Falkland Islands - a small archipelago in the South Atlantic, which has now the status of the overseas territories of the British Crown - now back in 1982, has become a real "apple of discord" between the United Kingdom and Argentina.From April to June of this year, there were full-scale fighting with the most modern technology of the time.It was the only military conflict over the past few decades, when both sides used heavy weapons comparable amount.
Falkland Islands consist of only two relatively large islands with extremely "original" names - East and West Falklands.They are separated by a narrow strait.Furthermore, in the archipelago includes several hundred islets.The bulk of the population lives on the East Falkland.And there would be nothing remarkable in these islands, if not their geographical location.
Falkland Islands occupy such a prime location, which is a convenient staging post shipping routes of the South Atlantic and a great haven for parking and repair of dry-cargo ships, trawlers, and other maritime transport.This is especially true in light of the fact that in these waters is actively fishing.Also in the area of the archipelago lies a fairly brisk trade route.But that's not all.The Falkland Islands, which have a favorable geographical position, allow the military-strategic plan to control the entire area of the South Atlantic.
But the Falklands crisis had a more serious economic implications.In the early eighties British companies actively developing offshore island archipelago for oil.A state of the Argentine power at the time was extremely disturbing ...
So, the second of April 1982, a contingent of Argentine forces landed on the Falkland Islands.The garrison of Marines Her Majesty, stationed in the archipelago, had a stiff resistance, causing the aggressors early losses.Soon, however, on the orders of the governor of "Jarhead" lay down their arms.Thus began the Falkland conflict.Operation invasion called "Rosario" was held successfully.But the fun was just beginning.
odious government of Argentine dictator Leopoldo Galtieri General since the annexation of the Falkland Islands, pursued another goal - to unite as an aggressive foreign policy, torn by internal contradictions Argentine society.The military junta has been assured that the United Kingdom, due to the remoteness of the archipelago from the metropolis, would prefer to negotiate.
But the cabinet "Iron Lady" Margaret Thatcher reacted very harshly, that was just in the spirit of this lady.In deciding on the power to respond by force, the United Kingdom sent to a military solution to the situation expeditionary corps of 107 of warships (among whom was the destroyer "Sheffield", soon sunk by an Argentine missile "Exocet") and 6 submarines, as well as ocean liners"Queen Elizabeth" and "Canberra", had on board 6,000 Marines.
small fleet of Argentina Navy had no chance to stop this armada.But the Argentine Army was his argument - the epicenter of the fighting were significant forces of aircraft and about 12 thousand soldiers.It seemed that such a force will be able to successfully prevent the landing of the British divisions on the island.
twenty-first day of May the British "Marines", supported by naval forces landed on the East Falkland.By creating a beachhead, they moved inland island in the direction of the administrative center of the British Falkland Islands - Stanley.
In contrast to the sea and air battles on land high-tech do not have the critical.Everything here was more traditional - often decide the outcome of the battle with machine guns, bayonets, hand grenades and military training of soldiers.In this component, a small contingent of British professional "Marines" had an undoubted advantage over poorly trained Argentine conscripts.Even though a significant numerical superiority of the latter.
turning point short military campaign was the 29th of May, when during one of the fights of 450 British paratroopers defeated the Argentine unit numbering 1450 soldiers.After that, the Argentines some time resisted in the mountainous regions of the island, but there were destroyed or captured.
fourteenth day of June the commander of the Argentine contingent of the Falklands Major General Menendez, seeing the hopelessness of the situation, ordered his troops to lay down their arms.Thus, the Falkland Islands had again raised the flag of the United Kingdom, and restored the legitimate administration.
