HMS Antelope, Attacked by Argentine Warplanes, Is Abandoned

Dear Fellow Earthlings, On the 23rd of May 1982 the weather in the Falklands was damp and cold, but the sky shone a bright blue. Against this backdrop the collection of ships in the vicinity of San Carlos felt a bit of a respite from the previous day's battle -- that is, UNTIL Argentine warplanes flew in from the continent to deliver punishing blows to San Carlos Water support vessel HMS Antelope, which was at anchor. The ship was attacked by four Skyhawks at the entrance to San Carlos Water. The Antelope's defenses brought down two of the attacking planes -- and her luck went well for a while as several bombs which struck her failed to explode. HMS Broadsword, accompanying Antelope, may possibly have been instrumental in bringing down one of those two aircraft. There were so many missiles and rounds flying through the air that it is hard to say for sure... One bomb, entering from the port side of Antelope passed through the petty officers' mess, killing a steward. Later in the day a bomb disposal unit tried to defuse a bomb that had lodged itself inside Antelope. The bomb went off, during this attempt -- and one of the bomb disposal team members lost his life. Steve Walker Earthsaver and Jingles Creator

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