The Welsh Guards now passed through the Ghurkhas, reduced to one effective rifle company by the horrific casualties suffered at Fitzroy. Men were drafted from 40 Commando to supplement them. 'A' and 'C' Companies were flown in on 10 and 11th June, along with the 40 Commando mortar troops, to bring the Battalion up to strength under the command of Lt.-Col. John Ricketts.
While waiting in their assembly area, they had a frustrating night being subjected to both artillery and air attack. Later that night, while waiting as reserve for the Scots Guards, they had a nerve-wracking march through a minefield, inching along in single file as the sappers went ahead to check for mines.
The sole Welsh Guards rifle company, 2 Company, had an objective to take on the Darwin Road but it had already fallen to the Scots Guards during their diversionary attack on Mount Tumbledown. By this time, all the major objectives had been taken and the first white flags had been seen over Port Stanley.
Sapper Hill
Lt.-Col. Ricketts thought it was time to get a move on and planned a company-sized assault, and 'C' Company, 40 Commando, was sent forward to take the feature after a helicopter hop forward. The Company fought a brief firefight with the Argentine stragglers, suffering 2 men wounded, before Sapper Hill fell to them. The rest of the Battalion followed on foot. By 1630 hours, the Welsh Guards were firm on Sapper Hill and had a grandstand view of the Argentines falling back in disarray.
No comments:
Post a Comment