It is 30 years this month since the Falklands War commenced and as a schoolboy in the Sedbergh School CCF Naval Section it remains a clear memory. Our affiliated ship was the HMS Antelope which came under attack in San Carlos Water on the 23rd of May 1982 from Argentine fighters. She was damaged by smalls arms fire and struck by two unexploded bombs which after attempts to diffuse them failed, exploded, which tore open the ship from funnel to waterline causing fires leading to her magazines exploding and eventually breaking in half and sinking. A crewman and technician from the Corps of Royal Engineers died along with injuries to others involved in the attack and subsequent disposal efforts. An Argentine pilot also lost his life. There were heroic efforts in rescuing the HMS Antelope’s crew after the order to abandon ship was given by the Captain. There is picture which has stuck in my mind for 30 years of the ship exploding in spectacular fashion a sad end to a ship we only visited the previous October. It was a very tough and costly short war which cost 258 British Servicemen’s lives and twice that for Argentine soldiers and conscripts with many more injured on both sides.
So the current Argentine President populist sabre rattling over Las Malvinas is just a cynical and timely cover over that country’s mounting economic woes brought about by a mispriced energy policy. Further by confiscating (or renationalising) Spanish oil company Repsol’s YPF subsidiary has upset relations greatly with Madrid. The message sent to international investors is abysmal.
It is said by military pundits and indeed by former commanders of the task force that without aircraft carriers with current commitments and defense cuts another successful expulsion of an invading Argentine force would be extremely unlikely.
However with Argentina’s own economic and military limitations the deployment of a new D45 destroyer, RAF Mount Pleasant Typhoons and support from Prince William there to rescue people in his Sea King helicopter the Falklands it shall remain. The D45 is an amazing piece of military hardware.
Finally, almost forgot there’s oil and gas there too and that always causes a fight.
LDC