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[[Image:Belgrano sinking.jpg|200px|thumb|right|ARA ''General Belgrano'' sinking during the [[Falklands War]], May 2, 1982]]

[[Image:Belgrano sinking.jpg|200px|thumb|right|ARA ''General Belgrano'' sinking during the [[Falklands War]], May 2, 1982]]

For years Argentina had claimed the British-held Falkland Islands as part of its territory, and had continued negotiations for transferring the islands to Argentine control, to no avail.  On April 2, 1982, the military junta who controlled Argentina invaded the islands, effectively taking possession in a matter of days and sparking the undeclared [[Falklands War]].  British prime minister [[Margaret Thatcher]] ordered a 200-mile exclusion zone around the islands, mainly for the benefit of neutral shipping. The Argentinian government was made aware of Britain's rules of engagement on April 23 by a message sent through the Swiss embassy in Buenos Aires, which read:

For years Argentina had claimed the British-held Falkland Islands as part of its territory, and had continued negotiations for transferring the islands to Argentine control, to no avail.  On April 2, 1982, the military junta who controlled Argentina invaded the islands, effectively taking possession in a matter of days and sparking the undeclared [[Falklands War]].  British prime minister [[Margaret Thatcher]] ordered a 200-mile exclusion zone around the islands, mainly for the benefit of neutral shipping. The Argentinian government was made aware of Britain's rules of engagement on April 23 by a message sent through the Swiss embassy in Buenos Aires, which read:

<blockquote>In announcing the establishment of a Maritime Exclusion Zone around the Falkland Islands, Her Majesty's Government made it clear that this measure was without prejudice to the right of the United Kingdom to take whatever additional measures may be needed in the exercise of its right of self-defence under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. In this connection Her Majesty's Government now wishes to make clear that any approach on the part of Argentine warships, including submarines, naval auxiliaries or military aircraft, which could amount to a threat to interfere with the mission of British Forces in the South Atlantic will encounter the appropriate response. All Argentine aircraft, including civil aircraft engaged in surveillance of these British forces, will be regarded as hostile and are liable to be dealt with accordingly.</blockquote>

<blockquote>In announcing the establishment of a Maritime Exclusion Zone around the Falkland Islands, Her Majesty's Government made it clear that this measure was without prejudice to the right of the United Kingdom to take whatever additional measures may be needed in the exercise of its right of self-defence under Article 51 of the [[United Nations Charter]]. In this connection Her Majesty's Government now wishes to make clear that any approach on the part of Argentine warships, including submarines, naval auxiliaries or military aircraft, which could amount to a threat to interfere with the mission of British Forces in the South Atlantic will encounter the appropriate response. All Argentine aircraft, including civil aircraft engaged in surveillance of these British forces, will be regarded as hostile and are liable to be dealt with accordingly.</blockquote>

On April 26, ''General Belgrano'' and her escorts were ordered to the area to patrol the sea to the south of the islands; on April 30 they were sighted and tracked by HMS ''Conqueror'', a British nuclear-powered attack submarine.  Although outside the exclusion zone and sailing away, ''Conqueror'' determined ''General Belgrano'' to be a threat in accordance with the rules of engagement and fired three torpedoes; one blew off the bow of the ship, a second hit amidships.  The third torpedo missed.  ''General Belgrano'' sank in less than thirty minutes.  321 crew members and two civilians died, while 770 were rescued during the next two days.

On April 26, ''General Belgrano'' and her escorts were ordered to the area to patrol the sea to the south of the islands; on April 30 they were sighted and tracked by HMS ''Conqueror'', a British nuclear-powered attack submarine.  Although outside the exclusion zone and sailing away, ''Conqueror'' determined ''General Belgrano'' to be a threat in accordance with the rules of engagement and fired three torpedoes; one blew off the bow of the ship, a second hit amidships.  The third torpedo missed.  ''General Belgrano'' sank in less than thirty minutes.  321 crew members and two civilians died, while 770 were rescued during the next two days.