Located 7000nm from Britain, the Falklands is the only major island group in the South Atlantic. Britain settled the islands and formally declared a colonial administration in 1842. Argentina had been laying claims to the Falklands since her independence, but when serious negotiations began in the 1960s they became dominated by the islanders' desire to remain British. The talks continued on and off for nearly twenty years and the position of both sides hardened, and in late 1980 the islanders rejected the one remaining solution of leaseback for a fixed period.
Map of the Falklands Islands
(Please make sure you have downloaded and installed the very latest DB2000 database before you start playing these scenarios.)
Aside from the land battles, most of the Falklands War battles were fought between Argentine aircraft and the British ships and carrier-borne Harriers. The two British carriers HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible (shown here) played a key role in the conflict.
A total of twenty Sea Harriers were deployed from HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible, inflicting serious losses on the Argentine air force by destroying 23 aircraft in air-to-air combat. In all, three Sea Harriers were lost to ground fire.
HMS Brilliant and HMS Broadsword were set up as close-in 'goalkeeper' escorts to the carriers Hermes and Invincible. The two frigates emerged from the campaign with excellent reputations, and the Seawolf missile system proved a great success.
The Sea Harrier FRS.1 was the primary weapon system for British strike and defense efforts throughout most of the campaign. The excellently trained British pilots established a sort of air supremacy over the Falklands by winning a few engagements on 1 May.
A total of eightteen RAF Harrier GR.3s were sent south where they mounted crippling strikes against Argentine troops using iron bombs, cluster bombs, and, in the closing stages of the war, a handful laser-guided Paveway II bombs.
Three RAF Vulcan bombers flew a total of seven Black Buck missions from Ascension Island to Port Stanley to bomb the occupied airfield there. Five raids were successfully completed, two were aborted.
Each Black Buck mission required eleven Victor tankers to refuel the Vulcans before and after their attacks on the Falklands.
None of the Vulcan raids actually destroyed Stanley runway, nor did they deny the Argentines using the runway. The craters were in fact heaps of earth placed there by the Argentines to make it look as though the runway was damaged.
Early in the morning of 3 May two Lynx helicopters from HMS Coventry and Glasgow armed with Sea Skuas sank the Argentine craft Comodoro Somellera and damaged the patrol ship Alférez Sobral.
The Task Force was protected by an array of modern radars and dozens of anti-aircraft missile systems including the new Sea Darts aboard the Type 42 destroyers. Shown here is HMS Glasgow.
HMS Sheffield was the first ship to be lost by the British. A Type 42 destroyer, it was hit by an Exocet missile on 4 May and later sank. Twenty-two sailors were killed in the attack.
Rothesay class HMS Yarmouth searched all day for the suspected Argentine submarine San Luis on 1 May, but failed to find her.
HMS Plymouth was involved in the operation to recapture South Georgia, and later covered the landings at San Carlos. During the war, she fired 9 SeaCat missiles, possibly destroying as many as 5 enemy aircraft.
The Argentine cruiser General Belgrano was sunk by the nuclear-powered submarine HMS Conqueror on 2 May, killing more than 350 Argentine sailors.
The Argentine Skyhawks, armed only with obsolete iron bombs, caused the heaviest losses to the Royal Navy by sinking a total of three and damaging several other ships. Twenty Skyhawks were lost in the war.
Despite being the principal Argentine air-to-air asset, the Mirages clashed with British fighters only two times and were subsequently used only sparsely. A total of twenty-two Mirage IIIs were shot down.
The four operational Super Etendards of the Argentine Navy mounted a series of attacks on the British Task force, sinking the destroyer Sheffield and the support ship Atlantic Conveyor with Exocet missiles.
British 2 Para and 40 Commando landed at San Carlos in the early morning of 21 May, followed by 3 Para and 45 Commando later in the day.
HMS Fearless was one of twelve amphibious ships that entered the Falklands Sound and San Carlos Water on 21 May.
The landing at San Carlos prompted an immediate Argentine response. Around two hours after dawn the first air attacks occurred. First out were Pucaras and MB.339s based on the Falklands, soon followed by Daggers, Mirage IIIEAs and Skyhawks from the Argentine mainland.
The first major Argentine air attacks against the British landing forces took place between 1030 and 1300 hrs local time.
To meet these attacks the British forces had a number of problems that gave the Argtentine an opportunity to strike a crippling blow against the landing force. Queen Elizabeth II was nearly hit by bombs while anchored in San Carlos Water.
The attacks took place with no real coordination, but the panache, skill and bloody-minded determination with which the Argentine Air Force and Navy pilots pressed home their attacks impressed British commanders.
HMS Antrim, Ardent, Argonaut and Broadsword were all attacked in the air strikes on 21 May. HMS Antelope was hit by several UBX's, one of the bombs detonated during the removal of its fuse. The ship broke in half and sank just off Ajax Bay.
Despite the losses, at the end of 21 May the landings had proceeded to plan and had been entirely sucessful. 3,000 British troops and 1,000 tons of supplies were now ashore.
Thirteen Argentine aircraft were shot down on 21 May, nine by Sea Harriers, three by the ships and the last one by the SAS.
HMS Ardent was hit by a total of seven bombs that exploded, and a further two that did not explode. The ship was abandoned and later sank.
The heaviest British losses at sea came on 25 May when two ships were lost. HMS Coventry and HMS Broadsword were attacked by several waves of Skyhawks while positioned to the north of Falkland Sound as a 42-22 missile trap.
Hit by three bombs, HMS Coventry, well ablaze, slowly rolled over and sank.
The support ship Atlantic Conveyor carried a number of British aircraft and helicopters to the Falklands.
Atlantic Conveyor was hit by a pair of Argentine Exocet missiles on the 25th of May. She was set ablaze and later sank.
The British Fleet Air Arm Sea Harriers could each carry a pair of US-made AIM-9L Sidewinder heat-seeking missiles. This gave the Sea Harrier pilots a great deal more flexibility and allowed them to engage targets head-on.
Sea Dart launch. A total of five Type 42 destroyers participated in the war, scoring seven confirmed kills with their advanced long-range Sea Dart missiles.
The plan was for the Type 42's Sea Dart missile system to be able to attack any raider at medium range, while the Type 22's Sea Wolf missiles would attack any aircraft that penetrated to close range.
The obsolete Sea Cat anti-aircraft missile was guided by crewmen who relied on visual contact.
Arming the County class destroyers, the Sea Slug SAM was used for amongst other things, destroying surface targets.
Highly mobile and capable of being mounted on a trailer or on a tracked vehicle, the British Army Rapier missile system showed its worth in the Falklands War.
Argentine losses were heavy, but so were the Royal Navy's, and only the hit on HMS Glamorgan by a land-based Exocet at the end of the war was not due to aircraft.
In two of the five successful Black Buck mission the Vulcans were armed with Shrike anti-radar missiles. Their mission was to take out the air defence and surveillance radars around Stanley.
Away from its few shore bases, the Royal Navy could not have operated without the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships. The antarctic winter made underway replenishment en especially hazardous affair.
Grytviken whaling station, South Georigia.
The ice patrol ship HMS Endurance played a key role in the retaking of South Georgia. This photograph was taken at Grytviken, South Georgia.
The wrecked Argentine submarine Santa Fe was grounded near Grytviken, South Georgia, after being attacked by Royal Navy helicopters on 25 April. Riding on the surface, she was hit by a Mk11 depth charge, several AS.12 missiles, and machinegun fire.
Having convincingly defended British sovereignty, the Royal Marines stationed in Port Stanley surrendered to Argentine troops on 2 April 1982.
Argentine infantry showing off in Stanley shortly after the invasion.
On 14 May a raid on Pebble Island by the SAS and SBS took place. With HMS Glamorgan providing gunfire support, the commandos destroyed all aircraft stationed there, six Pucaras, four Turbo Mentors and a Short Skyvan, as well as the radar installation, fuel and ammunition dumps
HMS Sir Galahad and HMS Sir Tristram were caught out in the open near Fitzroy on 8 June. Five Skyhawks put several bombs into the crowded Sir Galahad and hit Sir Tristram with two UXBs. 50 men were killed, and Sir Galahad was later scuttled at sea as a war grave.
3 Para after the Battle for Mount Longdon.
Gurkha Rifles on the northern side of Tumbledown Mountain.
5 Brigade Intelligence Section arriving at the Darwin Goose Green area by Sea King helicopter.
Royal Marines make their final 'yomp' towards Stanley.
General Menendez, commander of the occupying Argentine troops and military governor of the Falklands, signed the surrender document on 14 June at 9:30 pm local time aboard HMS Plymouth, ending the war.
On 2 May, HMS Conqueror became the first nuclear powered submarine to fire in anger when she sank General Belgrano. The submarine returned to Britain flying the Jolly Roger, a customary act of Royal Navy submarines after a "kill".
Battered, but unbowed, the Type 42 air-defence destroyer HMS Glasgow returns home from the Falklands War.
The 1982 War Memorial at Port Stanley, Falklands Islands.
The Retaking of South Georgia
LOCATION: SOUTH ATLANTIC
DATE/TIME: 21 APRIL 1982, 00:00:00
Argentina had long claimed South Georgia as a dependency of the Falklands. The opportunity to exercise this claim was provided in early 1982 by an Argentine businessman who was contracted to clear away scrap whaling material littering parts of the island.
Although there is no conclusive evidence the Argentine Government deliberately planned what followed, the illegal entry to South Georgia lead to invasion. The Argentine fleet transport Bahia Buen Suceso arrived at Leith on Friday 19 March and started operations without observing the usual formalities of reporting first to the island's Magistrate. The ship was later spotted with the Argentine flag flying, and refused to obtain proper authorisation. On 3 April a battle erupted between 22 British marines on the island and 100 Argentine marines and the frigate ARA Guerrico. The Royal marines, trapped and having convincingly defended British sovereignty, surrendered after a short but intense battle.
On the morning of 21 April, a British Task Group, consisting of the destroyer Antrim, frigate Plymouth, ice patrol ship Endurance, and RFA Tidespring, arrived off South Georgia.
Wednesday 21 April:
00:00:00: Operation Paraquat - the recapture of South Georgia, is set in motion under great secrecy. The Task Group heads toward South Georgia to take up position about 50nm north east of the island. The submarine HMS Conqueror has already been on patrol for two days looking for Argentine ships.
12:00:00: A SAS observation post is set up on the Fortuna glacier near Leith. The men are flown in using the three available Wessex'.
(Author's note: SAS forces work the same way normal bombs do. So to complete this part of the mission simply order the helicopters to attack the landing site.)
Thursday 22 April:
01:00:00: HMS Endurance is detached from the Task Group and sails towards Hound Bay to insert a SBS team.
06:00:00: The SBS troops land from HMS Endurance by Gemini assault craft near Hound Bay and move towards Grytviken. After unloading, HMS Endurance does not leave but instead stays close to the coast among the ice.
11:00:00: The SAS team on the Fortuna glacier is subjected to Antarctic weather conditions and requests evacuation. However a first attempt to pick them up by three Wessex helicopters fails.
(Authors note: It is not possible to pick up troops 'for real' in this game, so to complete this mission you simply have to fly to the spot where you dropped off the SAS team, hover for a few minutes, and then fly back.)
13:30:00: A second attempt to pick up the SAS team is made, using the two Wessex' on HMS Tidespring.
16:30:00: Both of HMS Tidespring's helicopters crash in appalling weather conditions, amazingly with no casualties, and HMS Antrim's single Wessex flies in to rescue the seventeen stranded men.
17:00:00: HMS Brilliant is detached from the Carrier Task Force with her two Lynx' and is ordered to join up with the Task Group to replace HMS Tidespring's two Wessex helicopters lost during SpecOps.
20:00:00: A Nimrod from Ascension makes a radar reconnaissance flight off the South Georgian coast.
21:00:00: HMS Antrim leaves the Task Group and sails towards Leith to insert a SAS team.
23:00:00: Five Gemini assault craft carrying the SAS team set out from HMS Antrim and head for Leith. By Friday morning the SAS men are in position. HMS Antrim then leaves the coast and joins up with the other Task Group ships.
Friday 23 April:
03:00:00: Radio intercepts suggests the Argentine submarine Santa Fe is heading for South Georgia. Due to the underwater threat all Task Group ships except HMS Endurance are ordered to retreat 200nm out to sea.
22:00:00: A Nimrod from Ascension makes a second radar reconnaissance flight off the South Georgian coast.
Saturday 24 April:
08:00:00: Stopped by glacier ice, the SBS men lay up near Sorling Valley. HMS Endurance's helicopters pick them up and bring them back to the ship.
16:00:00: HMS Antrim, HMS Plymouth and HMS Brilliant are ordered to sail back to South Georgia to deal with the submarine threat, leaving HMS Tidespring some 200nm behind in comparative safety. The ships' helicopters prepare to hunt down the submarine Santa Fe, and are armed with Mk11 depth charges (Wessex), Mk46 torpedoes (Lynx) and AS.12 missiles (Wasp).
Sunday 25 April:
06:00:00: The three warships plus HMS Endurance take up position 40nm off Grytviken. A depth charge-armed Wessex starts looking for the Santa Fe. The submarine has left Grytviken early this morning and is most likely sailing on the surface, so you can use radar to help localise her. When spotted, she is attacked with Mk11 depth charges, Mk46 torpedoes and AS.12 missiles.
11:00:00: With the damaged Santa Fe's return to Grytviken and the potential Argentine defenders now numbering some 140, a decision is made to land whatever force that can be mustered without waiting for the bulk of marines to arrive on HMS Tidespring. A company of 75 men is being assembled from the SAS, SBS and Royal Marines.
13:35:00: HMS Antrim and HMS Plymouth lay down a 4.5inch gun barrage all around the Argentine positions at King Edward Point.
13:50:00: The first wave of the ad hoc force is landed by HMS Antrim's Wessex and HMS Brilliant's two Lynx' near the whaling station at Grytviken.
15:35:00: The second wave lands by helicopter.
17:05:00: As the British forces advance towards the Argentines, white flags are hoisted and they surrender without a shot being fired.
Monday 26 April:
06:00:00: The small detachment of Argentine Marines at Leith is contacted by radio but refuses to surrender. HMS Plymouth and HMS Endurance sail off to Leith.
07:00:00: With the arrival of British warships, the Argentine Marines at Leath give in. South Georgia is back in British hands. No British troops have been lost in the operation.
08:00:00: Scenario end.
Falklands Area Operations
LOCATION: SOUTH ATLANTIC
DATE/TIME: 1 MAY 1982, 00:00:00
Located 7000nm from Britain and 300nm east of the Strait of Magellan, the Falkland Islands is the only major island group in the South Atlantic. In 1982 the islands had a population of approximately 1800, over 1000 of them staying in the capital, Port Stanley. Lying 900 miles east - south east of the Falklands, the 100 mile-long island of South Georgia was populated by twenty or so staff of the British Antarctic Survey.
Britain settled the Falkland Islands and formally declared colonial administration in 1842. Argentina had been laying claims to the previous colonial territories since her independence from Spain in 1916 and from the 1960s she pressed her claim with increasing vigour. The talks continued on and off for almost twenty years. But the position of both sides hardened, and in late 1980 the islanders rejected the one remaining solution of leaseback for a fixed period.
At about 4:30am on 2 April 1982 Argentine forces landed on the Falklands. Governor (later Sir) Rex Hunt surrendered after a brief defence by the detachment of Royal Marines. The next day British Prime Minister Thatcher announced the dispatch of the Task Force and the UN approved Resolution 502. But talks with the Argentine Junta ended without an acceptable conclusion on 16 April, and on 30 April the British task force entered the 200nm Total Exclusion Zone (TEZ) around the islands.
Saturday 1 May:
00:00:00: The CVBG (Carrier Battle Group) sails towards the Falklands and takes up position 70nm to the south east of Stanley. HMS Brilliant and HMS Broadsword stays close in with the carriers. Near them is a screen of RFAs, further out is four frigates and, twenty miles up-threat, three Type 42s as a picket line. Four Sea Harriers provide a continuous CAP (Combat Air Patrol) cover for the CVBG and Sea Kings search for enemy submarines.
04:40:00: Black Buck 1. A single Vulcan B.2 bomber based on the Ascension Island attacks the runway at Stanley airfield. The strike is timed so that the aircraft arrives over the target at 4:40am local time. The 21x 1000lb bombs are dropped from 8,000ft (3000m).
08:00:00: Nine Sea Harriers fly off Hermes to attack installations and stores at Stanley airfield. Four of the aircraft are armed with 1000lb GPBs (Genral Purpose Bombs) and the remaining five with BL.755 CBUs (Cluster Bomb Units). Three more Sea Harriers attack the small airfield at Goose Green with CBUs.
10:00:00: HMS Brilliant, HMS Yarmouth and three ASW Sea Kings from HMS Hermes search for the Argentine submarine San Luis that is suspected to be operating to the north east of the Falklands in the area marked by Ref Points 5-8. The search ends when the Sea Kings reach
bingo fuel and all units head back to the CVBG.
16:00:00: HMS Glamorgan, HMS Alacrity and HMS Arrow arrive on station three nautical miles off Stanley to stage the first of many bombardments of the Stanley area. A single Lynx is used to provide naval gunfire spotting.
(Author's note: fire only about 150 4.5in rounds, the ammo must last for the duration of the scenario). Four Sea Harriers fly constant CAP over the group.
Sunday 2 May:
01:00:00: Three SAS teams land by Sea King HC.4s near Stanley under the covering fire from HMS Glamorgan, HMS Alacrity and HMS Arrow. Four more SAS teams land near Bluff Cove, Goose Green, Fox Bay and Port Howard to watch the Argentine garrisons based there.
01:30:00: The ships at the gunline near Stanley withdraw to the CVBG.
06:00:00: A RAF Canberra PR.9 reconnaissance plane operating from Chile starts searching for the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano. The ship is believed to be located 250nm south of the Falklands in the area marked by Ref Points 1-4. When she is located, the submarine HMS Conqueror closes in to shadow her.
16:00:00: Although outside the 200nm TEZ (Total Exclusion Zone) around the Falkland Islands, the British War Cabinet decides to remove General Belgrano from the theatre. HMS Conqueror attacks the cruiser and sinks her with three Mark 8 torpedoes.
22:00:00: HMS Glamorgan, HMS Alacrity and HMS Arrow launch the second round of bombardments of the Stanley area.
Monday 3 May:
00:00:00: The gun-line ships withdraw to the CVBG.
01:00:00: Sea Kings search for and locate two Argentine patrol boats to the north of the Falkland Islands. Coventry's and Glasgow's Lynx helicopters attack both boats with Sea Skua missiles.
Tuesday 4 May:
04:30:00: Black Buck 2. A single Vulcan bomber attacks the runway at Stanley airfield. The bombs are dropped from 16,000ft (5000m).
12:00:00: The carriers move to a new station 100nm east of the islands.
13:00:00: Three Sea Harriers attack the Goose Green airstrip with CBUs.
Wednesday 5 - Friday 7 May:
Bad weather, no operations.
Saturday 8 May:
00:00:00: The TEZ is widened from 200nm around the Falklands to within 12nm of Argentina's coast. The CVBG sails to a new patrol area 60nm due east of Stanley.
16:00:00: HMS Alacrity bombards the Stanley area. HMS Brilliant and her Lynx sails to the north of the Falklands and pass through the Falkland Sound in an attempt to intercept enemy supply ships.
17:00:00: HMS Coventry and HMS Broadsword move to within 10nm of Stanley to enforce the air blockade and lure out Argentine aircraft.
Sunday 9 May:
02:00:00: HMS Alacrity and HMS Brilliant return to the CVBG.
11:30:00: Two Sea Harriers set out to bomb Stanley. However the Argentine intelligence trawler Narwhal is detected on the way to the target and the aircraft are cleared to attack this ship instead. If the Sea Harriers fail to sink her, use two Sea Kings to land a SBS boarding party.
(Author's note: SBS forces work the same way normal bombs do. So to complete this part of the mission, simply order the helicopters to attack the ship.)
22:00:00: HMS Coventry and HMS Broadsword return to the CVBG.
Monday 10 May:
00:00:00: Bad weather restricts fixed-wing flying operations.
08:00:00: HMS Glasgow and HMS Brilliant replace HMS Coventry and HMS Broadsword in the radar picket and bombardment duties of Stanley.
16:00:00: HMS Arrow moves around the Falklands to the north end of the Falkland Sound while her sister ship HMS Alacrity enters from the south and sails right through to flush out any enemy supply ships and to check for sea mines. Attack and sink any enemy ships encountered. The two warships then join up and head back around the island to join the CVBG again on Tuesday morning.
Tuesday 11 May:
00:00:00: Bad weather prevents fixed-wing flying operations.
19:00:00: A SAS reconnaissance team is landed by a Sea King HC.4 helicopter on the northern coast of West Falklands. The men will then paddle in canoes to Pebble Island to gather information about the small Argentine airfield there.
Wednesday 12 May:
12:00:00: Three Sea Harriers mount a high-level bombing raid on Stanley using 1000lb bombs.
16:00:00: HMS Coventry and HMS Broadsword withdraw to the CVBG.
Thursday 13 May:
Bad weather, no operations.
Friday 14 May:
00:00:00: The CVBG takes up a new position 60nm to the north east of Stanley.
10:00:00: Four Sea Harriers drop 1000lb bombs on Stanley airfield.
16:00:00: A pair of Sea Harriers take off as part of the normal CAP cycle. But in addition to carrying the standard load of two Sidewinders, both aircraft also carry a single 1000lb bomb on the centre fuselage pylon. Once in the air, the Sea Harriers head directly for Stanley and drop their single bomb from medium altitude, and then carry on with their CAP duties.
18:00:00: HMS Hermes and her escort HMS Broadsword together with HMS Glamorgan in the fire support role leave the CVBG and heads for Pebble Island at a speed of 20kt. Before departing, HMS Hermes takes aboard four Sea King HC.4 helicopters.
23:00:00: HMS Hermes and HMS Brilliant reach their station 40nm north of Pebble Island while HMS Glamorgan has moved to within gunfire range of the airfield. Four Sea Kings HC.4s from HMS Hermes then fly in 48 SAS attackers. The airfield is put out of action and all Argentine aircraft based there are destroyed. The warships return to the CVBG in the morning.
Saturday 15 May:
00:00:00: Bad weather prevents flying operations most of the day.
14:00:00: Four Sea Harriers attack Stanley with 1000lb bombs.
15:00:00: Six Sea Harriers assigned to CAP drop single 1000lb bombs on Stanley before carrying on with their primary mission.
18:30:00: HMS Alacrity leaves the CVBG. During the night she sails into the Falkland Sound from the north to insert a SBS/NGFO team near San Carlos Water. This is the area where the amphibious landing will take place on the 21st of May. HMS Alacrity is back with the CVBG the next morning.
Sunday 16 May:
06:00:00: Black Buck 3. Mission cancelled.
12:00:00: Two Sea Harriers bomb and strafe the blockade running cargo ship Rio Carcarana at anchor in the Falkland Sound. Two more Sea Harriers search for and destroy the Argentine transport Bahia Buen Suceso operating in the same area.
16:00:00: A pair of Sea Harriers carry out an armed photo reconnaissance flight over Stanley, Goose Green and Pebble Island. Both aircraft carry a recon pod under the centre fuselage and two 1000lb bombs under the wings. The bombs are dropped as the aircraft pass over Stanley.
22:00:00: HMS Glamorgan sets out to convince the Argentines that the upcoming landing will take place on East Falkland, south of the capital. She moves up and down the coast and carries out bombardment of Stanley, Bluff Cove, Fitzroy and Goose Green.
Monday 17 May:
00:00:00: Today is Argentina's Navy Day and major offensive actions are expected. The CVBG moves south to a new patrol station 60nm south east of Stanley.
08:00:00: Two CAP Sea Harriers drop 1000lb bombs on Stanley.
16:00:00: A pair of Sea Harriers carry out a reconnaissance flight over Goose Green and Fox Bay.
18:00:00: HMS Invincible and escort HMS Brilliant leave the CVBG and head towards the Argentine mainland.
24:00:00: 200nm from the mainland, a single Sea King HC.4 takes off from Invincible carrying SAS special forces bound for Rio Grande. Here, the men will hide up and report on Argentine aircraft as they take off to attack the Task Force. The SAS team will be picked up later by the small and manoeuvrable diesel-submarine HMS Onyx.
Tuesday 18 May:
02:00:00: It is decided that HMS Invincible cannot risk waiting for the Sea King HC.4 to return. The carrier and her escort head back to the CVBG, and the crew of the Sea King is ordered to fly to Punta Arenas in Chile and destroy their helicopter.
08:00:00: Six Sea Harriers assigned to CAP drop single 1000lb bombs on Stanley before carrying on with their air-defence duties.
11:00:00: The CVBG sails north to join up with the landing group, 200nm to the north east of Stanley. HMS Glamorgan is left behind to carry out another round of bombardments of Stanley during the coming night.
12:00:00: Scenario end.
San Carlos Landing part 1
LOCATION: SOUTH ATLANTIC
DATE/TIME: 20 MAY 1982, 00:00:00
On Tuesday 18 May the Amphibious Task Group joins up with the carriers 200nm north east of the Falklands. The San Carlos war plans are now presented to the full British Cabinet and Admiral Woodward is given the go ahead by the war cabinet. Final preparations are put in hand for the landing, which takes place early on Friday morning.
Equipment and stores, men and helicopters are re-distributed for the landing through Tuesday into Wednesday. Eleven assault Sea King HC.4s are moved around to four of the ships that will enter San Carlos Water. Atlantic Conveyor flies off four of her embarked Sea Harriers to Invincible and the remaining four with the six RAF Gr.3s to Hermes. The Amphibious Task Group finally sets sails for the Falkland Sound on the early morning of 20 May.
Thursday 20 May:
00:00:00: Operation Sutton, the landing at San Carlos, is launched. Carrying five battalions of the 3rd Commando Brigade, the twelve ships in the Amphibious Group sail towards the Falkland Sound escorted by the seven warships; HMS Antrim, HMS Ardent, HMS Argonaut, HMS Brilliant, HMS Broadsword, HMS Plymouth and HMS Yarmouth. Four Sea Harriers provide constant CAP cover for the group and another four over the CVBG. The amphibious group is scheduled to arrive 5nm north of the Falklands Sound at midnight.
01:00:00; HMS Glamorgan carries out her second nightly deception bombardment of Stanley, Bluff Cove, Fitzroy and Goose Green, trying to convince the Argentines the landing will take place on the West Falklands near the capital.
(Author's note: Fire only about 150 4.5in rounds, the ammo must last for the duration of the scenario)
02:00:00: A Sea King HC.4 lands a SAS team near Goose Green. Here, the men will march towards the Argentine garrison and launch a diversionary raid on the night of the landing.
(Author's note: SAS teams work the same way bombs do. So to complete this part of the mission, simply order the helicopters to attack the landing site).
08:00:00: HMS Glamorgan retreats out to the open sea.
18:00:00: Three RAF Harrier GR.3s armed with CBUs bomb the fuel dump at Fox Bay East.
19:00:00: HMS Antrim and HMS Ardent leave the main amphibious group to make the run-in to the Falkland Sound.
22:00:00: Glamorgan returns to stage her third 'one-man amphibious landing' on the south coast.
23:00:00: A half company of Argentine infantrymen holds an outpost on the 800ft-high Fanning Head overlooking the entrance to San Carlos Water. Two Wessex' to fly in 25 SBS men and a naval gunfire observer to deal with the threat. HMS Antrim supports the operation by plastering the Argentine position with 4.5in gunfire. At the same time HMS Ardent hurries through the entrance of the Falkland Sound and sails south to the Grantham Sound near Goose Green.
23:30:00: HMS Antrim moves into the Falkland Sound.
Friday 21 May:
00:00:00: Low cloud and poor visibility has hidden the amphibious group all Thursday and it has not been spotted by the enemy.
00:30:00: From their position 5nm north of the Falkland Sound entrance, the amphibious group is split into three smaller groups scheduled to arrive at the jump-off point outside San Carlos Water (marked by Ref Points 1-4) in three separate waves inside a five hour time-frame. The first ships to set out are HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid escorted by HMS Yarmouth.
01:00:00: Canberra, Fort Austin, Norland and Stromness escorted by HMS Plymouth and HMS Brilliant head for the jump-off point.
01:30:00: The SAS team in the hills near Goose Green launch their raid supported by gunfire from HMS Ardent out in the Grantham sound.
02:30:00: HMS Plymouth sails into San Carlos Water to cover the sixteen landing craft (LCU and LCVP) as they leave HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid heading for the beach.
04:30:00: The landing craft carrying the first wave beaches at San Carlos. 2 Para and 40 Cdo land first, and the Paras move south to prevent the Argentines at Goose Green from occupying the Sussex Mountains.
05:30:00: The landing ships Sir Galahad, Sir Geraint, Sir Lancelot, Sir Percivale and Sir Tristram, plus the Europic Ferry, are escorted to the jump-off point by HMS Argonaut and HMS Broadsword.
06:00:00: The landing craft have returned to the amphibious ships outside San Carlos Water to pick up the second wave. This includes most of 45 Cdo from Stromness with Z Coy and all of 3 Para from Intrepid. 45 Cdo goes ashore at Ajax Bay and 3 Para at Port San Carlos to complete the encirclement of the anchorage. All high ground is secured before first light. 42 Cdo remains on Canberra as reserve.
07:00:00: Helicopters start flying equipment ashore. Sea Kings will work all day to bring in the twelve Rapier firing posts and the other equipment of the T Bty.
07:30:00: The Union Jack is raised by 40 Cdo above San Carlos.
08:00:00: Two Harrier Gr.3s bomb and strafe Argentine helicopters on the ground near Mount Kent.
09:00:00: Glamorgan ends her bombardment deception activities and heads back to the CVBG.
10:00:00: A lone Harrier Gr.3 carries out a reconnaissance run over Port Howard.
11:00:00: HMS Antrim sails towards San Carlos Water.
12:00:00: With four battalion ashore and the three beachheads secured, the twelve ships of the amphibious group enter San Carlos Water. Canberra and the larger ships anchor in the deeper water to the north, and the smaller LSL's nearer San Carlos. The escorts patrol nearby in the Falkland Sound.
15:00:00: HMS Ardent leaves the Grantham Sound and heads for the protection of the other escorts off San Carlos Water.
20:00:00: At the end of this long and violent day the merchantmen Canberra, Europic Ferry and Norland, although only partly unloaded and still carrying much of the infantry unit stores, leave for the safety of the CVBG escorted by HMS Antrim. The amphibious ships and the other escorts stay behind.
20:30:00: A beachhead has successfully been secured on the Falklands. Four battalions of the 3 Cdo Bde is ashore with their Rapiers and artillery together with some ammo, and the Marines and Paras are digging in and actively patrolling.
21:00:00: Scenario end.
San Carlos Landing part 2
LOCATION: SOUTH ATLANTIC
DATE/TIME: 22 MAY 1982, 01:00:00
A beachhead has been successfully secured on the Falklands. Paras and Marines have landed with their Rapiers, artillery and ammo. A start has also been made on bringing a major part of the combat stores ashore, and the British forces are digging in and actively patrolling. Two assault ships, five LSLs, and the merchants Fort Austing and Stromness are still in San Carlos Water. Brilliant, Plymouth, Yarmouth and the damaged Argonaut remain in direct support, and Broadsword and Coventry stay to the north of Pebble Island as a SAM trap for incoming Argentine aircraft.
Saturday 22 May:
01:00:00: Overnight anti-submarine sweeps are carried out around San Carlos Water by HMS Brilliant, HMS Plymouth, HMS Yarmouth and HMS Argonaut. HMS Broadsword and HMS Coventry are on station north west of Pebble Island acting as a SAM trap for attacking aircraft. Two to three pairs of Sea Harriers fly CAP over the beachhead, with two more pairs protecting the CVBG. HMS Antrim, Canberra, Europic Ferry and Norland left San Carlos Water on the night of the 21st and sailed back to the CVBG. During the night the CVBG has been joined by three ships arriving fresh from the UK; HMS Exeter, HMS Ambuscade and HMS Antelope. The Bristol Group left the Ascension island on Wednesday 19th May and will join up with the CVBG on the morning of Wednesday 26th.
02:00:00: HMS Antelope leaves the CVBG to replace the lost Ardent in San Carlos Water.
06:00:00: The Argentine patrol craft Rio Iguaza has left Stanley with Pucara spares and 105mm guns for Goose Green. Use Sea Harriers on CAP to locate and strafe her.
08:00:00: After completing their ASW sweeps, the British warships in the Falklands Sound move to the safer San Carlos Water. HMS Yarmouth and HMS Argonaut guard the entrance while HMS Plymouth and HMS Brilliant are positioned inside.
10:00:00: Four Harrier GR.3s attack the fuel dump at Goose Green with CBUs.
12:00:00: HMS Brilliant and HMS Yarmouth move south through the Falklands Sound to take up position to the south east of the islands.
18:00:00: The Argentine coaster Monsunen is known to be heading to Stanley from Goose Green. HMS Brilliant, HMS Yarmouth and several Lynx' start searching for her. When found, one of HMS Brilliant's Lynx helicopters attempts boarding her with a SBS boarding party.
(Author's note: SBS teams work the same way normal bombs do. To board the ship simply order the helicopter to attack it).
If the SBS team fails to capture the Monsunen, close in and attack her with your ships. HMS Yarmouth then sails back to San Carlos, while HMS Brilliant heads for the CVBG to resume her earlier carrier point-defense mission.
20:00:00: Sir Bedivere, Norland and escort HMS Arrow leave the CVBG and sail towards San Carlos Water.
Sunday 23 May:
02:00:00: With HMS Brilliant heading back to the CVBG, HMS Broadsword sails to San Carlos Water to take her place. At the same time HMS Coventry leaves her station near Pebble Island and returns to the CVBG.
08:00:00: Three Harrier GR.3s attack Dunnose Head with 1000lb bombs. Three Sea Harriers attack Pebble Beach with cluster bombs to destroy the Pucaras based there.
20:00:00: HMS Resource leaves the CVBG with stores for the beachhead escorted by HMS Coventry and HMS Ambuscade.
22:00:00: Four Sea Harriers armed with cluster bombs attack Stanley airfield.
24:00:00: By the end of the day the bridgehead on the Falkland Islands has been consolidated with 5,000 troops ashore.
Monday 24 May:
08:00:00: HMS Coventry and HMS Broadsword return to their old "SAM Trap" station to the north of Pebble Island.
10:00:00: Three Harrier GR.3s and three Sea Harriers attack Stanley using 1000lb bombs.
20:00:00: Stromness, Norland, Sir Bedivere and Sir Tristam are escorted back to the CVBG by HMS Amuscade.
Tuesday 25 May:
00:00:00: Today is the Argentine National Day, and fierce attacks are expected. The CVBG starts moving to within 60nm of the islands to cover Atlantic Conveyor's passage to San Carlos the coming night and allowing Sea Harriers to stay longer on CAP (Combat Air Patrol) over the beachhead.
01:00:00: HMS Coventry and HMS Broadsword move their station to about 10nm north of Pebble Island.
08:00:00: Three Harrier GR.3s attack the airfield at Stanley with cluster bombs. Three more Sea Harriers attack the Douglas settlement with cluster bombs to destroy the Argentine helicopters based there.
18:00:00: Escorted by HMS Ambuscade, Europic Ferry leaves the CVBG and sails to San Carlos to complete the unloading of men and equipment.
20:00:00: HMS Broadsword leaves her station heading for San Carlos Water.
21:00:00: HMS Glamorgan returns to the gun-line off Stanley and bombards targets in the area. HMS Plymouth sails towards Fox Bay to shell the Argentine garrison there.
22:00:00: With the arrival of Europic Ferry and HMS Ambuscade, Resource leaves San Carlos Water and is escorted back to the CVBG. By now, and estimated 32,000 tons of ammunition and stores have been stockpiled on the Falklands Islands.
Wednesday 26 May
00:00:00: The CVBG withdraws to its original station 200nm north of the Falklands Islands.
06:00:00: The Bristol Group joins the Task Force. HMS Bristol relieves HMS Hermes as the Task Force flagship. And with the arrival of HMS Cardiff, the damaged HMS Glasgow is ordered to return home.
07:00:00: HMS Glamorgan returns to the CVBG and HMS Plymouth sails back to the safety of San Carlos Water.
08:00:00: Two Harrier GR.3s attack Stanley and two more attack Goose Green. All use 1000lb bombs.
19:00:00: HMS Broadsword leaves San Carlos Water together with Sir Geraint and Europic Ferry, and head north to join up with the CVBG.
20:00:00: Elk and Tidepool head for San Carlos Water escorted by HMS Ambuscade.
Thursday 27 May:
10:00:00: Two Harrier GR.3s bomb Stanley airfield with cluster bombs. Two more drop cluster bombs and strafe Argentine position at Goose Green.
16:00:00: HMS Fearless leaves San Carlos water to pick up General Moore and Brigadier Wilson near the CVBG.
16:30:00: The Amphibious phase is now completed, with several battalions ashore and virtually self-sufficient.
17:00:00: Scenario end.
Initial Moves out of San Carlos
LOCATION: SOUTH ATLANTIC
DATE/TIME: 28 MAY 1982, 01:00:00
The British beachhead has been successfully defended and the advance towards Port Stanley is about to begin. During the last five days, Harriers, Rapiers and small arms fire from ashore has decimated the Argentine Air Force. Not only has Argentina lost one third of her fighters, but also nearly all of her front line pilots. This was to prove decisive - the war was beginning to be won.
Friday 28 May:
01:00:00: This day marks the beginning of the land campaign. 2 Para prepares for the battle for Darwin and Goose Green. 105mm guns of the 8 Bty RA have been flown in, and HMS Arrow is heading into the Grantham Sound to open fire on the Argentine positions. At the same time, 45 Cdo starts moving towards Teal Inlet via New House and Douglas. From there they will move on to Mt Kent as part of the plan to occupy the heights to the west of Stanley. 3 Para is to follow behind in two days time but will take a more southerly, direct route. Elements of 42 Cdo is moving towards Mt Challenger, while 40 Cdo has been assigned to defence of San Carlos Water. In addition, D Sqd SAS has been flown to Mt Kent near Stanley. HMS Glamorgan, HMS Alacrity and HMS Ambuscade have sailed south to bombard enemy troops around Stanley.
(Author's Note: Fire only about 150 4.5in shells, the ammo must last for the duration of the scenario.)
01:30:00: The weather has turned unsuitable for Harrier operations.
03:30:00: 2 Para launches the attack on Darwin and Goose Green.
08:00:00: HMS Glamorgan, HMS Alacrity and HMS Ambuscade end their shelling and head out to sea.
12:00:00: 2 Para captures Darwin and continues towards Goose Green.
12:30:00: Weather has improved and Sea Harriers are again launched to provide air cover for British forces on the Falklands. Four aircraft provide continuos CAP for the CVBG, while four more cover San Carlos Water.
13:00:00: Three Harrier GR.3s attack anti-aircraft guns at Goose Green with CBUs to support the advancing Paras.
16:00:00: Two Argentine POW are sent to negotiate a surrender for the Goose Green garrison.
19:00:00: Due to the threat of air attacks, HMS Arrow heads back to San Carlos Water.
20:00:00: Sir Tristram sails to San Carlos Water escorted by HMS Minerva.
Saturday 29 May:
06:00:00: Black Buck 4. Mission cancelled in mid-air due to refuelling problems.
08:00:00: All Argentine forces at Goose Green surrender to 2 Para. There are more than 1000 POWs.
16:00:00: HMS Glamorgan, HMS Alacrity and HMS Ambuscade return to bombard the Stanley area. HMS Arrow leaves San Carlos Water to shell Argentine positions at Fox Bay East.
18:00:00: HMS Fearless has transferred Major-General Moore, Brigadier Wilson and their staffs from HMS Antrim, and heads back to San Carlos Water.
Sunday 30 May:
00:00:00: 3 Para is ordered to move towards Mt Estancia.
06:00:00: The Argentine hospital ship Bahia Paraisio has started operating inside the TEZ.
08:00:00: HMS Glamorgan, HMS Alacrity and HMS Ambuscade return to the CVBG. HMS Arrow returns to San Carlos Water.
12:00:00: Four Harrier GR.3s attack Argentine artillery positions near Stanley with CBUs.
18:00:00: The hospital ship Uganda heads for the Falkland Sound escorted by HMS Andromeda.
Monday 31 June
04:00:00: Elk and Tidepool leave San Carlos Water and head north to join up with HMS Andromeda on her way south. When they meet to the north of the Falklands Islands, all three head back to the CVBG, while Uganda sails to her new anchorage in the Grantham Sound.
06:00:00: Black Buck 5. Attack the AN/TPS-43 radar at Stanley with a single Shrike-armed Vulcan bomber flying from the Ascension Island.
08:00:00: Argentine helicopters have been spotted landing a sixteen-man special forces patrol at Top Malo House. The house is sitting on the high ground to the approaches of Teal Inlet, and this threat must be eliminated. A single Sea King HC.4 flies in a team of Marines and lands them near the house at 9:00am.
(Author's Note: Marines work the same way bombs do.)
10:00:00: The Argentines at Top Malo House have been killed or captured without British loss of life.
16:00:00: Atlantic Causeway, Baltic Ferry and Norland sail for San Carlos Water carrying helicopters plus the first elements of the 5th Inf Bde. They are escorted by HMS Exeter, HMS Alacrity and HMS Ambuscade.
22:00:00: The three warships sail on towards the gunline near Stanley. The destroyer will act as a SAM trap while the frigates carry out bombardments.
23:00:00: It has been decided to open Teal Inlet as a forward base. Loaded with stores, HMS Intrepid escorted by HMS Arrow sails from San Carlos Water heading for Teal Inlet.
Tuesday 1 June:
00:00:00: 3 Para has reached Mt Estancia and is digging in. Most elements of 42 Cdo are arriving at Mt Challenger, and 45 Cdo is marching from Teal Inlet to Mt Kent. Preparations are now being made for the final battle for Stanley, and in increasingly foul weather, the three units start patrolling towards their objectives - 3 Para to Mt Longdon, 45 Cdo to Two Sisters, 42 Cdo to Mt Harriet.
08:00:00: Two Harrier GR.3s on Ascension fly south and land on HMS Hermes.
12:00:00: HMS Penelope picks up 2 Para's new commanding officer (CO) and heads for San Carlos Water.
14:15:00: Launch an attack on Stanley using four Sea Harriers armed with 1000lb bombs.
16:00:00: The last elements of the 5th Infantry Brigade have arrived on the Canberra. She sails to San Carlos Water together with transport Stromness and escort HMS Broadsword to offload the two Guards battalions.
20:00:00: HMS Exeter and HMS Alacrity leave the gunline and head back to the CVBG. HMS Cardiff and HMS Active are detached from the CVBG and sail south to replace them.
21:00:00: HMS Avenger leaves the CVBG to bombard Argentine positions on Pebble Island.
23:00:00: Loaded with stores, Sir Percivale leaves San Carlos Water heading for Teal Inlet. HMS Intrepid has completed her unloading and sails back to San Carlos Water together with HMS Arrow.
Wednesday 2 June:
06:00:00: HMS Avenger ends her shelling and returns to the CVBG.
08:00:00: A commercial telephone call to a Fitzroy resident confirms the Argentines have left the area, and, using the single Chinook helicopter, a start is being made to transport 150 men of 2 Para to Fitzroy and Bluff Cove.
16:00:00: HMS Arrow sets out to bombard Fox Bay East.
18:00:00: Nordic Ferry is escorted to San Carlos Water by HMS Avenger.
20:00:00: HMS Cardiff, HMS Active and HMS Ambuscade withdraw to the CVBG. No replacements are sent out before the new land-based Exocet threat has been examined.
Thursday 3 June:
00:00:00: Bad weather prevents flying operations most of the day.
01:00:00: 1/7 Gurkhas are flown from San Carlos Water to Goose Green, and the remaining elements of 2 Para is helicoptered to Fizroy and Bluff Cove.
06:00:00: Black Buck 6. Attack Stanley again with a Shrike-armed Vulcan bomber.
10:00:00: HMS Minerva is despatched to make a visual reconnaissance sweep along the coast using her Lynx to search for land-based Exocet launching sites.
16:00:00: Sir Percivale has completed her unloading at Teal Inlet and heads back to San Carlos Water.
18:00:00: Canberra has completed her unloading and leaves San Carlos Water heading for the CVBG. She is joined by Stromness and escort HMS Plymouth.
22:00:00: Sir Galahad leaves San Carlos Water with equipment for 3 Para at Teal Inlet.
24:00:00: HMS Plymouth ends her escort duties and moves on to bombard Port Howard.
Friday 4 June:
00:00:00: Bad weather restricts flying operations most of the day.
06:00:00: HMS Plymouth returns to San Carlos Water.
08:00:00: HMS Exeter leaves the CVBG and heads back to the Stanley gunline to resume her SAM-trap mission.
20:00:00: Sir Galahad leaves Teal Inlet and heads back to San Carlos Water.
24:00:00: The damaged HMS Argonaut leaves for home.
Saturday 5 June:
10:00:00: Two Sea Harriers re-deploy from the carriers to the new Forward Operating Base (FOB) at Port San Carlos, christened HMS Sheathbill.
16:00:00: HMS Exeter leaves her station and sails to the north of the Falkland Sound. HMS Cardiff and HMS Yarmouth set out to replace her.
18:00:00: HMS Intrepid loads the 2nd Scots Guards in San Carlos Water and sails south to deliver them at Bluff Cove early on Sunday. She is escorted by HMS Plymouth and HMS Avenger.
23:00:00: HMS Exeter sails into the Grantham Sound. HMS Arrow bombards Port Howard and then moves on to act as a radar picked to the north of the Falklands Sound.
Sunday 6 June:
00:00:00: Bad weather prevents flying operations for the most of the day.
08:00:00: HMS Intrepid, having delivered the 2nd Scots Guards at Bluff Cove, now takes aboard the 2 Para units already there and ferries them to Fitzroy.
12:00:00: HMS Intrepid and her two escorts return to San Carlos Water.
13:00:00: HMS Active and HMS Ambuscade are detached from the CVBG and set out to bombard Argentine positions in the Mt Harriet area.
14:00:00: HMS Invincible and escort HMS Brilliant leave the CVBG and sail to the south of the Falkland Islands to discourage the Argentines from flying in reinforcements.
15:00:00: HMS Fearless leaves San Carlos Water heading for Bluff Cove to deliver the 1st Welsh Guards. She is joined by Sir Tristram loaded with ammunition bound for Fitzroy. The ships are escorted by HMS Avenger and HMS Penelope.
18:00:00: Sir Geraint sails with stores for Teal Inlet.
Monday 7 June:
03:00:00: Bad weather prevents HMS Fearless from completing the unloading and she and her two escorts head back to San Carlos Water with parts of the 1st Welsh Guards still aboard. Sir Tristram stays behind, unloading.
08:00:00: HMS Active and HMS Ambuscade return to the CVBG.
12:00:00: Fort Austin leaves the Falklands and heads home, while Norland sails with a thousand Argentine POWs bound for Montevideo.
16:00:00: Edgadine, Olna and escort HMS Ambuscade head for San Carlos Water together with the converted minesweeping trawlers Junella, Cordella and Pict.
18:00:00: HMS Invincible and HMS Brilliant head back to the CVBG.
20:00:00: In San Carlos Water, Sir Galahad takes aboard the remaining Welsh Guards from HMS Fearless and sails without escort to Bluff Cove.
20:30:00: Having worn out her 4.5in gun, HMS Alacrity sails for home.
21:00:00: Scenario End.
Approach to and Battle for Stanley
LOCATION: SOUTH ATLANTIC
DATE/TIME: 8 June 1982, 12:00:00
The British troops have started to prepare for the final battle for Port Stanley. But before the war is won, the Argentine troops defending Stanley in the mountains to the west have to be defeated in combat. This will be man against man using rifle, bayonet, machine gun and grenade, in the dark atrocious weather, and over rocky well-defended terrain.
Tuesday 8 June:
Planning continues for the advance towards Stanley. 3 Para, 42 Cdo and 45 Cdo contine their reconnaissance patrols, and the Special Forces carry on with their covert operations. HMS Cardiff and HMS Yarmouth continue their SAM trap and bombardment mission on the Stanley gunline. Not protected by warships, Sir Tristiam unloads ammunition at Fitzroy, and Sir Galahad has arrived at Bluff Cove with the rest of the 1st Welsh Guards. An LCU F4 landing craft belonging to HMS Fearless is sailing from Goose Green to Fitzroy with 5th Inf Bde HQ vehicles.
Four Sea Harriers are flying CAP (Combat Air Patrol) over the CVBG, with four more on patrol over the Falklands Islands.
12:30:00: HMS Plymouth leaves San Carlos Water to bombard Argentine forces at Port Howard.
14:00:00: HMS Plymouth returns to the safety of San Carlos Water.
22:00:00: HMS Yarmouth sets off to bombard Argentine positions around Sapper Hill near Stanley.
Wendsday 9 June:
08:00:00: HMS Yarmouth withdraws out to sea.
22:00:00: HMS Yarmouth shell Argentine positions at Mt Harriet, while HMS Avenger starts patrolling off Port Howard, hoping to catch Argentine supply ships.
Thursday 10 June:
08:00:00: HMS Yarmouth withdraws out to sea, and HMS Avenger sails back to resume her radar picket duties to the north of the Falklands Sound.
16:00:00: Blue Rover and HMS Ambuscade head for San Carlos Water. HMS Glamorgan and HMS Avenger sail to the south of the Falklands to be able to support the advancing British troops.
18:00:00: HMS Active and HMS Arrow sail south to the Stanley gunline. At the same time the converted minesweeping trawlers Cordella and Pict head towards the Berkley Sound north east of Stanley to carry out mine sweeps.
Firday 11 June:
08:00:00: The 1st Welsh Guards, together with elements of 40 Cdo, march to the south west of Mount Harriet to stay in reserve. 2 Para is helicoptered in from Fitzroy to the western slopes of Mount Kent.
10:00:00: HMS Ambuscade heads back to the CVBG.
12:00:00: Harrier GR.3s fly ten (10) close support missions armed with CBUs. Four Sea Harriers attack Stanley airfield with 1000lb bombs.
16:00:00: A Wessex HU.5 armed with a pair of AS.12 missiles attack the Port Stanley Police Station, the newly discovered headquarters for the Argentine military staff.
18:00:00: Cordella and Pict withdraw to San Carlos Water.
20:00:00: HMS Active and HMS Arrow start shelling the Stanley area.
21:00:00: Phase one of the assault on Stanley is launched. 3 Para, 42 Cdo and 45 Cdo attack Mt Longdon, Two Sisters and Mt Harriet respectively. 2 Para remains in reserve. HMS Avenger in the Berkley Sound and the 79 Bty shell Argentine troops near Mt Longdon. HMS Glamoran and 8th Bty bombard positions near Two Sisters, while HMS Yarmouth and 7th Bty cover Mt Harriet.
Saturday 12 June:
06:00:00: Black Buck 7. A single Vulcan bomber attacks the airfield at Stanley with 1000lb bombs.
07:00:00: HMS Arrow and HMS Active withdraw out to sea.
08:00:00: All objectives at Mt Longdon, Two Sisters and Mt Harriet have been met and the British forces are digging in. HMS Glamorgan and HMS Yarmouth sail back to the CVBG, leaving HMS Avenger behind in the support role.
16:00:00: HMS Plymouth leaves San Carlos Water and steams back to join the CVBG.
18:00:00: HMS Active and HMS Arrow carry out bombardments of Argentine positions on Sapper Hill and around Stanley.
20:00:00: HMS Cardiff leaves the Stanley gunline and sails to the Grantham Sound to replace HMS Exeter.
Sunday 13 June:
06:00:00: HMS Exeter heads back to the CVBG.
07:00:00: HMS Active and HMS Arrow withdraw to the CVBG.
08:00:00: 1/7 Gurkhas helicopter forward to a position just south of Two Sisters, and march towards Tumbledown Mountain, ready for their assault on Monday morning.
12:00:00: Two Sea Harrier GR.3s deliver a laser-guided bomb (LGB) attack on Argentine 155mm artillery positions near Stanley, the first such attack of the war.
14:00:00: HMS Active, HMS Ambuscade and HMS Yarmouth sail south to provide support for the British troops advancing towards Stanley.
24:00:00: The second phase of the attack on Stanley is launched. 2 Para and 2 Scots Guards have marched forward and begin their assault on Wireless Ridge and Tumbledown Mountain. 7 and 8 Bty, plus HMS Ambuscade and HMS Yarmouth out in the Berkley Sound provide fire support for 2 Para on Wireless Ridge, while HMS Active and HMS Avenger to the south support 2 Scots Guards advancing on Tumbledown Mountain.
Monday 14 June:
07:00:00: Wireless Ridge and Tumbledown Mountain have both been captured.
08:00:00: The warships on the gunline withdraw out to sea as Argentine troops are seen streaming back to the capital.
09:00:00: HMS Plymouth leaves the CVBG and heads for the Stanley gunline.
10:00:00: Two Harrier GR.3s attack Argentine troops near Stanley with laser-guided bombs (LGBs).
11:00:00: Three Scouts armed with AS.11 missiles attack Argentine troops and artillery positions near Wireless Ridge.
12:00:00: Mount William is abandoned by the Argentines and the hill is captured by the Gurkhas without a shot being fired. The Welsh Guards start moving towards Sapper Hill. 2 Para moves off along the Stanley road, and is the first unit to reach the outskirts of the town. 42 Cdo flies forward from Mount Harriet and marches towards Stanley. 45 Cdo together with elements of 40 Cdo and Welsh Guards move from Two Sisters to Sapper Hill.
12:30:00: The negotiations start, and the British advance is halted. Although ordered to continue the fight, General Menendez decides to surrender. The Argentines have 8,000 troops in the Stanley area including the largely intact 3rd, 6th and 25th Infantry Regiments, still well supplied with food and small arms ammunition. However little is left of their artillery and all the high ground has been taken.
16:00:00: HMS Plymouth and HMS Yarmouth enter the Berkley Sound to provide support in the event of the negotiations breaking down.
21:30:00: The surrender document is signed, ending the war.
Credits, Sources & Recommeded Reading
There are many people who deserve my thanks for helping me making these scenarios:
Andy Smith - story
Chris Elliott - story
Jorge Gazzola - technical
Gary Paulwell - OoB, story, technical
Marcelo Machaczko - technical
Mike Myktyn - testing
Marcelo Pozzo - OoB, story, technical
Rod Ruz - testing, OoB, story
Sergio Serrano - story
