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It's been 27 years this past April since Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. Britain and Argentina have disputed ownership of the Falkland Islands for at nearly a couple hundred years. The Falkland Islands are an archipelago of several hundred islands, of which only a few are inhabited by less than 3000 people and approximately 600,000 sheep. The conflict lasted 74 days with 255 British and over 700 Argentine lives lost. The Argentines lost the war, but they have never given up their claim to the islands, which they say were inherited from the Spanish Empire. It boosted Margaret Thatcher's political fortunes, but was it worth the loss of life and expenditure of over $2 billion to defend these remote islands 8000 miles from Britain?
Sure. Because the defeat of the Argies not only established that a junta can't go on some half-cocked war, but it also led to the downfall of the junta that was running Argentina into the ground. The result is a more politically-stable country that won't embark on such adventures in the foreseeable future. At the same time, it probably served as a useful example to the rest of the world that even technically sophisticated countries aren't going to be able to wage war against a determined, first-line power such as the Americans and the Brits. The Argies haven't relinquished their claim on the Falklands, but for all practical purposes, I don't see the Brits giving up control of it in our lifetimes.
Sure. Because the defeat of the Argies not only established that a junta can't go on some half-cocked war, but it also led to the downfall of the junta that was running Argentina into the ground. The result is a more politically-stable country that won't embark on such adventures in the foreseeable future. At the same time, it probably served as a useful example to the rest of the world that even technically sophisticated countries aren't going to be able to wage war against a determined, first-line power such as the Americans and the Brits. The Argies haven't relinquished their claim on the Falklands, but for all practical purposes, I don't see the Brits giving up control of it in our lifetimes.
It also proved that the British military still has some of it's old professionalism and valor. At Goose Green for example, the Parachute Regiment was outnumbered almost 3 to 1 and had practically ran out of ammo yet they still managed to take the Argentine positions.
The Falklands War was alot closer then people think. Yes, the UK is a 1st rate power and Argentina is a 2nd rate power but the British had several serious problems that could have royally beeped up their fight:
- first and foremost the Exocet missile (thank God the Argentians only had about a dozen of them in total).
- This was further compounded by the Type 42's rather weak air defenses and the lack of combat aircraft (the Invincible class carriers could only handle about 8 Harriers).
- the British also had a severe lack of helicopter transport - this still plagues the British Army today.
- the horrid climate and weather conditions. Frostbite caused more casaulties then Argentinian bombs and bullets.
- the logistical requirements of operating so far from the UK.
Thankfully, they did learn from the Falklands War and the Type 45 destroyers have much more effective air defense weapons and radar and the new Queen Elizabeth II class carriers are more in line with the "supercarriers" of the US Navy. The British also have a much larger garrison in the Falklands today then at the time of the 1982 invasion - about 40 Royal Marines + 100 or so Falkland Islands Defense Force troops in 1982 vs 1 frigate, 1 patrol boat, and the HMS Endurance icebreaker from the Royal Navy, 4 fighter jets, 2 transport planes, and 2 Sea Kings from the RAF, and 1 infantry company, an engineer squadron and support units + the Falkland Islands Defense Force in 2009 - about 1,000 personnel total.
It was a British Victory. The Falkland Islands have been apart of Great Britain for hundreds of years and the Argentines came and tried to take them away and Britain defended and kept their islands.
It also proved that the British military still has some of it's old professionalism and valor. At Goose Green for example, the Parachute Regiment was outnumbered almost 3 to 1 and had practically ran out of ammo yet they still managed to take the Argentine positions.
The Falklands War was alot closer then people think. Yes, the UK is a 1st rate power and Argentina is a 2nd rate power but the British had several serious problems that could have royally beeped up their fight:
- first and foremost the Exocet missile (thank God the Argentians only had about a dozen of them in total).
- This was further compounded by the Type 42's rather weak air defenses and the lack of combat aircraft (the Invincible class carriers could only handle about 8 Harriers).
- the British also had a severe lack of helicopter transport - this still plagues the British Army today.
- the horrid climate and weather conditions. Frostbite caused more casaulties then Argentinian bombs and bullets.
- the logistical requirements of operating so far from the UK.
Thankfully, they did learn from the Falklands War and the Type 45 destroyers have much more effective air defense weapons and radar and the new Queen Elizabeth II class carriers are more in line with the "supercarriers" of the US Navy. The British also have a much larger garrison in the Falklands today then at the time of the 1982 invasion - about 40 Royal Marines + 100 or so Falkland Islands Defense Force troops in 1982 vs 1 frigate, 1 patrol boat, and the HMS Endurance icebreaker from the Royal Navy, 4 fighter jets, 2 transport planes, and 2 Sea Kings from the RAF, and 1 infantry company, an engineer squadron and support units + the Falkland Islands Defense Force in 2009 - about 1,000 personnel total.
Excellent points, all. Yet, despite the enormous distances, the total surprise on the part of the Argies, and some obvious setbacks, it demonstrates what a well-trained professional force can accomplish.
Excellent points, all. Yet, despite the enormous distances, the total surprise on the part of the Argies, and some obvious setbacks, it demonstrates what a well-trained professional force can accomplish.
Indeed. The Argies thought that the job of a soldier was to arrest political dissidents and bully their own populace. When the buggers ran into proper soldiers they didn't have a chance.
Indeed. The Argies thought that the job of a soldier was to arrest political dissidents and bully their own populace. When the buggers ran into proper soldiers they didn't have a chance.
Yup. I remember reading about one night assault on a position by the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards. The British commander, in order to avoid confusion in what would be a hand-to-hand melee, told his troops to fix bayonets and NOT shoot. That way, if anybody shot, they'd know who was the enemy. Totally routed the Argies. And proof of what happens when crack troops engage glorified paramilitaries.
Too late for me to post much here, but one reason there was so few helicopters available is that their supply ship carrying them got hit, I think by an Exocet.
Great posts here.
Just as a parting shot (no pun intended), I can still remember exactly where I was standing when I heard of the Argentinian surrender.
This war was within the lifetime of most of us, so a sort of informal poll---who were you rooting for?
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