Falklands’ service to honour British Forces who lost their lives when landing for the recovery of the Islands
The Falkland Islands held a commemorative service to the memory of those who lost their lives thirty years ago when British Forces landed in the Islands for the final push against the occupying Argentine forces.
More than 200 Islanders and members of the British Forces South Atlantic gathered at San Carlos in the Falkland Islands sound on Monday 21st May 2012 for the service that marked a crucial day for the liberation of the Islands.
Wreaths were laid at the event by the Deputy Governor of the Falkland Islands, Mr Rick Nye, Mrs Sharon Halford, Member of the Falklands Legislative Assembly and by the Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands, Brigadier Bill Aldridge.
HMS Clyde was at anchor off the British cemetery next to Blue Beach and a service was conducted by chaplains who gave thanks for the courage and example shown by those involved as they landed on Blue and Red Beach under enemy fire.
The Falkland Islands Padre read “We are gathered here to remember those who gave their lives at sea, on land or in the air during the Falklands War,” and continued “Inspired by their example, let us resolve to live our lives worthy of their sacrifice.”
The Act of Remembrance was read out and Last Post played to silence over San Carlos Waters. The commemoration ended with the National Anthem being sung with enthusiasm by all present, according to an official release from the Falklands government.
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Rest in peace lads, thirty years have gone by and they are still free.
www.historylearningsite.co.uk/san_carlos_bay_landings.htm
To prevent nearby Argentine forces attacking the beachhead and disrupting it, groups of Special Forces troops were sent out to deal with the known nearest threats.
A unit from the SBS attacked Argentine forces at Fanning Head (north of San Carlos) and occupied their positions and the SAS attacked positions near Darwin (south of San Carlos Bay). Both attacks took place as the main landing party approached the bay.
At Fanning Head, 25 men from 3 SBS attacked a force of 60 Argentine troops – their very presence on land that overlooked San Carlos Bay threatened the landing. The men from the SBS were landed by helicopter and attacked using mainly GPMG’s. They were supported by gunfire from ‘HMS Antrim’ that was able to fire accurately onto the Argentine positions as the SBS had taken with them a Royal Navy NGFO – Naval Gunfire Forward Observation expert. The Argentinean soldiers were given the opportunity to surrender (the SBS also took along Marine Captain Roderick Bell who could speak fluent Spanish) but refused to do so. 11 Argentinean soldiers were killed, 6 were taken prisoner and the rest fled.
Thanks seems so small a word to cover the courage, determination and sacrifice of the Armed forces.
They shall not grow old, as we who are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
With the going down of the sun, and in the morning,
We will remember them.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Here in Britain, we may get a little bit pissed off at squaddies smashing up pubs and the like, but, hell, we respect you anyway. I'm sure the Falklanders feel the same. We know we need you. We are grateful to you. WE are so glad that we have YOU. And we are incredibly proud of you. Every one of you. Go for it people, show the yanks what real troops can do!
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Islanders there at Port San Carlos who were prevented by same soldiers from launching a dinghy to rescue him, later brought his body ashore.
Compare that action to San Carlos where an Arg jet pilot was shot down into the bay - and a boat sent out to him,and rescued by the British and given medical assistance.
I know what you mean, Saying “Thank you” doesn't quite seem enough does it? Whatever the reason they went and whatever the cause was, I glad they did. When I look back on that time, read the stories in the history books and articles on the web, I feel... I feel so very, very proud of all of them.
For all of those VERY, VERY young men to go all that way to fight a war that everyone else said was impossible to win. To endue all the shortages of ammo, sleep and food AND put up with the worst of the weather and what the Argentines to throw at them........... They were and still are, better men than I was at their age. The whole story of the Falklands War stirs up so many emotions.
Great Pride in our armed forces.
Sorrow at the loss of so many young lives.
Shame, in myself, that I was not there with them.
and a kind of relief, that their sacrifice was not in vain, that it counted for something and that they manged the “Impossible” and set a people free to live their lives the way they wanted again.
So yes, “Thank you” is not enough is it?
R.I.P guys, you made us all so very, very proud. Rest well now.
“From the sea - Freedom.”
'Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees all others.' Winston Churchill.
www.facebook.com/pages/Keep-the-Falklands-British/123151384435619?sk=wall&filter=3
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