I've just watched this programme - of the many made on the Falklands conflict over the years, this was one of the very best. My guess is this will be shown on the History Channel or Discovery Network very soon.Originally Posted by DeltaWhisky58
25th Anniversary of Goose Green
In this picture, taken last Monday -28 May 2007- during the 25th Anniversary of the battle of Goose Green -at RIM 25, in Sarmiento, Chubut, Patagonia Argentina- you can see our war Veterans and their former chief, Lt Cnl. Mohamed Ali Seineldin (with the green beret).
As a native of the Falkland Islands Iwish to say that I have a debt to all british service men who retook the islands and wish to pay my respects to those who fell liberating my home.
Have you met bluffcove ? ;d
you cant meet Bluff cove its a place but Ihave been there as it is on the track from Goose green to Port Stanley there wasnt a lot there just a few buildings.
Bluffcove is also an MP.Net member.
sorry i didnt know that and i have not met him/her
Falklands questions answered
The islands retain links with the UK
As part of our coverage of the 25th anniversary of the Falklands conflict, we asked readers to send in questions about life on the islands.
Below is a representative selection of the subjects covered in the hundreds of questions received.
Answers and viewpoints were provided by a range of Falkland Islands residents, expats, commentators and officials.
Scroll down or click on the links below to choose a question.
Are there still signs of war?
Are immigrants welcome?
What entertainment is there?
Do they worry about losing the islands?
What happened to the oil?
Has respect declined?
What accent do they have?
What nationality do they feel?
How are they governed?
Did anyone agree with Argentine rule?
SIGNS OF WAR?
Q: Is there still any physical evidence of the conflict visible in and around the towns and countryside?
Mark Hellewell, United Kingdom
A: Yes, the most obvious signs are the minefields. These are well fenced and marked, and do not present a danger to life, but they are a constant reminder of the war.
Traces of conflict
In pictures
A feasibility study on mine clearance, carried out at the University of Cranfield, concluded that 100% clearance of the estimated 20,000 mines was feasible. As signatories of the Ottawa Convention banning anti-personnel mines, the UK is obliged to fund the clearance by 2009.
Many Falkland Islanders, and the FI government, have said they would prefer the minefields to be left alone and the money be given over to countries in more need, such as Sierra Leone.
The reasons include: the cost to the UK taxpayer, which we guess could run into tens of millions; the safety of the mine clearance teams; the environmental impact and the logistical upheaval within a limited infrastructure.
Everyone knows where the minefields are, and they are mostly on land of little economic value. We have made our views known through the Foreign Office, but ultimately the decision lies with the UK Government.
Elsewhere there are many memories of the fighting - most obvious is wreckage from fighter planes and helicopters.
If you walk up Mount Tumbledown, just outside Stanley, you will see dug-outs, an old Argentine field kitchen, barbed wire and discarded Argentine army boots. Live ammunition still turns up from time to time.
Richard Davies, Councillor for land use and environment, Falkland Islands Government.
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ARE IMMIGRANTS WELCOME?
Q: How easy is it to move to the Falkland Islands, and are immigrants welcome, whether with a profession or as a pensioner? If so, what are the professions that the islands need, and what are the costs of living there, including home purchase?
Greg, Ipswich
A: The Falkland Islands are part of the UK, but there is no automatic right for British visitors to settle here and overseas citizens may not purchase land without showing they are going to be able to support themselves and then getting a licence.
Having said that, last year's census showed only a third of residents were born here.
There are contracts for professionals sometimes advertised, usually for two or three years, and some contract workers settle here. There are also people from Saint Helena and Chile, who have become assimilated. Like with Marmite, you love it or hate it here.
Bear in mind that this place needs the full range of jobs for a modern country, including an airline with all local pilots, but has a population of only 3,000.
Regarding cost of living, some things are much more expensive, some much cheaper. Good wine is £3 a bottle, good fish £4 a kilo - but imports from the UK have to come 8,000 miles and that shows.
You can get a lot of house for your money, but most people build their own for about £100,000. There are very few re-sales but £110,000 is about the going rate, when one occurs.
There's no VAT and the top tax rate has just gone up to 25%.
Mark Brunet, general manager, Falkland Islands Development Corporation. [Moved from East Sussex, UK, to the Falklands in February, on a three-year contract]
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HOW DO ISLANDERS ENTERTAIN THEMSELVES?
Q: How do they entertain themselves? What TV or radio stations do they have? Where do they go for a weekend away or a holiday? Which countries most influence their culture? Argentina/South America for being so close or Britain for being part of British territory?
Lydia Chessum, near Munich, Germany
A: Falkland Islanders enjoy a varied social life. There are many pubs and restaurants in Stanley and we also enjoy other events such as community theatre. Civilians can use the cinema and a bowling alley at the nearby military base. The majority of locals enjoy the outdoors, fishing, golf, and horse riding, and we also have a very good leisure centre. A lot of fundraising goes on in Stanley, often resulting in dances.
The Victory Bar is one popular haunt
We have a military TV channel which broadcasts programmes from Britain. Some people also subscribe to cable channels from South America. There is a local radio station and a military radio station.
It's impossible to leave the Falklands for just a weekend, but many locals will head out to camp (the countryside) for a few days. Nearly everybody has access to transport and insurance and fuel prices are low.
Britain was always the most popular holiday destination as many have had family there or children at college/university. South America is now becoming more popular with weekly flights; Santiago, Chile, is popular for short breaks.
Britain has had the strongest influence on our culture - the traditional red telephone boxes and letter boxes make Stanley look like a little piece of Britain. The food is predominantly British-style, and people drive Land Rovers. However, there are a number of Chilean and Saint Helenian workers here and areas of their culture are becoming commonplace, especially the asado - meat roasted over a fire on a spit.
Samantha Marsh, tourism assistant, and Sian Ferguson, agriculture assistant, Stanley.
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DO THEY WORRY ABOUT LOSING THE ISLANDS?
Q: Do the islanders believe they are there to stay for generations to come, or do they worry about the situation de-stabilising, and Britain losing the Islands, either to force, or to politics? (For example, the handing back of Hong Kong in 1997.)
Luke Thompson, Gloucester, England
A: I believe the majority of islanders see themselves here for generations and generations to come. This, at least, is the ideal and optimistic view, and you can't be pessimistic about war and losing your right to self-determination, it is too sad.
I think it is unlikely the Argentines will ever try to use force again, especially if our garrison here remains as it is - they would be foolish to try.
What people do worry about is changing politics. What if, in years to come, the British government no longer has any concern regarding the Falklands and finally bow to the sovereignty claims and hand the Falklands to Argentina?
What if in generations to come the Falkland Islands government want us to be independent? We shun Britain and Argentina then does use force to take the islands it claims?
I sincerely hope none of the above situations occur in my lifetime, but because we do want our future generations to be Falkland Islanders and British they are situations we do not want to come to fruition.
Zoe Luxton, Veterinary Officer, Stanley
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WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OIL?
Q: Almost 10 years ago there was exploratory oil and gas drilling around the Falklands. Nothing has happened since yet apparently incredibly rich oil sources were found.
In a world where the quest for hydrocarbons is becoming more intense, with deeper waters drilled and unstable regimes dictating supply, why has nothing further happened in the islands? Does the lack of development have anything to do with the Argentinean situation?
Jon Bevan, Swansea
Oil billions beckon
Falkland Islands economy
...and was oil the real reason there was a war?
Jim Pretty, Eastleigh, Hampshire
A: In fact a great deal has happened since 1998 when the first wells were drilled in the Falkland Islands. A group of independent companies have spent tens of millions of dollars on exploration in preparation for a second drilling phase.
This summer 3D and a 2D seismic survey have been carried out offshore and also a CSEM (Controlled Source Electro-Magnetic) survey. The new data will now be interpreted to assist companies in locating more prospects for drilling.
Low oil prices in 1998 (the price fell to as low as $11 a barrel) saw the larger companies with licences leave the area and now very high oil prices are hampering drilling due to the unavailability of drilling rigs that can be contracted to work in the South Atlantic.
It is not unusual for remote frontier areas to take several decades for exploration to proceed. The delay has not been caused by Argentine claims to sovereignty.
It is not believed in the Falkland Islands that the reason for the war in 1982 was over oil. It is believed that the war was about sovereignty of the Islands. After the invasion the UK government took the decision to retake the islands to ensure that British subjects could exercise their right to self-determination.
Phyl Rendell, Director of Minerals and Agriculture, Falkland Islands Government.
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HAS THERE BEEN A DECLINE IN RESPECT AND MANNERS?
Q: Are there issues, as in England, where there has been a severe decline in general manners and respect for other people over the last 25 years?
Steve Yates, Stockport
A: Overall, a healthy level of respect for one another exists in the Falklands and people certainly care for each other. With modern communications and comforts, there is less need for people to rely on each other as they might have done 25 years ago but, if something goes wrong for a family, everyone still steps in to help.
As with the UK, the older generation feels young people in the Falklands don't have the respect for their elders that they should and this is something people are aware we need to watch out for. However, we are not in the same situation as the UK: everyone - yes, even teenagers - still greet each other in the street and wave as they drive by.
Jenny Cockwell, editor, Penguin News.
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WHAT ACCENT DO THE ISLANDERS HAVE?
Q: What accent/dialects do the Falkland Islanders possess?
Ian, Lowestoft, United Kingdom
A: I first noticed an accent just before I arrived in the Falkland Islands [in 2006] when I met a couple of people who were in the UK visiting friends. It was hard to place the accent at first but on meeting more people when I arrived here, it seems to be a bit of a mixture of New Zealand/Australia and the South West of England!
But there seems to be quite a range of different accents, which is understandable as there are many different nationalities on the islands.
The children I teach don't seem to have strong accents, it must be something that develops over time.
A lot of the children have mixed backgrounds too - some have one parent from the Falklands and the other from somewhere like St Helena, Chile or some other country.
Having lived here a while, I reckon you could tell a Falkland Islander if you spoke to them outside of the islands.
Kate Williams, teacher, Stanley Infant and Junior School. [originally from Aberdyfi, Wales]
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WHAT NATIONALITY DO THEY FEEL THEY ARE?
Some are more keen than others to make their feelings known
Q: What nationality do they actually feel? They live so close to Argentina, do they go there often? When I was in Argentina a few years ago, people on the trains would come through asking for money, having been injured as soldiers in 'Las Malvinas'. Should I have felt awkward in that situation being British?
Frances Lond-Caulk, Mexico City, Mexico
A: I feel British. I've lived in Britain and I've studied there, and I've always felt 100% at home there. I also have my identity as a Falkland Islander, which is a strong thing and a part of who I am, but I don't suppose it counts as a nationality.
Despite the proximity of Argentina, I have never been. There's no political or moral reason behind this; I'd like to go to Buenos Aires, and one day I'm sure I will, but with the whole of South America on my doorstop, there's a lot of places I plan to go.
On top of this, much of my annual leave is used just visiting Britain to see family and friends, limiting time for travel.
As regards feeling awkward in the presence of an Argentine war veteran, you shouldn't feel half as awkward as the members of the Argentine government who sent under-prepared soldiers to fight a war in the name of jingoism and government popularity, and then treated them badly when they came home.
This also applies, though to a lesser extent, to the Argentine public whom I believe would rather have forgotten their injured and defeated soldiers than live and work alongside them.
Daniel Fowler, aquaculture scientist, Stanley.
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HOW ARE THE FALKLANDS GOVERNED?
The building of Government House began in 1845
Q: How are the islands governed? Do they have an elected parliament, or an (elected) person representing their interests at Westminster?
Mark Newbury, Tynemouth
...and do Falklanders pay UK taxes?
Mark Linehan, Cardiff, Wales
A: The Falkland Islands are internally self-governing except for foreign affairs and defence. We have a legislative assembly consisting of eight members, elected for four years. They are responsible for passing laws and for the administration of the country, including the economy, health service, education and policing.
The Falkland Islands are economically self-sufficient save for the cost of defence.
Like other overseas territories we have a governor who is appointed by the Foreign Office for three to four years. Their responsibility is to be the conduit between the UK Government and the Falkland Islands Government (FIG), to consult with FIG on foreign affairs and defence issues, and to advise FIG on adherence to the UK's international responsibilities.
The governor chairs the Executive Council (the Cabinet) but it is the elected members who make decisions.
We do not have direct representation in Westminster, but maintain an office in London which keeps close contact with parliament and its members, to keep them informed on issues in the Falklands.
The Falklands levies taxation for internal purposes. We do not pay tax to the UK, nor do we receive any monies directly from the UK for any purpose.
Councillor Mike Summers, Falkland Islands Government.
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DID ANYONE AGREE WITH ARGENTINE RULE?
Q: Did any of the islanders actually not mind the prospect of Argentine rule?
Rowan Hunter, Teddington
A: I was living at Fox Bay East on West Falkland at the time of the invasion but I can assure you that only a very small handful of islanders in 1982 would have accepted the prospect of Argentine rule.
The Islands had been under pressure from Argentina from many years to accept a change of sovereignty but the islanders strongly rejected this pressure.
For example, UK minister Nicholas Ridley visited the islands in November 1980 with the object of persuading the islanders to accept a Hong Kong-style 'lease back' solution to the problem. There were demonstrations in the streets of Stanley rejecting this initiative, resulting in renewed demands to "Keep The Falkland Islands British" from islanders. Towards the end of the conflict two islanders opted to leave to go to Argentina - one had been working for the Argentine authorities and the other was married to an Argentine national. It is interesting to note that there was a small number of Argentine nationals who settled in the islands in the years prior to the conflict and who opted to remain in the islands where they made their homes.
Councillor Richard Cockwell, Falkland Islands Government.
BBC News Online
[DW58] Any comments from our resident Kelpers?
Boomtown South Atlantic: Making money the Falklands way
5 Jun 07
The 1982 war was a turning point for the Falkland Islands. Today islanders are riding high on fishing, tourism and a dream of oil. Report by Graham Bound.
Vision of the future: oil companies plan to begin drilling off the Falklands soon
[Picture: Graham Bound and Istockphoto]
It used to be said that Falklands society was like the Archers with foreign policy. That is no longer true: it's more like Dallas.
Go out for the evening in Port Stanley and you are likely to find yourself associating with a high octane mix of characters: high-rolling local and international businessmen, journalists and plain old-fashioned chancers; all the types one would find in any frontier zone where the smell of wealth hangs enticingly in the air.
Port Stanley is not Azerbaijan, so there are no murky Mafia types. Neither is it Aberdeen in the 1970s and 1980s, so there are no Stetsons. But the same whiff of opportunity is there, and it does seem that just one breakthrough in the next year or two – quite possibly an oil strike – could tip the islands over into the big time.
Oil companies like Falklands Oil and Gas and Desire Petroleum, all of which were set up specifically to explore off the Falklands, have been collecting seismic data about the seabed to the north and south of the islands for years, and have identified the prime sites. Dr Colin Phipps, who was involved in the early days of North Sea exploration, is the Chairman of Desire Petroleum, and he insists that he is frustrated only by a global shortage of oil rigs:"That could change at any time, and we are actively looking for a suitable rig."He acknowledges his company still needs a partner to fund a rig, which could cost US$500,000 a day to hire. But if all the companies work together, he insists it can be done.
Big Bird: cruise ship visitors are greeted in Stanley
[Picture: Graham Bound and Istockphoto]
Signs of hydrocarbons
Exploratory drilling nine years ago revealed signs of hydrocarbons, and such is the body of knowledge about the area that geologists retained by the Falklands Government believe the chances of success are one in five – about as near to a dead cert as you can get in the oil industry:"It's still frontier territory," acknowledges the British Geological Survey's Falklands expert Dr Phil Richards, "but it's a huge area of relatively shallow water. The sexy areas are a big band to the south and a smaller area to the north."Oil, if it happens, will just be the latest phase of a remarkable economic success story. Currently the biggest earner is fishing. The Islanders don't much like the squid that teem in their coastal waters, but the Spanish, Japanese, Koreans, Chinese and Taiwanese are happy to pay big money for licences and go into business with local companies to hoover them up. The Falklands Government will gross about £20m this year from the sales of licences – about 42 per cent of its total income.
Tourists' £10m spend
Tourism is becoming another major industry. The annual spend by the rapidly growing number of cruise ship passengers who visit is estimated at £10m. Conveniently placed on the busy cruising route to Antarctica, ships call at Stanley to soak up the British atmosphere (red telephone boxes, bobbies and even a Routemaster bus), and visit remote nature reserves to see charming penguins, albatross and seals.
Around 40,000 people visited Stanley last summer, many signing up for coach excursions to sheep farms. Some farmers now make far more money from entertaining visitors than they do from shearing sheep. Meanwhile, in Stanley's shops, which are stuffed with toy penguins, locally-made preserves, and post cards, you can hardly hear the wind for the jingling of the tills.
So where did all this begin? To quote Chris Simkins, the Falklands Government's Chief Executive, "With the road to oblivion; a community dependent on handouts."
Past times: near Stanley's Cathedral, an arch formed from whale bones is a reminder of a long-gone industry
[Picture: Graham Bound and Istockphoto]
He refers to the Falklands in the years immediately before the conflict of 1982, when they suffered from the combination of global economics, British neglect and Argentine malevolence. It was a demoralised and dying community, dependent on dwindling wool sales and the sale of postage stamps. The conflict saved the Falklands.
When the fighting was over, Whitehall had to make the islands viable. First there came full political power, with elected islanders taking on all responsibilities other than defence and foreign affairs. Then came expertise to develop the islands, and, finally, came the crucial ingredient: a maritime economic zone and the right to sell those fishing licences.
As Kim Howells, the junior Foreign Office Minister with responsibility for the dependent territories, said during a recent London conference about economic opportunities in the Falklands:"That bloody conflict proved a catalyst for the islands. The growth of £5m to £35m in GDP is a very remarkable achievement."
Turning his gaze to the businessmen who had attended the conference curious to see what all the talk was about, the minister added:"I hope you find the opportunities you seek.""The economy is now robust enough to get through these difficulties. We have patience, and, as we have so far, we will succeed." Mike Summers
Memories of the 1982 war
But was the minister wise to evoke the memory of the 1982 war? After all, the neighbours are still doing their level best to inhibit Falklands development. Long-term elected councillor and businessman Mike Summers shrugged it off:"They think laying siege to the Falklands will bring us to the negotiating table," he said. "How wrong could they be? The economy is now robust enough to get through these difficulties. We have patience, and, as we have so far, we will succeed."In all of this, the importance of security provided by the Falklands Garrison is not forgotten. None of the remarkable achievements of the last 25 years would have been achieved without the soldiers at Mount Pleasant, the sailors patrolling the coasts and the airmen watching their radars on mountain tops. With them, another quarter century of progress seems entirely possible.
All about... Facts from the Falklands
Defence Internet News
- annual gross domestic product of the Falklands is approximately £75m
- the Falklands have no national debt, but have reserves of around £180m
- the top rate of personal and corporate taxation is 25 per cent
- there is no value-added tax or death duty
- the population has grown by 50 per cent since 1982, but, at 3,000, is still tiny
- islanders contribute 4.5 per cent of their gdP to the cost of their defence
- medical treatment in a new hospital, also used by the military, is free
- serious medical cases may be flown to uruguay, chile or the uk for treatment
- education is compulsory to the age of 16, and children go on to uk universities
Sod That For A Game of Soldiers
A Falklands geek of long standing, I only recently came upon this informative and thought provoking site.
Having been abroad, I have yet to see a copy of Mark Eyles-Thomas’ book, and have only read only the excerpt- possibly drastically edited- published online by the Daily Mail., I note with interest that this new memoir appears to amend the standard account that has been built up over the years of B Coy, 3 Para’s advance on the northwestern slopes of Mount Longdon. Not least it seems to suggest that the author was involved in the ‘forlorn hope’ led by Sgt McKay against an Argentinian MG post that resulted in the NCO’s posthumous VC. This attack hitherto appears to have comprised of Sgt McKay, Cpl Bailey and Privates McLarnon, James and the author’s friend 17-year old Jason Burt, who also died in the attack.
Mr Eyles-Thomas’ emotional account of his discovering Burt’s body also appears to contradict the graphic image recorded by Sgt Colbeck of the A/Tks, later echoed by the authors of ‘Green Eyed Boys’, of Jason Burt being shot almost instantly as he moved out of cover and being found at daybreak still “frozen: kneeling against a rock with head bowed, rifle with fixed bayonet still clasped with both hands and pointing across the ridge.” The memoir also adds yet another variant of how Pte Ian Scrivens was hit and died, as variously described by both CSM John Weeks and 4 Platoon section commander Cpl Kelly.
Mr Eyles-Thomas’ account offers us yet another piece of the jigsaw puzzle, one which once again poses as many questions as it answers. Perhaps its worth observing that while the account of an eyewitness must always carry authority, the passage of years can perhaps tend to rob the memory of precision even, or perhaps particularly, regarding deeply intense, haunting experiences, thus eroding a sense of time and place already fragmented by fear, adrenalin and shock at the time. In terms of published acounts and anecdotes, Mount Longdon must be one of the most productive battalion actions in military history, certainly given the area of ground contested. Appropriately enough for a regiment of the British Army it has almost the intimacy of family history. Nonetheless, study of 3 Para’s action on 'Fly Half' continues to show, even 25 years on, how difficult it can be to derive an objective, consistent account of combat from those involved, especially when fought at night over rough, intricate and unknown terrain.
Last edited by DeltaWhisky58; 06-06-2007 at 10:06 AM. Reason: Fixed broken quotation tags
I started Eyles-Thomas' book last night - I'm only at the stage where he has completed para training so can't comment much so far, however having read both Colbeck's account and "The Green Eyed Boys", it'll be interesting to compare them.
Just as a bynote. Last thursday I was at Duxford, they had the Pucara, the British Forces brought back with them from the Falklands, in for what seemed to be restoration work. I had seen that bird on display before, I think it was at the IWM in London, not sure about it tough.
[DW58] Much as it pains me to post anything from The Sun, I found these two articles whilst searching for something else earlier today ... ...
Heroes return to the Falklands
How it was ... Holdgate snapped this photo of Pete Robinson with a Union flag on his backpack in the Falklands 25 years ago
Picture: NAVY COMMANDO PETE HOLDGATE
THE Battle Of Mount Harriet was a key engagement of the Falklands conflict.
It took place late on June 11, 1982 — one of three battles in a brigade-sized operation that night.
Possession of wind-battered Harriet was essential to ensure unhindered British access to the capital, Stanley, and British forces had to scale boulder-strewn heights in total darkness while dodging raking Argentinian fire.
Ahead of them was the Argentine 4th Infantry Regiment — supported by heavy machine guns, mortars and snipers.
Navy commando Pete Holdgate — now 55 — was assigned to 42 Commando Royal Marines and took part in the ascent. This week, the father-of-two returned to the battlefield for the first time.
He recalled: “Those hours were the longest of my life. All the way up we were being shelled by Argentine guns in Stanley.
“Our frigates were pounding the slopes as well. The shrapnel from the shells shredded anybody who got in the way.
First time around ... Navy Commando in 1982
Pictures: ROGER CRUMP
“About two-thirds of the way up we started to come across the Argentine dead. There were bodies in padded-type jackets which were full of holes from the shrapnel.
“They had been killed by a mix of artillery, our mortars and Milan anti-tank missiles. It was horrible — dying young soldiers crying out for their mothers.
“I don’t know why but dying and wounded soldiers always seemed to want their mothers.
“Some of the Argentinians had photographs of their families or pictures of the Madonna taped to the butts of their rifles. I saw many dead Argentinians and lots were very young. One of the dead looked 15 but he must have been older.
“The average age of the Marine commandos was only about 19 or 20. Some of them had only done a tour of Northern Ireland.
“This was their first taste of real soldiering — a night-time attack.
“It was a very steep learning curve and I was so proud of the blokes who went up those slopes. They are the best in the world.
“We came here with boys and went home with a brigade of men. You were fighting for the bloke alongside you.”
Pausing to look back downwards from the peak, Pete said: “The reason you came up here was because the bloke alongside you was doing the same. It was Boys’ Own stuff, really.”
The commandos “leap-frogged” their way to the summit, with one ten-man section laying down covering fire for another before exchanging roles as they moved closer to the enemy.
Pete went on: “It became almost automatic — you are only conscious of who is either side of you.
“That is why people get so upset when they lose someone. My other memory is of the section commanders shouting orders to make themselves heard above the explosions and gunshots. You had to pick your own way up through the rocks.
“We found new discarded boots as well as US-made night vision goggles, which even then cost about £1,000.”
Bunker by bunker the Argentinians were forced into retreat while still managing bursts of machine gun and sniper fire.
Pete said: “It was total carnage.”
The gallantry of 42 Commando earned four Military Medals, one Military Cross and a Distinguished Service Order.
Pete went on to give a graphic illustration of the extent of the physical effort involved in retaking the Falklands.
For much of the time he and fellow commandos carried a backpack weighing up to 85lb.
He said: “I was 14½ stone when I landed but only twelve by the time I got to Stanley. I lost it during the move inland.
“We had keep-fit sessions on the way down aboard the Canberra to keep us in shape. Even a marathon was run around the decks.”
Pete continued: “One of the biggest problems was the wet and cold.
“As time went on, it became a case of swapping wet clothes for damp. Taking care of your feet was a big problem because your socks were never dry.”
Emotional return ... back in the
islands after quarter of a century
Pete was an official photographer with the Commandos and took the picture printed at the top of this page — one of the war’s most iconic photos. It showed Royal Marine Commando Pete Robinson with a Union flag on his backpack walking away from the camera.
“I didn’t know him from Adam then,” Pete said. “I just saw him moving through one day.
“We didn’t actually speak until about two years after.
“He is out now and manages a fitted kitchen and bathroom shop.”
Pete himself returned to Civvy Street in 1992 and has put his photographic skills to good use as picture editor of the Western Evening Herald in Devon.
____________________________________________________________________________
Bomb expert:
I thought: 'If this is death it's not so bad'
Brave ... John during the war
BOMB disposal hero John Phillips lost his left arm when a 1,000lb British-made bomb dropped by the Argentinians on HMS Antelope exploded as he was trying to defuse it. Colleague Jim Prescott, who was 32, was killed.
John, who was then a Sergeant Major with the Royal Engineers Explosive Ordnance Disposal section, is still troubled by what happened on May 23, 1982.
He opted to try to dismantle the mechanism using a method which failed and said: “I still feel a tremendous amount of guilt. I was the senior man. I took the decisions and have to live with it.”
John, now 64, recalled the drama: “Jim was standing next to me and we had about 30ft and two bulkheads between us and the bomb.
“But when it exploded it went through both bulkheads and bent a dividing door double.
“The door hatch hit Jim square in the chest. The same door hit my arm. I remember thinking, ‘If this is death it is not so bad.’
“I was quite calm, I knew the bomb had exploded. I was conscious throughout.
Survivor ... hero, who lost arm in blast, in 2007
“My left arm was smashed to pieces but I was in a pullover which was holding it on.
“I remember hearing the words ‘Abandon ship’. Jim’s body went down with the Antelope and was not recovered.”
After surgeons amputated John’s arm he returned to active service in his bomb disposal role and was promoted to captain.
The dad of three is due to return to the Falklands in November with 200 fellow veterans for a Remembrance Day pilgrimage.
He said: “I have no bitterness at all because I came out the other end.”
The Sun, Sunday 10th June 2007
Damn shame that, if I recall correctly the Argies had put the fuse in the wrong way round (by accident?)
The picture, M16 - was that common for Marines?
DW may I ask whether you have any special connection to this war. I mean you still keep this thread updatet so Im just curious.
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