OTD May 29th 1982 - The Falklands War - From the War Diaries of Admiral Woodward
Early on the morning of 29th May, Major Chris Keeble, the battalion 2IC who took over when H Jones was killed, wrote his grim ultimatum to the defenders of Goose Green - #Falklands40
To the Commander Argentine Forces, Goose Green
From the Commander British Forces, Goose Green Area
Military Options
We have sent a POW to you under a White Flag of Truce to convey the following:
1) That you surrender your force to us by leaving the township, forming up in a military manner, removing your helmets and laying down your weapons. #Falklands40
You will give prior notice of this intention by returning the POW under the White Flag, with him briefed as to the formalities, no later than 0830 local time. #Falklands40
2) You refuse in the first case to surrender and take the inevitable consequences. You will give prior notice of this intention by returning the POW without his White Flag, although his neutrality will be respected, no later than 0830 hrs local time. #Falklands40
3) In any event & in accordance with the terms of the Geneva Conventions & the laws of war, you shall be held responsible for the fate of any civilians in Goose Green & we, in accordance with the laws, do give you prior notice of our intention to bombard Goose Green. #Falklands40
Signed C Keeble
Commander, British Forces, Goose Green Area.
Morning of 29th May saw the 690 men of 2 Para awaiting the appearance of their POW who had been sent in with a message to the Argentine Commander that unless he surrendered they would bombard Goose Green. #Falklands40
The Argentine forces, known as Task Force Mercedes, consisted of two companies of Lieutenant-Colonel Italo Piaggi's 12th Infantry Regiment (IR12) & a company of the Ranger-type 25th Infantry Regiment (IR25). #Falklands40
Air defence was provided by a battery of six 20 mm Rheinmetall manned by Air Force personnel & two radar-guided Oerlikon 35 mm anti-aircraft guns from the 601st Anti-Aircraft Battalion that would be employed in a ground role in the last stages of the fighting. #Falklands40
There was also one battery of three OTO Melara Mod 56 105 mm pack howitzers from the 4th Airborne Artillery Regiment. Total forces under Piaggi's commanded numbered 1083 men. #Falklands40
On receiving the terms, Piaggi concluded "..The battle had turned into a sniping contest. They could sit well out of range of our soldiers' fire and, if they wanted to, raze the settlement. #Falklands40
I knew that there was no longer any chance of reinforcements from 6th [Compañía 'Piribebuy'] Regiment's B Company and so I suggested to Wing Commander [Vice Commodore] Wilson Pedrozo that he talk to the British. He agreed reluctantly." #Falklands40
To the Paras amazement & relief the POW appeared carrying the White Flag, indicating the surrender of the Argentine force. Pedrozo held a short parade and then all on parade laid down their weapons and helmets as required. #Falklands40
After burning their regimental flag Piaggi led the troops and Officers into captivity.
Between 45 and 55 argentines were killed and about 86 wounded. The British lost 18 killed and 64 wounded.
29th May was Argentine National Army Day.
Group of 2 Para Medics at Darwin Hill.
Martin Bentley, Steven Hughes, Medic Private Irvine Gibson, Medic Private Mark Polkey, Medic Private Phil Clegg, Padres bodyguard, L/Cpl Tam Thornborrow, RMO's Signaller Peter Hall
As the noise of battle subsided and hundreds of Argentine troops surrendered, Paratrooper Jimmy Goodall looked at the handful of farm buildings in Goose Green and found himself suddenly overwhelmed with doubt. #Falklands40
Why had they been fighting for the Falklands, a group of small islands in the South Atlantic 8,000 miles from the UK? #Falklands40
I’ve been following @Jessrocks on Twitter for a few years now. She is a wonderful human with amazing talent, both cooking and singing. Jess is always helping others, no agenda, just pure passion and I’d like to help her. #LetsMakeJessASingingChef
By helping her we also help others to eat more healthily and on a shoestring budget. Jess has to do all of this for herself and the fact that she shares her talents to benefit others always blows me away.
OTD May 28th 1982 - The Falklands War - From the War Diaries of Admiral Woodward
On paper Piaggi had a full regiment, but it consisted of units from three separate regiments from two different brigades, none of whom had ever worked together. #Falklands40
12IR consisted mostly of conscripts from the northern, sub-tropical province of Corrientes, while the 25IR Company was considered an elite formation and had received commando training.
Wait, what, well knock me over with a feather. I can’t believe that Saint Jess would stoop so low - oh wait - it’s Jess Philips of Labour - oh okay then.
A Commons sleaze investigation into shadow minister Jess Philips has concluded she breached the House’s Register of Interest rules multiple times with late registrations of payments in her capacity as an author, columnist and public speaker, beyond the 28-day deadline.
She also “incorrectly registered accommodation provided by Google as hospitality rather than earnings.” No doubt if this were a Tory minister Labour would by demanding a resignation…
SAS patrols from G Squadron found that a number of high peaks overlooking the Argentine defences around Port Stanley were largely undefended, after the Argentine heliborne reserve ‘Combat Team Solari’ (B Company, 12th Infantry Regiment) #Falklands40
had been dispatched to support the fighting at Goose Green and the 4th Infantry Regiment had received orders to abandon Mount Challenger and take up positions on Mounts Two Sisters and Harriet. #Falklands40
OTD May 27th 1982 - The Falklands War - From the War Diaries of Admiral Woodward
WITH LAND FORCES
On 23rd May, two days after landing, 2 Para's c/o Lt Col H Jones emerged from a planning meeting aboard INTREPID with a timetable to attack Goose Green on May 25th. #Falklands40
Next day the operation was cancelled, because it 'was not favoured' in London. However, its military necessity could not be denied and at noon on 26th, the attack was re-instated. #Falklands40
The BBC reported, on May 27th, speculation in the British press that Goose Green had fallen, before the attack had even taken place. Lt Col Jones was furious when he heard this news on the BBC World Service radio. #Falklands40