General Belgrano 1982
Discussion
30 years ago today the, some say, controversial sinking of the Argie Cruiser by HM S/M Conqueror started, IMO, the realization that the British ment business in there quest to retake the Falkland Islands.I thought that we would all go down there, rattle a few sabres, and return safely home with out any blood spilt! Spare a though for ALL the service personnel (including a couple of my ex-shipmates/friends...HMS Ardent) who gave there lives in 1982.
These Islands must remain British, until the Falkland Islanders themselves decide otherwise.
Lets use this thread to discuss any of the key events from the conflict on its 30th anniversary.
Ex Stoker, D175***K, HMS Hermes,HMS Tiger Bay/Stena Inspector and HMS Ilustrious.
These Islands must remain British, until the Falkland Islanders themselves decide otherwise.
Lets use this thread to discuss any of the key events from the conflict on its 30th anniversary.
Ex Stoker, D175***K, HMS Hermes,HMS Tiger Bay/Stena Inspector and HMS Ilustrious.
Edited by T66ORA on Monday 19th November 19:18
T66ORA said:
30 years ago today the, some say, controversial sinking of the Argie Cruiser by HM S/M Conqueror started, IMO, the realization that the British ment business in there quest to retake the Falkland Islands.I thought that we would all go down there, rattle a few sabres, and return safely home with out any blood spilt! Spare a though for ALL the service personnel (including a couple of my ex-shipmates/friends...HMS Ardent) who gave there lives in 1982.
These Islands must remain British, until the Falkland Islanders themselves decide otherwise.
Lets use this thread to discuss any of the key events from the conflict on its 30th anniversary.
Ex Stoker, D175312K, HMS Hermes,HMS Tiger Bay/Stena Inspector and HMS Ilustrious.
These Islands must remain British, until the Falkland Islanders themselves decide otherwise.
Lets use this thread to discuss any of the key events from the conflict on its 30th anniversary.
Ex Stoker, D175312K, HMS Hermes,HMS Tiger Bay/Stena Inspector and HMS Ilustrious.
That cruiser was a threat even if it was in port, the Argentine carrier should have been sent to the bottom too, I agree that the Islands must remain British.I've read a few books on the sinking of the Belgrano and I don't see what the problem is/was. The ship was a threat that needed to be removed and it was.
The problem I have is the way the politicians and to an extent Whitehall meddled with the way Admiral Woodward wanted to run the war. He wanted total control of the three SSN's but Northwood retained control which allowed the Argentine carrier to escape.
The problem I have is the way the politicians and to an extent Whitehall meddled with the way Admiral Woodward wanted to run the war. He wanted total control of the three SSN's but Northwood retained control which allowed the Argentine carrier to escape.
At the end of the day it was a war. And it was a war that we did not start.
So why should the Argies complain that we attacked a WARship. Had it been a ferry, or cruise ship I may feel different.
But I would say I feel sorry for those who lost their lives, and the loved ones they left behind, regardless of what side they were on.
So why should the Argies complain that we attacked a WARship. Had it been a ferry, or cruise ship I may feel different.
But I would say I feel sorry for those who lost their lives, and the loved ones they left behind, regardless of what side they were on.
It seemed astonishing to me too. If you are at war, and if you can destroy an enemy asset easily, then do so. Otherwise not only is it a strategic threat to your own plans but if it then kills 1,000 of your own side you'll feel a bit silly.
I think it was mainly Thatcher-bashing from her opponents and various anti-war types.
I think it was mainly Thatcher-bashing from her opponents and various anti-war types.
Turbodiesel1690 said:
Big boys games, big boys rules, they started it, we finished it
Nuff said. Couldn't have put it better myself.Can you even begin to imagine the ramifications had we not sunk the Belgrano & it had sunk more of our ships? Maggie & the top brass would have been hung out to dry by the media & the two faced fools in the Houses of Parliament had she stood up & said 'we didn't sink it because it was going the other way so we thought we should leave it alone..........'
We did what we had to do - no doubt the Argies would have done exactly the same as we did had the tables been turned.
We were at war with the Argies hence what was done was done to protect our armed forces. End of story.
daz3210 said:
Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't this event also send the Argie Navy running for port, not to reappear until after the conflict was over?
Thus it made our job somewhat easier.
Indeed. Interesting article here:Thus it made our job somewhat easier.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2080490/Be...
my apologies if any find this to be in bad taste, but it amuses me :
Mt grandad was in the RAF at the time of the Falklands (although not involved in any way) he made us all laugh with this whispered forces 'joke' :
"Pssst, *I* know why they sank the belgrano ... it was full of Argies "
The joke of course is not at the expense of the unfortuate Argentinians on board, rather the hand wringers at home.
Mt grandad was in the RAF at the time of the Falklands (although not involved in any way) he made us all laugh with this whispered forces 'joke' :
"Pssst, *I* know why they sank the belgrano ... it was full of Argies "
The joke of course is not at the expense of the unfortuate Argentinians on board, rather the hand wringers at home.
MAY 3rd 1982
News filters in of further action off the Falklands, Lynx Helicoptors from HM Ships Glasgow and Coventry attack Argie Gun Boats using the, then new, Sea Skua anti ship missles Sinking one vessel and damaging another as the second missle glances the bridge. Approximately 17 Argentine sailors killed.
Sandy Woodwood cancels the night time bombardment by HM Ships Antrim and Yarmouth, following the Mirage attack on HM Ships Arrow Alacrity and Glamorgan "on the gun line" on the evening of May 1st, Glamorgan suffering minor damage from a near miss of a 500 pounder.
Hermes continues exercising with Broadsword the term "Goalkeeper" starts, the Type 22s with Sea Wolf are never more than a few yards away.(most of the time)
News filters in of further action off the Falklands, Lynx Helicoptors from HM Ships Glasgow and Coventry attack Argie Gun Boats using the, then new, Sea Skua anti ship missles Sinking one vessel and damaging another as the second missle glances the bridge. Approximately 17 Argentine sailors killed.
Sandy Woodwood cancels the night time bombardment by HM Ships Antrim and Yarmouth, following the Mirage attack on HM Ships Arrow Alacrity and Glamorgan "on the gun line" on the evening of May 1st, Glamorgan suffering minor damage from a near miss of a 500 pounder.
Hermes continues exercising with Broadsword the term "Goalkeeper" starts, the Type 22s with Sea Wolf are never more than a few yards away.(most of the time)
T66ORA said:
phumy said:
Sprog.......Ex Stoker, D122997E HMS Llandaff, HMS Eskimo, HMS Hermes (5EStbd) sorry
sorry
Sorry Salts 
I take it you has left by 82 old timer? Missed yer tot and hammocks
unlike the Burtons style single crease trousers that was introduced later, maybe in your time, the bulls
t and bks that naturally came with "big ships" turned me against staying "in".phumy said:
LOL....At least i saw a tot and a hammock and a real true RN uniform unlike the Burtons style single crease trousers that was introduced later, maybe in your time, the bullst and bks that naturally came with "big ships" turned me against staying "in".
Yep they changed over around 77 wasn`t it? I was 5 Oceans rating to short for 7 seas unlike the Burtons style single crease trousers that was introduced later, maybe in your time, the bullst and bks that naturally came with "big ships" turned me against staying "in". The new uniform was a lot easier to Rig though. MAY 4th 1982
The day started with the second Vulcan strike of the conflict, at around 4.30am Stanley air field was bombed, unfortunatly no hits were registered.
A few hours later the task force lost its first Sea Harrier, 3 planes attacked the airfield at Goose Green, one was shot down by AA fire, the Pilot was killed.
The day was to get much worse. The 3 Type 42s Coventry, Glasgow and Sheffield were on routine Picket duty to the west of the task force, there Sea Dart missles systems were the long range defence of the fleet.
Two Super Etendards, both armed with one AM39 (airbourne version) Exocet missles attacked the task force at sea skimming altitude, they popped briefly up,so the missles internal radar could lock on to there targets. Glasgow was the only ship to pick up any sort of signal, the Sheffield was caught knapping, the ship was apparently using SCOT at the precise moment of the incoming Exocet, the crew were not even closed up (Action stations) The first missle hit Starboard side amidships
but thankfully failed to explode,saving many lives. The resulting fire and smoke crippled the ship, loss of fire main pressure hindered the crews efforts to extinguish the fires. 20 men lost there lives.
The second missle missed any target due to the amount of Chaff sent up by Task Force ships. HMS Yarmouth reported seeing the missle ditch into the sea.
In the aftermath it became apparent that the normal working dress (called number 8s) were a contributing factor to some horrendous burns due to there nylon content.
Most stokers i knew just wore overalls for most of the campaign from then on.
If the Task Force never thought they were in for a fight before, they did now!
The day started with the second Vulcan strike of the conflict, at around 4.30am Stanley air field was bombed, unfortunatly no hits were registered.
A few hours later the task force lost its first Sea Harrier, 3 planes attacked the airfield at Goose Green, one was shot down by AA fire, the Pilot was killed.
The day was to get much worse. The 3 Type 42s Coventry, Glasgow and Sheffield were on routine Picket duty to the west of the task force, there Sea Dart missles systems were the long range defence of the fleet.
Two Super Etendards, both armed with one AM39 (airbourne version) Exocet missles attacked the task force at sea skimming altitude, they popped briefly up,so the missles internal radar could lock on to there targets. Glasgow was the only ship to pick up any sort of signal, the Sheffield was caught knapping, the ship was apparently using SCOT at the precise moment of the incoming Exocet, the crew were not even closed up (Action stations) The first missle hit Starboard side amidships
but thankfully failed to explode,saving many lives. The resulting fire and smoke crippled the ship, loss of fire main pressure hindered the crews efforts to extinguish the fires. 20 men lost there lives.
The second missle missed any target due to the amount of Chaff sent up by Task Force ships. HMS Yarmouth reported seeing the missle ditch into the sea.
In the aftermath it became apparent that the normal working dress (called number 8s) were a contributing factor to some horrendous burns due to there nylon content.
Most stokers i knew just wore overalls for most of the campaign from then on.
If the Task Force never thought they were in for a fight before, they did now!
Edited by T66ORA on Friday 4th May 19:36
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