THE FAKLANDS/MALVINAS

CONFLICT, 1982
 Falkland Islands
Underlying Interests

Great Britain
• Self-determination of Islanders
• Lesser Issues
– Ice Free Port for Antarctica
– Economic Hopes -- Oil, Fisheries
 Falkland Islands
Underlying Interests

Argentina

• National Pride
• Economic Hopes – Oil, fisheries
• Distraction from domestic issues
• Legitimate claim
Stanley – from the Sea
 The Falkland Islands
Dependency of South Georgia
Bird Island
Bay of Isles

Willis Island Ice Fjord

Stromness Bay
Fortuna
King Glacier Cumberland West Bay
Haakon Bay Cumberland East Bay
GRYTVIKEN Barff Pen.

Hestesletten Hound Bay

Moraine
Annenkov I. Fjord Sorling
Valley
Royal Bay
Undine
S. Harbour

0 10 20 30 40
STATUTE MILES

Drygalski Fjord
Cape Disappointment
Stromness Bay
Leith Harbour
LEVELS OF WAR
 T H E F A L K L A N D S /M A L V IN A S C O N F L IC T O F 1 9 8 2
M A R IT IM E E X C L U S IO N Z O N E S
A ir B a s e s
N a v a l b a s e s o n m a in la n d A r g e n tin a
A r g e n t in a - C h ile a n fr o n t ie r B u e n o s A ir e s
A r g e n t in a 1 2 m i le T o t a l E x c lu s io n Z o n e ( T E Z )
B r itis h 2 0 0 m ile T o ta l E x c lu s io n Z o n e ( T E Z ) , A p r il 1 9 8 2

E s p e ra

P u e r to D e lg r a n o

S O U T H A T L A N T IC
O CEAN

N
T r e le w

C o m o d o r o R iv a d a v ia

C H IL E FALKLANDS AREA
P u e r to D e s e a d o
OF OPERATIONS
A R G E N T IN A
TE
Z OPERATIONAL-
S a n J u lia n

S a n ta C ru z
TACTICAL LEVEL
F A L K L A N D IS L A N D S
(Is la s M a lv in a s )
R io G a lle g o s
P o r t S ta n le y

TACTICAL LEVEL
P u n ta
A re n a s
T ie r r a d e l F e u g o

R io G r a n d e
TEZ
SO UTH U s h u a ia S ta t e n I.
P A C IF IC I. d e lo s E s ta d o s

O CEAN B e a g le C h a n n e l
C D -9 7 V E G O 1 6

CAPE HO RN
OPERATIONAL FACTORS
 FALKLANDS/MALVINAS CONFLICT:
DISTANCES BETWEEN VARIOUS POINTS (IN NM)
FALKLANDS/ GEORGIAS ASCENSION GREAT RIO BUENOS
MALVINAS BRITAIN GRANDE AIRES

FALKLANDS/MALVINAS ------ 780 3,300 6,800 400 950

GEORGIAS 780 ------ 3,000 6,600 1,200 1,400

ASCENSION 3,300 3,000 ------ 3,700 4,000 2,800

GREAT BRITAIN 6,800 6,600 3,700 ------ 7,100 6,100

RIO GRANDE 400 1,200 4,000 7,100 ------ 1,100

BUENOS AIRES 950 1,400 2,800 6,100 1,100 ------

 T h e F a lk la n d s / M a lv in a s C o n f lic t
Hu d so n
Ba y

La b ra d o r S e a N o rt h S e a

S u n d e r la n d

N E TH .
IR E L A N D U. K.

B E LG IU M
E n g lis h C h a n n e l

N a n te s
N o r t h A t la n t ic O c e a n
B a y o f B is c a y FR A N C E
Ba yo n n e

P o rt o B a rc e lo n a
P h ila d e lp h ia
B a lt im o re N e w Yo rk P O R TU G A L
W a s h in g t o n D . C . S P A IN
P o n t a D e lg a d a L is b o n S e v illa
N o r f o lk
G ib r a lt a r A lg e rs
C h a r lo t t e
C a s a b la n c a Ra b a t
B e rm u d a M O RO C C O
J a c k s o n v ille
C a n a r y Is la n d s A L G E R IA
Ta m p a

TH E B A H A M A S
W E S TE R N
H a va n a
SA H A RA

C UBA D O M . R E P. M A U R ITA N IA
J A M A IC A

H A ITI N o u a kc h o tt
M A LI
P r a ia SEN EG AL
D a ka r
C a rib b e a n S e a
G A M B IA
B U R K IN A
G U IN E A B IS S A U G U IN E A B E N IN
C a ra c a s C o n a kry
IV O R Y TO G O
G U YA N A F re e t o w n
V E N E ZU ELA C O A ST P o rt o N o v o
PA N A M A S U R IN A M E S IE R R A L E O N E
F R E N C H G U IA N A M o n ro v ia Lo m e

3 ,7 1
A c c ra
L IB E R IA A b id ja n

C O L O M B IA

8 n
.m i .
Q u it o
B e le m F o rt a le z a
Ta la ra
PERU
Tru jillo R e c if e
A S C E N S IO N IS L A N D
L im a B R A Z IL
B O L IV IA S a lv a d o r

R io D e J a n e ir o
PA R A G UAY
A n t o fa g a s t a
S a o P a u lo
C H IL E

A R G E N T IN A
P o r t o A le g r e
i.

S o u t h A t la n t ic O c e a n
m
n.
PPT-99-VEGO-42 (PFR)

S a n t ia g o
0
30

URUG UAY
3,

B u e n o s A ir e s M o n t e v id e o
C o n c e p c io n

V a ld iv ia

C o m o d o ro R iv a d a v ia
4 0 0 n .m i.
F A L K L A N D IS L A N D S

780 n.
P o r t S t a n le y m i.

S o u t h G e o r g ia Is la n d
2 0 0 m i. T E Z
S o u t h S a n d w ic h Is la n d

9 9 -C D -3 0 -V E G O -(P F R )
 T H E F A L K L A N D S /M A L V IN A S C O N F L IC T O F 1 9 8 2
M A R IT IM E E X C L U S IO N Z O N E S
A ir B a s e s
N a v a l b a s e s o n m a in la n d A r g e n tin a
A r g e n t in a - C h ile a n fr o n t ie r B u e n o s A ir e s
A r g e n t in a 1 2 m ile T o ta l E x c lu s io n Z o n e ( T E Z )
B r itis h 2 0 0 m ile T o ta l E x c lu s io n Z o n e ( T E Z ) , A p r il 1 9 8 2

E s p e ra

P u e r to D e lg r a n o

S O U T H A T L A N T IC
O CEAN

N
T r e le w

C o m o d o r o R iv a d a v ia

C H IL E
P u e rto D e s e a d o

A R G E N T IN A
Z
TE
S a n J u lia n

S a n ta C r u z
F A L K L A N D IS L A N D S
(Is la s M a lv in a s )
R io G a lle g o s
P o r t S t a n le y

P u n ta
A re n a s
T ie rra d e l F e u g o

R io G r a n d e
TEZ
SO UTH U s h u a ia S ta t e n I .
P A C IF IC I . d e lo s E s ta d o s

O CEAN B e a g le C h a n n e l
C D -9 7 V E G O 1 6

CAPE HORN
 GEOSTRATEGIC POSITION OF THE FALKLAND ISLANDS
BA N Trel ew
7 0 0 M il e L im it
S O U T H

A T L A N T I C

CHILE
BA M Co mo do ro R iva d avia
O C E A N

ARGENTINA Pu erto D esea do 20 0 Mil e L im its

A s c e n s io n Is l a n d

5
3 ,8 0 0 m ile s

18
n
m
Sa n Ju lia n

FALKLAND
San ta C ru z
ISLANDS EA N Ca lde ro n ( Pe bb le Isla nd airfield)

428nm Po rt Stan ley

BA M R io Ga lleg os BA M Ma lv in as ( St anle y Ai rp ort)
BAM Co ndo r (Goos e G re en )
S o u th G e o r g ia

m 1 ,0 0 0 m il e s
n
38 1

BA N Rio Gra n de

S ha g
Pu nta Arena s A n t a r c ti ca R o ck s

N 1 ,5 0 0 m i l e s
BA N U shu a ia

0 10 0 20 0 M ile s

0 10 0 30 0 Ki lo me ters

CD -97V EG O1 2
THE FACTOR OF FORCE
 ARGENTINE
• NAVAL FORCES
• LAND-BASED AIRCRAFT
• GROUND FORCES ON THE
MALVINAS
ARGENTINA'S AIRFIELDS ON THE FALKLAND ISLANDS
AND THE MAINLAND COAST
BA N Tr el ew

CHILE
BA M Co mo do r o R iva dav ia

ARGENTINA Pu e rt o D ese a do

51
8n
m
San Ju lian

Sa nta C ru z EA N Ca lde ro n ( Pe bb le I sl a nd air fi el d)

428nm
B AM Ri o G alleg os BA M Ma lvina s (St a nl ey Ai r po rt )
BA M Co nd or (G oo se G re e n)

38 1
n m
FALKLANDISLANDS
BA N Rio G r an de (Islas Malvinas)
Ke y to A i rfi e ld sym bo ls
Pu nta Ar ena s C ivil a irfie ld
M ilita ry a irf ie ld
BA N Ush u aia Join t civil/ militar y a ir field
A ce nt ral dot in d ic a te s a t l east one
r un wa y ove r 6 000 f t ( 1 829 m ) in le n gt h.

CD- 96V E GO30

 A r g e n t in e U n it s in t h e F a lk la n d s , 3 0 A p ril 1 9 8 2
S ta n le y S e c to r
C o a s ta l S e c to r (L ito r a l O c c u p a tio n ) (P u e r to A r g e n tin e O c c u p a tio n )
B r ig . G e n O .E . P a r a d a B r ig . G e n O .L . J o fr e

C a ld e r o n N a v a l
A ir S ta t io n
P e b b le I s la n d

M a lv in a s '
P o rt H o w a rd A ir B a s e
C o n d o r M ilita r y
5 th R e g t A ir B a s e S TA N L E Y

1 2 th R e g t.
C C o y, 2 5 th R e g t
G oose U n its in S ta n le y a r e a :
G re e n 3 r d , 4 t h , 6 t h , 7 t h , a n d 2 5 t h R e g ts .
Fox Bay
5 th M a r in e In fa n tr y B n .
3 r d A r t ille r y R e g t .
4 t h A ir m o b ile A r t ille r y R e g t .
8 th R e g t B B a t te r y , 1 s t M a r in e F ie l d A t r ill e r y
9 t h E n g in e e r C o y
6 0 1 s t A A R e g t. B B a tte ry , 1 0 1 s t A A R e g t.
P a r t o f M a r in e A A B n .
1 0 th A rm o u re d C a r S q u a d ro n
6 0 1 s t C o m b a t A v ia t io n B n .

SECTO R BO UNDARY
1 0 t h , 6 0 1 s t a n d M a r in e E n g in e e r C

0 25 5 0 m i le s

0 25 50 75 km

C D -9 9 -V E G O - 3 2 (P F R )
 BRITAIN
• CARRIER GROUP
• AMPHIBIOUS TASK GROUP
• LANDING FORCE TASK GROUP
• SUB-SURFACE TASK GROUP
• SOUTH GEORGIA TASK GROUP
• TRALA (TUG, REPAIR AND
LOGISTIC AREA)
THE THEATER
 STRATEGIC POSITIONS AND LOOs
BA N Tr el ew

NS N
ATIO SITIO
A OPERRIOR PO
NTIN
CHILE
BA M Co mo do r o R iv ad av ia

TE
ARGE Pu e rt o D ese a do

CEX
EOF
TE I
BASG INT ERIO R
DIV E R GI NG
L OO s
STRA

S TRA T EG IC
San Ju lia n
CEN T RA L
POS IT IO N

Sa nta C ru z
E X T ER IO R
C O N VE R G
IN G LO Os

R io G a llego s

R i o G ra nd e

FALKLANDISLANDS
Pu nta Ar ena s
(Islas Malvinas)
U sh uaia

CD- 96 V E GO41
“DECISIVE POINTS”
FALKLAND/MALVINAS CONFLICT: LINES OF COMMUNICATION
Hu d so n
Ba y

La b ra d or Se a N orth Se a

Su n de rlan d

NETH.
U. K.
IRELAND

BELGIUM
E ng lis h C h an ne l

Na nte s
No rth Atla ntic Oc e a n
Ba y o f Bis c a y FRANC E
Ba yo nn e

Po rto Ba rc elo n a
Ph ila d e lp hia
Ba ltim ore Ne w Yo rk P ORTUG AL
Wa shington D. C. SPAIN
Po nta De lg ad a Lisb o n Se villa
Norfo lk
Gib ra lta r Alg e rs
C h a rlo tte
C a sab la nc a Rab at
Be r mu d a MOROC CO
Ja c kso nville
Ca n ary Isla n ds ALGERIA
Ta m p a

THE BAHAMAS
WESTER N
Hava na SAHAR A

C UBA DOM. REP. MAURITAN IA

J AMAICA

HAITI No u a kc ho t t
MALI
Pra ia S ENEGAL
Da k ar
C arib bea n Se a
GAMBIA
BURKINA
G UIN EA BISSAU GUINEA BENIN
C ara c a s Co n akry IVORY TO G O
G UYANA Fre et own
VEN EZUELA C OAS T P ort o No vo
PAN AMA SURINAM E SIERRA LEO NE
FRENCH GUIANA Mon ro via Lom e
LIBERIA A bidja n Acc ra

C OLO MBIA

Qu ito
Bele m F o rta le za
Ta la ra
PERU
Trujillo Re c if e
ASC ENSIO N ISLAND

LEGEND
Lim a BRAZIL
BOLIVIA S a lva d o r

Anto fa ga st a
PARAGUAY
Ri o De Ja n eiro

Sa o Pa ulo
Airdrop
CHILE

ARG ENTINA C ALOC

C
ALOC (Casualty)
Po rto Ale g re
So u th Atla n tic Oc e an
2002-JMO-VEGO-FALKLANDS/MALVINAS:LOC

Sa ntia g o

C onc e p c io n
Bu en o s Aire s
URUGUAY
Mon te vid e o

C
SLOC
Va ld ivia
SLOC (Casualty)
C
C om o d oro Riv a da v ia

FALKLAND ISLANDS

Port Sta nley

So uth Geo rgia Isla nd

So u th S and wic h Isla nd

9 9-CD -30 -V EGO -(P FR)

OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS
• OPERATIONAL COMMAND STRUCTURE
• OPERATIONAL INTELLIGENCE
• OPERATIONAL COMMAND AND CONTROL
WARFARE (C2W)
• OPERATIONAL FIRES
• OPERATIONAL LOGISTICS
• OPERATIONAL PROTECTION
OPERATIONAL COMMAND
STRUCTURE
ARGENTINE NAVY’S COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS, MARCH 1982

CINC OF THE NAVY NAVY STAFF HQ

ADM ANAYA VADM VIGO
(BUENOS AIRES)

CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS

FLEET HQ
VADM J. LOMBARDO
PUERTO BELGRANO

NAVAL INFANTRY SURFACE FLEET NAVAL AVIATION SUBMARINE FORCES

RADM BUSSER RADM G. ALLARA RADM C. GARCIA-BOLL RADM R. MOYA
 ARGENTINE COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS
STRATEGIC UNTIL 8 APRIL 1982
NATIONAL-

JUNTA MILITAR
GEN L. GALTIERI (ARMY)
GEN B. LAMIDOZO (AIR FORCE)
ADM J. ANAYA (NAVY)
OPERATIONAL

NAVY HQ CINC SOUTH ATLANTIC ARMYHQ AIR FORCE

(BUENOS THEATER OF OPERATIONS (TOAS)* (BUENOS HQ
AIRES) VADM LOMBARDO** AIRES) (BUENOS
(COMODORO RIVADAVIA) AIRES)
OPERATIONAL-
TACTICAL

MALVINAS ISLAND
OCCUPATION FORCES C/S BGEN A. DAHER
ISLAND GOVERNOR STAFF
BGEN M. MENENDEZ***
TACTICAL

NAVAL FORCES ARMY TROOPS AND AIR FORCE ORGANIZATION

IN MALVINAS LAND DEFENSE COMMAND OF TROOPS IN MALVINAS
RADM E. OTERO BGEN O. JOFRE BRIG CASTELLANO

X BRIGADE
III BRIGADE (COOKE GREEN)
* ESTABLISHED ON 3 APRIL 1982. REPLACED THE MALVINAS THEATER OF OPERATIONS.
** HE ALSO HAD DIRECT COMMAND OVER SURFACE FLEET, SUBMARINES, NAVAL AVIATION AND MARINES.
*** GEN MENENDEZ WAR MILITARY GOVERNOR OF THE MALVINAS ISLANDS, GEORGIA AND SOUTH SANDWICH
ISLANDS, HOWEVER HIS SUBORDINATES COMMUNICATED DIRECTLY WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE CINCs ON THE
PPT-99-VEGO-30 (PFR) MAINLAND WITHOUT CONSULTING HIM, OR FOR THAT MATTER EACH OTHER.
NAVAL FORCES ORGANIZATION, OPERATION BLUE, 28 MARCH TO 2 APRIL 1982
MILITARY JUNTA

NAVAL HQ, BUENOS AIRES

CDR OF NAVAL OPERATIONS

(VADM J. J. LOMBARDO

TASK GROUP 60.1

TASK FORCE 20 TASK FORCE 40 SOUTH GEORGIA
SUPPORT FORCE AMPHIBIOUS FORCE (CAPT C. TROMBETTA)
(CAPT J. J. SARCONA)
• BAHIA PARAISO
• VEINTICINCO DE MAYO (COMMAND SHIP)
( FLAGSHIP) • GUERRICO
• COMODORO PY CDR OF THE CDR OF THE
• APPROX. 80-MAN LANDING
• HIPOLITO BOUCHARD SURFACE FLEET INFANTRY
FORCE
• PIEDRA BUENA (RADM G. A. ALLARA) (RADM C. BUSSER)
• SEGUI • SANTISMA TRINIDAD • 904 MEN
• PUNTA MEDANOS (FLAGSHIP) • 20 AMTRACS
(TANKER) • HERCULES • 6 X 104-MM GUNS
• DRUMMOND
• GRANVILLE
• SANTA FE
• ALMIRANTE IRIZAR
• CABO SAN ANTONIO
• ISLE DE LOS ESTRADOS
(TRANSPORT)
 ARGENTINE COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS
AFTER 8 APRIL 1982
JUNTA MILITAR
ARMY
NAVY
AIRFORCE

CINC OF SOUTH ATLANTIC

THEATER OF OPERATIONS (TOAS)
VADM J. J. LOMBARDO

MILTARY GARRISON COMMAND

MALVINAS
BGEN M. B. MENENDEZ

NAVY GROUP ARMY GROUP AIR FORCE GROUP

MALVINAS MALVINAS MALVINAS

PPT-99-VEGO-26 (PFR)
 ARGENTINE COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS
AFTER 12 APRIL 1982

JUNTA MILITAR
BUENOS AIRES

CINC OF SOUTH ATLANTIC

THEATER OF OPERATIONS (TOAS)
VADM T. LOMBARDO

MILTARY GARRISON MALVINAS C/S

BGEN D. MARIO M. B. MENENDEZ BGEN D. A. DAHER

ARMY GROUP AIR FORCE GROUP NAVAL GROUP

MALVINAS MALVINAS MALVINAS
BGEN D. AMERICO DAHER BRIG D. LUIS CASTELLANOS RADM D. EDGARDO A. OTERO

PPT-99-VEGO-25 (PFR)
 ARGENTINE COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS
AFTER 28 APRIL 1982
JUNTA MILITAR
ARMY
NAVY
AIRFORCE

CINC OF SOUTH ATLANTIC

THEATER OF OPERATIONS (TOAS)
VADM LOMBARDO
GOVERNMENT
TEAM
MILTARY GOVERNMENT MALVINAS
COMMANDER: MILITARY GOVERNOR
EM

AIR FORCE NAVY ARMY GROUP ARMY GROUP FORMATIONS

GROUP GROUP PUERTO COASTAL
MALVINAS MALVINAS ARGENTINO COMMANDER:
COMMANDERS: I BRIGADE
1ST BRIGADE III DIV 601
X MECHANIZED DIV

COMMANDOS
PPT-99-VEGO-23 (PFR)
 BRITISH COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS AFTER 20 MAY 1982
COMMAND ECHELON
STRATEGIC
OPERATIONAL- OPERATIONAL NATIONAL-

CHIEFS OF STAFF
GSDA CHIEF DEFENSE STAFF LEACH
WAR CABINET ADM LEWIN BRAMALL
BEETHAM

CINC FLEET - CTF 317

ADM J. FIELDHOUSE (NORTHWOOD)
AIR COS LAND
AIR MARSHALL HALIFAX MAJGEN J. MOORE
J. CURTISS
TACTICAL

TASK FORCE COMMANDER LAND FORCE COMMANDER

(FOFA) MAJGEN J. MOORE
RADM J. WOODWARD
TACTICAL

CARRIER BATTLE GROUP AMPHIBIOUS TASK GROUP LANDING FORCE

RADM J. WOODWARD COMMO M. CLAPP MAJGEN J. MOORE
CTG 317.8 CTG 317.0 CTG 317.1

3RD COMMANDO BRIGADE 5TH INFANTRY BRIGADE

BRIG J. THOMPSON BRIG A. WILSON
CTU 317.1.1 CTU 317.1.2
PPT-99-VEGO-31 (PFR)
 British C2

• National - Strategic Command Echelon

- Cabinet / Chief Defense Staff/CINC-CTF
• CTF in Northwood
• Roles of Major General Moore
- Land Deputy
- On Scene Land Commander
• Use of mission type orders
• Control by exclusion zones and ROE
 BRITISH COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS
AFTER 20 MAY 1982
COMMAND ECHELON
GSDA CHIEF DEFENSE STAFF CHIEFS OF STAFF
OPERATIONAL STRATEGIC
NATIONAL

WAR CABINET ADM LEWIN LEACH

BRAMALL
BEETHAM

CINC FLEET - CTF 317

ADM J. FIELDHOUSE
(NORTHWOOD)
AIR COS LAND
AIR MARHSALL HALIFAX LTGEN J. MOORE
J. CURTIS
OPERATIONAL
TACTICAL

TASK FORCE COMMANDER LAND FORCE COMMANDER

(FOFA) MAJGEN J. MOORE
RADM J. WOODWARD
TACTICAL

CARRIER BATTLE GROUP AMPHIBIOUS TASK GROUP LANDING FORCE

RADM J. WOODWARD COMMO M. CLAPP MAJGEN J. MOORE
CTG 317.8 CTG 317.0 CTG 317.1

3RD COMMANDO BRIGADE 5TH INFANTRY BRIGADE

BRIG J. THOMPSON BRIG A. WILSON
CTU 317.1.1* CTU 317.1.2
 OPERATION CORPORATE: TASK ORGANIZATION AT
210919Z MAY 82
CTF 317
(ADM J. FIELDHOUSE)

CTG 317.0 COMAW CTG 317.1 CLFFI CTG 317.8 FOFI CTF 324 CTG 317.9
(COMMO M. CLAPP) (MAJGEN J. MOORE) (RADM J. WOODWARD)) (FLEET) ENDURANCE
(CAPT M. BARKER)

CTF 324 (FOSM)

CTU 317.0.1 CTU 317.0.2 CTU 317.1.1 CTU 317.1.2
AMPHIBIOUS REINFORCEMENT 3 CDO 5 INF
GROUP GROUP (BRIG (BRIG
J. THOMPSON) A. WILSON)
CTU 324.3.1 CTU 324.3.5 CTU 324.3.7
SPARTAN COURAGEOUS WARSPITE
CTU 317.0.2

CTU 317.8.1 CTU 317.8.4 CTU 317.8.6 CTU 317.8.7

BRISTOL GROUP BATTLE GROUP URG LEAD CASTLE
IN TRANSIT HERMES
INVINCIBLE

PPT-99-VEGO-24 (PFR)
STAGES AND ELEMENTS OF
OPERATIONAL WARFARE
 OPERATIONAL DEPLOYMENT

(1) SIMULTANEOUSLY DEPLOY

CARRIER GROUP AND THE
AMPHIBIOUS TASK GROUP

(2) CARRIER GROUP DEPLOYS FIRST

FOLLOWED BY THE AMPHIBIOUS
TASK GROUP
OPERATIONAL PLANS
ARGENTINE PLANS
 ARGENTINE MILITARY OBJECTIVES

• CAPTURING THE MALVINAS ISLANDS

• THE MAIN TACTICAL OBJECTIVE WAS
SEIZING PORT STANLEY (LATER
RENAMED PUERTO ARGENTINO); THE
LARGEST CITY AND THE SEAT OF THE
GOVERNMENT
• SEIZING SOUTH GEORGIA
 ARGENTINE PLANNING ASSUMPTIONS

• THE BRITISH WOULD NOT FIGHT

• THE UNITED STATES WOULD REMAIN NEUTRAL
AND WOULD PREVENT THE BRITISH FROM
GOING TO WAR
• “GUNBOAT DIPLOMACY” WOULD SUCCEED
• THE UNITED NATIONS WOULD FAIL TO MAKE
ANY POSITIVE MOVE AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO
ACQUIESCE TO THE NEW SITUATION.
BRITISH PLANS
 1981 British
Contingency Planning Assumptions
• There would never be another
amphibious assault requirement.
• There would never be a sizable operation
overseas without the participation of
allies.
• There would never be a requirement to
operate beyond range of land-based air
support.
 BRITISH OBJECTIVES
• 20 APRIL: …TO LAND… WITH A
VIEW TO REPOSSESSING THE
FALKLAND ISLANDS
• 11 MAY: ….TO LAND .. TO
REPOSSESS THE FALKLAND
ISLANDS.
 THE ORDER TO RADM
WOOODWARD:
• TO LAND TROOPS
• BE PREPARED TO SEIZE THE
FALKLANDS.
 ARGENTINE OPTIONS
• ATTACK ON ASCENCION
• CUTT-OFF BRITISH LINES OF SUPPLIES
TO ASCENCION-FALKLAND ISLANDS
• DESTROY BRITISH FLOATING LOGISTIC
BASE
• DESTROY BRITISH CARRIER GROUP
• DESTROY BRITISH AMPHIBIOUS GROUP
DURING ITS TRANSIT FROM ASCENCION
TO THE FALKLANDS
• CONDUCT DELAYING DEFENSE OF THE
FALKLANDS UNTIL THE ONSET OF
WINTER (IN JUNE).
 POSSIBLE LANDING SITES:
SELECTION CRITERIAS

• ALLOWS FOR UNOPPOSED LANDING (NO ENEMY FORCE

IN ITS VICINITY)
• ALLOWS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SUPPLY BASE AND
AN IMPROVISED RUNWAY FOR THE HARRIERS
• EASILY ACCESSIBLE FOR SURFACE SHIPS
• MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR THE ENEMY AIRCRAFT TO
ATTACK THEIR TARGETS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME IT
DOES NOT CREATE UNDUE DIFFCIULTIES FOR THE USE
OF THE BRITISH AIR SURVEILLANCE RADARS AND AA
WEAPONS
• LOCATED NOT TO FAR AWAY FROM PORT STANLEY.
 MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE
BRITISH PLAN
1. ESTABLISH BASE OF OPERATIONS ON
ASCENSION
2. IMMEDIATE MEASURES:
--> TRACK ARGENTINE FLEET MOVEMENTS
(BRITISH SSNs)
--> RECAPTURE SOUTH GEORGIA
--> CONDUCT INTELLIGENCE GATHERING BY
ENDURANCE
--> DEPLOY THREE BRITISH DESTROYERS AND
TWO FRIGATES TO SOUTH ATLANTIC.
3. DEPLOY CARRIER GROUP TEN DAYS EARLIER
THAN AMPHIBIOUS TASK GROUP
4. USE INDIRECT LINE OF OPERATIONS
5. AIR RAID AGAINST PORT STANLEY AIRFIELD
6. SINK CRUISER BELGRANO
7. ESTABLISH TWO PRE-SUPPLIED LOGISTIC
SITES (AT TEAL INLET AND BLUFF COVE).
 PREREQUISITES FOR
AMPHIBIOUS LANDING
• OBTAINING AND MAINTAINING SEA
SEA CONTROL (INCLUDING
CONTROL OF THE AIR) IN THE
FALKLANDS AREA OF OPERATIONS
• DESTRUCTION OF THE PUCARA SQ
ON PEBBLES ISLAND
• SURVEILLANCE OF THE AIRFIELDS
ON THE MAINLAND
 T H E F A L K L A N D S C O N F L IC T :B R IT IS H L A N D IN G P L A N S

P e b b le I s la n d P o r t S a lv a d o r
(a ir b a s e )

C ow B ay
V o lu n te e r
B each
T e a l In le t
W EST S a n C a r lo s
P o rt H o w a rd ( u n d e fe n d e d )
FA LK LA N D (1 r e g t)
EAST B lu ff C o v e S TA N L E Y
P o rt F A L K L A N D F itz r o y
R ic h a rd s
G oose
G re e n F e in t
(1 re g t. a n d o p e r a tio n s
Fox Bay a ir b a s e ) b y G la m o r g a n
(1 s t R e g t.) A
O NI (A r g e n tin ia n fo r c e s
F in S ta n le y a r e a :
LA 6 in f a n t r y r e g ts .,
a r t ille r y , a r m o u r e d
c a r s , a ir u n its )

Low Bay
B a y o f H a rb o u rs
PPT-99-VEGO-43 (PFR)

P o r t S te p h e n s
LEG END
L a n d in g s it e s c o n s id e r e d
but abandoned

A rg e n tin e fo rc e s a re n o te d
0 25 5 0 m i le s in b r a c k e ts
0 25 50 75 km

C D - 9 9 -V E G O - 3 3 (P F R )
 BRITISH INITIAL OPERATIONAL SUSTAINMENT PLAN
SLOC from Uganda Airdrop from Ascension
to Montevideo via
dispatch vessels
( Hydra, Heda, and Hecate)
TRALA (Support
C Vessels and
Backup LSLs) SLOC from Ascension via
Dispatch ve ssels ( Iris, Leeds Castle,
and Dumbar ton Castle)

P RO T ECTE D
AR EA SLOC from SLOC from SLOC from
Canberra South Georgia South Georgia
Pebble Island
(air base)
C

Cow Bay
Volu nteer
San Carlos Bea ch

Ajax Bay Teal Inlet

WEST
Port Howard (Canberra and LS L)
FALKLAND
EAST Bluff Cove STANL EY
Falkl and FALKLAND Fitzroy
Sound
Goose
Green
Fox Bay
A
ONI
F
LA

LEGEND
Airdrop
SLOC
C SLOC (Casualty)
0 25 50 miles

0 25 50 75 km
200 2/JM O/ VE GO /BRIT ISH INITI AL O PE RATIO NA L SUS TAIN MEN T PL AN
THE EXECUTION
DEPLOYMENT OF
THE BRITISH FORCES
THE FALKLANDS/MALVINAS CONFLICT OF 1982: SEQUENCE OF MAJOR EVENTS
3 21 26 1 21 25 1 8 15
APR APR APR MAY MAY MAY JUN JUN JUN

LANDING ON LOSS OF ANTI-AMPHIBIOUS

SOUTH GEORGIA S. GEORGIA DEFENSE OF THE
A & FALKLANDS FALKLANDS
R ARGENTINE
G TROOPS
SURRENDER
E
N COVENTRY &
ATLANTIC
T CONVEYOR SANK
I
N SIR GALAHAD
& SIR TRISTAM
A BOMBED
AIR ATTACKS ON THE BRITISH TASK FORCE
OPERATION
LANDING AT SAN CARLOS BATTLE ASHORE STARTS
PARAQUET (OPERATION SUTTON)
BELGRANO SUNK
REOCCUPATION BATTLE OF SCOTS GUARD LAND
OF SOUTH GOOSE GREEN AT BLUFF COVE
GEORGIA
TEZ** TEZ EXTENDED
U. MEZ* ESTABLISHED SHORE BOMBARDMENT OF
SHEFFIELD SUNK ARGENTINE POSITION
TASK FORCE
K. DEPARTS
PORTSMOUTH EXCLUSIVE AIR ZONE ARROUND THE FALKLANDS
TASK FORCE
RAF VULCAN BOMBS RUNWAY SAS LANDS ON RAF
AT PORT STANLEY
ARRIVES OFF PEBBLE ISLAND VULCAN ASSAULT ON
FALKLANDS SAS/SBS LANDING ON FALKLANDS ATTACK PORT STANLEY
STRUGGLE FOR SEA/AIR SUPERIORITY

1 5 12 21 26 29-30 1-2 4 14-15 21 25 27-28 31 1 5-6 10 15

APR APR APR APR APR APR MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY MAY JUN JUN JUN JUN
TIME LINE
MEZ* = MARITIME EXCLUSION ZONE
TEZ** = TOTAL EXCLUSION ZONE
PPT-97VEGO2
OPERATIONAL SEQUENCING
• ESTABLISHMENT OF A SEA BLOCKADE
AROUND THE FALKLANDS
• REPOSSESSION OF SOUTH GEORGIA
• OBTAINING SEA CONTROL AND AIR
SUPERIORITY AROUND THE FALKLANDS
• EVENTUAL REPOSSESSION OF THE
FALKLANDS.
 OPERATION ROSARIO
S O L E D A D I S L A N D Punta Celebrona

0230 hrs
House of the Governor
Santa Fe
Punta Carlos
ECHO
Doctor Point

ECHO PORT WILLIAM

Cabo San Antonio

Crabance Point
Moody Brook (Cuartel)
NOVEMBER Yache Point
Yorker
Cortle y Hill Bay

Mary DELTA
Fairy Cove ALFA Cape
Moody Hill
Riv er Fairy Cove Pembroke
STANLEY HARBOUR
Mt. AIRPORT Christina
Tumble down Ca napus Bay
Hill

65 0 Stanley
The
Canache
25

600 0
0

55
0 30
ZULU
Sa ppe r
Mt. Willia m
500

PORT HARRIET
Trinidad

2002/jmo/vego/OPERATION ROSARIO
 THE B R IT A IN
F A L K L A N D S /M A L V IN A S 5 -6 A P R IL
C O N F L IC T : B R IT IS H T A S K F O R C E S A IL S .
T H E B R IT IS H A IR C R A F T C A R R IE R S IN V IN C IB L E
A N D H E R M E S , A S S A U L T S H IP
N AVA L D E P LO Y M E N TS F E A R L E S S P L U S 9 F R IG A T E S LONDO N
AND DESTRO YERS AND
O T H E R S U P P O R T S H IP S PO R TSM O U TH

NEW YO RK

G IB R A L T A R
W A S H IN G T O N
N O R T H A T L A N T IC

O C EAN

7 F R IG A T E S A N D
D E S T R O Y E R S J O IN
TA S K FO R C E FR O M
G IB R A L T A R

B R A Z IL A S C E N S IO N
TA S K FO R C E B A S E

PA R A G U AY

SO U TH A T L A N T IC

C H IL E URU G UAY O CEA N

A R G E N T IN A

FA LK LA N D
IS .
S O U T H G E O R G IA
2 A P R IL 1 9 8 2
A R G E N T IN A IN V A D E S SO UTH
F A L K L A N D IS L A N D S S A N D W IC H IS .
A N D 3 A P R IL ,
IN V A D E S S O U T H G E O R G IA
C D -9 9 -V E G O -1 8 (J R N )
 AIR ACTIONS, 1 MAY 1982

s
T re lew

mi le
0
3,7 5
si on
en
Co modo r o R iv ad av ia

Asc
CHILE

From
6Ca
Vi ct

nb
and or ta nk
Vu l e

er r
can r s
D ese ad o

as
ARGENTINA

670
mile
s
S an Julian AS WG roup
Canbe rra
16 S
5 Da kyhaw +
s
Sant a C ru z gge k s ier
rs 4 85 Har
n
mi le
s Sea mai r c e
Mir age froms k F o
+ Ta
R io G allego s 12 Mira ges 495 miles
12 Skyhawks +
+
s Bombarding ships,
mile
44 0 Dagger attacked by Dagge rs
Mercha nt ship Damaged Mirage
e rs
Dagg at tacke d in error shot down by
4 by Skyhawks Stanley AA guns
Rio Gr an d e

U shu aia
CD -97V E GO1 5

Air bases

+ Aircraft lo sses
 ARGENTINEAN NAVAL MOVES
29 April to 2 May 1982
Task Gp 79.1&2
British assessment

TINA
Aircraft carrier of possible future
and 2 destroyers ARGENTINEAN moves
Task Gp 79.4
ARGEN 3 frigates

Air Strike
ne
Zo
si on
clu

m) Surface
Ex

0n
attack group British
(20

Operational area of
Task Gp
Total

British Task Gp 1&2 May

2 carriers,
escorts and
supply ships
FALKLAND IS.

Rio Grande
air base Surface
attack group

Isle de los
Estados
Task Gp 3 0 200 nm
Belgrano and
2 escorts
 T H E F A L K L A N D S /M A L V IN A S C O N F L IC T :
N A V A L E N G A G E M E N T S , 1 -4 M A Y 1 9 8 2
01 M ay 1600
01 M ay 02 M ay
T G 7 9 .4 0 8 0 0 01 M ay
0500 1700

C o m o d o r o R iv a d a v ia
01 M ay

C H IL E 0800
T G 7 9 .1
02 M ay
0500

P t. D e s e a d o

A R G E N T IN A
) 03 M ay
0026
x

EZ
P t. S a n J u lia n A tta c k o n T G In v in c ib le

(T
th e " S o b r a l" 01 M ay

NE
0700 TR ALA

ZO
P t. S a n ta C r u z

N
100NM

E X C L U S IO 70N M
R io G a lle g o s T G H e rm e s
01 M ay
F A L K L A N D IS L A N D S
x 0700
L
TO TA

( Is la s M a lv in a s ) A tta c k o n th e
" S h e f f ie l d "

R io G r a n d e BURW OO D BANK

T G 7 9 .3 01 M ay
0800
U s h u a ia
S TATE N
IS L A N D 02 M ay 1757
x S in k in g o f th e
C D -9 7 V E G O 1 4

" B e lg r a n o "

02 M ay
01 M ay 0500
2154
THE BELGRANO, 30 APRIL TO 2 MAY 1982

TOTAL
EXCLUSION
ZONE (TEZ) Falkland Is.

Operations area of
British Task Force, 1-2
May
Abortive Exocet
mission, 2 May

Rio Grande
air base

Task Gp 79.3
1 cruiser Burdwood Bank
2 destroyers (shallow water)

Trai
le d by
H .M
.S. C
onqu
e ror
Furthest point reached
0 200 nm 55.15S, 057.50W, 0530/2 May
Actions of Period 40 miles

2 to 21 May 1982 2/3 May: Alferez Sobral

attacked by helicopters

10 May: Isle de los Estados

sunk by Alacrity
14/15 May: SAS raid
11 aircraft destroyed
21 May:
British landings
4 May:
Vulcan bombing raid
9 May: 2 Skyhawks S. Jason Is. Pebble Is.
crash in bad weather

Stanley
12 May: Glasgow bombed,
3 Skyhawks shot down
Goose
Green
Fox Bay
Port 9 May: Puma
King shot down by
Sea Dart 9 May:
Narwal attacked

4 May: Sea Harrier

400 miles 17/18 May: shot down
British helicopter 16 May: Sea Harriers 12 May: Skyhawk
flies to Chile attack Bahia Buen Suceso shot down
and Rio Carcarana
4 May: Sheffield
hit by Exocet

0 25 50 miles

0 40 80 km
 Exocet attack on H.M.S. Sheffield, 4 May 1982
(Positions of ships are accurate but sizes of ships and aircraft
Stanley
are not to scale and flight paths of the Etendards are estimated)
75 nautical miles
from main task force
0 10 20 nm

Coventry
Two Sea Harriers
Flying “racetrack”
patrol pattern
Escort Screen

Glasgow
Alacrity
Brilliant
3. Detected by 4. Exocets Invincible
Yarmouth
Glasgow released
2. Climb to Ft Austin Broadsword
“spot targets” Exocet exhaust
fuel and “splashes” Resource
Glamorgan Hermes
Olmeda (flagship)
Arrow

1. Etendards fly 5. Etendards Sheffield hit at

in at low level turn away 52.50S, 057.16W Supply ships acting
as missile barrier
 BRITISH LANDING

ELEMENTS OF THE DECISION

• POLITICAL
• PSYCHOLOGICAL
• MILITARY
---> OPERATIONAL
---> TACTICAL
 A r g e n t in e U n it s in t h e F a lk la n d s , 3 0 A p ril 1 9 8 2
S ta n le y S e c to r
C o a s ta l S e c to r (L ito r a l O c c u p a tio n ) (P u e r to A r g e n tin e O c c u p a tio n )
B r ig . G e n O .E . P a r a d a B r ig . G e n O .L . J o fr e

C a ld e r o n N a v a l
A ir S ta t io n
P e b b le I s la n d

M a lv in a s '
P o rt H o w a rd A ir B a s e
C o n d o r M ilita r y
5 th R e g t A ir B a s e S TA N L E Y

1 2 th R e g t.
C C o y, 2 5 th R e g t
G oose U n its in S ta n le y a r e a :
G re e n 3 r d , 4 t h , 6 t h , 7 t h , a n d 2 5 t h R e g ts .
Fox Bay
5 th M a r in e In fa n tr y B n .
3 r d A r t ille r y R e g t .
4 t h A ir m o b ile A r t ille r y R e g t .
8 th R e g t B B a t te r y , 1 s t M a r in e F ie l d A t r ill e r y
9 t h E n g in e e r C o y
6 0 1 s t A A R e g t. B B a tte ry , 1 0 1 s t A A R e g t.
P a r t o f M a r in e A A B n .
1 0 th A rm o u re d C a r S q u a d ro n
6 0 1 s t C o m b a t A v ia t io n B n .

SECTO R BO UNDARY
1 0 t h , 6 0 1 s t a n d M a r in e E n g in e e r C

0 25 5 0 m i le s

0 25 50 75 km

C D -9 9 -V E G O - 3 2 (P F R )
 FALKLAND ISLANDS: BRITISH MOVEMENTS, 27 MAY-11 JUNE 1982
61° 60° 59° 58°

JASON
ISLANDS

CAPE DOLPHIN
Saunders Pebble Island
Island

Brig. 5 Inf.01 June 82

Byron Salvador
Bat.Cdo 45
Sound IM
Port San Carlos
51°30' Bat. 27 May 82 51°30'
Hill Cdo 4 2Bat. Par a 3
Cove West IM
Bat. Art.
Berkeley
Sound
King Brigade 5 IM
George Falkland Port Howard 27 May
Port Wil liam
Bay
Falkland Stanley
Chartres Sound East Falkland 8 Ju ne
3 Ju ne CAPE
P EMBROKE
Bat. Para 2 Stanley
Darwin Airport
Queen Goose
Charlotte Green
Weddell Bay
Island L afonia Choiseul S
oun d
Brig. 5 Inf.

05/08 June 82
Fox Bay
52° East A BO URGAINVILLE 52°
dv
en Lively
tu Island
North re
So
Arm un
d
Populated Places
Over 35 people
CAPE MEREDITH Bay of Under 35 People
Harbors Road or track
0 30 Kilometers
spot heights in meters
0 30 Statute miles
61° 60° 59° 58°

2002/jmo/vego/falkland islands british move ments

 TH E B ATTLE O F SA N C AR LO S, 21 - 27 M AY 1982

C o m o d o r o R iv a d a v ia P h o e n ix S q u a d r o n
C -1 3 0 S q u a d ro n

C H IL E SH
UT
TL
P u e rto D e s e a d o E

A R G E N T IN A
M -V
TR ALA
S a n J u lia n A -4
O
(T u g ,
B r it is h A m p h ib i o u s F o r c e R e p a ir
S a n ta C ru z and
A -4 B + S in k in g A tla n tic C o n v e y o r L o g is tic s
A re a )
M -V

M K -6 2 P u e r t o A r g e n tin o ( P o r t S t a n le y )
R io G a lle g o s
K C -1 3 0
D a r w in
F A L K L A N D IS L A N D S
( Is la s M a lv in a s )
V
M -
- O
A4
R io G r a n d e S a n C a r lo s S t r a it
E
SU ( F a lk la n d S o u n d )
U s h u a ia
S T A T E N IS L A N D

A ir F o r c e B a s e

C D -9 7 V E G O 1 3
OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP
 T h e F a lk la n d s / M a lv in a s C o n f lic t
Hu d so n
Ba y

La b ra d o r S e a N o rt h S e a

“OPERATIONAL THINKING”
S u n d e rla n d

N E TH .
IR E L A N D U. K.

B E LG IU M

---> POLITICAL
E n g lis h C h a n n e l

N a n te s
N o r t h A t la n t ic O c e a n
B a y o f B is c a y FRA N C E

---> DIPLOMATIC
Ba yo n n e

P o rt o B a rc e lo n a
P h ila d e lp h ia
B a lt im o re N e w Y o rk P O R TU G A L
W a s h in g t o n D . C . S P A IN
L is b o n

---> MILITARY
P o n t a D e lg a d a S e v illa
N o r f o lk
G ib ra lt a r A lg e r s
C h a r lo t t e
C a s a b la n c a Ra b a t
B e rm u d a M O RO C C O

---> LEGAL
J a c k s o n v ille
C a n a r y Is la n d s A L G E R IA
Ta m p a

TH E B A H A M A S
W E S TE R N

---> ECONOMIC
H a va n a
SAHA RA

C UBA D O M . R E P. M A U R ITA N IA
J A M A IC A

H A ITI N o u a k c h o tt
M A LI
P r a ia SEN EG AL

---> FINANCIAL
D a ka r
C a rib b e a n S e a
G A M B IA
B U R K IN A
G U IN E A B IS S A U G U IN E A B E N IN
C a ra c a s C o n a k ry
IV O R Y TO G O
G U YA N A F re e t o w n
V E N E ZU ELA C O A ST

--->ETHNIC
S IE R R A L E O N E P o rt o N o v o
PAN AM A S U R IN A M E
F R E N C H G U IA N A M o n r o v ia Lo m e
3 ,7 1

A c c ra
L IB E R IA A b id ja n

C O L O M B IA
8 n

---> RELIGIOUS
.m i .

Q u it o
B e le m F o rt a le z a
Ta la ra
PERU
T ru jillo R e c if e
A S C E N S IO N IS L A N D

---> ENVIRONMENTAL
L im a B R A Z IL
B O L IV IA S a lv a d o r

A n t o fa g a s t a
PA R A G UAY
R io D e J a n e ir o

S a o P a u lo
---> OTHER ASPECTS OF
THE SITUATION IN A
C H IL E

A R G E N TIN A
P o r t o A le g r e
i.

S o u t h A t la n t ic O c e a n
m
n.

PPT-99-VEGO-42 (PFR)

S a n t ia g o
0

THEATER
30

URUG UAY
3,

B u e n o s A ir e s M o n t e v id e o
C o n c e p c io n

V a ld iv ia

C o m o d o r o R iv a d a v ia
4 0 0 n .m i.
F A L K L A N D IS L A N D S

780 n.
m i.
SOUTHERN ATLANTIC
THEATER OF OPERATIONS
P o r t S t a n le y

S o u t h G e o r g ia Is la n d
2 0 0 m i. T E Z
S o u t h S a n d w ic h Is la n d

9 9 -C D -3 0 -V E G O -(P F R )
 MAJOR DECISIONS
• ORGANIZATIONAL, OPERATIONAL,
AND INFORMATIONAL

• STRATEGIC
• OPERATIONAL
• TACTICAL
OPERATIONAL LESSONS
LEARNED
• POLICY AND STRATEGY
• STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
• FACTORS SPACE-TIME-FORCE
• PRINCIPLES OF OPERATIONAL WARFARE
• OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS
• OPERATIONAL PLANNING
• OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP
---> OPERATIONAL THINKING
---> OPERATIONAL DECISIONS
• OPERATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING
QUESTIONS?