MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

“The Islanders War” on History Channel “Falklands Week”

In a week commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Falkland Islands War, The History Channel UK is premiering three commissioned programmes including “The Islander's War”, a Point of View production by Mike Ford that will be screened in the United Kingdom at the beginning and the end of the “Falklands' Week” on June 11 and 17.

"Saving Simon" and "The Vulcan Bomber" complete the special programming but it's "The Islanders' War", based on a book written by Graham Bound "The Falkland Islanders at War" that presents the conflict from the perspective of the 2.000 inhabitants of the South Atlantic archipelago, which is unique and unexplored. The film, actually two instalments of almost an hour each, concentrates on the experiences of the Islanders under Argentine occupation, siege and doing their best â€" often a great deal - to fight back. This involved clandestine radio transmissions that the Argentines were aware of but were never able to stop, intelligence gathering, and (for those who were able to get out of Stanley) working with the British to carry ammunition, food and men to the front lines in the hills around Stanley. The Islanders who were involved in this came under shell and mortar fire, and two men went on to fight with the Paras on Mt Longdon. The film also tells the stories of the brief defence on Stanley by a few brave men on April 2, 1982, and civilian incarcerations at Goose Green and Fox Bay when Argentina took control of the Islands. None of these stories have been told before in depth on TV and are explored using some very moving interviews, dramatic recreations and archive film. Graham Bound, interviewer and interviewee was born into one of the original Falkland Island families and at the time of the conflict was the editor of the local newspaper, the Penguin News. During the occupation Graham sheltered in a local hotel taking clandestine photographs of Argentine positions. Still a resident of the Falklands, Trudi McPhee recounts her story. Helping the British forces, Trudi became the leader of 'The Fighting Farmers' who utilised their knowledge of the Islands and often worked through the night helping the British forces. Trudi and her team moved 300 paratroopers, rations, ammunition and water across trackless terrain as well as evacuating badly wounded soldiers. As one of the Cape Pembroke lighthouse keepers at the time of the conflict, Reg Silvey defied the Argentine ban on radios. His long-standing hobby as a radio ham was put to immense tactical use as he transmitted vital intelligence to Britain, at great personal risk, throughout the occupation. Director Mike Ford and a small team spent three weeks in the Falklands for the production with Graham Bound doing most of the interviews, "which was a huge pleasure and an honour for me". "These days the Islands place a great deal of emphasis on moving on, and of course there has been much progress in 25 years. But the human story of invasion, occupation and bravery in 1982 is the most important story in Falklands' history, and people there will still be talking about it generations from now. The film helps to ensure that their experiences will never be forgotten", said Graham. Saving Simon Welsh Guard Simon Weston became synonymous with the Falklands War when he suffered horrific burns whilst serving in the conflict. Now, 25 years on, Simon goes in search of his personal heroes from that war in order to thank them for saving both his life and the lives of many others. From the Guardsman who treated Simon on the deck of his ship, the Sir Galahad, to the doctors and nurses on board the hospital ships that saved his sight and helped him through his first bouts of depression. In a moving account, Simon recalls the moment that the 500lb bomb tore through the Sir Galahad, killing 48 Welsh Guards and injuring a further ninety-seven. Reunited with colleagues present on the day, Simon and other Guards discuss their time on board the ship, the horrific incident itself and their escape from the vessel; subject matter which none have felt able to discuss publicly until now. As his emotional journey continues, Simon chats to the RAF medics who attended him during his flight home. Frightened he wouldn't survive the trip home the flight team hastened their journey and in fact entered the Guinness Book of Records for the shortest time for that route, taking only 16 hours. Revisiting the hospitals where he was treated for five years, Simon is gratified to see the same care and attention being given to casualties coming home from Afghanistan and Iraq. Despite a lack of treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Simon has heroically come to terms with his injuries and reflects on the treatment of other war veterans who haven't been as lucky; who feel abandoned both psychologically and medically. The Vulcan Bomber Designed at the beginning of the Cold War to deliver Britain's nuclear deterrent, the delta-wing Vulcan bomber served its country for 30 years, yet only ever dropped one load in anger. Entitled 'Black Buck 1', the mission dropped bombs on a Falklands airstrip in 1982. Flight Lieutenant Martin Withers and co-pilot Commander & Flight Officer Peter Taylor tell of their anxiety at the Vulcan's battle-worthiness and their memories of the seemingly impossible mission. Eventually, the giant jet that handled like a fighter was decommissioned in 1984. Withdrawn from service, the last Vulcans were sent to St Athans airfield and sold for scrap. But the Vulcan bomber was too greatly loved to disappear forever and a rescue mission was launched. Andrew Edmondson, Engineering Manager of the Vulcan Operating Company enjoys watching the Vulcan being rebuilt, something only achievable through an amalgamation of both private and public donations alongside Lottery grants. Chief Pilot, David Thomas flies the Vulcan alongside 'Black Buck 1' pilot, Martin Withers. The Vulcan Bomber is scheduled to participate in commemorating the Falklands War on Sunday 17 June in London. Other programs during the week include "War in the Falklands", (2002) an account of the conflict through the eyes of the men who fought on both sides, and "Line of Fire, Port Stanley 1982", which tells the story of the last few decisive battles of the Falklands War when the British Army drove to liberate Port Stanley through a series of fierce nights battles.