Falklands War

In 1765, Britain claimed West Falkland as a colony, setting the stage for further disputes and conflicts over the control of the Falkland Islands.

In 1770, the Falkland Crisis unfolds as five Spanish ships arrive at Port Egmont with over 1400 troops under General Madariaga's command. The British are compelled to abandon Port Egmont, sparking threats of war.

In 1833, Britain reasserted its sovereignty over the Falkland Islands, leading to ongoing debates and tensions with Argentina regarding the control of the islands.

In 1977, Operation Journeyman was initiated by the Callaghan Government in response to escalating tensions with Argentina. A Royal Navy task force was dispatched to the South Atlantic, and negotiations with Argentina regarding the Falkland Islands were reopened. Stanley airport was also inaugurated.

The Argentine Joint Armed Forces Committee started planning a military invasion of the Falkland Islands, which was later revealed in articles in La Prensa newspaper.

After an emergency meeting of the cabinet on 1 April, approval was given to form a task force to retake the Falkland Islands. This decision was further supported in an emergency sitting of the House of Commons the next day.

On April 2, 1982, the Falklands War started between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic.

Following the occupation of the Falkland Islands, Argentina invaded and took control of South Georgia. This further escalated the conflict between Argentina and Britain during the Falklands War.

On 5 April 1982, a joint force was assembled and set sail for the South Atlantic to retake the Falkland Islands after the Argentine invasion. The Task Force consisted of 100 ships and various military units.

A Memorandum from the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs to Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger in 1982 summarized the intelligence, communications, and logistics support routinely given by the United States to Argentina and the UK at the onset of the Falklands War.

On April 12, 1982, the United Kingdom imposed a 200-mile Maritime Exclusion Zone around the Falklands.

The Task Force set sail from Ascension on April 16, 1982. Hermes arrived at Ascension while Invincible departed. Rear Admiral Woodward held discussions on campaign strategy with Clapp and Thompson aboard Fearless.

The Carrier Battle Group, consisting of Hermes, Invincible, Glamorgan, Broadsword, Yarmouth, Alacrity, RFA Olmeda, and Resource, departed from Ascension on April 18, 1982.

Between 21 and 25 April 1982, 'D' Squadron of 22 Special Air Service (SAS), along with a Special Boat Service (SBS) section and 'M' Company of 42 Commando, successfully recaptured the island of South Georgia as part of the Falkland Islands Dependencies.

After the initial invasion by Argentina, British forces successfully reoccupied South Georgia. This marked a turning point in the Falklands War as Britain started to regain control of the territories.

Argentine forces on South Georgia surrendered on this day.

In a significant naval engagement, Britain sank the cruiser General Belgrano, impacting Argentina's control of the seas during the Falklands War. This event shifted the balance of power in the conflict.

The British submarine Conqueror sank the cruiser General Belgrano on this day.

The British Type 42 destroyer HMS Sheffield was struck by an Exocet missile from the Argentine 2nd Naval Air Fighter/Attack Squadron, resulting in a fire that ultimately led to the ship sinking on May 10. The attack killed 20 crew members and severely injured 24 others.

Argentine newspapers and magazines published false information, including faked photos and bogus eyewitness reports, to support the government's official communiqués during the Falklands War.

The HMS Sheffield, heavily damaged earlier, sank while under tow on May 10, 1982, during the Falklands War. This marked the final chapter of the ship's tragic fate in the conflict.

Queen Elizabeth II leaves Southampton with most of 5 Infantry Brigade aboard. Glasgow is damaged by Argentine aircraft and Cardiff departs Gibraltar. 3 Commando Brigade HQ issues Operational Order for the landings in San Carlos Water.

SBS teams were inserted by HMS Brilliant at Grantham Sound to reconnoitre and observe the landing beaches at San Carlos Bay.

An SBS troop and artillery observers were landed by Wessex helicopters for an assault on an Argentine observation post at Fanning Head which overlooked the entrance of the bay.

3 Commando Brigade executes landings in San Carlos Water. HMS Ardent is sunk.

The Argentinian Air Force launched an attack on the landing logistic ships RFA Sir Galahad and RFA Sir Tristram on May 24, 1982, during the Falklands War. The attack resulted in significant damage and casualties, contributing to the overall toll of the conflict.

During the Falklands War in 1982, the British Task Force lost all but one of their heavy-lift Chinook helicopters when the SS 'Atlantic Conveyor' was hit by an Exocet missile, limiting their capabilities for the upcoming operations.

During the Falklands War in May 1982, the Battle of Goose Green took place where the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment of the British forces captured the first settlement. The battle was fierce, resulting in the death of Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert ‘H’ Jones, the battalion commander.

On Saturday, May 29, 1982, Major Keeble accepted the surrender of 1,100 Argentine troops at Goose Green. Additionally, the Atlantic Conveyor sank under tow.

On Monday, May 31, 1982, various operations took place during the Falklands War: 42 Commando moved by air to Mount Kent, Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre defeated Argentine troops at Top Malo House, 3 Para arrived at Douglas settlement, and 45 Commando arrived at Teal Inlet settlement.

Due to delays in unloading troops at Bluff Cove, two British landing ships, Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram, were attacked by Argentine A-4 Skyhawks, causing fires and casualties. The air strike also delayed the scheduled British ground attack on Stanley.

British forces initiated an assault on the strategically important town of Port Stanley, surrounding it and compelling Argentinian forces to surrender. This marked a crucial victory for Britain in the Falklands War.

By sunrise, all attacks had succeeded. Additionally, Glamorgan was struck by a land-based Exocet missile, and the Black Buck 7 Raid was conducted against a radar installation at Stanley.

British forces continued their assault on Stanley with 2 Para capturing Wireless Ridge and the Scots Guards capturing Mount Tumbledown. The attacks resulted in significant casualties on both sides.

The Falklands War concluded with the surrender of Argentine forces, leading to the restoration of British control over the Falkland Islands.

After 74 days of conflict, Argentina surrendered, and the Falkland Islands returned to British control. The war resulted in a significant death toll on both sides.

The victory in the Falklands War in 1982 had a profound impact on British foreign policy, boosting the country's self-confidence and global standing. It marked a turning point from a series of setbacks in foreign affairs since the Suez Crisis in 1956.

The Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel at Pangbourne College was opened in March 2000 to honor the lives and sacrifice of all those who served and died in the South Atlantic during the 1982 Falklands War.

In 2019, an expedition led by Falkland Islander Mensun Bound discovered the wreck of the SMS Scharnhorst to the North of the Falkland Islands.

In November 2020, after a final clearance campaign, the Falkland Islands were declared free of all landmines. A celebration event was held where the final landmine was detonated.

The ship Endurance departs from Stanley for South Georgia with helicopters and Royal Marines onboard.