Changes

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 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 (Jungle) 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>

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, David Aldea & Don Darnell, 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.  

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 (No. 1 Gun, Air Force Private Ramón Garcés)<ref>[https://www.lanacion.com.ar/sociedad/malvinas-la-historia-del-excombatiente-dado-por-muerto-y-que-rechazo-una-invitacion-de-la-tv-inglesa-nid26032021/ Malvinas: la historia del excombatiente dado por muerto y que rechazó una invitación de la TV inglesa]</ref>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.

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 (No. 1 Gun under Air Force Private First Class Ramón Garcés)<ref>[https://www.lanacion.com.ar/sociedad/malvinas-la-historia-del-excombatiente-dado-por-muerto-y-que-rechazo-una-invitacion-de-la-tv-inglesa-nid26032021/ Malvinas: la historia del excombatiente dado por muerto y que rechazó una invitación de la TV inglesa]</ref>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 (under Senior Lieutenant Carlos Alberto Chanampa) of the 4th Airborne Artillery Group. Air defence was provided by a battery of 20 mm Rheinmetall pieces manned by the Air Force (under Lieutenant Darío Del Valle Valazza) 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 Stanley.

==Darwin Parks==

==Darwin Parks==