![]() The outer ring of Argentine defensive positions was now in British hands. Attention then turned to RFA 'Sir Galahad', which still held two companies of Guardsmen and had been at Fitzroy five hours without meaningful activity.Īt the same time as the Longdon attack, 45 Commando had taken Two Sisters and 42 Commando had captured Mount Harriet. RFA 'Sir Tristram' was eventually off-loaded. There was only one helicopter present, occupied for a long time off-loading the Rapier kit, which took 18 lifts. Unloading the ships was a slow and confused process. The cloud base that had covered the islands and limited Argentine air activity had lifted. By the morning of 8 June, the Scots Guards were ashore at Bluff Cove, and two Royal Fleet Auxiliary LSLs - RFA 'Sir Tristram' and RFA 'Sir Galahad' - had carried the Welsh Guards, 16 Field Ambulance, elements of T Battery 12 Air Defence Regiment, and vital stores forward to Fitzroy. ![]() The position had to be reinforced, but the rest of 5th Infantry Brigade was still in San Carlos and Ajax Bay.Įfforts to bring the Scots Guards and Welsh Guards forward were beset by poor weather and lack of shipping and landing craft. With Wilson’s approval, the southern flank had been pushed forward with great surprise and no loss, but with much risk. Finding it free from Argentines, and using the ordinary civilian landline to Fitzroy to check that was clear from Argentines too, they moved forward again, and took up positions around Bluff Cove. But further south, an audacious gamble was about to fail.Īs part of the southern axis of advance, 2 Para - relieved at Goose Green by the Gurkhas - moved forward to occupy Swan Inlet House. First, they proceeded to Teal Inlet and from there to Estancia House, in preparation for the final battles for Stanley. But the logistical challenges of supporting both brigades were considerable.Īs 2 Para had been assaulting Darwin and Goose Green, 3 Para had already begun their advance on foot from the bridgehead in San Carlos Water. The key heights could then be taken in a two-pronged assault. This would keep the Argentines confused as to the actual line of assault, and prevent them reinforcing their positions. ![]() He therefore adopted Thompson’s plan, and ordered the capture of the mountain line, but adapted it. 3 Commando Brigade would advance across the north of East Falkland, with 5th Infantry Brigade advancing in the south. He was also aware that the Argentines were focusing on a southern front advance. Moore believed that a narrow front attack would expose his forces to enfilade fire from the unsubdued high ground. Eighteen were killed, more than 60 wounded, and a helicopter was lost attempting casualty evacuation. The British had won a significant victory, though not without cost. Negotiations with the Argentines produced their surrender the next day. By last light, the whole peninsular, less the Goose Green settlement, had been taken. But it took another day of fighting, with the Paras’ ability to advance limited by a lack of cover and Argentine artillery. The Paras moved down the isthmus, closing on Goose Green village. The assault continued with ferocious trench-to-trench fighting. Jones was later awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for his bravery. He was killed attacking a slit trench along with the battalion adjutant, Captain David Wood, and others. Then, at 9.30am, Jones decided to lead the assault on Darwin Hill himself. ![]() The attack stalled at the base of Darwin Hill. But the silent phase did not last long as the Paratroopers bumped into the Argentine positions in unexpected places.Īt 3.14am, HMS ‘Arrow’s’ gun ceased fire owing to a fault. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |