There Is No Substitute for Trained Personnel and Modern, Well-Maintained Weaponry!

Dear Fellow Earthlings,

On the 18th of April 1982 the residents of Port Stanley were hoping that the Task Force would arrive soon -- some even thought it might arrive that evening! However, it was to be another two weeks before Mrs. Thatcher's hastily assembled group of ships -- along with their complements of fighting men and aircraft -- would appear...

While the Argentines had proximity to the Falklands on their side, they were at a huge disadvantage to the British militarily. The British command was full of seasoned officers and British troops were all highly trained and well equipped. In addition the British Task Forces ships and aircraft were all modern and well maintained.

Traditionally Britain had employed its Navy to project its power round the world. Although Britain's Navy was nowhere near the world class force it had been as recently as during World War II, which had ended some 37 years earlier, it was still a professional and capable fighting unit.

On the other hand, Argentina had not experienced a true war since the end of its war with Paraguay back in 1847. The Argentine military had all the trappings of being a military power, but its collection of men and fighting machines was characterized by a few good men and a few good vessels and aircraft "for show", but by a large number of raw recruits and less than ideally outfitted vessels and aircraft on which it would ultimately have to depend if it were to hope to win its upcoming struggle.

Even by the most conservative estimates, the "Flotilla" was now two weeks out from Port Stanley, at most.

Steve Walker Earthsaver and Jingles Creator

© 2013 Steve Walker, The Jingles-The Japan Foundation for English Pronunciation, Summit Enterprises.