By Graham Bound (Stanley, FI) – Days were short during the occupation of 1982, and everything in Stanley seemed hostile and frightening. Our situation was hardly any safer when the watery winter sun went down and the Argentine-imposed curfew forced us indoors. But within whichever substantial building one chose to shelter, with windows blacked out and peat stoves glowing, there was comfort and at least the perception of safety.
In 1982, Britain's Special Air Service troops were the first to fire a Stinger missile in combat, during the Falkland Islands conflict. They had been drafted in to distract Argentine forces from the San Carlos landings, carried out by British soldiers in response to Argentina's invasion of the Islands in April 1982.
On Monday 11 July 1982, forty years ago, the SS Canberra – an ocean liner requisitioned by the British Ministry of Defense to transport personnel - returned from the Falklands conflict to Southampton, where she was escorted by a fleet of small vessels and some 2,500 members of the Armed Forces were greeted by cheering crowds.
The Argentine occupation of the Falkland Islands is coming to an end and Liberation is in the air. Royal Marines, Paras, Scot Guards, and Gurkhas with naval bombardment support were attacking and capturing the Mounts surrounding Stanley, which would inevitably lead to the collapse and surrender of Argentine forces on 14 June.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Falklands Conflict and SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity is calling on the British public to remember those who served during the Falklands Conflict, particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Prime minister Boris Johnson said that “now things are a bit quieter in Westminster”, he might be able to visit the Falkland Islands, pointing out he was probably the only person at the Speaker's House ceremony who has never visited the Islands.
As the Queen's Platinum Jubilee popular celebrations come to an end, Falkland Islanders have turned back to the 40th-anniversary commemorations of the war and the coming Liberation Day. The Chair of the 40th Anniversary Committee, Mrs. Phyl Rendell MBE made a brief statement on coming events and the future.
On 21 May 1982, following the invasion of the Falkland Islands by Argentina, the UK began landing troops in East Falkland, the first stage in Operation Sutton to recapture the British Overseas Territory.
The extraordinary and emotive stories of people who lived in the Falkland Islands and those who were there on the ground, in the air, and at sea during the 1982 deadly conflict are being told in an exclusive BFBS podcast. The audio series 'Falklands 82: Stories From The South Atlantic' marks 40 years since Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands.
DropZone Brewery, a veteran-owned business which supports former servicepeople, has launched three limited-edition spirits to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War and raise funds for charity. All profits from the launch will be donated to the South Atlantic Medal Association 82 (SAMA82), formed by veterans of the Falklands conflict.