[Politics] A day that will live in infamy

[Muhammad - I’m hard - Bruce Lee]

So I am a veteran of the Falklands War. Not a day goes by where I don't think about it. I haven't got PTSD or anything but I do suffer with survivor guilt sometimes. It has been a big part of my life for the last 43 years. I was drafted down there again in 84 for 6 months serving at Commcen Whalebone Cove just outside Stanley. Was living on one of them Coastels that weren't good enough for illegal immigrants.

I went back again in 2008 with an organised pilgrimage of 50 veterans, an amazing trip where we were put up by the locals in Port Stanley at their houses. I became very good friends with my hosts and we still communicate regularly and we recently met up when they came to Southampton to catch up with family.

I took myself down there in 2019 using a scheme for veterans where you can fly with the RAF airbridge out of Brize Norton for £250 return...Stayed at Liberty Lodge, built specifically for visiting veterans to stay at. A cracking place.

The locals are the most British and patriotic people I have ever met. Certainly confirms in my eyes that we did the right thing in 82 and has laid a few ghosts to rest by going back. I was only 17 when I went in 82, been in the Navy for 10 months and had just passed out of training when I got drafted to meet the ship in Plymouth.

I met Mrs Thatcher on the 25th anniversary. She was charming and referred to all us Vets as 'her boys' I'm proud to have been called one of her boys and I'd do it all again in a heartbeat.

I think I am just about due another visit and my 18 year old daughter is keen to join me. I shall look forward to that.

I have toyed with the idea of going back.
Not sure whether I want to or not though.
Took me a long time to process a lot of shit in my head, often wonder if it will bring it all back.

And lets face it, once you have left the forces, you're never really right in the head anyway

 

[Biscuit]

At the time, we had a small detachment of Marines in South Georgia, and again in Port Stanley. The airfield was very rudimentary. The ice patrol ship always left in April as winter set in.

Now, we have a base with a proper airfield so it wouldn’t be a case of their troops just walking in. Argentina is also broke.

That's good to know!

 

[Biscuit]

They would have no chance. Did you know there is now a fully operational airbase down there that went fully operational in1985, anywhere between 1000 and 2000 personnel based there at any one time. All kinds of aircraft based there, airplanes not my thing so don't know what they are. There is an immense amount of fire power right there on the Islands. There is also always a ship on patrol down there all year round.

The Argies could never take it.

I did not know any of those things, appreciate you letting me know.

I think my general gripe is that our armed forces haven't been given the funding they so richly deserve for decades now. I hope we can get to that fabled 3% asap.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

I have toyed with the idea of going back.
Not sure whether I want to or not though.
Took me a long time to process a lot of shit in my head, often wonder if it will bring it all back.

And lets face it, once you have left the forces, you're never really right in the head anyway

Many say it has helped them, but it’s something only you can decide.

 

[BigBod]

I have toyed with the idea of going back.
Not sure whether I want to or not though.
Took me a long time to process a lot of shit in my head, often wonder if it will bring it all back.

And lets face it, once you have left the forces, you're never really right in the head anyway

If you need any help/info on how to apply for indulgence flights and accommodation, give me a shout and I can point you in the right direction. The first time I went back with a load of 2 Para lads, they all found it a great benefit.... It's not for everyone though.

 

[WATFORD zero]

I think that's important. Argentina has no right over those islands. They were inhabited by British folk even before Argentina was a thing.

But the government of the time, and possibly before, has questions to answer over how they were allowed to invade in the first place.

Well James Callaghan, the PM immediately before Thatcher prevented an invasion of the Falklands in 1977 by secretly sending a small naval task force to the falklands after the Argentinians had landed and constructed a Military base on Thule. Operation Journeyman was a complete success and stopped an invasion without a single loss of life.

Which does beg the question why Margaret Thatcher didn't do exactly the same 4 and a bit years later

 

[Eeyore]

They would have no chance. Did you know there is now a fully operational airbase down there that went fully operational in1985, anywhere between 1000 and 2000 personnel based there at any one time. All kinds of aircraft based there, airplanes not my thing so don't know what they are. There is an immense amount of fire power right there on the Islands. There is also always a ship on patrol down there all year round.

The Argies could never take it.

And baring in mind how long it took the Argentines to overcome a 69 marine garrison on the island in 1982, I wouldn't rate their chances anyway...

It was a disgrace that those marines weren't honoured, and how the British press spoke about them. They should have got medals for their service. They only laid down arms when there was no hope against the numbers. One of the reasons I truly despise the tabloids.

 

[Chicken Run]

Operation Journeyman was a complete success without a single loss of life

The Argentines rapidly became aware of the taskforce's presence, but their forces remained on Thule and Callaghan decided against the use of force to evict them.

No Loss of life
Complete success

Happy Friday btw

 

[Chicken Run]

They should have got medals for their service. They only laid down arms when there was no hope against the numbers. One of the reasons I truly despise the tabloids.

They got the South Atlantic Campaign medal surely?

 

[Chicken Run]

Which does beg the question why Margaret Thatcher didn't do exactly the same 4 and a bit years later

Operation Keyhole

 

[jackanada]

What a load of tosh! Every ship in the fleet was in touch with the UK 24/7 and vice versa. Back in them days we had teleprinters in the communications office. This was linked to a crypto machine. Signals are received by Radio Automatic Teletype (RATT) Through HF receivers. We could also transmit signals in the same way using murry code tikka tape. To know if the receiving station had received your signal 100% clear and readable (ZBZ5) they would respond to you in morse code. Each signal was given a priority code to determine the time it should take for the recipient to receive the signal. The fastest was a Flash signal denoted by a 'Z' and it would be expected for that signal to reach it's recipient in 10 mins or less anywhere in the world 24/7. There were a lot of Flash signals in 82. Flash signals are rarely used in peacetime.

I'm afraid I don't have contact details or even remember the name of the officer who told me this after explaining how they fired a cloud of tungsten chippings into the air so I'm afraid I can't get a technical explanation. Perhaps she insisted on voice communication? I don't know. Seems an odd thing for him to have made up though.

 

[Eeyore]

They got the South Atlantic Campaign medal surely?

They may have got that, but there were no gallantry awards. Just derision by the scummy tabloids.

They put up a huge fight and took out some of the enemy. Only surrendered when it was that or die. They could have just surrendered straight away but chose to fight until it was absurd to carry on. Heroes all. Unlike the scummy journalists drunk at 5 'o' clock by the typewriters.

*You may get the opinion I have a problem with the tabloids.

 

[Chicken Run]

They may have got that, but there were no gallantry awards. Just derision by the scummy tabloids.

They put up a huge fight and took out some of the enemy. Only surrendered when it was that or die. They could have just surrendered straight away but chose to fight until it was absurd to carry on. Heroes all. Unlike the scummy journalists drunk at 5 'o' clock by the typewriters.

*You may get the opinion I have a problem with the tabloids.

I had the same problem with Tabloids when the Mirror published fake photos of British Servicemen allegedly mistreating Iraqi POW’s, Morgan i think

 

[WATFORD zero]

The Argentines rapidly became aware of the taskforce's presence, but their forces remained on Thule and Callaghan decided against the use of force to evict them.

No Loss of life
Complete success

Happy Friday btw

Are you telling me that after Callaghan sent the secret taskforce that Argentina secretly invaded the Falklands in 1977, because Thule isn't part of the Falklands ?

Because if they didn't, then Operation Journeyman was a complete success in stopping the Falkland Islands being invaded with no loss of life

 

[Chicken Run]

Are you telling me that after Callaghan sent the secret taskforce that Argentina secretly invaded the Falklands in 1977, because Thule isn't part of the Falklands ?

Because if they didn't, then Operation Journeyman was a complete success in stopping the Falkland Islands being invaded with no loss of life

Then along came Galtieri in 81, well the rest is History

 

[BigBod]

I'm afraid I don't have contact details or even remember the name of the officer who told me this after explaining how they fired a cloud of tungsten chippings into the air so I'm afraid I can't get a technical explanation. Perhaps she insisted on voice communication? I don't know. Seems an odd thing for him to have made up though.

That is called Chaff, a ship fires into the air to confuse an Exocet missile and direct it away from its target…. It did work quite well in 82 and probably would have interfered with radio signals for a short time having been deployed. Once dispersed radio signals would have been back to normal.

 

[lawros left foot]

Best way to wind up a Royal Marine is ask him what instrument he plays....

When I worked in CinC Fleets house in Northwood a few Royal Marine bandys were providing chamber music for guests at a function in the house. The Colour Seargent bandsman had hung his jacket up in the staff room before the gig while he ate his scran. I walked in, looked at the jacket with all the medals, gold braid, red sash etc , and said” Oh, I didn’t realise Adam Ant was playing tonight “.
Royal Marine Colour Sergeants don’t have much of a sense of humour, he nearly made my ears bleed.

 

[lawros left foot]

I believe we have a contributer to NSC who lost a close relative, a nephew or cousin I think, on HMS Sheffield.
I can’t for the life of me remember who it is,but, I do remember the name of the young Sailor who made the ultimate sacrifice.

RIP, Andy Swallow.

And all the lads still ‘Down South’.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

I believe we have a contributer to NSC who lost a close relative, a nephew or cousin I think, on HMS Sheffield.
I can’t for the life of me remember who it is,but, I do remember the name of the young Sailor who made the ultimate sacrifice.

RIP, Andy Swallow.

And all the lads still ‘Down South’.

Pompeydel was on Sheffield and survived. He hasn’t posted for a while.

 

[jackanada]

That is called Chaff, a ship fires into the air to confuse an Exocet missile and direct it away from its target…. It did work quite well in 82 and probably would have interfered with radio signals for a short time having been deployed. Once dispersed radio signals would have been back to normal.

No chaff is foil to confuse as you say, firing a cloud of tungsten shards is to destroy the missile.