The Falklands War - Day of Surrender Taken from the diary of Tracy Evens

This film clip that I took is the only footage that I am aware of that was taken on Sappers Hill the moment we heard the news of the Argentine Surrender on 14 June 1982

Day of Surrender

Taken from the diary of Tracy Evens

1st Bn, Welsh Guards, No 2 Company

At the time Tracy was an 18yr old Guardsman...

Monday 14the June 1982

Tracy Evens    

It had gone midnight and the company made steady progress towards the objective.  It occurred about 0045hrs, when our progress came to a sudden halt.  Out of the depth of the darkness came the sound of an explosion to our rear, and it was soon followed by a long eerie scream that filled the cold night air.  It was the sound of severe pain and hurt, and a scream that I will never forget.  It became apparent to us all that the stupid bastards had brought us through a minefield.  That poor Marine, would not be the only victim, as another explosion was heard, when another Marine went to his aid.  He hardly screamed, just threw curses into the night.  Our problems were not over, as the Argies fired several shells into our general area, thankfully, most fell short and to our flanks but that did not stop fragmentation whizzing past.

Credit must be given to the two helicopter pilots who flew to the aide of the injured Marines.  They had no marker, but landed within yards of them, and were taken away for medical attention.  Meanwhile we had some engineers clear a route out of the minefield.  This took 4hrs to complete, the longest 4hrs that I have had to endure.  When it came time to move we had to stay in single file, and be aware of our footing, not an easy task in the dark, in a minefield.  We did notice several white triangular markers, indicating location of anti-personnel mines.  We got out without any further casualties.  As a result of this hold up, the intended mission was aborted, instead we went off and dug shell scrapes.  Myself and Gdsm Kevans took cover in a natural dip in the ground, and here we settled for the night. Sentries were posted and we got some sleep.  In the distance the rattle of gun fire could be heard throughout the night, which was 2 SG attacking Mount Tumbledown.

Around 1000hrs the company assembled and made their way back to the location that we occupied the day before.  While at this location we rested, had food, and sorted out our equipment.  The Coy Comd, Maj Drewry, received orders, and he in turn informed the platoon commanders, and we eventually received our orders, of the tasks that lie ahead of us.

We, with 2 companies from the Royal Marines, under Command of our CO, Lt Col Johnny Ricketts, were tasked to attack the last objective before Port Stanley, that objective being Sappers Hill.   We were then put in "chalks" by the Adjutant, ready to fly out to Sappers Hill.

A small fleet of helicopters landed.  So this was it and onto the Wessex we boarded, 16 in all with kit.  All sorts ran through my mind as we took the short flight along the coast line towards Sappers Hill.  It certainly got my adrenalin flowing, as well as the fear of dying, after all this could be my last moments on earth.  And yet at the same time the feeling of excitement was there.  It’s what we are trained for, and here we are now, about to put all that training into practice, and hope to God that it all pays off and we are all able to survive the carnage ahead of us.

Senior NCOs and Capt. Lewis waiting at San Carlos to get on HMS Fearless  

 The helicopters landed on the main track road leading up towards Sappers Hill and into Port Stanley.  The company jumped off the helicopters, and spread out to cover the other aircraft landing.  We went in about 20m from the road, then we heard the shouts, " Stay were you are, do not go any further but remember where you walked and make your way back to the road."  We had unknowingly run into a minefield that lined the road towards Sappers Hill.  I soon made my way back as did the others.

As we gathered on the track, we stood and listened to a member of the FOO party say that "a white flag has been seen over Stanley and that they have surrendered." This news was met with great joy from the lads in the company.  In the meantime there was a moment of confusion that needed to be clarified.  So we waited, and out came the cameras and plenty of photos were taken.  At this point I took my cine camera out and filmed the lads, such as Gdsm James 55, he was crying, which was nothing to be ashamed of.  Any person who says that they were disappointed that they never went into battle, well I would have to call them a liar.  Nobody in their right minds wants to do such a thing, and we as a unit have suffered enough, without adding more losses.  Slowly the word got through there was a white flag over Port Stanley, so we were told we would march towards Port Stanley, but to remain outside on the other side Of Sappers Hill.  Our weapons were to remain tight, and to be extremely cautious.  There was an incident when the Argies fired at the Para’s when they appeared to have surrendered under the white flag.

As we made our way cautiously up the road, out came our berets to let them know who we are, a feeling of pride was amongst us to be able to wear that beret with "the Leek".  We had earned that right as Welsh Guardsmen.  It soon came apparent to us what lay ahead if we had indeed attacked Sappers Hill.............a mass of casualties.  The hill was well defended and they made good use of the natural cover amongst the rocks, and had built sangers that gave them good cover.  In front and along both sides of the road were minefields, this was marked out by them with wire.  On the road side there are two wounded Marines, who became casualties moments before the white flag was seen, and both were taken well care of by the medics.

The closer we got to the top of the hill; we saw the debris that they had left behind as they fled to Port Stanley.  Equipment had been scattered about, ammo boxes, full and empty littered the area.  It reminded me of scenes that you saw from the old news reels of WW2.

As we approached the bend on top of the hill, there was a sight that I shall not forget in a hurry.  From a distance it just looked like a pile of old rags in the middle of the road but the closer you got, you soon realised that it was a dead Argentine soldier.  The body lay face down in the dirt, an arm was missing, and all that was left of his head was his hair that was settled in a pool of blood. Bits of brain and skull could be seen in the pool of blood, and his weapon was at his side.  Members of the company passed remarks, such as “Bet he's got a hell of a headache."  At the time I laughed along with them. They even took photos of the body, but even though I had my cine camera and camera I could not bring myself to take pictures of the body, I simply couldn't.

I just felt sorry for whoever that soldier was.  Like us he would have the same thoughts and fears, family and friends back home who will mourn his loss.  He is no different from us.......we are all the same underneath the guise of a uniform, a human being, but due to circumstances well beyond our control we find ourselves miles from home fighting a war that could have been avoided if the politicians had read the political signs correctly, and the other had no choice, as his country have been plagued by military coups for years.  I can't think of myself hating the Argentines as a result of this war.  The war may be over for those who survived, but for many the sounds and sights of the carnage that war inflicts will remain with them for the rest of their natural lives and as for the family, they will have that emptiness in their life of the person they loved, robbed by war.

 Me meeting Rex Hunt at Port Stanley June 82            

As we came over the brow of Sappers Hill we could see the objective in the distance ........Port Stanley. Through the falling snow, we saw what we had come along way for.  It looked a colourful town, with its buildings painted all colours, reds, green, yellows and blue.  I suppose that that's what the islanders wanted, after all the islands are fairly bleak.  I heard mutterings by some of the lads as they saw Port Stanley for the first time "Was it worth it?"  A hard question to answer at that moment in time, but later on I say it was worth it.  We do live in a democracy, and these people are British, who had their liberty robbed from them by the invading Argentines.  A high price to pay in regards to the loss of life, but one that we all must be thankful for. Our subsequent governments should remember this, and they should make sure that these tiny Islands remain British, otherwise our friends that have died, would have died in vain.  And how do you explain that to their family?

Not far from the body, down the track and to the right, was an attempt by the Argies to fool us in thinking that they had a 155mm in situ.  It was constructed with old plastic tubes, a couple of empty barrels and wheels. and some hessian was used to disguise it but from a long distance it would have given the impression that it was the real McCoy.  Not far away, with its barrel pointing into the dirt was the real 155mm, with several shells around it.

We were led to an area that the company would rest at for the night, I still took in the fact the Argies had prepared Sappers Hill well, they had depth positions that would have made the task of taking it very hard.  It will be a while before the feeling of knowing it's all over will sink in, but we do feel a bit more relaxed, and that did feel tremendous.  What bugs me at the moment, as I glanced over Port Stanley, the reports of up to 7000 Argentine troops in the town, but from what I saw, there was very few to be seen.

In the harbour, there were several ships one of which was the Argies hospital ship.  Helicopters were seen flying to it with casualties from last night's actions on Tumbledown.  It was during this attack, that two soldiers were captured by the Argies and Killed.  One was Dsgt Danny White and from what we have been told, the bodies were found by our Recce platoon, near a trench, with conscripts in it, and they were wearing clothing from those dead.  But I don't know if this is the truth or not.

I settled to get some hot food and a drink inside of me. My brother was with me and I shared my brew with him.  We catted about the events of the last few days, and to think there were several people within the company never shot a bullet in anger, such as Sgt Powell 01, and Gdsm Rob Hannan.  I managed to fire a few during last week's air attack on the Sir Galahad.  It was all over and we looked forward to the day that we got the order to go home, to our wives, girlfriends and family.  I will be pleased to see my parents, who have given a great deal of comfort and support to my brother and I, with their letters and parcels from home.

 Me at Fitzroy, with Sir Tristram at the rear