Falklands War On This Date 1982

Main Invasion Events

1.         Late on 1st - small Buzo Tactico force from DD “Santisima Trinidad” to secure Mullet Creek

2.         Early on 2nd - small Buzo Tactico force from SS “Santa Fe” to check main landing beach at York Bay, northeast of Stanley

3.         Early on 2nd, 4.30 am - more Buzo Tactico by helicopter from “Almirante Irizar” landed at Mullet Creek

4.         Most of Mullet Creek landing force to Moody Brook, rest to Government House for attacks just after 6.00am

5.         6.30am - “Cabo San Antonio” started landing Marines over steep beach by Amtrak

6.         6.45am - more troops land at airfield by helicopter from “Almirante Irizar”

Invasion Go-ahead - The build-up to invasion started when Britain protested about the landing on South Georgia. With talks on the future of the Falklands stalled, Argentina reacted strongly and by the 26th March, two frigates were on their way south, and more ships had put to sea ostensibly for exercises with the Uruguayan Navy. But it seemed that only now was the final decision taken to invade and they headed for Stanley although bad weather delayed their arrival. By Wednesday 31st March, British intelligence had to assume landings were imminent, Governor Hunt was warned, and next evening he announced over the radio that invasion was expected early on Friday 2nd April.

Defences - Before the broadcast took place, the defence of Stanley was already being put in hand by the small Falklands garrison of Naval Party 8901. Usually consisting of just 40 Royal Marines, the remaining members of the 1981/82 Detachment (others had left with "Endurance"), had only been relieved that day by Major M J Norman (MID) RM and his 1982/83 Detachment. Assuming the main landing would be near the airfield followed by an advance on Stanley, he deployed his 70 men accordingly, and positioned four delaying sections on the Stanley road ready to fall back on the main HQ at Government House. By the early hours of Friday, they were mostly in position and the small coaster "Forrest" was out in Port William on radar watch.