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Following [[Operation Rosario (Falklands/Malvinas War)]], the Argentinian occupation of the Falkland/Malvinas Islands in early April 1982, the 2nd and 3rd British Parachute Battalions (2 and 3 PARA) of the British 1st Parachute Regiment were deployed as part of Brigadier Julian Thompson's 3 Commando Brigade to retake the islands in [[Operation Corporate]].

Following [[Operation Rosario (Falklands/Malvinas War)]], the Argentinian occupation of the Falkland/Malvinas Islands in early April 1982, the 2nd and 3rd British Parachute Battalions (2 and 3 PARA) of the British 1st Parachute Regiment were deployed as part of Brigadier Julian Thompson's 3 Commando Brigade to retake the islands in [[Operation Corporate]].

2 PARA attacked the Argentinian garrison at Goose Green in a protracted battle that starts on the night of May 27/28 and continues throughout the daylight hours. The Argentineans eventually surrendered to 2 PARA.

2 PARA attacked the Argentinian garrison at Goose Green in a protracted battle that started on the night of May 27/28 and continued throughout the daylight hours. The Argentinians eventually surrendered to 2 PARA.

==Task Force 'Mercedes'==

==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).

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'.

This deployment did not eventuate because by April 18 there was evidence that a force of British ships had sailed south from Ascension Island and on April 24, the 12th Regiment as part of the 3rd (Jungle) Infantry Brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General Omar Edgardo Parada, redeployed to the Falklands―known 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 Senior Lieutenant Carlos Daniel Esteban's C Company 25th 'Special' (Ranger-type) Regiment and 'Alpha' Platoon (Sección 'Alfa') from the 8th 'General Bernardo O'Higgins' Infantry Regiment 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.

 

On April 29, 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 Senior Lieutenant Carlos Daniel Esteban's C Company 25th 'Special' (Ranger-type) Regiment and 'Alpha' Platoon (Sección 'Alfa') from the 8th 'General Bernardo O'Higgins' Infantry Regiment 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 from an Argentinian Army Commando seconded to the 25th Regiment.

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 from an Argentinian Army Commando seconded to the 25th Regiment.

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 in a helicopter 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.

It was on April 30 that the regimental commander, the operations officer, Major Adolfo Ernesto Moore and the personnel officer, Captain Pedro Horacio Lavaysse flew in a helicopter 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.

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 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.  

==First losses==

==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.

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 (Lieutenant Daniel Antonio Jukic) 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.

Britain's military confidence suffered a knock with the downing of a Sea Harrier on May 4. 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 serviceman 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.

As a result of the British air strike, 114 inhabitants of Goose Green were kept under armed guard in the Social Hall until liberated by the British following the  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>

As a result of the British air strike, 114 inhabitants of Goose Green were kept under armed guard in the Social Hall until liberated by the British following the  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>

History was not kind to Lieutenant-Colonel Piaggi. Because he surrendered on National Army Day he was forced to resign from the Argentinian Army. And his military competence was called into question.

History was not kind to Lieutenant-Colonel Piaggi. Because he surrendered on National Army Day he was forced to resign from the Argentinian Army. And his military competence was called into question.

The performance of Lieutenant-Colonel Piaggi, was better than British and Argentinian assessments would indicate. During the battle, Piaggi did not panic when he was out of touch with what was happening and took up the reins as soon as it became possible. At no time did he completely surrender the initiative―his artillery, mortars and anti-aircraft guns and infantry were used to counter every move made by the British. At the critical point his rifle platoons plugged the gaps. On a personal level, his calm and determination inspired his men in the line of fire. During the evening fighting, Piaggi was observed rallying the troops and had stood exposed while cursing and firing several 9 mm rounds from his side-arm at the 3 low-flying GR-3 Harriers sent to silence his 35 mm anti-aircraft guns.

The performance of Lieutenant-Colonel Piaggi, was better than British and Argentinian assessments would indicate. During the battle, Piaggi did not panic when he was out of touch with what was happening and took up the reins as soon as it became possible. At no time did he completely surrender the initiative―his artillery, mortars and anti-aircraft guns and infantry were used to counter every move made by the British. At the critical point his rifle platoons plugged the gaps. On a personal level, his calm and determination inspired his men in the line of fire. During the evening fighting, Lieutenant-Colonel Piaggi and Major Moore were observed rallying the troops and Piaggi had stood exposed while cursing and firing several 9 mm rounds from his side-arm at the 3 low-flying GR-3 Harriers sent to obliterate his 35 mm anti-aircraft guns.

After a long fight in the military and civilian courts, Piaggi had his retired military rank and pension reinstated. He died in 2012.

After a long fight in the military and civilian courts, Piaggi had his retired military rank and pension reinstated. He died in 2012.