Continuing my Canberra in the Falklands research, I wanted to highlight the amount of improvised AA defences she had upon going into San Carlos water & weathering the air raids in ‘Bomb Alley’ on the 21st of May 1982.
(All image credits to IWM) 1.
#Falklandswar #Canberra 🇫🇰🪖
(All image credits to IWM) 1.
#Falklandswar #Canberra 🇫🇰🪖
The Canberra was transformed from luxury cruise-liner to Troop-ship in the days leading up to her voyage to the Falklands on the 9th of April 1982, her swimming pool was converted to a helicopter landing platform. 2.
Sometime during her voyage the need to arm the ship from Argentine Air attack was put into action. As did with most of the ships that entered San Carlos. Improvised AA defences were implemented. There was no shortage of GPMGs aboard already. 3.
Along with ships such as the Ardent & Antelope the Canberra’s decks and handrails were soon bristling with GMPGs on all sorts of improvised mountings. But as D-day grew closer the need for heavier AA defence became apparent. 4.
On the 17th of May 82’ Blowpipe missiles were taken aboard Canberra from the MS Europic Ferry. The man portable surface to air missile launcher would see its first active combat use in the Falklands. ( images: Blowpipes on the deck of the QE2 & in San Carlos ) 5. #Falklands
The Canberra finally entered San Carlos water at 0530 hours on the 21st of May 82’ The Air threat warning was Red as she anchored at 0605 hours. The Air defence teams were ready as the 1st warning of an Air raid was reported at 0845. 6.
The Captains Journal details her 1st raid. ‘1 Pucara counter insurgency aircraft reconnoitres the Sound. Swings toward the Canberra and fires more rockets, Engaged by bridge by GPMG and Blowpipe.’ (BBC cameramen ashore show her under attack) 7.
During the day she was subject to many passes by Argentine ships ‘Take cover Take over’ would be broadcast the SNO followed by silence and then a barrage of MG fire, then silence. She may has stood out like a sore thumb in San Carlos but the ship stood firm. 8.
At her peak AA capability the Canberra boasted 56 MG positions that consisted of 6 0.5 Browning heavy Machine guns and 50 GPMGs dotted around the decks and bridge. As well as Blowpipe missiles (Browning MG in San Carlos 2nd June 82’) 9.
The Canberra’s 94 days of wartime service is one of the more unique moments of civilian ships at war. Im working on more projects about her for the 40th Anniversary. Thanks for reading and stay tuned. ☺️ 10. #Canberra #Falklandswar #Falklands40 🇫🇰🛳
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