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Line 3: − + − On April 4th, the first Argentinian unit arrived at Goose Green. It was 27-year-old Senior Lieutenant Carlos Daniel Esteban's C Company of the 25th Special (Ranger-type) Infantry Regiment ('Regimiento de Infantería Especial 25' or RI 25) under 49-year-old Lieutenant-Colonel Mohamed Alí Seineldín. Later, the Argentinian Army High Command ('Estado Mayor General del Ejército' or EMGE) decided to reinforce the RI 25's C Company in the area and sent in 47-year-old Lieutenant-Colonel Ítalo Ángel Piaggi's 12th (Jungle) Infantry Regiment ('Regimiento de Infanteria 12 Juan Antonio Alvarez de Arenales or RI 12) along with other supporting units.+ − They arrived in helicopters between April 30th and May 21st. Then the troops responsible for the defences of Darwin-Goose Green were placed under joint command and named Task Force 'Mercedes'. The main unit was the 12th Regiment, whose home base in Argentina was at Mercedes in Corrientes Province, hence the name of the task force. However, this regiment was incomplete; its B Company (named Combat Team 'Solari') remained on Mount Kent, from which it was sent by helicopters to Goose Green too late to have any real effect in the battle. Combat Team 'Güemes', which consisted of one rifle platoon of C Company from the 25th 'Special' Regiment and a heavy weapons platoon of A Company from RI 12 was helicoptered north of Goose Green to San Carlos on May 15th.+ + + + + + + + + + Line 21:
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Battle of Darwin and Goose Green (view source)
Revision as of 16:57, July 1, 2021
, 16:57, July 1, 2021no edit summary
Goose Green, about 44 miles west of Port Stanley, lies at a neck of land a mile wide and five miles long that prevents East Falkland being sliced in two. Halfway down the isthmus lies a long series of low hills, Darwin Ridge. It was here that Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert 'H' Jones (Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment or 2 PARA) was killed when, followed by his bodyguard, Sergeant Barry Norman, he went off to outflank the Argentinian and was hit by automatic rifle fire.
Goose Green, about 44 miles west of Port Stanley, lies at a neck of land a mile wide and five miles long that prevents East Falkland being sliced in two. Halfway down the isthmus lies a long series of low hills, Darwin Ridge. It was here that Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert 'H' Jones (Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment or 2 PARA) was killed when, followed by his bodyguard, Sergeant Barry Norman, he went off to outflank the Argentinian and was hit by automatic rifle fire.
==Argentinian garrison==
==Task Force 'Mercedes'==
The story of 'Task Force Mercedes' began on 12 April 1982, when the 12th 'General Juan Alvarez de Arenales' Infantry Regiment left its peacetime location in Mercedes, Corrientes Province to move to Comodoro Rivadavia, 1,200 miles on the South Atlantic coast from which they could provide a deterrent to any Chilean intervention. After an incredible journey across Entre Ríos Province and the Colorado River they reached Chubut Province replacing units from the 9th Infantry Brigade (under Brigadier-General Américo Daher).
This deployment did not eventuate because by 18 April there was evidence that a force of British ships had sailed south from Ascension Island and on 24 April, the 12th Regiment as part of the 3rd (Jungle) Infantry Brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General Omar Edgardo Parada, redeployed to the Falklands-know in Argentina as 'Las Islas Malvinas'.
Most of the regiment with almost 800 dependants, embarked on civil aircraft on 24 April and the last elements flew out of Comodoro Rivadavia on the following day. Reaching the 'Malvinas' was like a dream to most regulars in the 12th Regiment. ''"There was no need for speeches,"'' said First Lieutenant Ignacio Benjamín Goritti, the commander of B Company, as he recalled the regiment's departure from Comodoro Rivadavia. ''"From the begining we knew how important the Malvinas were. It was a kind of love; we were going to defend something that was ours."'' Moving into a bivouac area on the road outside Port Stanley, the capital of the Falklands, the 12th Regiment was ordered to Mount Kent, some 12 miles west of the capital, detaching 'B' Company to Brigadier-General Oscar Luis Jofré's 10th 'Lieutenant-General Nicolás Levalle' Mechanized Infantry Brigade as part of the Port Stanley garrison's helicopterborne reserve.
On 29 April, the 12th Regiment began deploying to the second largest settlement in the Falklands, Goose Green, and joined the first garrison, C Company from the 25th Regiment now re-designated 'Task Force Mercedes'. A small garrison consisting of 1st Lt. Carlos Daniel Esteban's C Company 25th 'Special' (Ranger-type) Regiment and an 8th Regiment platoon had already been established at Goose Green to protect a dozen FMA IA-58 Pucara ground attack aircraft there. There were also 202 Air Force personnel present at Goose Green.
Goose Green, about 44 miles west of Port Stanley, lies at a neck of land a mile wide and five miles long that prevents East Falkland being sliced in two. Halfway down the isthmus lies a long series of low hills, Darwin Ridge. It was here that Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert 'H' Jones (Commanding Officer 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment or 2 PARA) was killed when, followed by his bodyguard, Sergeant Barry Norman, he went off to outflank the Argentinian and was hit by automatic rifle fire.
It was on 30 April that the regimental commander, the operations officer, Major Adolfo Ernesto Moore and the personnel officer, Captain Pedro Horacio Lavaysse flew across Wickham Heights to await the arrival of the 12th Regiment. The regimental commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Ítalo Ángel Piaggi was almost six feet tall and bore a striking resemblance to American actor Telly Savalas. At age 45, he was energetic and it was mighty hard to wear him out as was demonstrated in the battle which was to come.
Soon after their arrival Piaggi ordered Senior Lieutenant Jorge Antonio Manresa's 'A' Company to a blocking position near Port Darwin and Darwin Bay, on Darwin Ridge, and Senior Lieuteanant Ramón Duaso Fernández's 'C' Company to a similar position at Ramsground, about 2 miles south of Goose Green Settlement. The newly arrived 12th Regiment soldiers dug positions in the freezing wind. The Argentinian winter parkas were excellent, but the danger of frostbite was always present, and the uncovered portions of their faces suffered from the biting wind. This was the start of winter, in the 'Malvinas", and the temperatures dropped well below freezing every night. The trenches were like ice chambers. The days were short, the nights endless.
The 125 troops of the 25th 'Special' Regiment's 'C' Company waited in reserve in and around Darwin School where they regularly practiced counterattacks. Led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mohamed Alí Seineldín, the Argentinian Army Green Berets founder and first commanding officer, the 25th Regiment conscripts wore a shoulder patch depicting the 'Malvinas'. They were well armed, well trained and cadred by Commandos and Paratroopers.
The 125 troops of the 25th 'Special' Regiment's 'C' Company waited in reserve in and around Darwin School where they regularly practiced counterattacks. Led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mohamed Alí Seineldín, the Argentinian Army Green Berets founder and first commanding officer, the 25th Regiment conscripts wore a shoulder patch depicting the 'Malvinas'. They were well armed, well trained and cadred by Commandos and Paratroopers.
Although straitlaced, Lieutenant-Colonel Piaggi showed more thought for his young conscript soldiers than many of his contemporaries and allowed them 'R&R' (Rest and Recreation) whenever possible. '"I can clearly remember it as if it was yesterday walking my platoon down from Darwin Heights to have a hot bath and a good sleep to recover,"''<ref> Blood and Mud at Goose Green, Military History, April 2002</ref>said 2nd Lieutenant Ernesto Orlando Peluffo, a young platoon commander who had been a cadet only a few weeks previously.
Although straitlaced, Lieutenant-Colonel Piaggi showed more thought for his young conscript soldiers than many of his contemporaries and allowed them 'R&R' (Rest and Recreation) whenever possible. '"I can clearly remember it as if it was yesterday walking my platoon down from Darwin Heights to have a hot bath and a good sleep to recover,"''<ref> Blood and Mud at Goose Green, Military History, April 2002</ref>said 2nd Lieutenant Ernesto Orlando Peluffo, a young platoon commander who had been a cadet only a few weeks previously.
==First losses==
It was not until May 1 that three Royal Navy Sea Harriers screamed in to attack Goose Green airbase at dawn. All diplomatic efforts to produce a peaceful solution to the crisis had failed, the Argentinian refusing to withdraw from the 'Malvinas'. Minutes before nine Sea Harriers had delivered twenty-seven bombs to the Stanley runway and surrounding area. Second Lieutenant Claudio Oscar Braghini, the commander of the Army 35 mm radar-guided gun detachment at Goose Green with its Skyguard fire-control radar, was taken by surprise as the fighter-bombers appeared in the horizon. One of the bombs detonated on a Pucara. The pilot was killed, together with seven Air Force mechanics who were nearby. The Argentinian anti-aircraft gunners were not to be caught dozing a second time.
Britain's military confidence suffered a knock with the downing of a Sea Harrier on 4 May. At 1.45 pm Sea Harrier XZ-450 was shot down over Goose Green, caught in a stream of 35 mm fire from 3rd Troop B
Battery 601st Air Defence Artillery Regiment. It went up in a ball of fire as it neared the ground. The British pilot - Lieutenant Nicholas Taylor - was the first British pilot to die for Goose Green. The operator of the Skyguard, Corporal Luis Bernardo Ferreira detected the raid coming in and warned Braghini and the fire control radar picked up the three Sea Harriers twelve kilometres out at sea. Buenos Aires television which showed the mangled Sea Harrier over and over, described how a second Sea Harrier departed trailing smoke.
During the occupation, 114 inhabitants of Goose Green were kept under armed guard in the Social Hall until liberated by the British following the 14-hour long Battle for Goose Green. Piaggi explainied that the lockdown was necessary in order to protect the locals from ''"the rage of the air force men, who had lost so many colleagues."''<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/9369182/Making_Their_Dispositions_Accordingly_Civilian_Experiences_of_the_1982_Falklands_War Making Their Dispositions Accordingly: Civilian Experiences of the 1982 Falklands War ]</ref>
During the occupation, 114 inhabitants of Goose Green were kept under armed guard in the Social Hall until liberated by the British following the 14-hour long Battle for Goose Green. Piaggi explainied that the lockdown was necessary in order to protect the locals from ''"the rage of the air force men, who had lost so many colleagues."''<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/9369182/Making_Their_Dispositions_Accordingly_Civilian_Experiences_of_the_1982_Falklands_War Making Their Dispositions Accordingly: Civilian Experiences of the 1982 Falklands War ]</ref>
Indeed one local female resident reported that life in the Social Club was far from grim: ''"After the first week the Argentines let two women go out each day to the galley in the cookhouse, where all the men would normally eat together. They were allowed to cook up a big meal, with bread and cakes, and bring it down to the hall. Considering we were all cramped together in a small place everybody got on very well . People were generally good-natured."'' <ref>Speaking Out: Untold Stories from the Falklands War, Michael Bilton, Peter Kosminsky, Trafalgar Square, 1989</ref>
Indeed one local female resident reported that life in the Social Club was far from grim: ''"After the first week the Argentines let two women go out each day to the galley in the cookhouse, where all the men would normally eat together. They were allowed to cook up a big meal, with bread and cakes, and bring it down to the hall. Considering we were all cramped together in a small place everybody got on very well . People were generally good-natured."'' <ref>Speaking Out: Untold Stories from the Falklands War, Michael Bilton, Peter Kosminsky, Trafalgar Square, 1989</ref>
On May 15, 'Combat Team Güemes', 62 men strong, moved out by helicopter for the high ground around San Carlos Bay, about 12 miles to the north of Goose Green. It was comprised of 2nd Platoon C Company of the 25th Regiment, under the command of 2d Lieutenant Oscar Roberto Reyes and Sergeant Martín René Colque. They were backed by a platoon from A Company, 12th Regiment, under Second Lieutenant José Alberto Vázques; it inflicted considerable losses on the British landing force on 21 May 21, shooting down two 3rd Commando Brigade Gazelle helicopter gunships as they withdrew to Stanley.
==San Carlos==
==San Carlos==
3 Commando Brigade went ashore at San Carlos on the night of May 21/22. 2 PARA (Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert Jones) established itself on Sussex Mountain protecting the south of the Bridgehead without opposition. 3 PARA landed in the near Port San Carlos driving off a platoon of 40 Argentinians (under 2d Lieutenant José Alberto Vázquez), but not before shooting down 2 British Gazelle helicopter gunships.
3 Commando Brigade went ashore at San Carlos on the night of May 21/22. 2 PARA (Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert Jones) established itself on Sussex Mountain protecting the south of the Bridgehead without opposition. 3 PARA landed in the near Port San Carlos driving off a platoon of 40 Argentinians (under 2d Lieutenant José Vázquez), but not before shooting down 2 British Gazelle helicopter gunships.
On May 24, faced with the British beachhead at San Carlos, Brigadier-General Parada at Stanley, who had 'Task Force Mercedes' under his orders, ordered Piaggi to extend his defence perimeter to the north. Manresa's men, who had constructed a strong defence line on Darwin Ridge protected by anti-personnel mines and 250 pound aerial bombs out in front, now had to move beyond the minefields and booby-traps. In retrospect, Major Carlos Alberto Frontera, second-in-command of the 12th Regiment, said ''"These orders we should never have carried out."'' A confused A Company and the Reconnaissance Platoon (under Lieutenant Carlos Marcelo Morales) now dug positions about a mile and a half north of Darwin Ridge, near Burntside Pond.
On May 26, 2 PARA was ordered to move south and engage the Argentinian 12th 'Juan Antonio Alvarez de Arenales' Infantry Regiment and 'Condor' Military Airbase on the Darwin/Goose Green Peninsula.
On May 26, 2 PARA was ordered to move south and engage the Argentinian 12th 'Juan Antonio Alvarez de Arenales' Infantry Regiment and 'Condor' Military Airbase on the Darwin/Goose Green Peninsula.
The Argentinians became aware of British patrolling on May 27. As Manresa's 'A' Company dug in at new positions on Burntside Hill and Coronation Ridge, a lookout spotted three British soldiers on the forward slope of Cerritos Arroyo. ''"I took up position on one machinegun and with a corporal we engaged them,"'' said 2d Lieutenant Peluffo, ''"It was successful, I think. If not our target got a fright."''<ref> Blood and Mud at Goose Green, Military History, April 2002</ref>
Unknown to Peluffo, an estimated 600 Paratroopers of the British 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (2 PARA) were poised to attack 'Task Force Mercedes'. Goose Green on the right flank of the approach to Stanley was a thorn on the side of 3rd Commando Brigade, commanded by Brigadier Julian Thompson. The 601st and 602nd Commando Companies at Stanley could have been flown forward by helicopter and attacked the British from Goose Green.
Throughout May 27, Royal Air Force Harriers were active over Goose Green. One of them in responding to a call for softening up fire from Major Roger Jenner's 'C' (Patrol) Company of 2 PARA attacked Darwin Ridge and that led to its loss. As the intruding aircraft disintegrated in a stream of 20 mm fire, a parachute blossomed, and its pilot - Squadron Leader Bob Iveson - landed several miles away, near Paragon House. The shooting down of Harrier XZ 988 greatly boosted Argentinian morale.
On the eve of the first battle of the ground war there were 684 Argentinian Army personnel at Goose Green, including half a 105 mm howitzer battery of the 4th Airborne Artillery Group. Air defence was provided by a battery of 20 mm Rheinmetall pieces manned by the Air Force and two radar-guided 35 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns from the 601st Air Defence Artillery Group. In overall command was Wing Commander Wilson Rosier Pedrozo, but it would by Lieutenant-Colonel Piaggi's responsability to handle the coming battle. Contrary to British reports all of the airworthy Pucaras had been withdrawn to Stanle
On the eve of the first battle of the ground war there were 684 Argentinian Army personnel at Goose Green, including half a 105 mm howitzer battery of the 4th Airborne Artillery Group. Air defence was provided by a battery of 20 mm Rheinmetall pieces manned by the Air Force and two radar-guided 35 mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft guns from the 601st Air Defence Artillery Group. In overall command was Wing Commander Wilson Rosier Pedrozo, but it would by Lieutenant-Colonel Piaggi's responsability to handle the coming battle. Contrary to British reports all of the airworthy Pucaras had been withdrawn to Stanle