Pride and principle
"They [the Junta] could not even accept the premise that Great Britain, that for so many years had turned the other cheek on anti-colonialist movements, could be willing to risk all for a thousand shepherds on this windswept, barren pile of rocks."
US Secretary of State, General Al Haig
Parachute Regiment mobilised
(Soldier Magazine)
The reputation of British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s government was at stake and there would be no hint of negotiation until all Argentine forces were expelled from the Islands.
In Britain there was widespread public support for the Task Force that immediately began to be assembled. Thatcher called on the nation’s ‘professionalism’, ‘flair’ and ‘every single bit of native cunning’ to achieve success.
Demonstrations against war were held but nothing on the scale of protests against the invasion of Iraq in 2003. On 3 April the United Nations Security Council ordered Argentina to withdraw its forces from the Islands prior to negotiation. Argentina ignored the resolution and continued to reinforce its position on the Islands, constructing defences and flying men and supplies into the airfield at Stanley.
Sailing south
Troops embarking (Soldier Magazine)
Initially the First Sea Lord Sir Henry Leach had offered the Prime Minister a naval solution to the crisis using the Royal Navy and Royal Marines alone. It soon became apparent that it would need all the services to act as one to achieve three major objectives of success: neutralise the Argentine Navy, achieve air superiority and drive the Argentine forces from the Island.
The initial landing force comprised 3rd Commando Brigade, A Squadron 22nd SAS Regiment and 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment. The 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment followed shortly afterwards and when the size of the Argentine garrison grew to over 6,000 men, the 5th Infantry Brigade with the 2nd Scots Guards, the Welsh Guards and 1st Battalion 7th Gurkha Rifles were embarked.
The liner Canberra, pressed into service.
NAM 1988-09-13-4
Britain had seen nothing like it since the Second World War (1939-45). Seconded merchant ships, tugs, liners and tankers were converted for war. On 5 April, three days after the invasion, a force of over 100 ships with 28,000 men set sail from the south coast of England.
Ascension Island with its American airbase provided a vital rendezvous and staging post for troops and ships heading south. Troops trained intensively and kept fit as best they could on board the ships.
Among the transiting troops was D Squadron Special Air Service Regiment, travelling, according to legend, without permission, but very keen to play a part in the forthcoming operation.
Firearms training on the voyage south (Soldier Magazine)
