Falklands 30

[EsoognomEhT]

Jimmy - your personal first hand experience is very much appreciated.

Yeah, thanks man. Although it was a year before I was born I'd like you to know that it still means a lot to a lot of the younger generation

[Ghelp]

Argentine war veterans and their relatives pay homage to comrades who died in the 1982 Falklands War (Guerra de Las Malvinas) between Britain and Argentina, during a ceremony at the memorial dedicated to them in the southernmost Argentine city of Ushuaia April 2, 2007. Monday marks the 25th anniversary of the war over the island chain, known commonly in Argentina as the "Malvinas". About 1,000 people died during the war before Argentina surrendered to the British on June 14, 1982. *******/Enrique Marcarian (ARGENTINA)

Argentine war veterans attend a ceremony to pay homage to comrades who were killed in the 1982 Falklands War (Guerra de Las Malvinas) between Britain and Argentina, at the memorial dedicated to them in the southernmost Argentine city of Ushuaia April 2, 2007. Monday marks the 25th anniversary of the war over the island chain, known commonly in Argentina as the "Malvinas". About 1,000 people died during the war before Argentina surrendered to the British on June 14, 1982. *******/Enrique Marcarian (ARGENTINA)

People pay homage to Argentine soldiers who were killed in the 1982 Falklands War (Guerra de Las Malvinas) between Britain and Argentina, at the memorial dedicated to them in the southernmost Argentine city of Ushuaia April 2, 2007. Monday marks the 25th anniversary of the war over the island chain, known commonly in Argentina as the "Malvinas". About 1,000 people died during the war before Argentina surrendered to the British on June 14, 1982. *******/Enrique Marcarian (ARGENTINA)

War veterans and their children carry a large Argentinean flag as they arrive to attend a Memorial remembering the Argentinean fallen at the Falklands war in the southern city of Ushuaia, Argentina, Monday, April 2, 2007, some 700 kilometers (440 miles) southwest of the islands. The ceremony was to mark the 25th anniversary of the beginning of the war between Argentina and Great Britain over the possession of the islands, known as Malvinas by Argentines. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

Flowers thrown by relatives of Argentinean soldiers fallen during the Falklands war float in the Atlantic Ocean after a Memorial ceremony in the southern city of Ushuaia, Monday, April 2, 2007, some 700 kilometers (440 miles) southwest of the islands. April 2 marks the 25 th anniversary of the beginning of the war between Argentina and Great Britain over the possession of the Falklands islands, known as Malvinas by Argentines. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

A war veteran waves an Argentinean flag as he attends a Memorial remembering the Argentinean fallen at the Falklands war in the southern city of Ushuaia, Argentina, Monday, April 2, 2007, some 700 km. (440 miles) southwest of the islands. The ceremony was to mark the 25th anniversary of the beginning of the war between Argentina and Great Britain over the possession of the islands, known as Malvinas by Argentines. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

Former British Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher, second from left, and the Falkland Island Representative in Britain Sukie Cameron, left, listen to a short service by Canon Lucy Winkett to mark the 25th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War, at St Pauls Cathedral, in London Monday, April 2, 2007. Thatcher laid a wreath of yellow and white roses, lilies and orchids at the foot of the Falklands Memorial in the Crypt of London's St Paul's Cathedral in honour of the 255 British service personnel who died in the 74-day conflict. The man is unidentified.(AP Photo/Cathal McNaughton, pool)

Former British Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher bows her head in reflection during a short service to mark the 25th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War, at St Paul's Cathedral in London, Monday April 2, 2007. Thatcher laid a wreath of yellow and white roses, lilies and orchids at the foot of the Falklands Memorial in the Crypt of the cathedral in honour of the 255 British service personnel who died in the 74-day conflict. The emblem in background is that of Britain's Special Air Service.(AP Photo/Cathal McNaughton, pool)

A war veteran holds an Argentinean flag as he attends a Memorial remembering the Argentinean fallen at the Falklands war in the southern city of Ushuaia, Argentina, Monday, April 2, 2007, some 700 km. (440 miles) southwest of the islands. The ceremony was to mark the 25th anniversary of the beginning of the war between Argentina and Great Britain over the possession of the islands, known as Malvinas by Argentines. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

Argentine war veterans and their relatives carry an Argentine flag during a ceremony to pay homage to comrades who were killed in the 1982 Falklands War (Guerra de Las Malvinas) between Britain and Argentina, at the memorial dedicated to them in the southernmost Argentine city of Ushuaia April 2, 2007. Monday marks the 25th anniversary of the war over the island chain, known commonly in Argentina as the "Malvinas". About 1,000 people died during the war before Argentina surrendered to the British on June 14, 1982. *******/Enrique Marcarian (ARGENTINA)

A woman hugs his son as she touches names remembering the Argentinean soldiers killed during the Falklands war in Buenos Aires, Monday, April 2, 2007. April 2 marks the 25 th anniversary of the beginning of the war between Argentina and Great Britain over the possession of the islands, known as Malvinas by Argentines. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

A man kisses a Memorial stone with names remembering the Argentinean soldiers killed during the Falklands war in Buenos Aires, Monday, April 2, 2007. April 2 marks the 25 th anniversary of the beginning of the war between Argentina and Great Britain over the possession of the islands, known as Malvinas by Argentines. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

War veteran soldiers and their children carry a large Argentinian flag as they arrive to attend a memorial remembering the Argentines fallen during the Falklands war in the southern city of Ushuaia, some 700 km. (440 miles) southwest of the islands, Monday April 2, 2007. The ceremony marks the 25th anniversary of the beginning of the war between Argentina and Great Britain over the possession of the islands, known as Malvinas by Argentines. (AP Photo/Eduardo Di Baia)

Argentinian veterans of the Falklands war along with local residents attend a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of the war against Britain, in Ushuaia, southern Argentina. Argentina clung to its claim of sovereignty over Britain's Falkland Islands Monday as the two countries marked the 25th anniversary of their war over the small Atlantic islands.(AFP/Juan Mabromata)

Argentinian veterans of the Falklands war hoist their national flag during the 25th anniversary of the war against Britain in Ushuaia, southern Argentina. Argentina clung to its claim of sovereignty over Britain's Falkland Islands Monday as the two countries marked the 25th anniversary of their war over the small Atlantic islands.(AFP/Juan Mabromata)

[EsoognomEhT]

[SAS73]

In 1982 in The Malvinas War The Argentinan Air Force attack and destroy a British ship of provisions and armament.
They exploited 20 tons of ammunition in the open tank of the ship. as a result 43 casualities, 150 wounded and two Whales companies were presented outside of combat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BwU4Jw-Irw

[Oddball]

BBC Radio 4 Falklands 25: Dangerous Interface MP3 8MB

Twenty-five years after the Falklands War, Gerry Northam tells the story of the British political and intelligence failures in advance of the Argentine invasion and asks if any lessons could have been learned before the invasion of Iraq.

[alemarc72]

[Dronetek]

Wow, great thread. Before this, I didn't know anything about this conflict other than it happened.

[alemarc72]

In Memorian. These are some of that they stayed forever in Malvinas

[pedro_rafael]

May 1982: Peruvian Air Force pilots ferried 10 Mirage 5P to Buenos Aires in silent flight


In a secret military operation, whose details are still emerging, Peruvian Air Force pilots ferried 10 Mirage 5P from Air Base La Joya (Arequipa) to Tandil, Argentina. After replacing batches, registry and flags, the aircraft left La Joya at dawn. It was May 1982.

Argentina was fighting a conflict with Great Britain for a group of Islands in the South Atlantic. The Argentinian Air force needed more fighter jets to fight the Harriers of the British task force. Through the corresponding channels Argentina asked the Peruvian Air Force for help. In response, 10 captains and/or majors from squadrons 611 and 612 left La Joya in demand of Tandil, to the east of Buenos Aires.

The Mirage 5P - at the moment, the best aircraft in FAPs inventory, kept in mint condition - were ideally suited for the FAA. It was a very much similar aircraft to the Mirages already in service there. It had auxiliary fuel tanks and the capability to fire the AS-30 missile, and were also equipped with fragmentation munition for their cannons.

When the 10 fighter jets left La Joya - after leaving their home base in Chiclayo - they reached 33,000 feet, in complete radio silence. The flight path had to avoid Bolivian radars - not that hard to avoid - and more relevant, also avoid Chilean radars operating from Iquique and Antofagasta. Chile was cooperating with Great Britan, so, the aircraft had to sneak undetected.

The aircraft were manned by FAP pilots: Ernesto Lanao. Cesar Gallo, Augusto Mengoni, Pedro Avila, Gonzalo Tueros, Pedro Seabra, Mario Nuñez del Arco, Marco Carranza, Augusto Barrantes and Ruben Mimbela. Most of hese officers are now retired.

The Peruvian Mirages received their new Argentinian flags, batches and registry before the beginning of the ferry flight, in Peru. The squadron was escorted by a Hercules L-100, carrying maintenance equipment, technicians and aviation mechanics that were going to act as intructors of their Argentinian counterparts, both in maintenance and weapons systems. The missiles, bombs, munitions, fuel tanks were sent in a separate flight.

The Argentinians were elated to see and receive their new combat squadron
landing at Tandil. The Peruvian pilots were received by Major FAP Aurelio Crovetto, Colonel FAP Gonzalo Arenas and Major FAP Carlos Portillo. They had been coordinating with the Argentinian War High Command for several days.

The few Argentinian Dagger Pilots that were in the base - combat operations were ongoing - hugged their Peruvian fellows. Some of them were in the brink of tears. A much needed relief had materialized in the form of the 10 Deltas.

The Peruvian Air Force had taken into account to send the logistic equipment needed for the operations of the new Argentinian Squadron. FAP also sent 30 AS-30 Missiles and also some Air Defense Missiles.

Furthermore, fighter jet spare parts were bought in Israel and were subsequently diverted to the FAA.

The Peruvian Air Force had ~36 Mirage 5P, able tor each speed of 2,400 km/h. As per a FAP logistic officer, the aircraft were taken care of as if they were Maseratis. The argentinians were surprised to see the condition of the deltas. However, the 10 Mirage 5P weren't ready in time to partake in the conflict.

Noteworthy, it has recently been released that each aircraft was allegedly valued at USD5 million. It is unknown when or how the payment took place.

Also noteworthy, a few years after the conflict, Argentinian buses - Mercedes Benz - started showing up in the Peruvian Armed Forces high schools. The rumours back then said that the buses were as part payment for the fighter jets. Butt probably not. Who knows.


Source: El Comercio Newspaper

[DeltaWhisky58]

Argentina renews Falklands claim


Argentina has been claiming the islands since 1833

Enlarge Image

Argentina has renewed its claim over the Falkland Islands on the 25th anniversary of invading them - and losing a subsequent war with Britain.

"The Malvinas are Argentine, they always were, they always will be," said Argentine Vice-President Daniel Scioli, using the Spanish name for the islands.

Mr Scioli was speaking in the southern city of Ushuaia - one of a series of events marking the start of the war.

He urged the UK to resume talks on the sovereignty of the islands.
In the UK, Prime Minister Tony Blair presented the ex-servicemen - from the Scots Guards and Royal Navy - with veterans' badges and certificates to honour their "courage and professionalism".

Too much blood was spilled and that should never be repeated
Jorge Chevalier
Head of Argentine armed forces



Business as usual in Stanley


More than 900 people died in the 74-day war, including 255 British servicemen, 655 Argentines and three islanders.

A UK military task force sailed for the Falklands in April 1982, and troops began a campaign to regain the islands by the end of the month.
Several major land and sea battles followed before the British eventually broke Argentine resistance, recapturing control of Stanley, the islands' capital, on 14 June.

'We will return'

Argentina continues to claim sovereignty over the islands, which it has done since 1833.

President Nestor Kirchner did not attend the main ceremony in Ushuaia, where one resident climbed on a mound of dirt and planted his own Argentine flag, with a drawing of the islands and the words: "We will return."

Addressing the veterans there, the Argentine vice-president said Argentina would never again resort to force.



It's a day to reflect on just how much, as a country, we owe to our armed forces
Tony Blair
UK Prime Minister



Thatcher remembers dead
BBC scooped invasion news


"Once again, we urge the United Kingdom to heed international calls and resume negotiations in the appropriate manner, through the United Nations," Mr Scioli told the crowd.

"Too much blood was spilled and that should never be repeated," said the head of the armed forces, Jorge Chevalier.

Most in Argentina now regard the invasion, ordered by the country's ruling military dictatorship, as a mistake, says the BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Buenos Aires.

In London, former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, who sent troops to recapture the islands, attended a private memorial ceremony in St Paul's Cathedral. The build-up to the anniversary has been marked by tensions between Argentina and the UK. Last week Argentina unilaterally scrapped an oil and gas exploration treaty with the UK.

BBC News Online

[DeltaWhisky58]

Too much blood was spilled and that should never be repeated
Jorge Chevalier
Head of Argentine armed forces

I could hardly believe I was reading this - Reality check?

Who started the conflict, who invaded British sovereign territory, who fired the first shots?

Having seen the images posted above of the Argentine celebrations yesterday, I have to say I have never before seen ignominious defeat celebrated in such a fashion.

Agreed, this should never be repeated, but think about it ... ... ...

[DeltaWhisky58]

Invasion day, but it's business as usual

By Paula Dear
BBC News, Stanley, Falkland Islands




Sunrise at the Liberation Memorial in Stanley

Enlarge Image


On 2 April 1982 Stanley was invaded and overcome by Argentine forces. From that day life in the town was changed forever.

Twenty-five years later, what is happening in Stanley and is the anniversary being marked?

In short, the answer is not really. People in the town say they would rather forget 2 April, and remember 14 June, the day the conflict ended with the Argentine surrender.

"That's our day," says one resident out shopping on Monday morning.

Invasion warning

But as much as Falklanders may want to disregard today it is inescapable, not least because of global media coverage and the presence of journalists and war veterans from both sides on the islands.

As the working day begins the main street, Ross Road, is quiet and there's still an early morning mist clinging to the air.

Patrick Watts had woken first at 0400, and then at 0500, and got to thinking about what he was doing this time 25 years ago.

"I don't normally do that," he says, "but for some reason I was thinking of it."

Those 10 weeks of the war felt like 10 years, but that last 25 years has felt like 25 days
Patrick Watts



Argentina marks invasion


On this day in 1982 Patrick was working flat out at the local radio station, continuing to broadcast as Argentine soldiers bearing guns occupied the station.

He had worked all night after a warning of the invasion was issued the previous evening, and didn't sleep again until the night of 2 April.

"There was so much adrenaline going round I didn't feel tired," he says.
Later today the British Forces radio station BFBS will broadcast a special programme featuring Patrick's memories of 25 years ago.

Much of that morning was spent airing live phone calls from residents, who were telling him what they could see and hear of the invasion.

'No escape from the deaths'

"In those days you didn't normally allow people to come on the radio and say what they wanted. It just wasn't done. But we did it that day.

"It feels now like it happened just the other day. Those 10 weeks of the war felt like 10 years, but that last 25 years has felt like 25 days."

Of commemorating the day, he says 2 April was the day they lost their democracy after 150 years, which is not something they wish to rake over.
"And we cannot escape the fact that as a result of what happened more than 250 British servicemen and three civilians were killed, and the Argentines lost 700.


Business as usual on the Falklands Islands at the West Store


"You think of all those people who died, which we could never have envisaged that day."

Down the road at the office of local weekly paper the Penguin News, editor Jenny Cockwell and deputy Sharon Jaffray are preparing their pre-Easter edition.

The lead story in the current paper, declaring that last week's move by Argentina to denounce an agreement over hydrocarbon exploration came as "no surprise", shows issues with their neighbour are never far from the top of the agenda.

The pair say the number of "abusive" e-mails and phone messages they receive from Argentina escalates at the time of the invasion each year.
Jenny plays out an answer phone message left at the weekend - it consists of a lot of colourful language suggesting what should happen to the Falklanders, the UK and the Queen.

Bomb threat

One local councillor had an e-mail that threatened to bomb the islands' railways (of which there are none) as happened in the London terrorist attacks, adds Jenny.

And an e-mail from this morning on her own computer simply reads: "Malvinas Argentinas. Go your home in England."

Jenny, a New Zealander whose father is from the Falklands, says many Argentine journalists who contact her are under the impression "we are being held under duress by the British government".

"But we are British, I will always say I am British if people ask," says Sharon.

People identify with Britain because that's where their ancestors came from, says Darlene Buckland, who is shopping at local supermarket the West Store with two-year-old son Liam.

Bravery remembered

The invasion anniversary is "just an ordinary day for me", she adds.
Sunday was a more significant day, she says, because 1 April was the day her brother, as a member of the civilian Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF), was called up to help repel the attack as invasion became inevitable.

This year, for the first time, FIDF's role was officially recognised with a ceremony at Stanley's Liberation Monument.

Current members and veterans of 1982 gathered in the sunshine to remember the bravery of the 32 men who answered the call to arms. The emotional ceremony ended with a rendition of God Save the Queen. A reception was held by the Governor, followed by another do at the FIDF Club in the town. But, come Monday morning in Stanley, it was back to business as usual.

BBC News Online

[DeltaWhisky58]

Thatcher remembers Falklands dead


Baroness Thatcher remained silent throughout the ceremony

Former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher has attended a private ceremony at St Paul's Cathedral to mark the 25th anniversary of the Falklands invasion.

Lady Thatcher stood in silence during the London ceremony to remember the 255 Britons who died during the 74-day war.

She laid a wreath bearing the message: "In memory of those who have given their lives for Britain and for the Falkland Islands."

Earlier, Prime Minister Tony Blair met Falklands veterans in Fife.

The war also claimed the lives of 655 Argentines and three islanders.

Wreath laid

Lady Thatcher was prime minister when Argentina invaded the islands on 2 April 1982 and dismissed advice from defence officials who feared the islands, 8,000 miles from Britain, could not be re-taken.

At the service on Monday, she wore a long black coat and black shoes and laid a wreath of yellow and white roses, lilies and orchids at the foot of the Falklands memorial at the cathedral.

They were fighting in some of the most difficult circumstances. It took a lot of courage and a lot of commitment
Tony Blair



BBC scooped invasion news
Argentina marks invasion
Business as usual


She was accompanied by Sukie Cameron, the Falkland Islands representative in Britain, who also laid flowers at the memorial.

Lady Thatcher stood with her head bowed as Canon Lucy Winkett offered prayers, and did not speak for the duration of the ceremony.

Earlier, Mr Blair met Falklands War veterans on board HMS Liverpool at the Rosyth dockyard, in Fife, and said he was honoured to do so.

"I think we should sometimes just remember that we lost in the Falklands some 250 or more of the armed forces," he said.

'Tremendous sacrifice'

"And when we put that in context and we think of the losses in Afghanistan and Iraq which are actually less than that - we know just what a tremendous sacrifice and commitment those people made.

"And it was a very very tough endeavour for everybody. They were fighting in some of the most difficult circumstances. It took a lot of courage and a lot of commitment."

Mr Blair presented the ex-servicemen - from the Scots Guards and Royal Navy - with veterans' badges and certificates


Mr Blair met veterans on board HMS Liverpool


HMS Liverpool, a Type 42 destroyer, has just undergone a three-month refit and is set to return to active duty.

Among those meeting Mr Blair were Lt Cdr Nigel Smith, who was a 19-year-old able seaman on board HMS Active in 1982.

Others included retired Navy officer Bill Gossam MBE, Scots Guard Paul McLaughlan, from East Lothian, and Ian Kaye, from Aberdeen, who took part in the battle of Mount Tumbledown.

Mr Blair was taken on a tour of the ship, watching a simulated air defence exercise and a demonstration of fire fighting techniques - many adapted from lessons learned during the Falklands War. He recently saluted Baroness Thatcher's courage in deciding to fight to reclaim the Falklands. His visit on Monday coincided with the announcement of a £6m contract, which will see another Type 42 Destroyer - HMS Gloucester - undergo improvements and repairs at the same yard.

BBC News Online

[jimmytx3]

photos passed to me by ken griffiths,

[jimmytx3]

photos passed to me by ken griffiths