On the 40th anniversary of the beginning of Falklands War, James Connolly details how the conflict began
In the early hours of April 2, 1982, Gemini boats carrying troops from Amphibious Commando Grouping - an element of Argentina’s Task Force 40.1 - landed ashore at Mullet Creek, a small inlet three miles south-west of Port Stanley. Led by Lieutenant Commander Guillermo Sanchez-Sabarots, the men had been deployed under the cover of darkness from ARA Santísima Trinidad, one of two Type-42 destroyers operated by the Argentine Navy. Having conquered rough seas and near-impenetrable beds of kelp, the main party began its march north.
Argentina’s invasion of the Falkland Islands had truly commenced.
The assault - codenamed Operation Rosario - appeared to be the product of meticulous and detailed planning. Members of the Buzo Tactico, an elite special forces division, would lead the initial raids on Moody Brook and Government House, while the 25th Infantry Regiment would simultaneously attempt to seize the airfield at Port Stanley, enabling supplies and reinforcements to be flown in.
