Part III: Antarctica and Academe - Scott Polar Research Institute

During the first night of occupation it was reported that there was sniper fire in
Stanley. Seven Royal Marines escaped capture and got out into the ‘camp’. Mopping
up operations were being carried out by the enemy. The Royal Marines were
reported captured on April 5th.
On 3–4 April British Government officials and others including four British
journalists were flown out of the colony. Many ‘Kelpers’ were reported using arms in
the camp. On the night of 4 April a large transport ship loaded with landing craft and
troops left Stanley to take over outlying islands. Port Stanley was renamed Porto
Videlo. All shops and facilities were reported closed on 5 April. Prison sentences of
up to 6 months were announced for such "crimes" as disrespect to military personnel
and the Argentine flag.
Events in England following the taking of South Georgia
On 3 April The first RAF Hercules began, transporting Fleet Air Arm Lynx
helicopters to Ascension Island. Anthony Parsons addressed the UN Security
Council and the UN adopted Resolution 502. Addressing the House of Commons,
and in apparent contradiction of the announcement by the Lord Privy Seal on the
previous morning, the Prime Minister stated: “Information about the Argentine fleet
did not arrive until Wednesday.” During the same debate, Ted Rowlands, a former
Minister at the Foreign Office (who we in BAS had had a lot of time for as showing a
great interest in BAS), stated: “I shall make a disclosure. As well as trying to read the
mind of the enemy, we have been reading its telegrams for many years. I am sure
that many sources are available to the government and I do not understand how they
failed to anticipate some of the dangers that suddenly loomed on the horizon.”
Other units were mobilising in Britain. On Sunday 4 April a Squadron of 22 SAS
mobilised at Hereford. HMS Conqueror departed Faslane with 6 SBS embarked. The
first civil cargo flight departed with two Fleet Air Arm Wessex helicopters for
delivery to Ascension Island.
On Monday the SAS Squadron and 2 SBS left RAF Lyneham for Ascension Island.
The staff of the British Embassy in Buenos Aires started to leave the country. In
London, Lord Carrington and Richard Luce both resigned. The new Foreign
Secretary was Mr Francis Pym. John Nott continued in office.
On South Georgia, BAS personnel made their first reconnaissance after the invasion
(of Grytviken and King Edward Point) on Monday 5 April. Other BAS personnel
reconnoitre from Hound Bay next day.
On 7 April the secret decision was made to mount Operation Paraquat and Captain
Young, in HMS Antrim, was ordered to detach from Admiral Woodward's force and
to proceed at best speed, with HMS Plymouth in company, for Ascension Island. He
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