South Georgia ‘77 “Operation Journeyman”, a drill for the recovery of the Falklands in 1982
The July edition of the South Georgia Newsletter recalls a major British military and political event in the South Atlantic has been largely overlooked by the region’s history books. A Royal Navy task force, codenamed Operation Journeyman, was deployed to the waters around South Georgia and the Falklands in 1977 following the occupation of Southern Thule in the South Sandwich Islands by 50 Argentine “scientists”.
British leaders, who feared a wider Argentine invasion of other British Islands in the region might follow, wanted Argentina to be aware of the powerful task force, but not the British public, so Operation Journeyman was conducted in intense secrecy. The first public mention of the operation was five years later when Lord Owen, who had been the UK Foreign Secretary in 1977, suggested similar prompt action could have averted the 1982 War.
In the article below Chris Cole, Supply Officer on “HMS Phoebe” at the time describes what it was like as one of those deployed on Operation Journeyman.
Various events in my life recently, coinciding with the 30th Anniversary of the Falklands War, turned my mind back to October 1977 when, as a Lieutenant RN, I was serving as the Supply Officer of “HMS Phoebe”, a Leander Class Frigate captained by the late Captain Hugh Balfour MVO RN. We were on a goodwill visit to Antwerp, having just completed a Joint Maritime Course Exercise off the north of Scotland, and we were looking forward to a much deserved period of rest and recreation in Holland. We arrived on a Friday morning and hosted the usual arrival cocktail party that evening and were planning a long weekend of enjoyment before sailing the following Tuesday. However, mid Saturday afternoon the Captain received a Top Secret signal and he called in the First Lieutenant and Navigating Officer for a very private meeting. Afterwards I was called in and told the ship would be sailing as soon as all crew had been recalled from shore, and I should make all the preparations necessary to store for war on our arrival in Plymouth on Monday morning. My only question for the Captain was, in accordance with the appropriate manual, what climate am I storing for Sir, hot or cold? (there was a huge difference in the stores outfit required). His reply was that he was sorry but he couldn’t tell me as our destination was top secret. You’ll have to store for both.
Top Secret preparatory signals sent to Plymouth resulted in a smooth store-ship on the Monday with one exception. The ship was fitted for, but not with, four Exocet missiles. We had put in a demand for 4 missiles but on the day only three arrived at the ship. The Gunnery Officer called the armament depot to ask why and was told that they only had four in stock and they had to keep one for emergencies. Guns persuaded the storekeeper that storing for war might be considered an emergency! We sailed with 4 missiles. Only the Captain and the Navigator knew where we were going, but not for how long. All we were told and all we could tell our families, was not to expect us to be home for Christmas.
The day after sailing we commenced intensive training, testing every aspect of our responses to possible threats, carrying out major fire and damage drills and generally working the ship’s crew up into a fighting team. Although we had still not been told where we were going or why, the ship’s company deduced we were on a war footing. The main passageways had been filled with extra stores and they were not used to walking over cases of baked beans. In mid-Atlantic we rendezvoused with “HMS Alacrity”, RFAs “Resource” and “Owen” were to join us later, and somewhere beneath us was the nuclear submarine “Dreadnought”. At that stage the ship’s companies were briefed on our mission. We were told that Operation Journeyman had been ordered by the then Prime Minister, James Callaghan, as fifty Argentine “scientists” had landed on Southern Thule in the South Sandwich Islands, prompting fears of an Argentine invasion of the Falklands. Apparently the Argentines had set up a military base on Thule. Only the officers on the ships were briefed on the rules of engagement which were pretty defensive. They stated: Commanding Officers and aircraft captains are to respond to any aggression with tactful firmness and are to exhibit a determination to meet any escalation, though not to exceed that already carried out by the enemy. All use of force must be governed by the principle of using only the minimum force necessary to achieve the aim. Such force must be used only until evident that the immediate aim is being achieved and must in no way be retaliatory. The submarine commander was told that if attacked with anti-submarine weapons by Argentine forces he was to surface or withdraw at high speed submerged, whichever will be of least risk to life.
In effect we were sitting ducks, but the Argentines weren’t to know that! We were to set up a 50 mile security zone and any ships entering the zone were to be asked to identify themselves and state their intentions.
Our main problem was maintaining a discreet presence on station for an indefinite period as nobody had told us when we would be returning to UK. We had enough supplies to survive for 3 months, which, with the help of the RFAs, could be extended by a further six weeks. After that, serious logistical problems could have arisen. Keeping the submarine “Dreadnought” supplied was more problematical as she was only allowed to surface for about 5 minutes a week, during which time our Wasp helicopter had to lower supplies and deliver and collect the laundry (we had a Chinese laundry crew on board) in what was a very short space of time. On one occasion the helicopter was hovering over the conning tower having just dropped off the laundry when a huge swell lifted “Dreadnought” just as the pilot was lowering the aircraft to pick up the next batch of washing. The two collided and the forward starboard wheel of the helicopter became lodged in the conning tower of the sub. As the duty Flight Deck Officer I was privy to the conversation going on between the pilot and the Captain on the bridge. The Captain informed the pilot that the submarine would have to submerge in one minute so he would need to detach himself somehow. “Roger” came the calm reply. The next thing I heard on the radio was the pilot, Bertie Lamb, singing “Three wheels on my wagon” as he turned to approach the ship to land on the heaving deck of our frigate. He had pulled full power on the aircraft and left the wheel firmly lodged in the submarines conning tower. With the help of a hatch cover and some coconut matting and considerable skill he managed to land safely but it was a close run thing.
Christmas loomed and my Petty Officer Caterer came to me with a confession that he had forgotten to order any mixed nuts for the Christmas dinner table. As luck would have it we were due a mail drop by the RAF and a short message to our air force colleagues resulted in them dropping bags of nuts in floating canisters in time for Christmas.
In mid-February we learnt that our presence had been a success. The scientists had apparently gone and the base had been closed. We were to return home having spent just over three and a half months continuously at sea. It had been my first glimpse of South Georgia and the Falkland Islands, albeit not at very close quarters. We were sworn to secrecy and were not allowed to tell anyone, including our families where we had been or what we had done. It remained a secret until the outbreak of the Falklands War in 1982 when David Owen asked the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher why such a Task Force had not been sent when the Foreign Office first got wind of a likely invasion. Classified documents relating to Operation Journeyman were released in 2005. The operation was assessed as successful and was deemed likely to have prevented a more serious incident/attack on the Islands. (South Georgia Newsletter).-
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www.scribd.com/doc/100579714/The-Falkland-Islands-History
In early 1982 there were British journalists in Argentina who knew that something big would happen.
Oh for God's sake man did you actually read the bloody article?! Yes the operation was a deterring factor in the event of an invasion, but the war came five years later! And a completely different government was in power, so not only had thing's dumbed down, but a completely mindset had come along in government.
I absolutely love your mindset: “We Argentine's invaded yes, however you British may have had a slight hunch about invasion and you let it happen because you have no problem guaranteeing sovereignty while your ships were sunk and men killed, because you're the Bad guy's.”
Drop your pathetic countries pathetic claim and drop your pathetic username to a set of island's that deep down you care little for in reality, as you have no intention of living there or visiting , and forget all that pathetic false history you were spoon fed in school you pathetic man.
I think today you had one day pathetic.
The Georgias also are Argentine.
www.irizar.org/819puglisi-georgias.pdf
Regards, Conor.
What you consider yours? Sorry that doesn't fly, I cant steal my next door Neighbours car, because its geographically close to me and I consider it to be mine.
“I think today you had one day pathetic.”- I have no idea what that means as your sentence structure is a bit iffy. Please spell with more care in the future.
“The Georgias also are Argentine.” It's actually South Georgia and the South Sandwich island's.- How in the name of Christ does this prove Sovereignty? He was an Argie who set up shop on an uninhabited British Territory, which had been a British territory since 1775! What gave you the right!? My Friend's guest bedroom is currently uninhabited and so I shale take it! You argies have been proven wrong on every issuer regarding the South Atlantic and we cant tell you have really got any claim as you started claiming the Falklands in 1833 an then South Georgia in 1927 and the South Sandwich islands in 1938. Not only that but your government has never provided any official proof as to why they claim the SGSSI as well.
And as you didn't bother countering the rest of my comment I presume I have proved you wrong on that as well have I? So again, grow up and drop your pathetic indoctrinated claim you fool.
'In early 1982 there were British journalists in Argentina who knew that something big would happen.'
In fact,
In early 1982 there were British journalists in Argentina who thought that something big might happen. An invasion of Chile looked more likely in fact.
As a matter of interest, what is the basis for the Argenrine claim for South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, other than the fact that they were lumped together with the Falkland Islands for administrative purposes- if there is any other basis, of course?
> The Georgias also are Argentine. www.irizar.org/819puglisi-georgias.pdf
So according to Professor Puglisi, a Norwegian whaler in South Georgia on a British lease constitutes “irrefutable proof ”of Argentine sovereignity. Even if the Norwegian in question also takes British citizenship 17 years before Argentina even comes up with a claim.
I'm also surprised, given irrefutable proof of this nature, that Argentina declined in 1947, 1951, 1953, and 1954 the UK's offer to take the claim to the ICJ, and in 1955 refused to cooperate when the UK went there unilaterally.
!! SELF-DETERMINATION !! muthas fookers, its the end game.......
How does the evita song go again, :) :) :) :)
so carry on crying, ITS ALL GOOD!!!
www.facebook.com/Britain1592
This July issue includes the fascinating “Operation Journeyman” story as well as others :
- Plotting Success
- Hidden History - Operation Journeyman 1977
- Last Chance For “HMS Plymouth”
- Fishing and Shipping News
- Black-browed Albatross Success Not Reflected In South Georgia
- Beware Avalanche
- All Ale And Hearty
- Bird Island Diary
- South Georgia Snippets
www.sgisland.gs/index.php/(h)South_Georgia_News_and_Events
www.sgisland.gs
Very good page: www.irizar.org/819puglisi-georgias.pdf
also read the following link on the foundations of the sovereignty of South Georgia and South Sandwich (Isla San Pedro).
www.cuestionmalvinas.gob.ar/
!!SELF-DETERMINATION!! did you get that?
once more for the Arg-tards !SELF-DETERMINATION!
@14 How does it feel to be a pillock?
How does Argentina justify it's sovereignty claims over Georgia and the South sandwich Islands - I think that's always a great place to start in these discussions.
Before we get those ludicrous “continental shelf” arguments, I refer anyone to www.gc.noaa.gov/gcil_maritime.html#shelf
There does seem to be a lot of confusion among the RG's about unoccupied islands and sovereignty. Rockall is uninhabited but we still exercise sovereignty over it. We did actually visit it - I think the RG claim was made by putting a blue and white pin in a map!
In answer to your question “How does Argentina justify it's sovereignty claims over Georgia and the South sandwich Islands?”
It is simply because they form part of the Falkland Island dependency as it was in 1934 when Palacios started the mythical claim to the Islands, and of course Juan Domingo kept all the Islands together in 1946 in order to be able to grab a bigger slice of Antartica when the time came.
When l asked the Turnip-in-Chief(Think)on what basis does Argentina claim this territory, the answer was “because we want them!”
Really, señor Think? Well, l want your farm in Chubut.
So by malvinista logic, it's mine!
You can disregard that other idiot, gustbery.
The whole world, indeed. What a pillock.
Do not ask them to give us the reason. We only ask an opportunity for dialogue to resolve the problem.
Everyone wins and everyone will be benefited.
I think:
Dual citizenship.
Freedom of movement.
Free care in hospitals on the continent.
Free education in schools on the continent.
Maintaining the system of government of the islands. Each province in Argentina has its system of government.
Cooperation in fisheries, environment and oil.
Gaining $$$ for the islands.
Double court system, Argentine or British, customers can choose either as appropriate.
Double flag. Argentina / UK or Argentina / Malvinas-Falklands.
A solution is possible. Do not let the problem to future generations.
With affection, detective Malvi ;-))
Don't trust Argentina.
If in doubt check how many Argentine promises to Uruguay have been broken this year, last year and the year before. Argentina has always been a belligerent nation, and even more so under its current president.
With the prospect of being treated the way Argentine governmebnts often treat Argentine citizens? Not an attractive prospect.
'Freedom of movement.'
...which is only prevented by Argentine refusals to permit freedom of movement.
' Free care in hospitals on the continent.'
There is already free care in hospitals on the islands. How many Argentines have free care in hospitals on the continent?
'Free education in schools on the continent.'
Why not free education in schools on the islands, which is already available? Or do you mean compulsory education in schools on the continent?
'Maintaining the system of government of the islands. Each province in Argentina has its system of government.'
...which is determined by the Argentine central government. How long wouldthe anomalous characterof the Falklands be allowed to last with Argentine demagogues seeking power?
'Cooperation in fisheries, environment and oil.'
Already available if the Argentine government chooses.
'Gaining $$$ for the islands.'
...but, given the history of Argentine governments, how long would the islands and islanders benefit from the dollars?
'Double court system, Argentine or British, customers can choose either as appropriate.
Double flag. Argentina / UK or Argentina / Malvinas-Falklands.'
Again, how long would that last once Argentine governments have power?
' A solution is possible. Do not let the problem [go down] to future generations.'
Many solutions are possible, Unfortunately, the Argentine government seems to have decided that only one is acceptable to it.
Why oh why do you want our land so much?
You have a beautiful country full of all types of resources, good soil, fresh water, minerals, oil.
You have far,far more than we. Yet you lust after our land. l do not understand.
Why cannot you be happy with what God has given you?
So sorry, but we will have to decline your generous offers. Peace.
You have not offered anything better than the Islanders already have.
I would be interested in your suggestions being a bit more detailed.
“Freedom of movement”
What exactly does this mean?
Are you actually aware that the FIG spends 25% of its income on education ? This includes a benefit that not even English people enjoy, that is free university education. And that's at Universities that are far far far better than any in Argentina. Have you actually seen how low Argentine universities are rated in SA?
No indoctrination in FI schools.
“Maintaining the system of government of the islands. Each province in Argentina has its system of government.”
As the Islands are not a province of the UK, they have a high level of autonomy free from interference. Being a province of Argentina would restrict their freedom. With each change of constitution the FIG becomes more independent of the UK-you are offering less freedom-if not, please explain.
“Gaining $$$$ for the Islands”.
Please explain further, as the Islanders are already on average richer per capita than most Argentinians. How would you better this?
Argentina doesn't like its own citizens owning $$$$ so why would Argentina let the FIs have them?
What benefit would a double court system be to the Islanders? Please explain further.
How would having a double flag , improve life for the Islanders?
Please explain futher.
Your suggestions seem to suggest that some Argentinians think the Islanders are little more than simple cave dwellers.
A tip for Argentina. If people are used to a high standard of living, they are not going to desire the citizenship of a country with mostly a LOWER standard of living. So if Argentina wishes to get the Islanders onside it has to offer them something better than it has already.
The best option for the Islanders is clearly their current relationship with the UK that treats them with respect possibly leading to Independence in the future.
Any better offers?
Dual citizenship.
Freedom of movement.
Free care in hospitals on the Islands.
Free education in schools on the Islands.
Maintaining the system of government of the islands in province in Argentina.
Cooperation in fisheries, environment and oil.
Gaining $$$ for the continental Argentina.
Double court system, Argentine or British, customers can choose either as appropriate. (British system for the honest; Argentine for the corrupt.)
Union flag.
Yes. The Argentines are blind to the financial benefits they would have by good relations with the Falkland Islands.(Argentine jobs, trade, ie Argentina getting income from brought produce, lots of money from cruise ship tourists and possibly shared oil revenues).
All they seem to have offered the islanders are 3 flights a week from Argentina, without spelling out how that is better for the Islanders than the LanChile flight and the RAF airbridge.
This is very insulting to the Falkland Islanders who generally are better educated proportionately than the Argentines who view the islanders as stupid enough to accept a lower standard of life under an an Argentinian flag than they can gain by being British(at least with increasing autonomy) and posssibly progressing to Independence in the future.
If CFK was a driving instructor, she would advise her pupil to start off in 4th gear and stall the car, instead of progressing through the gears so that the car got from A-B.
Your post Simon, illustrates what the Argentinine population really wants, not what the Falkland Island population wants or needs.
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