Live ChatOn 2 April 1982, Argentinian forces invaded the British overseas territory of the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) 8,000 miles away in the South Atlantic. Argentina had claimed sovereignty over the islands for many years and their ruling military-run government did not believe that Britain would attempt to regain the islands by force.
Despite the huge distances involved, Britain assembled and sent a task force of warships and rapidly refitted merchant ships which reached the Falklands in early May.
On the 2nd May HMS Conqueror sank the Argentinian cruiser General Belgrano, with the loss of over 300 of her crew. After this incident, Argentinian ships remained in port. The Argentinian air force posed a significant threat. The Royal Navy lost several warships to attacks from Argentinian aircraft, which were armed with missiles. Its Fleet Auxiliary ships were also attacked.
British forces landed on the islands on 21 May. After a series of engagements against a well dug-in but ill-trained conscripted Argentinian Army, they began the battle for Stanley, the islands’ capital on 11 June.
General Mario Menendez surrendered to Major General Jeremy Moore, Commander of the British Forces on the Falkland Islands, on the evening of 14 June 1982.