Part III: Antarctica and Academe - Scott Polar Research Institute

of at least one frigate. Two other warships en route were delayed by bad weather and
mechanical problems aboard their supporting tanker. By then Endurance was
approximately halfway between South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, Nick
Barker hoping to arrive at Port Stanley on Saturday.
In England, however, the Captain of the aircraft carrier HMS Hercules, departed for
Gibraltar on leave. Lacking any advice or orders to the contrary, thousands of other
servicemen similarly departed for home or holiday. The Royal Marine Commandos
were an exception - some were recalled. At Poole, 2 SBS and 6 SBS were ordered to
start mobilising for service in the South Atlantic. HMS Splendid departed Faslane. At
16.00 (London time), on his own initiative, the First Sea Lord brought the carriers
HMS Hermes and HMS Invincibk to forty-seven hours notice to sail. At 16.30 the FCO
telephoned New York and instructed our Ambassador, Anthony Parsons, to request
an emergency debate in the UN Security Council. The FCO sent a cable to Stanley
advising the Governor that the town could be invaded by dawn the next day. In the
evening, the Prime Minister met again with John Nott, William Whitelaw and the
First Sea Lord, and authorised the mounting of a large-scale Task Force. During the
evening, in New York, the UN Security Council called upon both sides to exercise
restraint.
On Friday 2 April at approximately 04.00 (Local time), Argentine special forces
landed at Mullet Creek, south of Port Stanley, and advanced inland in two groups.
At 05.55 the western group attacked the empty Royal Marines barracks at Moody
Brook. At 06.00, the eastern group attacked Government House.
That same day HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible were brought to four hours notice to
sail. The Captain of HMS Hercules returned to Portsmouth from Gibraltar.
Northwood started to plan “Operation Corporate”. The Fleet Air Arm started to
mobilise. A Commando Forward Observation Battery RA was recalled from leave.
Port Stanley fell. At 11.00 (London time), the proceedings of the House of Commons
were interrupted by an announcement from the Lord Privy Seal, Humphrey Atkins:
“There is now a real expectation that an Argentine attack against the Falkland Islands
will take place very soon. It has become increasingly evident over the past few days
[sic] that the Argentines had assembled a fleet which was operating in the vicinity of
the Falkland Islands [sic].” The invasion was confirmed by the Leader of the House,
Francis Pym, at I4.35 hours.
Next day, Saturday 3 April, the Bahia Paraiso and the Guerrico attacked King
Edward Point and Lieutenant Mills and his marines surrendered after a spirited
defence. Ironically Endurance arrived off the Barff Peninsula just as the battle ended.
In BAS we began to reorganise our communications with South Georgia and
Antarctica.
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