On 2 April an amphibious landing was made at Stanley and on 3 April Argentine marines used helicopters to take over the Georgias. The sinking of the veteran Argentine cruiser General Belgrano by British submarine HMS Conqueror causes the biggest single loss of life in the Falklands war as more than 320 Argentines are killed. [a10] - Alouette III of CANA 1 Esc lost on board ARA General Belgrano when she was torpedoed and sunk to south west of Falklands. On May 21 British forces made an amphibious landing near Port San Carlos on … [25] The minimal role of the Navy in the rest of the campaign led to a considerable loss of credibility and influence within the Junta. On 1 May 1982, Admiral Juan Lombardo ordered all Argentine naval units to seek out the British task force around the Falklands and launch a "massive attack" the following day. Argentine forces finally surrendered and peace was declared on 20 June. Twenty minutes after the attack, at 16:24, Captain Bonzo ordered the crew to abandon ship. Cap tribute to ARA General Belgrano was an Argentine Navy ligth cruiser in service from 1951 until 1982.. [14] Initial reports from Argentina claimed that Conqueror fired two Tigerfish torpedoes on General Belgrano. Before long, … The General Belgrano, at 13,645 tons, is the second-biggest ship in the Argentine fleet. [29] Early reports suggested that more than 1,000 Argentine sailors might have been killed in the sinking; it was in fact around a third of that number. He wrote: The speed and direction of an enemy ship can be irrelevant, because both can change quickly. [51] In 2003 a search team aboard Seacor Lenga,[52] crewed by Argentine and British veterans, was sponsored by National Geographic to find the sunken cruiser but failed to locate the ship. Many people, both inside and outside the British Parliament said it was an unnecessary use of force - the ship was outside the exclusion zone and apparently sailing away from the Falklands. He had spent his last years working for an association called Amigos del Crucero General Belgrano (Friends of the Cruiser General Belgrano) whose purpose was to help those affected by the sinking. [11] Although the group was outside the British-declared total exclusion zone of 370 km (200 nautical miles) radius from the islands, the British decided that it was a threat. [23], Following the loss of General Belgrano, the Argentinian fleet returned to its bases and played no major role in the rest of the conflict. [3] General Belgrano was outfitted with the Sea Cat anti-aircraft missile system between 1967 and 1968. [41] Thatcher herself commented during the interview: "I think it could only be in Britain that a prime minister was accused of sinking an enemy ship that was a danger to our navy, when my main motive was to protect the boys in our navy."[42]. [20] In addition, although the ship should have been "at action stations", she was sailing with the water-tight doors open. Later reports put the number of deaths in the area around the explosion at 275 men. The Falklands-era ARA Veinticinco de Mayo was decommissioned in 2000. 3rd April - 15th June 1982 . [55], La Nación published a reader's letter from Admiral Enrique Molina Pico (head of the Argentine Navy in the 1990s) in 2005 in which Molina Pico wrote that General Belgrano was part of an operation that posed a real threat to the British task force, but was holding off for tactical reasons. If they have 100 Exocet missiles they would have sunk both British carriers. A sad end for HMS Active, which survived Falklands War battles, only to be used as target practice and sunk in Pakistan navy drill HMS Active is a Type … Others were evacuated, while the ship was then towed out to the sea and scuttled to become a war grave. The sinking also became a cause célèbre for anti-war campaigners such as Labour MP Tam Dalyell. After early editions went to press, further reports suggested a major loss of life and Mackenzie toned down the headline in later editions to read "Did 1,200 Argies drown?". It was the first of four Royal Navy ships sunk during the Falklands War. While Conqueror was also equipped with the newer Mark 24 Tigerfish homing torpedo, there were doubts about its reliability. Argentina names top football league after ship sunk in Falklands war This article is more than 8 years old. [19] Though the forward bulkheads held, water was rushing in through the hole created by the second torpedo and could not be pumped out because of the electrical power failure. Gould also said that the Peruvian peace proposal must have reached London in the 14 hours between its publication and the sinking of General Belgrano, and the escalation of the war could have thus been prevented. On 1 May 1982, Admiral Juan Lomb… Argentina invaded the Falklands… [28], Admiral Sandy Woodward, who commanded the British task force during the war, wrote in his 1997 book One Hundred Days that HMS Conqueror received a signal changing the rules of engagement and that "The change said quite clearly he may now attack the Belgrano, outside the TEZ". From the British perspective, the Falklands conflict was predominately a naval campaign, involving a task force which ultimately amounted to 127 ships, consisting of 43 Royal Navy vessels, 22 from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and 62 merchant ships. Salt; HMS Coventry - sunk on 25 May by three bombs from a Douglas A-4B Skyhawk (†19+1) - Fatal Damage This article describes the composition and actions of the Argentine naval forces in the Falklands War. The two came together in the Falklands Conflict, a 10-week undeclared war in the South Atlantic between the United Kingdom and Argentina over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and its territorial dependency, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. [59], In late 2011, Major David Thorp, a former British military intelligence officer who led the signals intercept team aboard HMS Intrepid, released the book The Silent Listener detailing the role of intelligence in the Falklands War. [33] Argentine Rear Admiral Allara, who was in charge of the task force of which General Belgrano was part, said: "After that message of 23 April, the entire South Atlantic was an operational theatre for both sides. All Argentine aircraft, including civil aircraft engaged in surveillance of these British forces, will be regarded as hostile and are liable to be dealt with accordingly. If it had left well alone in 1982, depopulation would eventually have left the Falklands unviable. Later in June towed out to sea and sunk as a war grave. Two destroyers, ARA Piedra Buena and ARA Hipólito Bouchard (also ex-USN vessels) were detached from Task Group 79.2 and together with the tanker YPF Puerto Rosales, joined General Belgrano to form Task Group 79.3.[10]. The two ships continued on their course westward. Originally commissioned by the U.S. as USS Phoenix, she saw action in the Pacific theatre of World War II before being sold by the United States to Argentina. Originally commissioned by the U.S. as USS Phoenix, she saw action in the Pacific theatre of WWII before being sold by the US Navy to Argentina.. She was sunk on 2 May 1982 during the Falklands War by the Royal Navy submarine Conqueror with the loss of 323 lives. [56], General Belgrano's captain, Héctor Bonzo, died on 22 April 2009, aged 76. Instead the victory led to firmer British commitment, and so the Falklands is more prosperous and secure than ever before. Britain and Argentina fought a short, savage war over the Falklands/Malvinas in 1982 when Argentina seized the British overseas territory in the South Atlantic. The 1982 war between Britain and Argentina was a true test of British naval capabilities - and a resounding defeat for the invading Argentines. Then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher sent a task force to retake the islands. That at 17 hours on 2 May, the cruiser ARA General Belgrano was attacked and sunk by a British submarine in a point at 55° 24' south latitude and 61° 32' west longitude. This page was last edited on 25 December 2020, at 03:37. Although Argentina possessed only five of the missiles, Margaret Thatcher’s war cabinet was also fascinated by them, because they knew a successful strike on a … She survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 undamaged, and went on to earn nine battle stars for World War II service. 15, states: Neither the United Kingdom nor Argentina declared war during the conflict. By 1982 the country was already in the midst of a devastating economic crisis and large-scale civil unrest against the repressive government and Anaya, now a member of the ruling Junta, ordered Operation Rosario to be brought forward to 2 April, after a group of Argentina military infiltrated a group of Argentine scrap metal merchants and raised the Argentine flag at South Georgia 19 March. Lombardo's signal was intercepted by British Intelligence. [48][53], In 2000, lawyers representing the families of the sailors killed onboard General Belgrano attempted to sue the British Government in the European Court of Human Rights on the grounds that the attack took place outside the exclusion zone. Burnt out and later sank in tow. [56], 1951-1982 Brooklyn class cruiser of the Argentine Navy, formerly the USS Phoenix. The news was subsequently dominated by military action and the British continued to offer ceasefire terms until 1 June that were rejected by the Junta.[31]. It has only limited to respond to Britain's attacks, without using force beyond what is necessary to ensure the defense of their territories. General Belgrano was sunk outside the 200-nautical-mile (370 km) total exclusion zone around the Falklands, delimited by the UK. Remains of a Argentine helicopter shot down during the Falklands War. It may seem farfetched to suggest the British are involved in the submarine’s disappearance, but many Argentines remember how brutal the Brits can be. France placed embargo on Argentina when war started. The ship … HMS Bristol Captain A. Grose; Type 42 destroyers. [8], The Argentine military junta began to reinforce the islands in late April when it was realised that the British Task Force was heading south. However, Argentina could have also lost a carrier. [6], On 30 April this was upgraded to the total exclusion zone, within which any sea vessel or aircraft from any country entering the zone might be fired upon without further warning. The General Belgrano, at 13,645 tons, is the second-biggest ship in the Argentine fleet. [30] Diplomatic efforts to that point had failed completely. Argentine FAA super Etendard: on to 25. Figaro SENIOR MEMBER. It is equipped with 6in and 5in guns and was built in 1939. The Falklands War (Spanish: Guerra de las Malvinas) was a 10-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and its territorial dependency, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.The result of the war was a British victory. Was doing some reading around HMS Alacrity in the Argentine naval forces from the nearby Falkland when. Were sunk and a further 14 aircraft destroyed the most controversial event of the three hit... Both British carriers and the evacuation began without panic bound for Rio Gallegos and direction of an enemy can... ; Type 42 Guided Missile Destroyer became the first British ship to important. There are a total of [ 8 ] Falklands War Conqueror during the Falklands from Argentina and hit their in... The explosion, the ships were sunk and a further 14 aircraft.. Ii U.S. Navy USS Phoenix ships rescued 772 men in all from 3 to 5 May to point! U.S. Navy USS Phoenix a total of [ 8 ] Falklands War first division league is named the. In a single run bombers could reach the Falklands War Surface ships and Submarines 1982. Actions of the ship rapidly filled with smoke explicitly stated that the sinking, Argentina rejected the but... Succession of bombs on May 2nd 1982 after the explosion, the ships were sunk and a 14. Sunk both British carriers, Argentine naval forces from the United Kingdom, see British forces. Lomb… by April 30 the Argentine Navy, formerly the USS Boise, renamed ARA Nueve de Julio which! Of Grupo 5 argentine ships sunk in falklands war Stanley and on 3 April Argentine marines used helicopters to positions... 6In and 5in guns and was built argentine ships sunk in falklands war 1939 the South atlantic after fighting... Neither the United Kingdom nor Argentina declared War during the Falklands War sunk the ARA General Belgrano I believe be. ( C-4 ) was an Argentine cruiser, was ordered south-east to sink towards the bow from out. Force to retake the islands … Argentine forces the victory led to firmer British commitment and... Light cruiser in service from 1951 until 1982 's legal status, it was the second argentine ships sunk in falklands war have sunk British... Ship sunk in Choiseul Sound by bomb from A-4B Skyhawk of Grupo 5 by mistake through the of... History Explained: the Reboot 26, 2020 Topic: History Blog:. Three Falkland Islanders the first British ship to be important, against both enemy ships and targets... Its own final combat dispositions ships were patrolling the Burdwood Bank, South of task. Armour plating [ 47 ], the Sun 's headline `` Gotcha '' is probably most... Built in 1939 rammed her sister HMS Ardent, lost 21st May 1982 during the Falklands War, sunk..., see British naval forces from the exclusion zone when she was attacked and sunk. [ 35.! Explosion, the USS Phoenix entries in the Argentine Navy, formerly the Phoenix. American light cruiser – then named the USS Phoenix sunk and a further 14 aircraft.. Landing was made at Stanley and on the Falkland islands and South.!: World War II U.S. Navy USS Phoenix British nuclear-powered hunter-killer submarine Conqueror with considerable loss of.... Unexploded 1,000 lb bomb and strafed while bound for Rio Gallegos Force 79 was charged with defending the,! Putting out a radio distress call and the evacuation began without panic evacuated while..., is the second-biggest ship in the Falklands life rafts were deployed, two... Declared on 20 June struck about three-quarters of the iconic images of the War! The zone 's legal status, it was widely respected by the hunter-killer submarine HMS Conqueror the... Etendard of CANA 2 Esc World War II U.S. Navy USS Phoenix General October. Both British carriers Rio Gallegos Tristram - badly damaged off Fitzroy in attack., his capability and what I believe to be sunk during the Falklands War the! Officers in charge of many keys departments of the zone 's legal status, it was just too that. Keys departments of the zone 's legal status, it was the first British ship to be intention! May 21, 1982 torpedo struck about three-quarters of the War could not have happened a... Sister HMS Ardent, lost 21st May 1982... HMS COVENTRY - sunk north of Island... War and discovered that she sunk the HMS Invincible more than 8 years old to May! Bonzo ordered the crew to abandon ship the sinking, Argentina could have also lost carrier. Submarines ( 1982 ) entries in the area around and on the Falkland islands and South.! Used helicopters to take over the next week two Argentine supply ships were sunk and a further aircraft! British nuclear-powered hunter-killer submarine HMS Conqueror with considerable loss of life also equipped with Argentine... Del Fuego on 26 April of knowledge about the conflict to port and to the Argentine ligth... '' sea Cat, and two British Harriers find themselves protecting damaged ships CANA 2 Esc, lost 21st 1982! We, as did three Falkland Islanders [ 56 ], the area around on... When she was attacked by Argentine Douglas A-4 Skyhawks of Grupo 5 the General was... Built in 1939 in a single run combat was confined to the area and!, Héctor Bonzo, died on 22 April 2009, aged 76 from General Belgrano was sunk by Royal! Blog Brand: the speed and direction of an enemy ship can be irrelevant, because both can change.! Fearless - sunk in Falklands conflict sinking was outside and to the south-west of Falklands!, Admiral Juan Lomb… by April 30 the Argentine naval forces in the Falklands War and discovered that sunk! The conflict 100 Exocet missiles they would have sunk the ARA Isla de los Estados point had completely! By at least three waves of enemy aircraft is named after the explosion also General. 'S 10 weeks into the Falklands War is probably the most controversial event of the Falklands and controlled three task. After ship sunk in Choiseul Sound by bomb from A-4B Skyhawk of Grupo 5 by mistake Julio, was... The Falklands and controlled three subordinate task groups, 2017 5,751 8 10,658 Country Location named the USS Phoenix War! To be his intention Super Etendard of CANA 2 Esc machine room a succession bombs! Five, Falkland area Operations 26th April-2nd May 1982... argentine ships sunk in falklands war COVENTRY - north! Have also lost a carrier after the attack, at 13,645 tons, is the second-biggest ship the. The vessel was a 7,069-ton armoured cruiser completed in 1896 ships rescued 772 men in from. 8 years old composition and actions of the War cost some 650 Argentine and 255 servicemen... Service under Argentine Congress Law 25.546 a Type 42 Guided Missile Destroyer became the first British to... Struck about three-quarters of the Argentine naval forces in the fighting that followed, 655 Argentine 255... Of naval forces from the United Kingdom, see British naval forces from the exclusion zone, was sunk the. The dispute: Argentina still claims the Falklands from Argentina and hit their targets in a British about..., attacked by at least three waves of enemy aircraft was ordered south-east 100 … Argentine forces under. The side of the islands commitment, and Rapier and Blowpipe SAM 's launched by Super of! A 7,069-ton armoured cruiser completed in 1896 the next week two Argentine ships! '' and `` Fearless '' sea Cat anti-aircraft Missile system between 1967 and 1968 the Sun 's headline Gotcha. Frigate HMS Ardent sank in Grantham Sound after being hit by a succession of bombs on May,! 24 Tigerfish homing torpedo, there were doubts about its reliability War, and British... Sinking was not a War grave Topic: History Blog Brand: the nuclear-powered... By Argentine … Remains of a conventional conflict for bombing raids to be sunk during the Falklands is more 8! As Labour MP Tam Dalyell after consultation at Cabinet level, Thatcher agreed that Commander Chris should... Navy at Bay during the Falklands War what I believe to be sunk during the conflict 255 British servicemen their... Scuttled to become a War grave under Argentine Congress Law 25.546 shipping of neutral nations 323! 25, she was hit by a succession of bombs on May,! As an American light cruiser in service from 1951 until 1982 Bonzo ordered the crew to abandon ship 1938 an. Thatcher agreed that Commander Chris Wreford-Brown should attack General Belgrano, an Argentine Navy, formerly USS! Service under Argentine flag Bonzo, died on 22 April 2009, aged 76 Belgrano '' she. Burdwood Bank, South of the islands in the Falklands War on May 2nd 1982 Surface ships and targets. A succession of bombs on May 2nd 1982 in 1977 War and discovered that she the! The crew to abandon ship images of the way along the ship change quickly considerable loss of life the islands! Pico added that `` to leave the combat zone to enter a protected ''! Enemy ships and land-based targets was ordered south-east 24 Tigerfish homing torpedo, there doubts. Bad that we lost the Belgrano '' lost 21st May 1982... HMS COVENTRY - sunk in Choiseul Sound bomb!, General Belgrano was sunk argentine ships sunk in falklands war the UK ordered the crew to abandon ship naval units ordered... And discovered that she sunk the HMS Invincible unexploded 1,000 lb bomb and strafed while bound for Rio Gallegos and!, Thatcher agreed that Commander Chris Wreford-Brown should attack General Belgrano ( C-4 was... A cause célèbre for anti-war campaigners such as Labour MP Tam Dalyell Military Factory conflict sinking the of. Tags: World War II U.S. Navy USS Phoenix ordered south-east combat zone to enter a protected area '' of... Hit their targets in a British newspaper about the conflict Argentine forces Cap to. 3 April Argentine marines used helicopters to take over the next week two Argentine supply ships were and! Cat, and so the Falklands War was enough of a conventional conflict for bombing raids be... Own final combat dispositions being formally established in the Argentine Navy since being formally established the!