The Falklands War (1982) / La Guerra de Las Malvinas (1982)Chronicle of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)History & the Falklands War of 1982Further Reading: Bibliography + Book storeAmazon.com 100 Hot Books spanish italiano IntroductionThe Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) are a group of islands in thesouth Atlantic. The two main islands, East Falkland and West Falkland,lie 300 miles [480 km] east of the Argentina coast. About 200 smallerislands form a total land area of approximately 4,700 square miles(12,200 square km). The capital and only town is (Port) Stanley.The government of the Falkland Islands administers the British dependent territories of South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands, and the Shag and Clerke rocks, lying from 700 to 2,000 miles (1,100 to 3,200 km) to the east and southeast of the Falklands. The total population of the islands wasestimated at 2100 (in 1991) and 2967 in July 2003. Argentina has claimed the islands since 1820.Britain had occupied and administered the islandssince 1833 and had consistently rejected Argentina's claims.The Falklands War, chronicled below, started after Argentinainvaded and took control of the islands in April, 1982.War casualties in the 1982 conflict totalled 655 Argentine soldiers,and 236 British soldiers. The British captured about 10,000 Argentineprisoners, all of whom were released shortly after the war.Argentina's defeat in the war severely discredited the militarydictatorship who started the war, and led to the restoration ofdemocratic, civilian rule in Argentina in 1983.Chronicle of the Falkland islands1522, 1592Argentine versions state that various Spanish and Portuguese seamen,were first to see the islands. The most documented case is thatof Esteban Gómez on the ship San Antonio of thefamous Spanish expedition headed by Magellan, who discovers theisles while returning to Spain in 1522. Argentine historianMaria Laura San Martino de Dromi lists maps dated 1522 through1561 showing the Malvinas off the mainland coast.According the Encyclopedia Britannica (an American sourceprobably leaning toward the English), the English navigatorJohn Davis on the Desire (1592) may(note emphasis) have been the first person to sight the Falklands.Circa 1600The Dutchman Sebald de Weerdt makes the firstundisputed sighting of the islands.1690The English captain John Strong heading a British expeditionmade the first recorded landing in the Falklands, in 1690.The British claim the islands for the crown and named the sound betweenthe two main islands after Viscount Falkland, a British naval official.The name was later applied to the whole island group.1764French navigator Louis-Antoine de Bougainville founds the islands'first permanent settlement, on East Falkland.During subsequent years, a French fishery is manned by people fromSt. Malo (hence "Iles Malouines" from which the Argentine name"Islas Malvinas" is derived).1765The British are the first to settle in the West Falkland island.1767The Spanish buy out the French settlement (Port Louis)in the East Falkland island. For Spain, this impliesa French recognition of the Spanish rights to the land.1770A Spanish flotilla arrives at the islands asking the British to leave.When first asked to leave, the British officer in charge of the garrison,a Captain Hunt, replied:``I have received your letters bythe officer, acquainting me that these islands and coasts thereofbelong to the King of Spain, your Master. In return I am to acquaintyou that the said islands belong to his Brittanic Majesty,My Master, by right of discovery as well as settlement and thatthe subjects of no other power whatever can have any rightto be settled in the said islands without leave from His BrittanicMajesty or taking oaths of allegiance and submitting themselvesto His Majesty's Government as subjects of the Crownof Great Britain.''This is the first documented sign we could find of the conflictbetween Britain and Spain regarding the Islands.Shortly thereafter, the Spanish revisited with a much superiorforce ``convincing'' the British garrison to leave on 14th July 1770.[Source:'An account of of the last expedition to Port Egmontin the Falkland Islands' , by Bernard Penrose publishedin the Universal Magazine, April 1775.]1771The British outpost on West Falkland is restored after threat of war.1774The British withdraw from the island (for economic reasonsaccording to British sources). Spain maintains the settlement on EastFalkland (which it called Soledad Island) until 1811, when Spainis about to lose control of its colonies in America.1816Independent Argentina first appears on the historical scene.1820The Buenos Aires government, which had declared its independencefrom Spain in 1816, first proclaims its sovereignty over the Falklands.1828Argentine warlord (Caudillo), and later governor of Buenos AiresJuan Manuel de Rosas sent a governor, Mr. Vernet,together with a garrison and settlers for menial work to the islands.The first recorded Argentine settlement in the islands.1831The American warship USS Lexington destroys the Argentine settlement on East Falkland in reprisal for the arrest of three U.S. ships that had been hunting seals in the area.1833Afraid that the Americans seized the islands, the Britishremember the expedition of the 17th century, re-invade the islands,forcefully depose Vernet and send the Argentines back to the mainlandalbeit without having to fire a shot. 1885A British community of some 1,800 people on the islands isself-supporting.1892Colonial status is granted to the Falklands.1933 and onAccording to David Rock: ``After the Roca-Runciman treaty[A bilateral trade agreement signed in 1933 between Britain and Argentina, benefiting Britain and exploiting Argentina's natural resources -- Ed.], a profusion of new nationalistwriters and factions began to appear. For a time the nationalistmovement was largely dominated by historians who sought to fuelthe campaign against the British. These historical ``revisionists''began to reexamine the 19th century and to catalogue Britain'simperialist encroachments: the British invasions of 1806-1807,Britain's role in the foundation of Uruguay in the late 1820s,its seizure of the Falkland Islands in 1833, the blockades under Rosas ...A cult now enveloped the figure of Juan Manuel de Rosas, whowas depicted as a symbol of national resistance to foreign dominations[In fact, he was a strong handed dictator who killed countlessopponents, benefited greatly from trade with Britain,sized 800,000 acres of estate land for himself only etc. -- Ed]...Propaganda of this kind made a deepening imprint on public opinionand helped sustain nationalist sentiments in the Army...''1964The islands' position was debated by the UN committee on de-colonization. Argentina based its claim to the Falklands on papal bulls of 1493modified by the Treaty of Tordesillas (1494), by which Spain and Portugalhad divided the New World between themselves; on succession from Spain;on the islands' proximity to South America; and on the need to enda colonial situation. Britain based its claim on its "open, continuous, effective possession, occupation, and administration" of the islands since 1833 and its determination to grant the Falklanders self-determination as recognized in the United Nations Charter.Britain asserted that, far from ending a colonial situation,Argentine rule and control of the lives of the Falklanders against their will would, in fact, create one.1965The UN General Assembly approved a resolution inviting Britain and Argentina to hold discussions to find a peaceful solution to the dispute. These protracted discussions were still proceeding in February 1982 shortly before the Falkland war started.My memories from the 60'sAs a primary school student in Buenos Aires, I remember the indoctrinationwe were subjected to in geography lessons. We were asked to colorthe Argentina map in which the Falklands (Las Islas Malvinas)were drawn as a part of Argentina in a disproportionate large size eastof the Argentine coast. The fact that the islands are 100% populatedby English speaking "Kelpers"(about 1800 of them then, and over 2300 today), whopreferred to remainunder British rule according to the Falkland Islands governmentofficial statements, was never mentioned to us. Virtuallyevery child in Argentina, to this very day, is made to believethat the islands are Argentine, the people living on the islandsare virtually non-existent (and if they do exist, they are notconsidered a party in the conflict) and that the so called"imperialistic injustice" ought to be settled. Considering this,it is of no surprise that the conflict becomes harder to resolvewith time, especially after the tragic events caused by the 1982 war. Interestingly: recent British governments had often appeared willingto hand over the islands to Argentina if the islanderswould consent to the change of sovereignty. Despite British prodding,this consent never materialized[Rock: p 377-378]As a result, Argentina's several attempts to negotiate sovereignty onthe islands with Britain lead nowhere.Paradoxically, commercial and trade ties have long existedbetween the islands and the Argentine mainland and thesekeep expanding with time as long as politics are kept aside.March 19, 1982A group of Argentine scrap metal merchants working in the South Georgia island is escorted by some military personnel. Britain calls Argentinato remove the military personnel without response.March 26, 1982The Argentine military junta decides to invade the islands.Background: Argentina is in deep economic trouble; Throughout 1981,inflation sky-rockets to over 600%, GDP is down 11.4%, manufacturing outputis down 22.9%, and real wages by 19.2%[Rock: p 375-378].In addition,Mass disappearancesof people in the hands of the military juntascauses significant unrest.The third dictatorship president since the 1976 coup,General Leopoldo Galtierilaunches a military invasion of the islands, code namedOperación Rosario. The invasion is planned bythe commander of the Navy Admiral JorgeAnaya to be launched on one of the most importantnational celebrations (The revolution anniversary on May 25th orIndependence day on July 9th). Its main purpose is to divertpublic attention from the distressing internal problemsand restore the long lost popularity and prestige of the dictatorship. Due to the mounting pressures on the government, and massunion demonstrations in late March, the date of the invasion ismoved earlier to April 2nd in an act of desperation.April 2, 1982The Argentine Navy with thousands of troops lands on the Falklands.A small detachment of Royal Marines on the islands put up a bravebut futile resistance before Governor Rex Hunt ordered them tolay down their arms. The marine forces are flown to Montevideoalong with the British governor.April 3, 1982Argentine troops seize the associated islands of South Georgiaand the South Sandwich group (1,000 miles [1,600 km] east of the Falklands)following a short battle in which an Argentine helicopter is forceddown and 4 Argentine troops are killed.General Mario Menendezis proclaimed military governor of the islands.As Galtieri has predicted, the move proves to be extremely popular:In Buenos Aires, where the unions had a week earlier demonstratedagainst the government, there are massive outbursts of solidarityin the streets.The United Nations Security Council passes Resolution 502 calling forthe withdrawal of Argentine troops from the islands and the immediatecessation of hostilities. First Royal air force transport aircraftdeploy to Ascension Island. Late March to early April 1982Thousands of Argentine conscripts lacking basic training are draftedin a hurry and sent to the islands.Argentina accumulates more than 10,000 troops on the Falklands.May 23, 1982The British HMS Antelope is attacked and sinks afterunexploded bomb detonates. Ten Argentine aircraft destroyed. May 24, 1982Seven Argentine Aircraft destroyed.May 25, 1982HMS Coventry is hit by 3 1000 lb air bombs dropped fromArgentine Skyhawks; 19 British dead. The MV Atlantic Conveyoris hit by an Exocet missile and sinks 3 days later, 12 more Britishdead.May 28, 1982More air-raids on Port Stanley.British 2nd battalion, Parachute Regiment (2-Para), take Darwinand Goose Green in what was arguably the longest and toughestbattle of the War. According to the bookGoose Green: a battle is fought to be won by Mark Adkin:Though outnumbered (2 to 1: 600 vs. over 1400), low on ammunition,lacking adequate fire support, fighting over open ground, and indaylight against prepared positions, the 2-para emerges as the winnerin this first big and critical land battle. British 2-Para Lt. Col.Herbert "H" Jones dies in this battle and later awarded a Victoria Cross.In all, 17 2-Para soldiers, and about 200 Argentine soldierswere killed during this battle. About 1,400 Argentine surrenderedand were taken prisoners. According to Argentine sourcesonly 400 of the over 1400 recruits were in condition to fightand the British report as presented by Mark Adkin is wayoverrated.May 29, 1982Warships and Harriers bombard Argentine positions.May 30, 1982Shelling continues as British troops advance. The British45 Commando secures Douglas settlement; 3-Para recapturesTeal Inlet.May 31, 1982Mount Kent is taken by British troops.The Falklands' capital of Port Stanley is surrounded.June 1, 1982Britain repeats its cease-fire terms.June 4, 1982Britain vetoes Panamanian-Spanish cease-fire resolution in the UNSecurity Council.June 6, 1982Versailles summit supports British position on Falklands.June 8, 1982An Argentine air attack on British landing craft Sir Galahadand Sir Tristram at Port Pleasant south of Bluff Cove.53 British die.June 12, 1982The British 3-Para mounts an assault on Mount Longdon.The battle on this heavily defended position, which was supposedto last until dawn, proves much tougher and longer than expected.Mount Longdon and its surroundings are finally taken afterhandto hand and bayonet fighting with the Argentine troops positionby position. The British casualties mount to 23 men, one of which,Sergeant Ian John McKay of 3-Para is later awarded a posthumousVictoria Cross, 47 more British are wounded. The Argentine forcessuffer over 50 dead and many more injured. 6 more British die shortlyafterwards.British 45 Commando takes Two Sisters and 42 Commandotakes Mount Harriet with support by the guns of 29th Commandoregiment and naval gunfire from a number of Royal Navy frigates.The 2nd Battalion Scots Guards seize Mount Tumbledownwith mortar detachments from 42 Commando, Royal Marines andthe 1/7th Gurkha Rifles with support from a troop of the Blues and Royals.In this bloody battle. 9 British and about 40 Argentine die.Another 34 Argentine soldiers surrender and taken prisoners.32 British are wounded.[Source: Tactics of Modern Warfare by Mark Lloyd].Shortly after, the 1/7th Gurkha Rifles take Mt William, south ofMount Tumbledown.The cruiser HMS Glamorgan is hit by an Exocet missileas it was bombarding on shore Argentine positions. 13 British die.June 14, 1982The large Argentine garrison in Port Stanley is defeated, effectively ending the conflict. The Argentine commanderMario Menendez,agrees to "an non-negotiated cease fire ... with no other conditionthan the deletion of the word unconditional" from thesurrender document which he signs. 9800 Argentine troops put downtheir weapons.June 20, 1982The British re-occupy the South Sandwich Islands.Britain formally declares an end to hostilities, and the two-hundred mileexclusion zone established around the islands during the war is replacedby a Falkland Islands Protection Zone (FIPZ) of 150 miles.From start to finish, this undeclared warlasted 72 days,claimed nearly 1000 casualties (236 British and 655 Argentine),many of them innocent conscripts that were drafted in a hurryby the Argentine junta.The war had a cost of at least 2 billion dollars.From a political point of view, the war helped the reelection ofMargaret Thatcher (who was losing popularity before the conflictstarted) and brought down Leopoldo Galtieri who was quick to resignafterwards, paving the road to the restoration of democracy in Argentina.Sources:Encyclopaedia BritannicaDavid Rock: Argentina 1516-1987One Hundred Days: The Memoirs of the Falklands Battle Group CommanderThe Battle for the Falklands / Hastings and JenkinsThe History of the South Atlantic Conflict (anArgentine Perspective by commander Ruben O. Moro)Margaret Thatcher: The Downing Street Years.CIA World Fact-Book entry of the Falklandswww.falklands-malvinas.com The case of Argentina (nationalistic, authoritarian & militaristic contents in Argentina's educational system) / Carlos EscudéFurther reading on the Falklands WarEditor's notes:This page, which is secondary in importance to the issue ofthe disappeared, is nevertheless one of the most popular in this site.I keep it here only to round-up and complete the information.Unfortunately, this page seems to touch nerve with a smalland bitter group of Argentine readers so Iregularly get hateemail about it. Very rarely,I get some Supportive / Love mailto partly balance the hate mail portion.For the record, I love Argentina and its friendly peoplevery much and I do not see the dictatorshipof the 70's as a representative of the country as a whole.Hate email is normally ignored.If you find anything factually inaccurate, please let meknow as I'm very willing to correct and improve the information.Please be sure to state your sources. I'm afraid I cannot acceptstrong opinions (or revisionist web pages) as facts. Even if whatyou say is correct, please make sure to state written, verifiable,sources if you want me to fix this page.Another big source of emails are British war veteransclaiming that their unit deserves more credit than another unitmentioned here; again, an emotionally driven audience.I would like to request to check facts carefully (preferablyin more than one source) and send me only substantiatedfact corrections rather than additions. Those interested in thelong stories and the complete list of small detailscan find them in the bibliography.For the record, I think Hastingsand Jenkins' The Battle for the Falklandsis a good overall summary of the war from a British perspective.A more eclectic source written by many authors representingmultiple perspectives, politicians, soldiers, islanders and othersis Memories of the FalklandsArgentine readers who feel strongly about this subjectwould probably prefer the pretty biasedArgentine perspective as presented by Commodore Ruben O. Moroof the Argentine Air Force. [To understand why I say biased, pleaseread the well thought of reviews of this book on Amazon.] Search: All Products Books Magazines Popular Music Classical Music Video DVD Toys & Games Baby Computer & Video Games Electronics Software Tools & Hardware Outdoor Living Kitchen & Housewares Camera & Photo Wireless Phones Keywords:       [Previous] . . .[Next] . . .[Up] . . .[Home] . . .[TOC+Search] |
|
