The veteran Issue 6

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For the next five days we witnessed the air attacks on the fleet in San Carlos Waters by the Argentine Air Force which started on 21 May, the Battle of San Carlos ("Bomb Alley") began once the Argentine Air Force attacked a detachment of British ships involved in the landing in the San Carlos Water. The Argentine Air Force sank three British ships (HMS Coventry, a Type 42 destroyer, and two frigates, HMS Antelope and HMS Ardent). Argentine Air Force Mirage 5A Dagger Fighter The bow and stern sections of HMS Antelope float above the surface in San Carlos Water after the ship began to sink on the 24th May 1982 during the Battle of San Carlos. Two bombs were dropped on HMS Antelope by Argintine aircraft, flying at extremely low level, on 23 May. The bombs which did not explode , lodged in the engine roomof the ship. One detonated while it was being defused. The explosion ripped through the ship,which later broke in half and sank. All of this could be seen from our Gun Position at Head of the Bay House, with the enemy aircraft flying over the top of the Gun Position to line up for the dropping of the bombs and missiles. GBNF “Rest in Peace” A casualty from HMS Sheffield is rushed by stretcher to sick bay on board HMS Hermes. HMS Sheffield was hit by an Argentine air launched Exocet missile on 4th May and sank the same day. Twenty members of the crew lost their lives. Two days previously the British nuclear powered submarine HMS Conqueror had torpedoed the Argentine vessel General Belgrano in which 323 Argentinians died. Right, 105 Lt Gun position. By 26 May, the British forces were ready to advance, 45 Commando, 2 PARA and 3 PARA advanced on three axes. The terrain was exceptionally difficult and provided almost no cover or concealment except thick mists and freezing cold rain, our Observation Parties were embedded with 2 PARA and provided the enemy positions for us to engage, the Fire Missions were nonstop, in support of 2 PARA, enabling them to advance. 26
Few vehicles could traverse the ground and helicopters, particularly the RAF’s Chinook, were needed to move out Lt Guns, Ammunition, Command Posts and troops, this meant that the remainder of the Task Force walked (or “Yomped” as it was called). Everybody carried as much extra equipment as each other could bear, understanding that the extra belt of GPMG ammunition or Small Arms ammunition could mean the difference to life or death. The Battery was moved by helicopter to our 2nd Gun Position in preparation for the attack on Mount Longdon and Twin Sisters, during this preparation, the Argentine 155mm Guns kept harassing fire. The air was so clear that we could hear the enemy Guns fire which allowed us to take cover in our trenches. The enemy shelling did get close, and we had soldiers struck by shrapnel on several occasions. This continued for about three days until thankfully a RAF Harrier strike destroyed the enemy Gun Position. Port Darwin was captured by 2 Para on the 28 May, the next day reinforced by 42 Commando, pushed on to Goose Green. After an intense fire fight 2 Para had overcome stiff resistance and numerical odds of three to one against. It was in this action that Lt Col H Jones won his posthumous Victoria Cross. Two days later advance parties of 5 Infantry Brigade disembarked at San Carlos and by 8 June the Brigade had moved by air and by sea to join 3 Commando Brigade which was established on the mountains west of Stanley, pre positioned for what would be the final three phase-attack. On the night of 11/12 June, 3 Commando Brigade took Mount Longdon, Two Sisters and Mount Harriet. The next night, 5 Infantry Brigade took Wireless Hill, Tumbledown Mountain and Mount William, whilst The Welsh Guards captured Sapper Hill. The 105mm Lt Guns from both 4 Field Regiment and 29 Commando Regiment fired in support of the above engagements, as soon as Tumbledown was taken our 105mm Lt Guns engaged in support of 1/7th Gurkha Rifles allowing them to take and capture Mount William. By first light 2 Para again supported by our Lt Guns had captured Wireless Ridge, after Naval Gunfire Support and diversionary attacks by the SAS finally broke Argentine resistance. The enemy vacated Sapper Hill, large numbers stood about having thrown down their weapons and surrendered. This had a snowball effect, and General Moore was quick in exploiting the collapse. For some hours before the official surrender, British forces had been ordered to fire only in selfdefence. During the course of the afternoon White Flags were flying over Stanley. The battel for Port Stanley was over and the Falklands were once again free. 27
Page 1 and 2: March 2022 - May 2022 Issue 6 The V
Page 3 and 4: Hamish McConnachie Alicante Branch
Page 5 and 6: Military awards, medals and decorat
Page 7 and 8: On the 40th anniversary of the Falk
Page 9 and 10: Less than six months before the con
Page 11 and 12: A daylight attack on Mount William
Page 13 and 14: Branch Chairman John Pratt gave a s
Page 15 and 16: 'We Served' Ed Morris Alicante Bran
Page 17 and 18: In the autumn of 1983 she took part
Page 19 and 20: Congratulations to Ed & Sue Great G
Page 21 and 22: New Branch Community Support Member
Page 23 and 24: Britain therefore looked to the Tas
Page 25: As we moved closer to the Falkland
Page 29 and 30: Branch Meetings As part of our Bran
Page 31 and 32: Our June meeting was held at the Bl
Page 33 and 34: Military awards and decorations of
Page 35 and 36: Forgive and Forget A British office
Page 37 and 38: Poets Corner 2 Para, June 82..... o

The veteran Issue 6

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