MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Journal bought for Falklands Museum gives first-hand account of 1914 Battle
A journal recently acquired at auction by the Friends of the Falklands Museum and Archives (FIMA Friends) gives a remarkable personal account of the 1914 Battle of the Falklands. The unique manuscript, illustrated with contemporary newspaper cuttings, reveals that, despite the appalling carnage, a strong sentiment of mutual respect survived.
The journal's author, Virgile Henri Sonnet, born in Jersey and 26 years old at the time of the battle, was a non-commissioned officer in HMS Invincible's wireless telegraphy office. The sailor kept a minute-by-minute account of the furious naval combat that occurred south-east of Stanley on 8 December 1914, and he recorded important radio signals.
Among his observations is this from the entry of 7 December 1914: “Anchored Port Stanley, Falkland Islands 11.30 AM. Very barren place, hundred or so of houses and a WT station, VPC. Preparing to take on 1,400 tons [of fuel]. Weather very cold. [HMS] Canopus had two inches of snow on her decks yesterday. Plenty of sheep to be had. Butter 2/- per pound.”
Photo: Graham Bound
The text written the following day is a minute-by-minute account of the battle, and, later, the efforts to save those German sailors who had not been killed by shellfire or drowned when their ships sank.
Sonnet wrote: “The worst part of the day's proceedings was after the battle. When the Gneisenau had sunk, we made for that spot. Imagine about 100 or so men struggling in the water, moaning and crying for help, most of them hanging onto bits of wood . . . some too exhausted and cold to hang on any longer. Those threw their hands up and vanished for ever. What a terrible sight.
”Not one of the 97 men we picked up had the strength to walk . . . I helped to bring three or four in. On the last I tried first aid to bring him around but it was too late. He was beyond all earthly assistance.“
As a Wireless operator, the sailor saw, and may even have transmitted, a signal sent by Admiral Sturdee aboard Invincible to the Gneisenau's most senior surviving officer, Korvettenkapitan Hans Pochhammer, who had been rescued by Inflexible. ”The Commander in Chief is very grateful that your life has been spared,“ Sturdee dictated. ”We all felt that Gneisenau fought in a most plucky manner to the end. We much admire the good gunnery of both ships. We sympathise with you in the loss of your admiral, officers and men.“
Photo: Graham Bound
A short time later, Invincible received the following reply from Gneisenau's most senior surviving officer: ”In the name of the officers and men saved, I thank your excellency very much for kind words. We regret, as you, to be the cause of our fight as we have personally learned to know during peace time the English Navy and her officers. We are grateful for our reception.”
Virgile Henri Sonnet remained with HMS Invincible until the Battle of Jutland in 1916. During the battle, a German shell penetrated one of Invincible’s magazines causing a huge explosion that sent the ship to the bottom. Sonnet was one of just six crewmen to survive.
The journal, with a small piece of German shrapnel recovered from Invincible (pictured below), will be carried to the Falklands soon, where it will be presented to the Museum.
By Graham Bound - London
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Read all commentsYou are one idiotic pathetic sad little troll, and you lie through your teeth too, Britain never recognized Spanish sovereignty, your lie number one, Britain did have a presence on the islands with constant visits by ships, your lie number 2, Britain expelled no civilians from the islands just the murdering raping military who where going to leave any way, lie number 3, and i am happy to remind you, long live the Falklands, long live the islanders,
Jan 06th, 2025 - 12:10 pm 0Malvi
Jan 07th, 2025 - 12:00 pm 0“On January 3, 1833, the warships Clío and Tyne expelled the Argentine inhabitants of Puerto Soledad, under threat of combat and lowering the Argentine flag”.
But they didn't though did they Malvi.
Shall we just stick to the facts as it is 2025, the facts in Pinedos own logs, as he was there, and neither of us were.
On January 2nd 1833, the SS Sarandi was packed up and ready to leave the Falklands with its crew under Captain Luis Pinedo, and the remnants of the Vernet business who wished to leave the islands. Pinedo had ordered a small militia (who had already mutinied, murdered and raped in the 8 weeks they'd been on the islands) to remain, against their will despite the fact they had commissioned the Rapid to return them to the mainland.
Captain Onslow of the Clio did indeed lower the Argentine flag, allowed the Sarandi to leave (as it planned to do) and allowed the militia to leave (as they wished to do).
So, NO ARGENTINE INHABITANTS WERE EXPELLED UNDER THE THREAT OF COMBAT. The fact you need to repeat that lie again and again proves that you know your argument has failed. It is hilarious to watch you troll these boards with things you know to be false because you lost the argument.
Britain had indeed left the islands in 1765, only ever recognised Spanish sovereignty of East Falkland and never relinquished their claim.
Argentina had 23 years to establish a working population on the islands between 1810-1833, and despite a couple of dubious attempts, failed to do so, and whatever minuscule moral claim that may have existed was utterly relinquished with their illegal invasion in 1982 costing 900 lives and littered with war crimes.
So, allowing two ships to peacefully leave (that planned to anyway) in 1833 versus costing 900 lives in 1982 with an illegal invasion...and you think you have the moral high ground?
Sorry Malvi, you are a liar, a fraud and a coward...just thought I'd remind you!
1833, why oh why do you keep posting your silly childish nonsense, all you are achieving is to make yourself look stupid, every claim you have put forward has been debunked over and over and over again, you are like a little mouse stuck on a spinning wheel and cant get off it, you now know what you post is not true , why you believed the Juntas lies in the first place beggars belief, i know its hard for you to accept but be a man not a fanatical fraud
Jan 07th, 2025 - 06:23 pm 0Commenting for this story is now closed.
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