Falklands '82

[graz126]

Forgive the link, but this was on the Falklands82 feed earlier today. The propellor of the Atlantic Conveyor is now a memorial, it's the fifth picture down.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4375274/Rusting-wreckage-helicopters-shot-Falklands-War.html

I went to that cross on the hill and the chinook wreckage too. if memory serves me right 1 if not both of them were not from the actual war. The cross on the hill was helicopter shot down by our own forces after their radio transmisssions failed. And think the Chinook was just carrying soliders up to mount kent when fell out the sky. Could be wrong on both but been to them. Went to memorials at Goose Green, Galahad's at Fitzroy, San Carlos, even HMS Sheffield's on Sea Lion island.

 

[AlastairWatts]

The sinking of an old 2nd war battleship Belgrano by a British nuclear submarine when it was sailing away from the islands was probably unnecessary and caused the most casualties in the whole war.

Probably the last imperial war of the old empire, unless history will repeat itself to defend the rights of the people of Gibraltar to stay British.

The Belgrano was an ex US WW2 cruiser, not a battleship. And it was armed to the teeth, could have sunk either of the British carriers, whichever way it was facing or sailing. After the sinking the Argentinian navy stayed close to home. I don't call any of that unnecessary.

 

[Mental Lental]

Looking at the map,it does suggest otherwise,however i am happy to accept that being further out to sea and more exposed the principle still applies,one only has to compare South Georgia to the Falklands to see et another significant difference again.

You have to be careful when comparing distances and sizes on the world map due to the Mercator Projection. Essentially countries near the equator are portrayed as being much smaller whereas countries near the poles are much larger. This would factor in when comparing distances too. As an example on the world map, Greenland appears similar in size to Africa whereas in reality, it's much much smaller.....

 

[swindonseagull]

I was in the RAF but went no further south than Ascension Island

But since the conflict I went to the Falklands countless times as crew on the supply Tristar aircraft

 

[Eeyore]

I was in the RAF but went no further south than Ascension Island

But since the conflict I went to the Falklands countless times as crew on the supply Tristar aircraft

Is it as cold as they say ? It actually appears that it doesn't rain so much in winter- unless it snows, of course.

 

[Javeaseagull]

The Belgrano was an ex US WW2 cruiser, not a battleship. And it was armed to the teeth, could have sunk either of the British carriers, whichever way it was facing or sailing. After the sinking the Argentinian navy stayed close to home. I don't call any of that unnecessary.

I'm with you. I have no love for Maggie but this was war. The pedants can argue about the direction the Belgrano was sailing and territorial waters etc. The fact was the Argintinian navy retreated to their ports and didn't come out again so job done>

 

[Baldseagull]

I learned the french word for Flying fish.

 

[swindonseagull]

I was in the RAF but went no further south than Ascension Island

But since the conflict I went to the Falklands countless times as crew on the supply Tristar aircraft

 

[swindonseagull]

Is it as cold as they say ? It actually appears that it doesn't rain so much in winter- unless it snows, of course.

Normally very very windy, of course then with the added windchill it's colder.
You can actually walk from one end of the Mount pleasant complex to the other end through corridors to save you facing the elements outside

 

[Questions]

I can remember how proud I felt about our forces and my country as the bunting went out for their return after The Falklands. I've never felt that about any of the 'conflicts' since that we have been part of. I know that's not the fault of the men involved though.

 

[The Clamp]

I'm sorry, but I find that absolutely amazing. Hardly your fault if it wasn't on the curriculum. But it was the last time this country went to war!

Edited

 

[smudge]

I was there & have told my tale on a previous thread so I won't bore everyone again. Just to say RIP to the several shipmates still on patrol & mostly to my best mate back then, Naval Airman Budgie Marsden from Blackburn. As I said in the other thread (last year I think), one of the funniest blokes I've ever met. Smiling now remembering one particular run ashore in Amsterdam from HMS Invincible in 82 before it all kicked off. Oh the stories I could tell!

 

[Hampden Park]

was there too smudge (as you know), RIP all those still on patrol. Dits could be spun for hours m8y.

 

[Sussexscots]

I'm with you. I have no love for Maggie but this was war. The pedants can argue about the direction the Belgrano was sailing and territorial waters etc. The fact was the Argintinian navy retreated to their ports and didn't come out again so job done>

Agree. The Belgrano was a Brooklyn class light cruiser, faster than either of our carriers and mounting fifteen six inch guns capable of firing 'super heavy' Armour Piercing shells. It would have been dereliction of duty to allow it anywhere near Hermes or Invincible. Or any of their escort screen for that matter.

Argue all you want about direction etc but the sinking of Belgrano meant Argentina kept their carrier Veinticinco de Mayo confined to port.

Had it sailed, the RN would have had to sink it -in fact the submarine HMS Splendid was already assigned to shadow it - which would potentially have cost 1,300 lives.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

I was there & have told my tale on a previous thread so I won't bore everyone again. Just to say RIP to the several shipmates still on patrol & mostly to my best mate back then, Naval Airman Budgie Marsden from Blackburn. As I said in the other thread (last year I think), one of the funniest blokes I've ever met. Smiling now remembering one particular run ashore in Amsterdam from HMS Invincible in 82 before it all kicked off. Oh the stories I could tell!

was there too smudge (as you know), RIP all those still on patrol. Dits could be spun for hours m8y.

A big, big thank you to you both & @Muhammed 'im hard' Bruce Lee, for what you guys, and your oppos, did.
I, for one, will never forget.

 

[Crennis]

The comedienne Miranda Hart's father was commander of HMS Coventry, lost in the Falklands War. He ,later became a Vice Admiral I believe..

Maybe that's a good way of achieving promotion, to lose your ship!

Doesn't seem to do any harm, Alan West also lost his ship (Ardent) and he made First Sea Lord (interestingly factoid: the last three Ardents have all been lost to enemy action).

Lucky enough to make it down to the Falklands with work in 2013 and had a couple of days to go sightseeing to Stanley & Goose Green.

 

[Charlies Shinpad]

I was there & have told my tale on a previous thread so I won't bore everyone again. Just to say RIP to the several shipmates still on patrol & mostly to my best mate back then, Naval Airman Budgie Marsden from Blackburn. As I said in the other thread (last year I think), one of the funniest blokes I've ever met. Smiling now remembering one particular run ashore in Amsterdam from HMS Invincible in 82 before it all kicked off. Oh the stories I could tell!

I used to like you Smudge but now I know your an ex WAFU that's me and you finished [emoji572][emoji572]

 

[Lenny Rider]

If we'd actually lost the war and Thatcher had been ousted I wonder how different the UK would be today?

 

[smudge]

I used to like you Smudge but now I know your an ex WAFU that's me and you finished [emoji572][emoji572]

Aircraft Handler shag, different breed. Left as a Chief in 05 having cracked 26 years, 19 of which were spent as ships company on grey funnels, never did a squadron or flight. Hope this improves your opinion!

Served with one of NSC's finest, Hampden Park on the Fearless in the 90's, top man.

Nostris in Manibus Tuti

 

[smudge]

A big, big thank you to you both & @Muhammed 'im hard' Bruce Lee, for what you guys, and your oppos, did.
I, for one, will never forget.

Cheers Jenny!