Part III: Antarctica and Academe - Scott Polar Research Institute

Haakon Bay to Stromness! An adventure indeed, but if not impossible carrying
heavy weapons, quite pointless as BAS reports indicated that the Argentines had not
left the confines of Grytviken. Stromness itself was x miles from Grytviken, with
glaciers and Cumberland West Bay to be crossed. We managed to dissuade them.
Others planned to land at Hound Bay, cross the Barff Peninsula carrying inflatables
and then boat across Cumberland East bay. We pointed out that in brash ice, likely to
be met, progress would be impossible across the fjord but they clung to the idea and
on 21 April an SBS reconnaissance party was inserted at Hound Bay, where they met
two BAS men.
There were other impracticable plans, the one with the worst consequences being the
plan to land troops by helicopter on the Fortuna Glacier, separated from Grytviken
by miles of rugged country, glaciers and/or water. We pointed out again that there
were nearer landing places to Grytviken and that the Fortuna Glacier was exposed to
violent catabatic winds that could damage or destroy helicopters attempting to land.
They ignored our advice, inserted an SAS reconnaissance party on the Fortuna, also
on 21 April, and in the process crashed two [Lynx] helicopters on the glacier,
fortunately without casualties, and were extremely lucky to be able to extricate the
men with a third helicopter on 22 April.
HMS Antrim took the SAS Mountain Troop into Stromness Bay during the night of 23
April and they made a landing on Grass Island, and the ship's Wessex helicopter
rescued three SAS soldiers from their drifting inflatable dinghy.
On 22 April HMS Conqueror was ordered to leave local waters and to steer northwest
so that she could screen the Task Group
On 23 April three C-130 Hercules made reconnaissance flights along the north-east
coast of the island and detected the British ships. Argentine news agencies broadcast
their sighting reports. The submarine Santa Fe approached the island from the northwest.
All the British ships concentrated 40 miles from the coast. The RFA Brambleleaf
joined the Task Group and commenced refuelling them. The Argentine overflights,
plus reports of the Santa Fe being in the area, cause Captain Young to withdraw all
ships but one to a new position 200 miles to the north-east. HMS Endurance returned
alone to Hound Bay. HMS Conqueror was ordered back to South Georgia waters.
On 24 April an Argentine military Boeing 707 made a reconnaissance flight down to
Hound Bay and identified HMS Endurance. HMS Brilliant joined the Task Group.
The SBS reconnaissance party was evacuated by the Endurance's Wasp helicopters
from Cumberland East Bay.
On 25 April the Santa Fe entered Cumberland East Bay during the night and
disembarked her passengers at King Edward Point. Captain Bicain prepared to sail
at dawn, or earlier if possible. •The Antrim, Plymouth and Brilliant raced in towards
the coast. The first helicopter missions were launched. The Santa Fe was found,
attacked and driven back to King Edward Point. A scratch military force was landed
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