25th anniversary of the Falklands War

[Osem]

Watched some of the coverage on TV today and it brought back some fairly vivid and stark memories of that time. I spent that entire part of 1982 up to my eyes in sand in Abu Dhabi and it was intriguing to see how the conflict was covered there - it coming way down the list of 'important' topics.

What I think was remarkable was the fact that we won at all - given the vast logistical problems and all the cock ups e.g. the Sir Galahad debacle.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6732047.stm

I guess we have to put that down to the professionalism and training of the troops involved who managed to achieve success in spite of their glorious leaders. Not much has changed then eh ?

Anyway I for one have the utmost respect for those who fought and especially those who lost their lives and made the ultimate sacrifice.

[punky]

Originally Posted by Osem

Anyway I for one have the utmost respect for those who fought and especially those who lost their lives and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Well said

Only 1 at the time, so don't remember it. Its fasinating to hear about what happened though.

Interesting though how people are now saying "was it worth it?". I should imagine such talk was unthinkable a few years ago. One Falkander said she'd rather die than live under Argentine rule...

[alferret]

I remember the Falklands war, I was 15 at the time and like many was glued to the tv.
Vivid memories of standing during the national anthem every time it was on.

My heart goes out to those that lost someone and great respect to all those brave men and women of the services who fought there.

[Osem]

http://www.sama82.org/index.htm
http://www.britains-smallwars.com/Fa...-Paraquat.html

The Falklands war was my first experience of a 'media enabled' war, that I can remember vividly and the scenes of the tragedies like HMS Sheffield, Sir Galahad, & Atlantic Conveyor will remain in my memory - as will the Belgrano & the Sun's gloating headline...

The bravery of all involved can only be imagined by most of us & thoughts are with the families who lost loved ones

- but also with those whose lives are still affected by injury or trauma suffered while doing their duty, on our behalf, then

- while not forgetting those who continue to do so, no matter the rights & wrongs, right now !!!

[SMG]

All too often do we take our lifestyle for granted. We owe all we have to our forces, past & present, & the way they are treated would make you shudder. We treat criminals & immigrants better. Back in 71, one small room with triple bunk beds held 6 squaddies with all their kit, working 8hrs street patrol then 8 hours rapid reaction force with 8 hours kip, & that was luxury compared with the Falklands. Wet feet & piles. Nothing to laugh about.

[BBKing]

Interesting though how people are now saying "was it worth it?".

Who are? The Argentinians, possibly? Good demonstration of why the UN is important, of course.

The Falklands war was my first experience of a 'media enabled' war

It was a substantially media-*controlled* war, with the exception of the BBC announcing an attack before it had happened, which has resulted in a good deal of heat from the Army since...

Anyway, some links - interesting views on who really won the war:
http://yorkshire-ranter.blogspot.com...1-command.html
http://yorkshire-ranter.blogspot.com...chers-war.html
http://yorkshire-ranter.blogspot.com...erial-war.html
http://yorkshire-ranter.blogspot.com...-european.html

[punky]

Originally Posted by BBKing

Who are? The Argentinians, possibly? Good demonstration of why the UN is important, of course.

Wrong, the BBC amongst others. Can't find much about it, but here are a couple of links from other sources:

http://www.itv.com/news/world_e049ba...ada02ce72.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main...4/wfalk114.xml

Anyway, i'm suprised you posted that, as I thought you was in the Falklands-war-was-just-to-boost-Thather's-re-election-chances camp.

Why did you mention the UN? I can't think of anyone less important. Rwanda, Darfur, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Iran, Noth Korea, Palestine. They might be a bit more important if they had any successes anywhere.

[BBKing]

Anyway, i'm suprised you posted that, as I thought you was in the Falklands-war-was-just-to-boost-Thather's-re-election-chances camp.

You thought wrong, didn't you, and not for the first time - don't put me into 'camps'*, it's rather insulting. I sometimes wonder quite what an erroneous impression you have of me, and whether it's my fault or yours, then I think 'why worry?'.

My usual point is that if you give Thatcher credit for winning the war, you have to give Callaghan more credit for staving off the invasion in the first place in 1977. Being an ex-navy man, he understood that the Argentines couldn't deal with nuclear attack subs, and the mere whisper of one being in the area would give the anti-invasion voices in Buenos Aires ammunition to fight the hawks. So he sent one. Forward 5 years, and the message being sent was British withdrawal and unwillingness to fight, which tipped the balance in favour of the hawks. By then, Thatcher *had* to fight, she had no choice politically (the point here is that the Argentine right wingers were just as ignorant of affairs in London as we were of affairs in BA, despite copious intelligence warnings).

My other point is that the Falklands is a triumph for the UN doctrine of self-determination, rather than 'spheres of influence' and other imperialist claptrap. If the people want to be British, they've got just as much right in Port Stanley as in Port Sunlight. Remember that next time you slag off the UN.

* Or 'brigades', for that matter.

[punky]

Originally Posted by BBKing

You thought wrong, didn't you, and not for the first time - don't put me into 'camps'*, it's rather insulting. I sometimes wonder quite what an erroneous impression you have of me, and whether it's my fault or yours, then I think 'why worry?'.

I never intended to insult you. It was an open, honest admission of mistake. I used the word camp, but if you'd prefer I could have used "like-minded thinkers". There was no sub-text there. It happens because trying to recall the content of your 3,500 posts over 4-odd years, in context with tens of other members, wth their thousands of posts, i'm bound to make the odd mistake from time to time.

My other point is that the Falklands is a triumph for the UN doctrine of self-determination, rather than 'spheres of influence' and other imperialist claptrap. If the people want to be British, they've got just as much right in Port Stanley as in Port Sunlight. Remember that next time you slag off the UN.

So we should be grateful to the UN that they allowed the UK to defend herself? Speaking of which were the Argentines ever castigated by the UN for their illegal act of agression against the Falklands?

Anyway, i'm suprised you posted that, as I thought you was in the Falklands-war-was-just-to-boost-Thather's-re-election-chances camp.

Wasnt it though? Regardless of the merit and success?

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Damien

Wasnt it though? Regardless of the merit and success?

That's one heck of a conspiracy theory you've got there then.
Especially when you consider how the odds were stacked up against our success in the war.

Originally Posted by Xaccers

That's one heck of a conspiracy theory you've got there then.
Especially when you consider how the odds were stacked up against our success in the war.

Its not my theory, I was watching the History of Britain by Andrew Marr last week and it seemed to be her saving grace.

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Damien

Its not my theory, I was watching the History of Britain by Andrew Marr last week and it seemed to be her saving grace.

Same could be said for the first Gulf War and Major, but he didn't orchestrate Saddam's invasion of Kuwait.

[zovat]

I remember the time well - I was (along with most of my school - I was 12 at the time) glued to the TV at every opportunity, as I was at a military school we all knew someone who's dad was on that ship, or in that unit etc.


As to it being Maggie's saving grace, it was, but the fact remains that she took some hard decisions, and understood (and publicly acknowledged) the risk to both the service personnel and her own political future.

It did turn her public image around, but as already stated - she didn't chose the timing, she just chose to defend British subjects, on a British territory.

I have met a couple of Falkland Islanders, and they will never forget the sacrifice made by those service personnel in their name.

They are more proud of being British than a large proportion British people living in Britain will ever be.

The sad thing to see is that we could not mount such an operation as things stand, we don't have the naval resources or the troops (with all the other engagements we are involved in).