Falklands Synopsis

War a long way from home

Part 1 of 2 Falklands Synopsis reports

The previous page was: "Falkland Islands War"

Falklands Synopsis; In 1982 3 Commando Brigade were immediately dispatched to the South Atlantic; they played a major part in the recapture of the Falklands.

Over 50% of the Royal Marines strength of 7,500 men was involved in the Falklands war. It was the perfect scenario for the sea soldiers now turned commando, with an amphibious assault, a rugged approach march and a tough final battle that took place in adverse weather conditions over rough terrain.

Royal Marines were engaged in all phases of the campaign. They served as attachments, in many HM ships as crews of landing craft, as the commandos on the ground and as light helicopter pilots in the air. The Special Boat Service carried out highly important surveillance and reconnaissance.

The Royal Marines had provided a small garrison in the Falkland Islands at various times in the 19th Century. HM ships landed their detachments there regularly in the 1940s and 50s, but in 1965 Naval Party 8901 (NP8901) was established.

This was a permanent Royal Marines garrison and in 1982 numbered 37 all ranks. Men normally completed a one-year tour but many volunteered for a second in this small dependency 200 miles off the Argentinean coast. Others married local girls on leaving the service and settled there. Such was the Royal Marines background to the invasion of the islands by the Argentines on the night of the 1st/2nd April 1982.

Falkland Islands War

Royal Marine detachment

It was a mere coincidence that the force was double its normal size as the new NP8901 had just arrived to take over from their predecessors. When first indications of an Argentine invasion were received. The Royal Marines prepared their defences, particularly in the airport area and around government buildings. With an area equivalent to that of Wales and a coastline three times as long. It was impossible to defend, or even observe, more than a few stretches.

Argentine Special Forces landed in the early hours of 2nd April taking a cross country route to make a devastating attack on the Marines base, which had been evacuated a few hours earlier. Soon after first light 1,000 assault troops with armoured personnel carriers swamped the town. There was some brief resistance from the Marines but, in the view of overwhelming odds, Governor Rex Hunt ordered the Royal Marines to surrender to avoid civilian casualties.

Earlier in March, H.M.S. Endurance had landed her Royal Marine detachment to watch a party of Argentine scrap metal merchants on South Georgia, 800 miles east of the Falklands.

The detachment based itself alongside the British Antartic Survey Base at Grytviken. On 3rd April, Argentines also attacked the Island and after two hours fighting, in which an enemy helicopter was shot down and a corvette hit, the Marines were forced to give in against overwhelming opposition.

Task Force sailed within a week

Within 24 hours of the Argentine invasion, the first British ships sailed south as a preliminary to the re-occupation of the islands. An Amphibious Task Force sailed within a week carrying the whole of 3 Commando Brigade including its own Gunners and Sappers, plus 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the Parachute Regiment. Although many men had been on Easter leave and some were holidaying abroad, the whole force was ready to embark within 72 hours.

In addition to the fighting element, The Commando Logistic Regiment, and Royal Navy Surgical Support Teams supported the initial force, along with the Commando Forces and FOF3 Royal Marine Bands who provided stretcher-bearers.

Troops of the Blues and Royals with scorpion and scimitar light tanks, and T Battery of 12 Air Defence Regiment RA with their Rapier missiles, a battery of 4 Field Regiment RA and a troop of 9 Parachute Regiment RE made up the remainder of the landing force. Over 3,500 miles from Britain and halfway to the Falklands, the main Amphibious Task Force stopped off at Ascension Islands to train, shake down and cross load. 40 and 42 Commandos, with 3 Para, were embarked in the SS Canberra, one of 49 civillian ships take up from trade (STUFT). This equalled the number of HM ships eventually involved in the campaign. Other units were in amphibious ships and Royal Fleet Auxilaries. Amongst the stores were about 75 Viking (over snow vehicles) but little other transport was taken.

'M' Company 42 Commando

'M' Company of 42 Commando, with SAS and SBS backing, had captured South Georgia by 25th April 1982 supported by H.M.S. Antrim and Plymouth. After initial reconnaissance by Special Forces in appalling weather, the main attacking force landed a short distance Grytviken, and under cover of a naval bombardment advanced upon the Argentines and forced them to surrender.

The Landing force was commanded by the Commander 3 Commando Brigade, Brigadier Julian Thompson who, with Commodore Mike Clapp (amphibious Task Group Commander) became responsible for the detailed planning of the assault. The Task Force Commander was Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse, working from his headquarters in Northwood, Middlesex, while Rear-Admiral 'Sandy' Woodward, commanded the carrier Battle Task Group, operating in the South Atlantic. Later, when 5 Infantry Brigade were sent south Major Jeremy Moore, the Royal Marines most decorated serving Officer, became the Land Forces Commander, Falklands Islands.

Detailed planning of the options for landing took place whilst the Task Force was at Ascension Island. From 1st May the SBS landed secretly from submarines and helicopters. Their task was to glean intelligence and information about the Argentine Forces, their strength and dispositions, and report. Many spent more than three weeks living in the open in appalling weather, in close proximity to the enemy. The detailed SBS task was to reconnoitre beaches, reporting on gradients, hinterland, and suitability for landing an enlarged Brigade.

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Vulcan bombers from the United Kingdom

Operations at sea continued in the cold waters of the South Atlantic. In the air, Fleet Air Arm Sea Harriers patrolled the skies above the fleet while remarkable long range bombing raids were carried out on Stanly Airfield by Vulcan bombers from the United Kingdom, involving six in-flight refuelings.

The next Link beloe will be: "Falklands Synopsis 2"

For the rest of this synopsis read part 2:

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