join the majority of the Taskforce already sailing for Ascension

The SS Canberra was built by the famous Harland & Wolff in Belfast, the same company that built the RMS Titanic and a slew of other famous ships, for £17m. She was launched in 1960 and entered service with P&O Cruises as a luxury Ocean Liner in 1961.

in 1982, as war became increasingly likely, planners in the Admiralty began looking at ships they would need for an amphibious operation and it became clear the Royal Navy lacked anywhere near the number of ships it would need. In particular it lacked the nnumber of necessary tankers, supply ships, freighters and troop transports. P&O were contacted and informed that the Navy required to requisition the Queen Elizabeth II and the Canberra

At the time the Canberra was on a cruise of the Mediterranean and was heading for Gibraltar. On arrival at Gibraltar her captain received a message informing him that the ship had been requisitioned and he was required to set sale immediately for Southampton

She arrived in Southampton on 7th April where her passegers were unloaded in great haste and refit was hastily undertaken to prepare her for war. This was completed in only two days and the ship then onloaded the bulk of 3 Commando Brigade and 2 Para (elements of 3 Commando Brigade including Commando Logistics Regt had already sailed on the RFA Sir Lancelot on 6th April)

The QE2 was considered too vulnerable to enter the war zone itself and would remain outside the Total Exclusion Zone, but the Canberra would be right at the heart of the Amphibious phase of the operation anchored in San Carlos water. After unloading her troops she would act as a hospital ship during hostilities and afterwards would be used to repatriate many of the 10,000 Argentine prisoners


Picture is the Canberra in more peaceful times

8th April 1982 - America Promotes Peace

8th April 1982, US Secretary of State Alexander Haig arrives in London on his mission of shuttle diplomacy to find a last minute peaceful resolution to the conflict

Mrs Thatcher admits that the idea of a mediated solution was not seriously considered as possible when the news of the invasion was received. American documents reveal the role of minister Francis Pym in convincing her to put the possibility of peaceful resolution ahead of military action. The British government agrees to go to the negotiating table if Argentina agrees

Meanwhile the bulk of the Taskforce continues on its voyage to Ascension Island whilst further ships leave port and take on full speed for the rendezvous in the Atlantic before heading south west to the MEZ

7th April 1982 - Maritime Exclusion Zone

7th April 1982; the British Goverment declares a Maritime Exclusion Zone (MET) Around the Falkland Island/ Islas Malvinas of 200 Nautical miles, to be effective from 12th April

Within this zone Great Britain declares that the nuclear powered submarines on station will be empowered to sink and Argentine naval or military vessel. The MET is intended to restrict the conflict to the islands and immediate maritime area as opposed to a full declaration of war whereby all Argenting military ships could be designated as targets regardless of their location

The other intention of course is ot clear the seas around the islands to allow passage of the Taskforce through the threat posed by the submarines, and to prevent Argentina from sending reinforcements by sea

6th April 1982 - RFA Sir Galahad sails from Devonport

6th April 1982; Royal Fleet Auxilliary vessel Sir Galahad slips out of HMNB Devonport carrying 300 Royal Marines of teh Coammando Logistics Regiment bound for Ascension Island , where whe will re-storing and headon to the Falkland Islands

Sadly she will never return to a UK port

5th April 1982 - The Royal Nav, STUFT and 3 Cdo Brigade

Royal Navy and Stuft; Assembling the Largest Amphibious Fleet Since WWII

5th April 1982: In under 1 week, the UK has assembled the largest amphibious assault force since WWII totalling over 100 ships.

Due to budget cuts in the UK leading to demomissioning over several years of a great number of vessels required for this type of operation so far from home ports, roughly 50% are ships 'taken up from trade'. These are vessels requisitioned from commercial use and hastily adapted for use in hostile seas

Royal Navy ships sent include:

• 2 Carriers, including Hermes, the Taskforce Flagship carrying Admiral Sandy Woodward, Commander Carrier/ Battle Group and Flag Officer. The carriers will be the essential ships that enable the operation, now named 'Corporate' to take place.
• 2 Landing Platform Docks, specialised amphibious assault vessels, including HMS Fearless, carrying Commodore Mike Clapp, Commander Amphibious Task Group
• 1, Type 82 Destroyer,  
• 5 Type 42 Destroyers, 

  2 County Class Destroyers, 

• 2 Type 22 Frigates, 

• 7 Type 21 Frigates, 

• 4 Leander Class Frigates, 

• 2 Rothesay Class Frigates, 

• 1 Ice Patrol Ship, 

• 2 Castle Class Patrol Vessels, 

• 2 Churchill Class Submarines (Including HMS Conqueror), 

• 1 Oberon Class Submarine, 

• 1 Valiant Class Submarine, 

• 2 Swiftsure Class Submarines, 

• 3 Survey Vessels, 

• 5 Trawler/Minesweepers (these will not reach the islands until after hostilities have been concluded)

Royal Fleet Auxilliary Vessels Included:

• 10 Tankers, 
• 6 Landing Ships Logistics (Including RFA Galahad), 
• 5 Supply Ships, 
• 1 Helicopter Support Ship,

• 2 Royal Maritime Auxillary Service ships

Commercial Ships taken up from trade included:

• 3 Passenger Liners, 
• 8 Roll On Roll Off Ferries (Built for short trips across the English Channel and North Sea), 
• 4 Container Cargo Ships (including Atlantic Conveyor), 
• 7 Freighters, 
• 15 Fuel Tankers, 
• 8 assorted Tugs Repair and Support Vessels

  Not all of these ships will be available immediately. Some will need to return to the UK from their commercial or naval movements to be refitted or stored for operations. Aver the coming weeks they will leave in small packets to sail for Ascension Island. Due to the rush they have not been stored for war and will require re-storing enroute and at Ascension Island


Picture is HMS Hermes in 1982

 

 

 

3 Commando Brigade Leaves the UK

5th April 1982, aboard the task force sailing to Acension Island, and further South, is 3 Commando Brigade under Brigadier Julian Thompson.

The Bigade Comprised:
29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery with 18 105mm guns
40 Commando Royal Marines
42 Commando Royal Marines
45 Commando Royal Marines
2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment (including attached Support Arms)
3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment
Commando Logistics Regiment
3 Commando Brigade HQ and Signals Squadron
Reconnaisance Troops of B Sqn Blues and Royals with 8 CVRTs and a Samson
T Battery Air Defence Regiment
Air Defence Troop
Raiding Sqn Royal Marines (Rigid Raiders)
Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre Royal Marines
2, 3 and 6 Sections SBS
D and G Sqns 22 SAS
3 Tactical Air Control Parties
Air Maintenance Group
Rear Link Detachment 30 Signal Rgt
Elements of 17 Port Rgt Royal Corps of Transport with their Mexifloats
3 Surgical Support Teams
Postal Courrier Communications Detachment of 1 PC Rgt
Detachment 47 Air Despatch Sqn RCT
59 Independent Commando Sqn Royal Engineers
Detachment 49 EOD Sqn 33 Royal Engineer Rgt
Y Troop Detachment Communications
Commando Forces Band (who in times of war are employed as Stretcher Bearers)

Some of these forces will go to teh South Atlantic ahead of the main force for special operations and preparative reconnaisance and other tasks

The majority of troops sailing from home have been given 24 to 48 hours notice

 

 

4th April 1982 - The Fleet Begins to Assemble

4th April 1982, and while the US desperately tries to convince Argentine to withdraw forces and seek a purely diplomatic colution to the Falklands Crisis, preparations are underway to very hastily refit and restore a British fleet that has been on exercise in the Mediterranean for deployment to the harsh winter seas of the South Atlantic

No mean eat for ships that are in need of extensive work and repair and fitted out for temperate weather and peacetime exercise

The vanguard of the taskforce, in the form of the Churchill Class Nuclear Submarine 'Conqueror' sets sail from France to enetually take station off the Falkland Islands initially for the purpose of reconnaisance and especially to discover the whereabouts of the ARA Carrier Veinticinco de Mayo

 

 Picture is the ARA Veinticinco de Mayo in 1985 shortly after the war

3rd April 1982 - the Diplomatic War Continues

3rd April 1982, The UK Representative at the UN, Anthony Parsons, presents the Security Council with a Draft Resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal of Argentine forces from the Falkand Islands.

The resolution is passed as UN Security Council Resolution 502 calling on a cessation of hostilities by both countries, and immediate withdrawl of Arngentine forces and a resumption of diplomatic dialogue to resolve the issue

The vote is passed by 10 votes to 1 (Panama) with 4 Abstentions (China, Poland, Spain and the Soviet Union)

The resolution enable the United Kingdom to invoke article 51 of the United Nations Charter: The right to claim Self Defence.

The EEC and Commonwealth countries added their support by imposing sanctions on Argentina

2nd April 2nd 1982 - Argentina Captures the Falkland Islands

April 2nd 1982 - Argentine forces invaded the Falkland Islands and South Georgia


 

04:30 hours  local time and 120 men of the Buzo Tactico; Argentina's Special Forces, landed by helicopter at Mullet Creek three miles to the south of Port Stanley; the islands' capital
 

Relations between Argentina and the UK had been strained over the issue of the sovereignty of the islands and Argentina had seen considerable unrest over the previous months. The Junta had drawn up a plan that they hoped would prove popular at home; a military coup de main on the islands. They believed the British would not send a military force to recapture them....


The men of the Buzo Tactico were not alone, at sea were over 4000 men of the Marines, Special Forces and Army ready to fight 80 Royal Marines of Naval Party 8901, the only British Troops on the island (although there was also a small Self Defence Volunteers force of Falklanders)

 

Naval Party 8901 knew the Argentine Forces were coming they had received warning from London that intelligence reports had spotted the forces on their way. Despite being hugely outnumbered they prepared their defences


They did what they could to deny the airstrip at the airport to the enemy by parking vehicles across it and posted detachments at key points to harrass and delay the enemy.


When the Argentine forces landed theu resisted fiercely but were beaten back to their final redoubt at Government House. A sharp frefight took place at the house in which lasted until the morning when Governor Hunt, on hearing reports of armoured vehicles approaching (The Marines brought LVTPs) ordered the detachment to surrender. 80 men had held off the combined forces of the Argentine invasion force, a number far superior to their own, for three hours without losing a single Royal Marine

The victorious Argentine forces made the marines lie face down in the road while they took down the British flag and posed for pictures stood over their prisoners.