About the conflict

Following centuries of territorial dispute, the Falkland Islands were invaded by Argentina on 2nd April 1982. Despite initial MOD advice to the contrary, the following day, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher announced the formation of a task force detailed to liberate the Falklands. This Cabinet decision was backed by the leader of the opposition, Michael Foot, who stated Britain had “a moral duty, a political duty and every other kind of duty” to ensure the Falklanders could continue to live as they wished, as a territory of Great Britain. However, anecdotally, the Argentine invaders seemed surprised that the Falklanders spoke English and did not welcome them as liberators.

The main body of the task force, including two aircraft carriers, fleet flagship HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible and their accompanying frigates set sail for the South Atlantic from Portsmouth two days later on 5th April. The task force was preceded by warships that had been carrying out manoeuvres off Gibraltar and three nuclear submarines. More specialist vessels followed the main task force including some 50 ships requisitioned from the commercial sector, including the QE2, Canberra and the converted hospital ship Uganda. In all over 110 ships and 28,000 men headed for the South Atlantic.

On 20th April, the British Government War Cabinet orders the repossession of the Falkland Islands.

A 200 mile exclusion zone was imposed around the Islands on 28th April, the task force arrived two days later to prepare for the initial landing of SAS and SBS troops. Despite several diplomatic efforts, the conflict escalates into an undeclared war and the first Aircraft are shot down on 1st May. The following day, the General Belgrano is sunk with the loss of 368 Argentine lives.

On 20th May, Thatcher orders the task force into battle, accusing Argentina of “obduracy and delay, deception and bad faith”, the San Carlos landings begin the following day.

By mid-morning on 14th June white flags are flying in Stanley and the official surrender is later given to Major General Jeremy Moore. By 20th June all outlying settlements and other Islands are surrendered and Britain formally declares an end to hostilities.

The conflict lasted 74 days and claimed the lives of 255 British and 649 Argentine servicemen, and three civilian Falklanders. The UK lost six ships (Sheffield, Ardent, Antelope, Coventry, Atlantic Conveyor and Foxtrot 4) and thirty four aircraft.

More information
SAMA 82
Veterans Agency
MOD
The Falklands War (Royal Navy)
The Falklands Conflict (Army)
The Falklands Campaign 1982 (RAF)