MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

The Falklands 20 years on: O! What a lovely war!

Twenty years ago next month, a group of Argentinean 'prospectors' landed on South Georgia, setting in motion the conflict that became the Falklands War. Now that the dust of history has settled, we asked 16 different participants in that war a simple question: was it worth it?

Sir Rex Hunt

Governor of the Falkland Islands, 1980-82

When Britain announced it was going to war in the Falklands, I was greatly relieved. I had been anxious to ensure that we had done enough to get the response from Britain that we needed: a task force to go and kick the Argentinians out.

If I'd have known Margaret Thatcher then as well as we all do now, I wouldn't have had that anxiety. The invasion was clearly unprovoked military aggression. It was the most clear black-and-white case since Hitler went into Poland in 1939.

The British soldiers killed in the campaign made the ultimate sacrifice. But I do believe that there are principles that are worth fighting for and dying for. I do believe that their sacrifice was worth it. Look at the state that Argentina is in now and how prosperous the Falkland Islands have become since 1982. The Falkland Islanders are as British as we are, and it was just as if a hostile power had landed on the Isle of Man or the Isle of Wight.

Wade Tidbury

Served as an able seaman (radar) on HMS 'Alacrity'

I look back now and realise how traumatic the war was for me. My ship, HMS Alacrity, was involved in rescue work from the Atlantic Conveyor when it was hit by Exocet missiles. The missiles had been sold to the Argentinians by the French and were guided by British/ French radar systems. I came back from the Falklands wanting to leave the Navy, and to find out more about the trade in arms and the peace movement. Was it worth it? I think it was for Mrs Thatcher and the arms trade. It certainly wasn't worth it with regard to the 250 soldiers who The South Atlantic Medal Association - the Falklands veterans group - estimates have committed suicide since they returned from the Falklands. As for me, the experience has made me a lifelong opponent of war.

David Brown

A company clerk and medic in the Parachute Regiment. Five years ago, he retired from his job as a foundry office manager, suffering from Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder

I came out of the Army in 1985 because I didn't feel right about anything any more. I was drinking heavily, I couldn't sleep, I was having constant flashbacks. I ended up getting caught up in violence because I just