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3 PARA marched across the East Falkland via Teal Inlet to Estancia House from where they began to send out patrols to recce the area around Mount Longdon situated to the north west of Port Stanley, the capital of the Islands.

3 PARA marched across the East Falkland via Teal Inlet to Estancia House from where they began to send out patrols to recce the area around Mount Longdon situated to the north west of Port Stanley, the capital of the Islands.

Before British forces could retake Port Stanley, it was essential that the high ground around the capital was taken. This included Mount Longdon, Mount Kent, the Two Sisters, Mount Harriet, Mount Tumbledown, Wireless Ridge and Mount William.

Before the British 3rd and 5th Brigades could retake Port Stanley, it was essential that the high ground around the capital was taken. This included Mount Longdon, Wireless Ridge and Cortley Ridge.

Of these objectives, 3 PARA was tasked with taking Mount Longdon on the night of the 11/12 June 1982, to coincide with attacks on the Two Sisters by 45 Commando and Mount Harriet by 42 Commando.

Of these objectives, 3 PARA was tasked with taking Mount Longdon on the night of the 11/12 June 1982, to coincide with attacks on the Two Sisters by 45 Commando and Mount Harriet by 42 Commando.

At 1930hrs on 10 June 1982, Lt Col Hew Pike gave his orders in the Regimental Aid Post at Estancia House for the attack on Mount Longdon. They were told to expect around 800 Argentine soldiers defending the Mount who were well dug in and provided with artillery cover from 3 Argentine x 105mm howitzers from Moody Brook and a further 155mm gun on Sapper Hill. In addition, the area had been heavily mined.

On 10 June 1982, Lt Col Hew Pike gave his orders in the Regimental Headquarters at Estancia House for the attack on Mount Longdon and Wireless Ridge. They were told to expect around 800 Argentine soldiers defending the the positions who were well dug in and provided with artillery cover from 18 Argentine 105mm howitzers from 3rd Artillery Group and a further 18 105mm howitzers near Stanley. In addition, the area had been heavily mined.

Mount Longdon is a long narrow feature of rocky terrain, running from east to west with two summits. As a result of its geography only one company attacking could advance along it. The plan was that the rifle companies would be led to the start line at the stream, west of Mount Longdon by members of D (Patrol) Company. H hour was set for 0001hrs, 12 June. The start line would be known as ‘Free Kick’.

Mount Longdon is a long narrow feature of rocky terrain, running from east to west with two summits. As a result of its geography only one company attacking could advance along it. The plan was that the rifle companies would be led to the start line at the stream, west of Mount Longdon by members of D (Patrol) Company. H hour was set for 0001hrs, 12 June. The start line would be known as ‘Free Kick’.