The opening shots of the Falklands War.

[Phil Perry]

I think this is the last in the Falklands series,. . .so I thought I might as well post it to conclude BP's rather good series of essays on the subject.

 

The Battle of Goose Green 28-29 May 1982

 

Politics Overriding Military Necessity

 

 

“No battle plan survives contact with the enemy.” Helmuth von Moltke

 

COMPANY ORDERS – THE ADVANCE TO CONTACT

 

All timings are local

 

Situation

 

Enemy ForcesFriendly ForcesAttached/DetachedIntelligence reports that the enemy numbers approximately one to possibly three Argentine Infantry Companies.2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment consisting of three rifle companies, one patrol company, one support company and one headquarters company.

 

SAS flanking forces.Three 105 mm artillery pieces with 960 shells from 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery; one MILAN anti-tank missile platoon and Scout helicopters as support elements. In addition, close air support available from three Royal Air Force. Golf Romeo Three Harriers, and naval gunfire support to be provided by HMS Arrow in the hours of darkness.

 

Detachments nil. Commander’s Intent

 

With the bulk of the Argentine forces based in positions around Port Stanley, 50 miles east of San Carlos, the Argentine garrison at Goose Green and Darwin pose a low threat and have limited offensive capability. However, politicians in London and senior commanders in the UK feel that although British Forces are digging in around San Carlos prior to pushing east, this seeming inactivity means the momentum of the campaign is slowing.

 

The British Joint Headquarters has come under increased pressure by Her Majesty’s Government, for an early ground offensive for political and propaganda value. There are also fears that the United Nations Security Council would vote for a cease-fire, maintaining current positions. If the Darwin-Goose Green isthmus could be taken prior to such a decision, British forces would control access to the entire Lafonia and thus a significant portion of East Falkland. On 25 May Brigadier Julian Thompson, ground forces commander, commanding 3 Commando Brigade, has been ordered to mount an attack on Argentine positions around Goose Green and Darwin.

 

Brigadier Thompson has ordered 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment (2 Para) to prepare for and execute the operation as they are the unit closest to Goose Green in the San Carlos defensive perimeter. He orders Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert ‘H’ Jones, officer commanding 2 Para, to carry out a raid on Goose Green isthmus and capture the settlements before withdrawing in a reserve for the main thrust to the north.

 

Ground

 

The settlements of Goose Green and Darwin are located on an isthmus that connects Lafonia to Wickham Heights, the two main areas of the East Falkland Island. The ground is rolling, treeless and covered extensively with gorse. The ground is frequently sodden in the southern hemisphere’s winter from May to August. Movement, especially at night is exhausting and drizzly rain occurs at least one out of every three days. Winds are continuous and the cover is sparse. The two settlements dominate the isthmus. Darwin to the North and Goose Green to the South. Goose Green has a grass airstrip.

 

 

Map of Goose Green and Darwin. Note that Mount Pleasant Air Base had not been constructed in 1982.

 

Enemy Forces

 

Unusually, the SAS intelligence regarding Argentine forces defending the settlement was well wide of the mark, with their estimate being of one enemy company. The Brigade intelligence was much closer to actual enemy forces. Unfortunately, Lieutenant-Colonel Jones made his planning assumptions on the SAS reports as he felt that being on the ground, their reports were likely to be more accurate. The Argentine forces defending the isthmus, known as Task Force Mercedes consisted of two companies with a third deployed on Mount Kent. It also contained a company of Rangers from the 25th Infantry Regiment, six 20mm Rheinmetalls anti-aircraft guns, and two radar guided Oerlikon 35mm guns from the 601st Anti-aircraft Battalion. The task force also had a battery of three 105mm howitzers and air support from Pucaras based at Stanley. Minefields had alse been laid in tactically important positions. Lieutenant-Colonel Italo Piaggi had a command of over 1,083 men.

 

The BBC had already been in action against the British Task Force. A news report had picked up the fact that a large number of Argentine bombs were not exploding, despite hitting their ship targets and in some cases going right through them. A BBC television report helpfully speculated that the Argentine armourers were fitting the wrong fuse settings on the bombs. To avoid the high concentration of British air defences, Argentine pilots were releasing their bombs from very low altitudes, giving the fuses too little time to arm before impact. The BBC broadcast this information and was severely criticised by the task force Commander, Admiral Woodward, who blamed them for alerting the Argentines to the supposed fault. Interestingly, Colonel H. Jones, also accused the BBC of giving information to the enemy when the BBC Overseas Service reported on the movement of 2 Para and capture of Goose Green before it actually happened and he had threatened to bring charges of treason against the Board of Governors. Sadly he was killed at Goose Green before he could pursue the charge.

 

The Argentine forces in the settlements couldn’t fail to work out British intentions. On 4th May Sea Harriers had attacked the airfield at Goose Green and one Harrier had been shot down and the pilot killed. On 21st May, the SAS had launched a diversional raid on Darwin to cover the amphibious landings in San Carlos and Argentine scouts spotted 2 Para reconnaissance parties as they scouted the routes into the settlements. On 27th May RAF Harriers again attacked the airfield, again an aircraft was lost and the BBC put the cherry on top of the cake when it announced that the 2nd Battalion of the Parachute Regiment was poised and ready to assault Goose Green and Darwin. It hardly required a Bletchly Park and thousands of codebreakers to work out what the British were up to.

 

Execution

 

Timings and preliminary moves (All local)Scheme of manoeuvre over six phases:

 

Phase 1 (Quiet) 0300L

 

C Company is to secure the start line

 

Phase 2 (Noisy)

 

A Company is to launch the attack from the start line on the left (Darwin) side of the isthmus.

 

Phase 3

 

B Company is to launch its attack from the start line directly after A Company has initiated contact and would advance on the right (Boca House) side of the isthmus.

 

Phase 4

 

Once A and B companies have secured their initial objectives, D Company will then advance from the start line between A and B companies. A and B companies are to “go firm” on having exploited their objective.

 

Phase 5

 

This will be followed by C Company, which is required to pass through D Company and neutralise any Argentine reserves.

 

Phase 6

 

C Company will then advance again and clear the Goose Green airfield after which the settlements of Darwin and Goose Green will be secured by A and D companies respectively.

 

 

Burntside House

 

The majority of the helicopter heavy lift capability had been lost on the Atlantic Conveyor, so 2 Para was required to march 13 miles from San Carlos to the forming up point at Camilla Creek House. At 2200L on 27th May C Company and the engineers moved out to clear the route and the start line for the other companies. A fire support base was established by the support company and three 105mm guns and ammunition were in place by 0200 on the 28th. The guns and ammunition had been flown up by Sea King helicopters. The attack was due to commence at 0300 but delays in registering fire support from HMS Arrow delayed the start until 0335.

 

HMS Arrow opened fire at 0335, the first round of the 22 star shells and 135 4.5” HE shells she would fire during the battle. In the fight for Burntside House twelve Argentine Marines were killed as they fought a delaying action, before falling back to Darwin Ridge. D Company was slowed and halted by the unexpected, stiff Argentine resistance, until Lance-Corporal Bingley and Private Grayling went out from cover and charged the Argentine machine gun position that had been stifling the advance. Bingley was killed and Grayling severely wounded. Bingley was later posthumously awarded the Military Medal and Grayling the Queen’s Gallantry Medal. Burntside House was cleared for the cost of three Paras killed.

 

Sunray is down!

 

The British advance continued south, but the Argentine Marines made a determined stand on Darwin Ridge. As the Para’s A and B Company advanced they received enfilading sniper and machine gun fire from concealed Argentine positions. Taking heavy casualties, the British advance faltered and was stopped. The Paras were in a grim position. A Company was stuck in the gorse line at the bottom of Darwin Hill while entrenched Argentine positions were able to fire down on the Paras.

 

It was now daybreak and a frustrated Colonel H Jones led a charge by members of the HQ Company up a small gulley. The Adjutant Captain Wood and the 2IC of A Company, Captain Dent were killed with Corporal Hardman. Seconds later, Colonel Jones was seen running to a narrow re-entrant followed by his bodyguard. He ran up the hill towards the Argentine position, was hit once and went down, he got up and was then hit again from the flank. He fell short of the Argentine trench line with wounds in his back and groin and he died within a few minutes. His men radioed for a hot casevac, but the Scout helicopter sent in was shot down. For his action leading his men, Lieutenant-Colonel Jones’ widow would receive the Victoria Cross.

 

At 1030, A Company made a third attempt on Darwin Hill, but this too was defeated by the dogged defence by the Argentine 1st Platoon of IR25’s Company C, commanded by 2nd Lieutenant Estévez who also brought down 105mm artillery and 120mm mortar fire on the Paras. During this period of stalemate, the Para’s support company had fired over 1,000 3” mortar rounds to suppress Argentine forces, otherwise British casualties would have been horrendous.

 

It was just before noon when the British advance resumed and Major Farrar-Hockley’s A Company of the Paras cleared the eastern enemy positions on Darwin Ridge. On the other flank another fierce firefight was taking place around the ruins of Boca House. Major Crossland’s C Company took the western sector of the ridge after the Support Company brought up Milan anti-tank missiles to destroy the Argentine bunkers. The Milan is a tube-launched, optically-tracked, wire-guided missile (TOW). The Argentine defenders in future battles, would come to hate the bobbing and jinking balls of fire from the missiles’ rocket motors heading inexorably towards their bunkers.

 

A and C Companies rolled up Darwin Ridge with rifle butts, grenades and bayonets, opening the way to the airstrip and Goose Green. For exemplary leadership, Majors Farrar-Hockley and Crosland each won the Military Cross. The Argentine forces had courageously held the ridge for over six hours against a numerically superior British elite force. 2nd Lieutenant Estévez who was mortally wounded in the fighting, would later receive the deserved and grandly titled Argentine Nation to the Heroic Valour in Combat Cross.

 

QuestionConsiderationDeductionChanged Situation

 

Reiterative process throughout the operation.

 

Has the situation changed since the orders were received?

 

What has changed?

 

No change – confirm mission.

 

Same mission, same plan.

 

Same mission, amend plan.

 

New mission, new plan.

 

Refer to superior commander or if not possible, act in support of his main effort, taking into account his intent.

 

 

The Airfield and Darwin School

 

From Darwin Hill, C and D Companies headed for the airfield and Darwin School after a quick and dirty amendment of the original plan. C Company took heavy losses when they were targeted by Argentine 35mm anti-aircraft guns. Up to 20% of the company became casualties to these effective and well dug-in weapons. The Argentine Air Force gunners were forced to abandon their guns after the Para’s Support Company brought down fire on their positions. Also hampering the Paras advance were air attacks by Pucaras from Stanley, but fortunately the boggy ground absorbed much of the bomb blasts.

 

The Argentine defenders of 25th Regiment ambushed D Company on the airfield and the Para’s Platoon Sergeant led a charge on the enemy positions with his machine gun, killing four. Private Carter won the Military Medal by rallying No. 12 Platoon and leading it forward at bayonet point to take the airfield. Under a single rear-guard action by Sergeant Sergio Ismael Garcia, the Argentine defenders withdrew into Darwin Settlement. For this action Garcia would receive the Argentine Nation to the Valour in Combat Medal. At this point three RAF Harrier GR 3s made an attack on the airfield’s anti-aircraft positions and this together with the shooting down of two Argentine aircraft by a Blowpipe missile, raised the Paras’ morale at a crucial time. The attacking Harriers had been misidentified by Sea Harriers led by Lieutenant Commander Ward and Flight Lieutenant Mortimer of 801 Squadron RNAS and were nearly shot down during their bombing run.

 

Situation at Dusk 28th May

 

By last light the situation for 2 Para was not good. They had failed to take all of their objectives and the timescale of the operation was massively behind schedule. B Company, which had swung much further south in an arc towards Goose Green was isolated and under constant Argentine fire. To make matters worse, eight Argentine helicopters landed south-west of B Company’s position, bringing the remaining Company B of IR12 (Combat Team Solari) from Mount Kent. C Company brought down artillery fire on these enemy troops and they dispersed towards Goose Green settlement. C Company’s IC was wounded and the 2IC unaccounted for. The Paras redistributed ammunition, but were short of food and D Company was out of water.

 

Major Keeble had taken command after the death of Lieutenant Colonel Jones and he took stock of the situation. The Paras had surrounded the enemy forces, but the Argentines were still very much “in the game” and Keeble had to consider the fate of the Falkland Islanders who were effectively hostages within the settlements. Rather than fight in the settlements, the Major decided to call for an Argentine surrender. Should that fail, his second course of action was to flatten Goose Green with all available support firepower and launch an all-out simultaneous attack with all of his bayonet strength. He requested support and J Company of 42 Commando and another mortar battery were helicoptered down to the isthmus.

 

Keeble had a message sent via CB radio from San Carlos to Mr Eric Goss, the farm manager at Goose Green, giving the terms of the surrender. Goss relayed this to Colonel Piaggi, the commander of the Argentine garrison. After midnight, two Argentine POWs were sent into the settlement, requesting that the Argentine commander met a delegation from the British. Piaggi agreed and mulled over the terms. He concluded that reinforcements were unlikely, his troops although in good order and with plenty of small arms ammunition, were surrounded and the British could raise the settlement any time they wished. He also had the lives of civilians to consider and because he was an honourable man, Colonel Piaggi agreed to unconditional surrender all Argentine forces at the settlement, the following morning. The next morning, the Argentine troops had a short parade, burned the regimental flag and lay down their weapons.

 

Aftermath

 

Around 50 Argentinian troops were killed and 86 were wounded. The British lost 18 killed and 64 wounded. History was not kind to Lieutenant-Colonel Piaggi. Because he surrendered on the Argentines’ National Day he was forced to resign from the Army. And his competence was constantly questioned. After a long fight in the civilian courts, Piaggi had his retired military rank and pension reinstated. He died in 2012.

 

The Battle of Goose Green was spun as a resounding British military victory against a resolute and well dug-in foe. But many within the Task Force and 2 Para itself, questioned the need to fight a vastly numerically superior enemy force, which could have been isolated and bypassed. It also came as a profound shock that a third-world, largely conscript Army could fight so professionally and doggedly. The skill and bravery of the Argentine air force had already been proven and recognised, but the Argentine defence of Goose Green was a harbinger of battles to come. The politicians with their 8,000 mile long screwdriver had blood on their hands.

 

Blown Periphery 2018.

 

Going Postal Blog.

 

 

[Phil Perry]

For those interested in this piece of Military History . . . .This is the last article in the Falklands tale, and NOT the battle of Goose Green ( my mistake )

 

The battles of 11th-12th June 1982 – From South to North Mount Harriet

 

 

Mount Harriet was defended by 4th Argentine Infantry Regiment and they had been able over several days, to dig in comprehensive defensive positions of stone sangers. The orders for the attack on Mount Harriet were issued to 42 Commando on the morning of 11th June. K Company was to attack the eastern side of the mountain, while L Company would attack the southern flank one hour later. J Company was to launch a diversionary attack on the western flank of the mountain. Just before midnight K and L Companies moved forward from their assembly areas on mount Challenger, west of My Harriet, across the Argentine mine fields to their start lines. When they were in position, J Company commenced its extremely loud and distracting attack.

 

K Company’s attack was opened by a fierce naval bombardment that killed two Argentines and wounded twenty-five. The Commandos crossed the start line and moved stealthily up the mountain, knifing to death two sentries on their advance. The British supporting Gun batteries, naval guns and mortars fired over 1,000 rounds to keep the defenders pinned down so the Commandos could advance to the fight through. The British took out machine gun positions when Corporal Newland charged the position, before being shot through the legs. With the Argentine machine guns out of action Corporals Eccles and Ward cleared the other points aided by Marine Barnett. For this action Newland, Eccles and Ward were awarded the Military Medal, Barnet was Mentioned In Dispatches. Argentine soldiers, mainly conscripts began to surrender, but the officers and NCOs stood firm and fought valiantly.

 

L Company crossed the start land just after K Company and was immediately engaged by effective Argentine machine gun fire. Milan anti-tank missles were used to neutralise the machine gun nests, with 105mm guns from Mount Challenger. It took L Company five hours to advance 600 metres, stiff enemy fire consisting of at least seven machine guns. By first light 5 troop of L Company advanced towards Goat Ridge when they were engaged by machine guns, which were covering the Argentine withdrawal from the summit. Supressing mortar fire was requested, but a single, brave and well dug-in Argentine conscript just below the summit, held out until he was killed by a Milan fired at close range.

 

The battle proved good planning and deception was effective even against a resolute enemy in good defensive positions. Two Marines were killed and thirty wounded. Eighteen Argentines were killed on Mt Harriet. The Marines were much impressed with the conduct and fighting spirit of the Argentine troops and were forced to correct British reporters who were filing stories to the effect that the conscripts caved in after the first shots had been fired. It just proves that from the Crimean War to the Gulf and Afghanistan, the media have always been a bunch of spinning, lying, conniving bastards.

 

“2 COYS OF 42 CDO HAD TAKEN A REGIMENTAL POSITION FOR 2 KILLED AND 30 WOUNDED … WE HAD BEEN ORDERED TO BE PREPARED TO PRESS FORWARD THE ATTACK ONTO MOUNT TUMBLEDOWN AND MOUNT WILLIAM IF THE ENEMY FLED OUR INITIAL ATTACK, AND TIME ALLOWED. BY DAWN IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT WE WERE IN NO POSITION TO ATTACK. WE WERE EXHAUSTED, OUT OF AMMO AND SUFFERING SIGNIFICANT CASUALTIES. MY 21C, A RADIO OPERATOR, MY TAC HQ MACHINE GUNNER AND ONE OF MY TROOP COMMANDERS HAD ALL BEEN SHOT, AND A FURTHER 10 ALSO WOUNDED. ANOTHER TROOP COMMANDER I DISCOVERED WAS SUFFERING FROM SHELLSHOCK”.

 

A Rifle Company Commander’s Perspective, Major David G. Wheen,

 

Two Sisters

 

 

The RM Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre had been patrolling Two Sisters and discovered dug in, command detonated mines protecting the eastern flank of the mountain. 45 Commando’s X-Ray Company spearheaded the attack, but came up against determined defence from the Argentine 4th Infantry Regiment. Unable to advance, the Marines were pinned down for four hours on the mountain slopes, while naval gunfire support tried to dislodge the defenders. Colonel Andrew Whitehead realized that a single company could not hope to secure Two Sisters without massive casualties, and brought up the unit’s two other companies.

 

Yankee and Zulu Companies attacked the northern peak of Two Sisters at 1230 Local and engaged in a two-hour firefight, during which the Argentine mortar platoon’s officer was killed. The mortars were out of ammunition. However, the Marines lost two platoon commanders who were wounded. Z Company’s platoon commander realised that with their ongoing rate of fire the Marines would run out of ammunition, so Lieutenant Dytor rallied his troops and led them on a bayonet charge to clear and take the northern peak. He would win the Military Cross for this action.

 

The Argentines no longer held the peaks and began to withdraw towards Mount Tumbledown. The cover to this withdrawal was most effective and a number of Argentine troops were decorated for bravery. Sergeant-Major George Meachin of Yankee Company, later praised the fighting abilities and spirit of the Argentine defenders:

 

We came under lots of effective fire from 0.50 calibre machine guns …At the same time, mortars were coming down all over us, but the main threat was from those machine-gunners who could see us in the open because of the moonlight. There were three machine-guns and we brought down constant and effective salvoes of our own artillery fire on to them directly, 15 rounds at a time. There would be a pause, and they’d come back at us again. So we had to do it a second time, all over their positions. There’d be a pause, then ‘boom, boom, boom,’ they’d come back at us again. Conscripts don’t do this, babies don’t do this, men who are badly led and of low morale don’t do this. They were good steadfast troops. I rate them.

 

Mount Longdon

 

 

Mount Longdon was defended by the Argentine 7th Infantry Regiment and attached support formations. These were not conscripts but recalled reservists, dug-in well prepared positions. The British forces were 3 Para commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Hew Pike, six 105mm guns of 29 Commando RA with 2 Para in support. HMS Avenger’s 4.5” gun provided Naval gunfire support.

 

3 Para’s Tactical Advance to Battle (TAB) was conducted in atrocious weather conditions, and after crossing the start line, Corporal Milne triggered a mine. This drew about twenty Argentines out of their tents to lay down fire but the Para’s 4 Platoon machine-gunned and grenade the startled Argentine troops. The Paras continued up the mountain into effective machine gun fire and so began a four hour fire-fight to clear the first line of defending bunkers. The Argentine forces moved in reinforcements and the battle had degenerated into small individual combats with both side fighting for their lives.

 

Argentine resistance was strong and well-organised and as night fell, it became obvious that the Argentines had been issued with night fighting equipment, probably supplied by the Americans via a third party. A heavy machine-gun position was causing the Paras considerable problems for 4 Platoon and Sergeant McKay knew that they had to act. He led an assault on the machine-gun position into heavy fire. Two were wounded and one killed, but McKay kept going and charged the enemy position alone and was killed. For this act he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Unfortunately the machine-gun wasn’t knocked out.

 

The Paras withdrew to allow fire support to attempt to soften-up the enemy defences. Under continuing heavy fire, 4 and 5 Platoons continued towards their objective codenamed “Full-Back” to consolidate. They realised that further advance would be impossible without suffering unacceptable casualties. A Company moved through B Company and assault, from the west, the eastern objective of ‘Full Back’, still heavily defended position, with covering fire being given from Support Company.

 

Second Lieutenants John Kearton and Ian Moore mustered their platoons near the western summit and had briefed them on how to deal with the enemy. They then attacked the position, clearing it of its Argentine garrison with rifle, grenade and bayonet in close quarters combat. As A Company was clearing the final positions, Corporal McLaughlin was injured by a Czekalski recoilless rifle round fired from Wireless Ridge, he was subsequently killed by a mortar bomb fired from Wireless Ridge as he made his way to the aid post.

 

The Argentines continued to defend “Full Back” but Milan missile rounds and artillery support systematically destroyed their bunkers. By the next day, the mountain was strewn with the Argentine and British dead, some side-by-side in the same bunkers, mutually killed in close combat. The battle lasted twelve hours and cost the lives of seventeen Paras and a Royal Engineer. Forty were wounded. The Argentines lost thirty-one dead, 120 wounded and fifty prisoners. As one Para remarked:

 

“I thought the Argies were supposed to be <mod censored> crap.”

 

13th – 14th June 1982 – Maintaining the Momentum. Mount Tumbledown and Wireless Ridge

 

 

Mount Tumbledown was defended by the Argentine 5th Marine Battalion, which had been brought up to brigade strength by a company of the Amphibious Engineers Company, a heavy machine-gun company of the Headquarters Battalion. Additionally a battery of the 1st Marine Field Artillery Battalion and three Tigercat SAM batteries of the 1st Marine Anti-Aircraft Regiment, as well as a 2nd Marine Infantry Battalion platoon and a 3rd Marine Infantry Battalion platoon defended the high ground. The attacking British forces consisted of the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards, mortar detachments from 42 Commando, Royal Marines and the 1st Battalion, 7th Duke of Edinburgh’s Own Gurkha Rifles, as well as support from a troop of the Blues and Royals equipped with two Scorpion and two Scimitar armoured vehicles.

 

On the morning of 13th June the Scots Guards were flown by helicopter from Bluff Cove to Goat Ridge west of Tumbledown. For the capture of Tumbledown, in phase one, G Company would take the western end of the mountain. Phase two would see Left Flank Company pass through G Company to capture the centre summit. Right Flank Company wound pass through Left Flank Company and secure the east of Tumbledown. It was felt that manoeuvre in daylight would be suicidal.

 

At 2100 following a diversionary attack on Mount William by the Blues and Royals and the Guards Recce Platoon, G Company reached its objective unmolested. The western end of the mountain was undefended and Left Flank Company passed through and reached the central peak. But then they came under heavy fire. For the next four hours Argentine machine guns and mortars kept the Guards pinned down with fire from bunkers. The Frigates HMS Yarmouth and Active continued to fire on Tumbledown, but the commander of 2 Scots Guards thought the Battalion might have to withdraw and fight the next night.

 

At 0200 the Guards fixed bayonets and went forward to try to clear the bunkers. The fighting which included artillery support went on throughout the early hours and by 0600 it was clear the attack had stalled. The Argentines continued to bring up reinforcements and Left Flank Company was exhausted. Guards Right Flank Company was ordered to go in and clear the ridge. As they went forward advancing out of the central region of Tumbledown ridge they came under heavy fire, but by advancing in pairs under support fire they cleared the area and then gained control of the mountain’s eastern side. The Gurkhas deployed south to Mount William leaving the Scots Guards with eight dead and forty-three wounded.

 

During the battle, Guardsman Philip Williams was knocked unconscious by an explosion, and left for dead. When he came to, the rest of the British soldiers had gone. Williams’ parents were informed of his “death” and a memorial service held for him. After seven weeks he found his way back to civilization, to find himself accused of desertion by the media and fellow soldiers. I find this account extraordinary and if I were his platoon commander, I would have to ask just where the hell he had been for seven weeks.

 

Wireless Ridge

 

On the morning of 13 June, it became clear that the attacks on Tumbledown had been successful. 2 Para marched around the back of Mount Longdon to take up their positions for the assault on Wireless Ridge. As the action was expected to be concluded quickly, they took only their weapons and as much ammunition as possible, leaving most other gear behind in the camp. On Bluff Cove Peak, the Battalion’s mortars and heavy machine guns were attacked by Argentine A4 Skyhawks, which delayed their planned move forward, although they suffered no casualties.

 

During the day British artillery had fired 6,000 rounds with their 105 mm guns and as they began their push, they were further backed by naval fire and the 76 and 30 mm guns mounted on the light tanks. After their losses at Goose Green, the Paras were taking no chances. By the time 2 Para reached their first objective, the Argentine 7th Infantry Regiment defenders had withdrawn. As a result A and B Companies were convinced the enemy on the “Apple Pie” objective had been defeated, and began to advance confidently, but they met fierce resistance when they left their trenches. They came under heavy machine-gun fire and ordered massive retaliation from the British machine-gunners and the guns of the Blues and Royals light tanks. A and B Companies took “Apple Pie.”

 

D Coy then began the final assault from the western end of Wireless Ridge, under the cover of heavy fire from HMS Ambuscade’s 4.5 inch gun, the light tanks, twelve 105 mm artillery pieces, several mortars and anti-tank rockets. Major Neame’s D Coy took the first half of the objective after a hard fight with Argentine paratroopers of the 2nd Airborne Infantry Regiment. Major Neame’s officers and NCOs rallied the men to capture the final part of their objective and in the face of heavy fire, the Argentines having run out of ammunition, broke and retreated, covered by supporting machine gun fire.

 

2 Para had suffered three dead and 11 wounded. The Argentines suffered approximately 25 dead and about 125 wounded, about 50 were taken prisoner. In the final stages of the battle, the Argentine commander, Brigadier-General Jofre had been offered the use of Skyhawks to bomb Wireless Ridge with napalm but he declined, believing that the British response would be equally violent and the chances of a surrender being accepted, non-existent. Soldiers take a dim view of the operators of flame weapons, as the crews of Churchill Crocodiles found to their cost in Normandy.

 

The Bitter End

 

 

The mountains surrounding Port Stanley were the last line of defence, and the Argentine defenders were streaming off them, heading back to the town. The Argentines were ordered to take up positions in the buildings and if the occupants refused, they were to be shot. The Argentine troops had had enough and knew the game was up. Their chances of getting home to Argentina would be zero if they started killing the Islanders. Many melted away. Some looted food, some sat down and told their officers and NCOs to <mod censored> off.

 

Initial contact between the opposing forces’ headquarters was made by radio at 6 pm. A ceasefire was then ordered. The two commanders General Mario Menendez, and the British second-in-command Brigadier John Walters, met at Moody Brook, the former Marines barracks with an interpreter. A ceasefire was declared on 14 June and the commander of the Argentine garrison in Stanley, Brigadier General Mario Menéndez, surrendered to Major General Jeremy Moore the same day.

 

The British gun line was down to its last case of 105mm ammunition. The ships were blistered and rusted by the Southern Ocean. The Harrier engines were scarified by the salt water. British troops hobbled like old men, caused by immersion foot, the ones that hadn’t had the good sense to take the superior boots off the Argentine dead.

 

"It has been a damned nice thing – the nearest run thing you ever saw in your life, by God!"

 

Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington ( His quote following Waterloo )

 

Blown Periphery 2018

 

Going Postal Blog

 

 

[old man emu]

The Frogs might have sold the Exocets, but who supplied the money for them? Would you believe that the money was siphoned out of the Vatican Bank?

 

The mastermind was one Roberto Calvi. "In 1980, Banco Ambrosiano de America del Sud opened its doors in Buenos Aires. There was practically no banking activity but it was this arm of the Calvi empire which helped finance Argentinian purchases of Exocet missiles." { From 'In God's Name", Page 285. David A Yallop ISBN 0-224-02089-7} In God's Name - Wikipedia

 

The book's main premise is that Pope John Paul the First was murdered by a consortium whose members were using the Vatican Bank for a myriad of fraudulent banking activities. The Pope became aware of this and was going to use his power as OIC of the Church to make some radical changes of occupation for those handling the purse strings. To do so would have exposed the fraud racket. The Pope was going to expose churchmen who were known to be Masons. At that time a Catholic would be excommunicated for joining the Masons.

 

After the death of Pope John Paul the First, investigations into the fraud in the Vatican, Italy, many European counties and both North and South America lead to extortion and murder involving Masons and the Mafia.

 

 

[Birdseye]

I shudder at the excesses of the Spanish Inquisition.......I'd love to say what I feel about the Church of Rome.