Falklands War (1982)
Listen to "Falklands War (1982)"
The Falklands War is one of the few modern wars between two modern adversaries (in this case, Argentina and Britain). The war was over the Falkland Islands, off of the southeastern coast of Argentina which Britain held and Argentina claimed.
General Leopold Galtieri, leader of Argentina, decided to act because he needed something to justify his military government. He launched Operation Azul to successfully capture the islands. Margaret Thatcher, leader of Britain, decided to respond militarily.
For more information, read:
http://www.naval-history.net/NAVAL1982FALKLANDS.htm
Military History Magazine (April 2002): Blood and Mud at Goose Green
http://www.falklandswar.org.uk/index.htm
http://www.falklands.info/history/82timeline.html
http://www.raf.mod.uk/falklands/sg1.html
Telegraph.co.uk
Military History Podcast is sponsored by Armchair General Magazine
The Falklands War is one of the few modern wars between two modern adversaries (in this case, Argentina and Britain). The war was over the Falkland Islands, off of the southeastern coast of Argentina which Britain held and Argentina claimed.
General Leopold Galtieri, leader of Argentina, decided to act because he needed something to justify his military government. He launched Operation Azul to successfully capture the islands. Margaret Thatcher, leader of Britain, decided to respond militarily.
- Air War: Operation Black Buck (UK) conducts air raids against Argentinean targets. Argentina attempts to respond with its own air force but fails.
- Sea War: ARA General Belgrano is sunk by the HMS Conqueror (the first and only nuclear submarine kill in history). The HMS Sheffield is sunk by an Exocet missile.
- Ground War: SAS conducts successful raid against Pebble Island Airfield. Main Royal Marines force lands in East Falkland Islands and defeats Argentinean defenders at Goose Green, Top Malo, Mount Harriet, Two Sisters Ridge, Mount Longdon, Wireless Ridge, Tumbledown. British retake capital city of Stanley. Argentina surrenders.
For more information, read:
http://www.naval-history.net/NAVAL1982FALKLANDS.htm
Military History Magazine (April 2002): Blood and Mud at Goose Green
http://www.falklandswar.org.uk/index.htm
http://www.falklands.info/history/82timeline.html
http://www.raf.mod.uk/falklands/sg1.html
Telegraph.co.uk
Military History Podcast is sponsored by Armchair General Magazine
posted by George Hageman at 7:51 PM
4 Comments:
Here's a small war so recent that commanding combatants of both sides, including the captains of the Belgrano and Sheffield, have been recently interviewed for a Nova program. It should be mentioned that the Belgrano was a former US cruiser...a large ship. That’s why it’s sinking is significant. The significance of the sinking of the Sheffield is, because, it was done by a small missile. This war saw the extensive use of the Harrier plane, the only foreign (British) made plane used by the United States. Also, Prince Andrew of Great Britain flew a helicopter during combat operations. The United States played a primary role as mediator, before, during and after the military operations. A very difficult position since the U.S. was (and still is) a major ally of both Argentina and Great Britain. It is not true that Ronald Reagan’s popularity dropped in South America as a result. U.S. news reporters told the citizens of our country that the US was loosing its clout with South America in an attempt to diminish Reagan’s popularity...something they always do with Republican presidents. But in reality because of his shuttle diplomacy between Great Britain and Argentina the rest of South America admired and trusted him even more. And he did broker the peace agreement, which was acceptable to the Argentinean people, who ended up casting out their military junta and electing a democratic government.
Perhaps we should keep the propaganda claims out of this. The 'people' of south america are varied with different interests. The US has never had a particularly good relationship with 'the people' of any south american country, no doubt partly due to activities in central america and columbia. Keep in mind that the Argetinian military dictatorship was fully supported by Washington, even during its worst atrocities.
That is also a bit of a jab to state that he only invaded the Falkland Islands to 'prop up his military government'. Nobody should support that hideous regime of the time, however, it certainly isn't unreasonable to state that a country may have gone to war to simply take back islands that are right next to their coast and are being held by a colonizer on the other side of the world.
St. Pierre Miquelon is an island between Newfoundland and Quebec but is currently a part of France, it wouldn't be unreasonable for Canada to claim that since it is obviously in canadian waters it should be part of Canada. Of course the island is worthless and that would never happen but you see my point.
The Falklands however are not 'right next to' Argentina, but 300 hundred miles away. The only lasting settlement is British, the Falkland Islanders consider themselves British and have expressed their almost unanimous desire to remain so in referendums.
The podcast was ok, but why no mention of the sea harriers ? Or as the Argentines called, them, the black death ?
Also no mention of the British aircraft carriers, these being the most vital component of the task force ?
Brin
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