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Gómez-Centurión gave out the orders: only one round at a time. Lying down in the cover of trenches the Argentinians began shooting into the air in order to make the British believe that the Argentinians obstructing their advance were weak in numbers, badly trained, inexperienced and not ready for an all-out assault. It was a ruse. Gómez-Centurión was waiting for the British to swarm forward in one human wave and then wipe them out with grenades and automatic fire. He kept his 3rd Section back in reserve. To assist Gómez-Centurión the Pucaras from Stanley were to provide a napalm strike on those Paras that had survived.

Gómez-Centurión gave out the orders: only one round at a time. Lying down in the cover of trenches the Argentinians began shooting into the air in order to make the British believe that the Argentinians obstructing their advance were weak in numbers, badly trained, inexperienced and not ready for an all-out assault. It was a ruse. Gómez-Centurión was waiting for the British to swarm forward in one human wave and then wipe them out with grenades and automatic fire. He kept his 3rd Section back in reserve. To assist Gómez-Centurión the Pucaras from Stanley were to provide a napalm strike on those Paras that had survived.

According to Private Graham Carter from 12 Platoon, D Company, 2 PARA:{{cquote|We found the first enemy position when one of the lads actually fell into a trench. There were weapons and ammo all covered in mud, just left there. They'd all bugged out, so we never saw anybody.  After an hour or so, we began getting effective fire on us.  We started taking cover when we heard rounds whistling around us ... we saw who was firing at us and fired back .... the section commander [Corporal Paul Sullivan] who was behind me, was hit in the knee and screamed out, and then took two more straight through the head and was killed. I got on the radio to bring up some reserves into the dead ground to the left - to go through the enemy position. When they arrived back, the sergeant sent me back to see if Paul could be helped.  It was no use. He'd gone.<ref>The Scars of War, Hugh McManners, p. 125, HarperCollins, 1993</ref>}}

According to Private Graham Carter from 12 Platoon, D Company, 2 PARA:{{cquote|We found the first enemy position when one of the lads actually fell into a trench. There were weapons and ammo all covered in mud, just left there. They'd all bugged out, so we never saw anybody.  After an hour or so, we began getting effective fire on us.  We started taking cover when we heard rounds whistling around us ... we saw who was firing at us and fired back .... the section commander (Corporal Paul Sullivan) who was behind me, was hit in the knee and screamed out, and then took two more straight through the head and was killed. I got on the radio to bring up some reserves into the dead ground to the left - to go through the enemy position. When they arrived back, the sergeant sent me back to see if Paul could be helped.  It was no use. He'd gone.<ref>The Scars of War, Hugh McManners, p. 125, HarperCollins, 1993</ref>}}

What happened is well known is well known among members of the Argentinian platoon. The Argentinian fire eventually slackened and died. Then 2d Lieutenant James Barry, 29, came out to urge the Argentinians to surrender, promising good treatment. Gómez-Centurión had wondered for a moment, ''"Are the English in such a bad state that surrender is their only option? Well best for us."'' The 25th Regiment platoon commander answered Barry succinctly, in perfect American English: ''"Son of a bitch! You've got two minutes to return to your lines before I give the order to open fire: Get out of here!"''

What happened is well known is well known among members of the Argentinian platoon. The Argentinian fire eventually slackened and died. Then 2d Lieutenant James Barry, 29, came out to urge the Argentinians to surrender, promising good treatment. Gómez-Centurión had wondered for a moment, ''"Are the English in such a bad state that surrender is their only option? Well best for us."'' The 25th Regiment platoon commander answered Barry succinctly, in perfect American English: ''"Son of a bitch! You've got two minutes to return to your lines before I give the order to open fire: Get out of here!"''

Barry started walking back and was just climbing over a barbed wire cattle fence when the rattle of machinegun fire came from the British machine-gun platoon on Darwin Ridge. The 25th Regiment platoon was hit by machinegun fire and Corporal Héctor Rubén Oviedo was killed. The enraged Argentinians opened fire and Barry was killed. Lance-Corporal Nigel Smith then tried to fire a 66mm anti-tank rocket using his left shoulder as the cattle fence was obstructing his aim. Although the British NCO managed to fire the projectile, its "back blast" hit him the face and chest and he succumbed to his injuries.<ref>"Our 2ic Smudge (Lance Corporal Nigel Smith) then tried to fire a 66 using his left shoulder as the fence was in the way. Although he got the rocket off, its backlash took him in the face and chest, so he was in a bad way. I tried to go back to give him first aid, but was hit in the helmet, so I scurried back into my little hollow. Up front the medic and signaller were flapping, and we had a bit of mucking about ... Brummy (Private Brummie Mountford) and I tried again to use the GPMG. A sniper was doing all the damage, from a dip in the ground about 200 metres away. He moved and we saw him. I put half a magazine into him and he curled up like a cat. I knew I'd hit him, so I finished him off with the rest."</ref>

Barry started walking back and was just climbing over a barbed wire cattle fence when the rattle of machinegun fire came from the British machine-gun platoon on Darwin Ridge. The 25th Regiment platoon was hit by machinegun fire and Corporal Héctor Rubén Oviedo was killed. The enraged Argentinians opened fire and Barry was killed. Lance-Corporal Nigel Smith then tried to fire a 66mm anti-tank rocket using his left shoulder as the cattle fence was obstructing his aim. Although the British NCO managed to fire the projectile, its "back blast" hit him the face and chest and Smith soon succumbed to his injuries.<ref>"Our 2ic Smudge (Lance Corporal Nigel Smith) then tried to fire a 66 using his left shoulder as the fence was in the way. Although he got the rocket off, its backlash took him in the face and chest, so he was in a bad way. I tried to go back to give him first aid, but was hit in the helmet, so I scurried back into my little hollow. Up front the medic and signaller were flapping, and we had a bit of mucking about ... Brummy (Private Brummie Mountford) and I tried again to use the GPMG. A sniper was doing all the damage, from a dip in the ground about 200 metres away. He moved and we saw him. I put half a magazine into him and he curled up like a cat. I knew I'd hit him, so I finished him off with the rest." The Scars of War, Hugh McManners, p. 177, HarperCollins, 1993</ref>

Private John Graham from No. 11 Platoon (under Lieutenant Chris Waddington) D Company, told a different account of the incident: ''"I saw the white flag incident; I was in 11 Platoon. We were going up the hill and the flag went up. The officer called the sergeant, and the got halfway up the hill. Bang! They let rip into them. Killed them. One guy was hit in the knee and one of the bastards came forward and shot him in the head. He moved forward out of his position and shot him."''<ref>The World's Elite Forces, Bruce Quarrie, p. 18, Berkley Books, 1988</ref>

Private John Graham from No. 11 Platoon (under Lieutenant Chris Waddington) D Company, told a different account of the incident: ''"I saw the white flag incident; I was in 11 Platoon. We were going up the hill and the flag went up. The officer called the sergeant, and the got halfway up the hill. Bang! They let rip into them. Killed them. One guy was hit in the knee and one of the bastards (Ricardo Andrés Austin or Jose Luis Allende) came forward and shot him in the head. He moved forward out of his position and shot him."''<ref>The World's Elite Forces, Bruce Quarrie, p. 18, Berkley Books, 1988</ref>

 

During that fight the British Paratroopers watched transfixed for a moment, while two conscripts, Ricardo Andrés Austin and Jose Luis Allende, crawled towards them, one trying to draw their rifle fire, while the other clutched hand grenades. Then they were shot. Both Argentinians received posthumously the Gallantry In Combat Medal.<ref>[https://www.lagazeta.com.ar/praderadelganso.htm Honrando el valor de los bravos del 25]</ref>

The fighting for Goose Green airbase was cold, hard and brutal. 'Romeo' Platoon ambushed Number 12 Platoon, killing three men. Captain Hugh McManners in 'The Scars of War' (HarperCollins, 1993) noted that:{{cquote|He (Private Graham Carter) had been involved in a savage ambush which, as the Paras regained their initiative and fought back, turned into a vicious gun battle. His platoon commander had been killed, and his section effectively put out of action, with section commander (Corporal Paul Sullivan) killed and 2 ic (Lance-Corporal Nigel Smith) seriously wounded. Despite being the most inexperienced man in the platoon, Private Carter had fought off the enemy, attended to the wounded, then got control of the section and called up the rest of the platoon to make a counterattack- all under continuous fire.<ref>The Scars of War, Hugh McManners, p. 125, HarperCollins, 1993</ref>}}

The fighting for Goose Green airbase was cold, hard and brutal. 'Romeo' Platoon ambushed Number 12 Platoon, killing three men. Captain Hugh McManners in 'The Scars of War' (HarperCollins, 1993) noted that:{{cquote|He (Private Graham Carter) had been involved in a savage ambush which, as the Paras regained their initiative and fought back, turned into a vicious gun battle. His platoon commander had been killed, and his section effectively put out of action, with section commander (Corporal Paul Sullivan) killed and 2 ic (Lance-Corporal Nigel Smith) seriously wounded. Despite being the most inexperienced man in the platoon, Private Carter had fought off the enemy, attended to the wounded, then got control of the section and called up the rest of the platoon to make a counterattack- all under continuous fire.<ref>The Scars of War, Hugh McManners, p. 125, HarperCollins, 1993</ref>}}

Private Carter led the dispersed paratroopers forward in a counter-ambush to clear the Argentinian positions, winning the [[Military Medal]] in the process. Second Lieutenant Gómez-Centurión disengaged, and covered by Sergeant Sergio Ismael García<ref>"'C' Company sustained heavy losses and 'D' Company also saw some extremely fierce fighting, particularly No. 12 Platoon of 'D' Company, who managed to fight off an ambush before Private Graham Carter led the men forward at bayonet point to  take the airfield. The RI 25 Platoon fled, and, single-handedly covered by Sergeant Sergio Ismael García, managed to escape." Paratroopers, RW Press</ref>and Private Domingo Víctor Álamo<ref>[https://www.lv16.com.ar/sg/nota/96681/a-35-anos-de-malvinas-hay-que-transmitirle-a-los-jovenes-que-la-guerra-no-es-el-camino-correcto-sino-el-dialogo  A 35 años de Malvinas: "Hay que transmitirle a los jóvenes que la guerra no es el camino correcto, sino el diálogo" ]</ref>, managed to escape. García was posthumously awarded the [[Gallantry In Combat Medal]]<ref>"Desempeñándose como Encargado de Sección en un contraataque y al quedar fuera de servicio una ametralladora, se hizo cargo de ella, abriendo el fuego con eficacia, provocando la detención del avance enemigo en su sector. Posteriormente, al efectuar una maniobra para silenciar las armas pesadas enemigas que lo batían y próximo a alcanzar el objetivo, ofrendó su vida." Informe Oficial del Ejército Argentino, p. 56, Ejército Argentino, 1983</ref>while Álamo won the Argentinian Military Commendation Medal (Medalla al Merito Militar).

Only at about 5.45 pm did Gómez-Centurión realize that his ambush had gone seriously wrong and that he was being trapped. Unfortunately for the Argentinians, the platoon's radio was damaged and the 120 mm mortars at Goose Green Settlement couldn't be used. Gómez-Centurión yelled to his platoon to get out and his men hurried away in good order, dragging their wounded. Sergeant García continued to hold his position with his machine-gun against repeated British attempts to cut their withdrawal route. But he was eventually shot dead through the head, shoulder and spine. His bravery was later recognized by the award of the Gallantry In Combat Medal.<ref>"'C' Company sustained heavy losses and 'D' Company also saw some extremely fierce fighting, particularly No. 12 Platoon of 'D' Company, who managed to fight off an ambush before Private Graham Carter led the men forward at bayonet point to  take the airfield. The RI 25 Platoon fled, and, single-handedly covered by Sergeant Sergio Ismael García, managed to escape." Paratroopers, RW Press</ref><ref>"Desempeñándose como Encargado de Sección en un contraataque y al quedar fuera de servicio una ametralladora, se hizo cargo de ella, abriendo el fuego con eficacia, provocando la detención del avance enemigo en su sector. Posteriormente, al efectuar una maniobra para silenciar las armas pesadas enemigas que lo batían y próximo a alcanzar el objetivo, ofrendó su vida." Informe Oficial del Ejército Argentino, p. 56, Ejército Argentino, 1983</ref>while Álamo won the Argentinian Military Commendation Medal (Medalla al Merito Militar).

 

Private Carter led the dispersed paratroopers forward in a counter-ambush to clear the Argentinian positions, winning the [[Military Medal]] in the process. Second Lieutenant Gómez-Centurión disengaged, and covered by Private Domingo Víctor Álamo<ref>[https://www.lv16.com.ar/sg/nota/96681/a-35-anos-de-malvinas-hay-que-transmitirle-a-los-jovenes-que-la-guerra-no-es-el-camino-correcto-sino-el-dialogo  A 35 años de Malvinas: "Hay que transmitirle a los jóvenes que la guerra no es el camino correcto, sino el diálogo" ]</ref>, managed to join the survivors in his platoon.  

 

Sergeant John Meredith, armed with a machine-gun, saw gobsmacked 2d Lieutenant Barry and Corporals Sullivan and Smith shot dead in the ambush. The British platoon sergeant showed ''“outstanding gallantry and leadership”'' by taking command of several men in No. 12 Platoon and joining Corporal Carter in the counter-attack to take the disputed airbase, and in so doing saved the lives of five of his pinned down Paratroopers.<ref>[https://inews.co.uk/news/uk/falklands-war-hero-john-meredith-white-flag-incident-auction-medals-769725 Falklands War hero who witnessed notorious ‘white flag’ incident to sell his nine medals]</ref>

In the late afternoon, combat aircraft from both sides intervened, starting with two [[Argentinian Navy]] MB-339's and two IA-58 Pucaras which attacked D Company. One of the Navy jets was brought down by a Royal Marine shoulder-launched Blowpipe, and minutes later the Pucaras dropped napalm with one shot down by small arms fire. Then three Royal Air Force (RAF) Harrier GR.3's brought much needed relief by silencing the radar-guided 35mm anti-aircraft guns at Goose Green Point with cluster bombs and rockets.

In the late afternoon, combat aircraft from both sides intervened, starting with two [[Argentinian Navy]] MB-339's and two IA-58 Pucaras which attacked D Company. One of the Navy jets was brought down by a Royal Marine shoulder-launched Blowpipe, and minutes later the Pucaras dropped napalm with one shot down by small arms fire. Then three Royal Air Force (RAF) Harrier GR.3's brought much needed relief by silencing the radar-guided 35mm anti-aircraft guns at Goose Green Point with cluster bombs and rockets.