Stage Set for Sir Galahad Disaster
Dear Fellow Earthlings, On the 7th of June 1982 the lack of clear communication between the various British forces working their way toward a final assault on Port Stanley would result in a tragic event on the following day to be known from that time forward as "The Sir Galahad Disaster". On the previous day (the 6th of June) a helicopter ferrying relay equipment that was going to be placed at a strategic location -- to improve the communications capabilities between 5 Brigade's antiquated signal system and 3 Commando Brigade's modern one -- had been shot down. What makes this even more tragic is that it had been shot down by British forces due to, once again, bad communication, this time between Naval and land forces. This is why, on the evening of June 6th, no landing craft had been at the appointed spot to bring ashore the members of the Welsh Guard. near Fitzroy. HMS Fearless offloaded half of the Welsh Guard onto the two landing craft it had on board and then hurriedly returned to San Carlos before daylight would leave it vulnerable to air attack from the Argentines. The Welsh Guard troops were able to make their way to Bluff Cove safely... The British did not want to risk losing the Fearless or Intrepid to Argentine aerial attack. So they decided to send two smaller ships, Sir Tristram and Sir Galahad to assist in moving troops. Sir Galahad was transporting 4 Rapier ground based launchers that would have to be unloaded and installed at Fitzroy for they would afford a substantial degree of protection from Argentine aerial attack. Various communications difficulties and logistical problems delayed the departure of Sir Galahad before it set off for the 220-odd kilometer trip to Fitzroy. Furthermore, because of poor communications, there were no provisions made to get the Welsh Guard on board Galahad offloaded in a timely manner once they got there... The ill-fated men were going to be sitting ducks on the morning of the following day... Steve Waker Earthsaver and Jingles Creator
© 2013 Steve Walker, The Jingles-The Japan Foundation for English Pronunciation, Summit Enterprises.