Argentina's Aerial Onslaught - Falklands War Documentary

[@historigraph]

New Bespoke Post subscribers get 20% off their first box - go to bespokepost.com/historigraph20 and enter code HISTORIGRAPH20 at checkout. Thanks to Bespoke Post for sponsoring!

[@derrickstorm6976]

Congrats on a sponsor :)

[@ΓΙΑΝΝΗΣΠΑΠΑΔΗΜ]

i just realised how hard the algoritm fucked you over this is your lowest viewed

[@levitatingoctahedron922]

@@ΓΙΑΝΝΗΣΠΑΠΑΔΗΜ probably because of people like me thumbing it down for the annoying ad. it's like I don't come to YT to get garbage shilled on my face, I'm not a boomer sitting in front of a TV.

[@bRiAn55549]

Watching the Argentine jets fly around so low and close to the ships in San Carlos bay is always incredible to me

[@definitelynotatroll246]

Brave men

[@juanfranciscovillarroelthu6876]

Posibly the Best pilots of their generation

[@spidos1000]

@@juanfranciscovillarroelthu6876 *argentine pilots

[@walterlafone5563]

Somos los mejores en el caos

[@carter2671]

agreed. it seems so out of place for a jet-era battle, as it harkins back to the times of torpedo bombers and close air attacks. it always stuck out to me as well, with the Falklands War

[@willbxtn]

"Six better fuses and we'd have lost" - Lord Criag, retired Marshal of the RAF.

[@davidnemoseck9007]

Agree. They got really lucky there.

[@fretted4life]

Really? the losses were mounting for the Argentine Air Force as well, as brave as their pilots were, with the limited no. of fighter jets available it would have been madness to continue attacking after losing 21 jets. It was definitely a close run thing though.

[@chrishieke1261]

@@fretted4life Yes - it was a lot of luck and possibly the one point where Britain could have lost the war. Had the bombs detonated, there would have been at least 3-4 more ships that would have been destroyed or had to be abandoned. This would have stunned the British public/the government and would likely forced Admiral Woodward to withdrew his forces from San Carlos.

[@fretted4life]

@@chrishieke1261 Not if troops were on the ground. They still had the ships & supplies to continue the operations. The ArAF would have been a spent force had they continued pressing on the landing fleet.

[@mosesracal6758]

@@fretted4life Compared to aircraft, ships of the Royal Navy with its hundreds of sailors onboard could mount those losses fairly quickly. This is why Aircraft Carriers are so effective, for what is effectively a man with a plane - they can sink a ship that takes years to build and kill a lot more men than the downing of 1 aircraft. The Argentine Air Force may have been quickly dwindling but its something they can recover quickly - the British could never hope to bring new ships for at least years. If the war lasted for far longer, the Argentines could easily bankrupt the UK.

[@leandrocosta3709]

Being Brazilian I have no lost love for Argentina, but one thing is universal, though. Their pilots were extremely brave as they knew very well what they were getting into. Their leaders were amazingly daft. Hats off to them and the military on both sides.

[@josm1206]

Yes, they were. Anybody who puts their life in such danger is.

[@helvete983]

The only branch of the Argentinian military that showed any guts. Got to give credit where it's due, especially to the pilots flying the later sorties knowing full well that 1 in 3 of them were probably not coming back.

[@DirtyMikeandTheBoys69]

@@helvete983 to be fair, much of the Argentinian Army were conscripts and while many surrendered, some put up on hell of a fight.

[@timwoodman1154]

@@DirtyMikeandTheBoys69 Not all of them, they were in the minority. Most of the Argie troops were professional soldiers who knew about warfare.

[@DirtyMikeandTheBoys69]

@@timwoodman1154 do you have a general quote or source that would suggest this? Being I've seen plenty of information to the contrary but I wouldn't mind dissenting sources, you always tend to find the truth in the middle after all.

[@balker8973]

I had the honor of meeting several veteran Argentine pilots. Always telling their stories with humility and respect for the enemy of that time. To better summarize what they did, it is worth reading the letter sent to them by the great Pierre Clostermann (a WWII hero in the RAF) in 1982: "To you, young Argentine fellow fighter pilots, I would like to express all my admiration. To the most sophisticated electronics, to anti-aircraft missiles, to the most dangerous targets that exist, that is to say ships, you successfully faced. Despite the most terrible atmospheric conditions that can be found on the planet, with a reserve of just a few minutes of fuel in the naphtha tanks, at the extreme limit of your devices, you have left in the middle of the storm in your "Mirage ", your “Etendard”, your “A-4″, your “Pucará” with blue and white cockades. Despite the anti-air defense devices and the SAMs of powerful warships, alerted well in advance by the "AWACS" and the American satellites, you have attacked without hesitation. Never in the history of warfare since 1914 have aviators faced such a terrifying array of deadly obstacles, not even those of the RAF over London in 1940 or the Luftwaffe in 1945. Your courage has dazzled not only the Argentine people, but many of us in the world are proud that you are our pilot brothers. To the fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, wives and children of the Argentine pilots who went to their deaths with the most fantastic and amazing courage, I say that they honor Argentina and the Latin world. Alas!: the truth is only valid for the spilled blood and the world believes only in the causes whose witnesses are killed for it." Honor and glory for the veterans of both countries.

[@Wanderer628]

He should be ashamed. He was praising men fighting for a fascist regime so they could expand their imperialist ambition against people who took him in when his own country (France) was lost. What next? Praising German troops who stormed the Warsaw ghetto for the personal bravery they showed going into a hellish urban battle?

[@balker8973]

@@Wanderer628 Luckily it's gratifying to hear English veterans speak highly of their counterparts. Usually the ones who talk hateful like this guy are the ones who just never wore a uniform. Go keep watching WWII movies.

[@TheBuccy]

@@Wanderer628 Absolutely correct . A disgusting message from someone who should have known better given his history.

[@timwoodman1154]

They were very brave men.

[@jorgelrevene]

@@Wanderer628 Argentine facist regime? You are very disoriented! Argentine imperialist? Coming from an inhabitant of the cruelest and savage empire that humanity suffered in the last 200 years. It makes me think that you suffer from some mental defect. Argentine soldiers did not fight for General Galtieri, they fought for what is ours, to recover what was stolen by pirates.

[@vermentinu1688]

I was on the amphibious landing ship HMS Intrepid during the battle of San Carlos. Our skipper, Capt Dingemans, was the epitome of calmness under pressure, which filtered down to the crew. Sadly he passed away in 2015.

[@MirukuESO]

Thank you for your service good sir.

[@vermentinu1688]

@@MirukuESO Thank you

[@andrespi2009]

good figth and thanks for being respectfull to our soldiers!

[@Baud2Bits]

Hi to you. I was Flight Deck crew on the Broadsword. Scary how fast 40 years goes by.

[@vermentinu1688]

@@Baud2Bits Yes. The SAMA82 scarves are a good idea.

[@daveyfouser1200]

Unbelievable how many of the bombs actually hit their targets but didn't explode. Without that stroke of luck for the British, the story of the Falklands would be very, very different

[@IainGalli]

At least the BBC tried to fix that. 🙄

[@doug6500]

At the same time, the Argentine pilots were forced to fly low which meant a lot of the bombs couldn't arm. So ultimately, the British made their own luck by having the capability to shoot down Argentine aircraft if they flew too high. By the time Argentines figured out what was wrong, the situation had turned decisively in Britain's favour. Furthermore, if Coventry's sea darts hadn't failed on launch, who is to say it would have been lost? War is luck and what is made of that luck.

[@mikearmstrong8483]

Doug is absolutely right. Fly above 50', get shot down. Fly on the deck with a short fuzed bomb, get blown up. It's notable that one of the biggest successes Argies had was with the use of Snakeye retarded bombs, which allowed the attacker to get clear before they blew.

[@fhlostonparaphrase]

Luck doesn't come into it. The bombs didn't explode because of their fuses, which was set too high, BUT that was because the Argentine pilots were forced to fly low to avoid anti-air and to achieve tactical surprise. And why were they forced to fly so low? Because the British chose a spot for landings that made it difficult for the Argentine pilots; narrow sound surrounded by hills, which leaves a very small window for hitting your target. You make your own "luck".

[@lessonslearned2569]

The history of the Royal Navy would have been very different.

[@lancelot1953]

We had lectures on "lessons learned" from both sides at the Naval War College (Newport, RI) after the end of the hostilities. I was truly impressed by the dedication, professionalism, and loyalty of these soldiers/airmen/sailors/marines regardless of their political allegiances. Despite being a retired Naval Officer, it saddens me to see the human cost of international conflicts. May they Rest In Peace and may we learn to avoid such wars. Ciao, L (Veteran)

[@cliveramsbotty6077]

nato/usa were rather quick to avoid getting openly involved assisting britain

[@lancelot1953]

@@cliveramsbotty6077 Hi Clive, I am not sure I understand your statement. It was a tricky situation as the US received requests for help from both belligerents - and in theory - the US was supposed to be "neutral". Merry Christmas, Ciao, L

[@cliveramsbotty6077]

@@lancelot1953 I said 'openly' involved. The USA had no qualms about triggering article 5 when the twin towers got hit. When Britain could have done with a bit of NATO clout the Americans hid in the shadows. Happy new year by the way

[@paolodechipiece1027]

@@cliveramsbotty6077 where do you think the sidewinder missiles the harriers used came from? The USA, Chile and France all assisted the UK during the 1982 war in south Atlantic

[@cliveramsbotty6077]

Did NATO and the USA get openly involved at the time, yes or no?

[@colinhawes1907]

I am ex RAF and watched our aircraft 'practice' over the north sea. Vulcans that disappeared on radar, Harriers flying so close to each other they appeared as one 'blob' on radar. One harrier would sharply turn away leaving two targets on radar... they appeared as 'missles' on radar but were fully armed harriers. After the practice, of they went to the falklands.

[@williamevans-cg6vt]

Thank you for your service from a British citizen

[@serpsupreme2976]

I met that lone surviving Chinook on my way out of Iraq in 2018. Had a good chat with the British maintainers working on it on that absolute museum piece. Seriously an incredible piece of history that shouldn't have still been being used in war but despite heavy updating and overhauls to keep it airworthy, it was.

[@jamiegray6931]

Bravo November is now enjoying a healthy retirement at the RAF Museum Cosford.

[@willbxtn]

I was just rewatching the Falklands series so far and wondering when the next episode would be out! Nice timing!

[@historigraph]

The next and last video in the series will be out next week

[@willbxtn]

@@historigraph Ooh that's excellent news!

[@derrickstorm6976]

​@@historigraph fabulous!

[@l4pin]

@@historigraph Just found your channel today and watched the whole Falklands series up to now, really well done. Subbed and looking forward to the next one.

[@Blueboy0316]

@@historigraph so I guess that mean tumbledow and longdon. Will we not see the action at goose green?

[@poxiplu1095]

Argentine pilots were very brave. Flying old aircrafts, many of them even without radars, just following the ones that did have radars. One thing to note is that Argentina only had 5 exocet missiles (couldn't get more due to international embargo) and they used them very well (HMS Sheffield and Atlantic Conveyor can testify). Had Argentine naval air force had more, the result of the war would have been different.

[@jorgelrevene]

you forget about the invincible aircraft carrier, contrary to what is officially recognized by the RN, it was hit by a missile and by bombs. Otherwise, they make excuses to explain why the harriers almost disappeared over the islands, arriving in port months later and why they were sporting fresh paint, when the rest of the fleet arrived very rusty.

[@outlawcatcher1]

@@jorgelrevene …stop with this fictitious attack please. Outside of mental health institutions of Argentina this viewpoint is just laughable!

[@jamiegray6931]

@@jorgelrevene What are you smoking? Invincible was never hit by bombs, let alone an exocet missile. You can't cover up that kind of damage while at sea without a repair station. Not only was she undamaged but she stayed on station providing air cover to the Islands until relieved by Illustrious.

[@jorgelrevene]

@@jamiegray6931 Only Gold Leaf when I get them! Who brainwashed you?

[@bepolite6961]

To this day they still believe they hit one of the aircraft carriers, their evidence, a bloody cartoon! All that does is detract from the real a courageous achievement.

[@ricardokowalski1579]

If you are british, any amphibious landing will bring the spectres of Gallipoli or Dieppe. Planning and commaning such operations will require a level of resolve, will and fortitude I can only imagine And being a trooper, filled with equal parts of trusting your superiors, bravery and purpose is also admirable. Respect 🎩

[@pickled_avocado68]

As with the Anzacs

[@MarcosGarcia-kx4rb]

That's kinda overstating it there was no massive landing no Normandy beaches no nothing lol they just landed and walked to their designated targets that's all.

[@BaalsMistress]

San Carlos is a good example of a modern amphibious landing where air supremacy has not been established. Landing under fire from a hostile airforce always always is a last resort.

[@WanderlustZero]

@@MarcosGarcia-kx4rb Yes - much of the good planning for an Amphibious Landing is in choosing a site where the enemy isn't. Argentina expected Britain to sail straight into Port Stanley and into the teeth of every gun and shore-based missile they had. Britain outflanked them.

[@Warspite-1915]

It took serious balls for Admiral Sir Sandy Woodward to deliberately put his warships into harms way to protect the troops landing at San Carlos. By drawing Argentinian fire away from the ground forces, he knew that every sailor in the fleet would have to fight for their lives for days on end; he also knew that not every sailor would make it home. I would expect nothing less from an ex submarine commander.

[@Solidboat123]

"It takes the Navy three years to build a new ship…it will take 300 years to build a new tradition" - Admiral Andrew Cunningham, who likewise had his ships take a beating to facilitate the evacuation of Crete during WWII

[@tomsmith6882]

He used the destroyers as missile decoys to take the Exocets so the carriers etc didn’t (and as admirals have for centuries, except the Exocet bit). It wasn’t for the infantry on the ground

[@tomsmith6882]

He used the destroyers as missile decoys to take the Exocets so the carriers etc didn’t (and as admirals have for centuries, except the Exocet bit). It wasn’t for the infantry on the ground

[@Solidboat123]

@@tomsmith6882 Wrong, there were many warships (the older, less capable frigates) in San Carlos bay amongst the landing/logistics ships, specifically to provide air defence for the landing force and to try and take the brunt of the air attacks.

[@jeffshaw526]

Takes serious balls being any submariner.

[@MichaelCasanovaMusic]

Never underestimate the little A-4 Skyhawk

[@noradog2974]

The return of the title sequence banger made my day ⚓️

[@rodrigovaldes9856]

The atack on HMS Ardent was made by a solitary A-4B first, but the four attackers that almost leave it out off action were Daggers from "Cueca" squadrilla not A-4's. Finally the A-4Q made their "cup of grace" on the remaining hull of the HMS Ardent

[@cliveramsbotty6077]

cup of grace?

[@karlosbricks2413]

Coup de grace. Typo in the original comment

[@jeebusk]

Atack?

[@Aren-1997]

Another excellent video, on this very interesting and intense, but often overlooked war. One note I would like to add is that the Atlantic Conveyer was not the original target for the Argentine aircraft in that stike, this was instead the Type 21 frigate HMS Ambuscade, which fired chaff that confused the missiles, that in turn relocked aim on AC. HMS Ambuscade is currently part of the Pakistani Navy as PNS Tariq, but very fortunately is soon to be returned to the UK as a museum in Glasgow, which finally gives the UK a much-needed and deserved Falklands and Cold War naval ship exhibit/memorial.

[@loyalpiper]

I had no idea, Glasgow is half an hour up the road for me so I sure as hell will visit when it's there

[@frankypearcey8650]

Awesome

[@DanielHewsonPianist]

I thought it was headed towards Hermes who threw up the chaff & ordered Atlantic conveyor to turn & present a bigger target for the Exocet which then duly slammed into it but after all the harriers on it were offloaded to Hermes.

[@richardvernon317]

@@DanielHewsonPianist The Exocets were fired at Ambuscade, which picked up the jets on both her radar and ESM before anybody else did. She raised the alarm and fired chaff from both here Chaff Dispensers and main gun (there was a Chaff shell for the 4.5 inch gun). AC was between the chaff clouds and Hermes and turned the wrong way (She thought the missiles were coming from the east, when the attack was from the North).

[@Galaxy-o2e]

4:40 Its incredible how close that jet is to the ships

[@QuizmasterLaw]

This was very well done, I learned things, thank you!

[@Knuck_Knucks]

I've read plenty on this war. Watched plenty too. But I keep learning more and more about it.

[@Jon.A.Scholt]

This series is so good, like all Historiograph series. Glad to read in the comments the next, but sadly last, episode will be out next week.

[@ivanbelenko477]

the bombs do not have an incorrect fuse setting. They were set this way because Argentina did not have naval bombs and ground-target bombs had to be used, which created the risk of shooting down the plane when it carried out the attack.

[@timwoodman1154]

The risk was already there.

[@richardvernon317]

The fuzes were set to the minimum arming time on them that could be set!! The reason that they didn't go off was because the majority of the Argentinean pilots failed to release them from the correct height or distance from the Target!!! On the few occasions where the bombs were dropped correctly, they went off!! (HMS Coventry and Sir Galahad (8th June Attack)).

[@waverlh]

Well done. You know, this all took place when I was a kid. I had no idea the British lost so many ships.

[@nickbrotherton5804]

Can l just add as a missile operator on board HMS Argonaut following the attack by five Sky Hawkes each dropping 1000lb bombs, three missed, two hit, killing Matthew Stuart (on his 18th birthday) and Iain Boldy both in the forward missile magazine HMS Argonaut was out of action for approximately 20 minutes whilst power was restored to the weapons system. HMS Argonaut fought on with courage and tenacity whilst on fire and two 1000lb bombs lodged in vital areas and did so every day until almost the surrender when HMS Argonaut sailed for home barely making 10 knots over the 7,500 return journey.

[@wardaddyindustries4348]

Great video the effort is apparent. The Argentinian Pilots proved their metal and the Royal Navy continued a proud tradition.

[@tincho9034]

Wow very good video love from Argentina and respect for British Soldiers that fought very well as always 👏

[@cavemanbum]

I am a historical aerial war gamer, and have written scenarios regarding the Battle of San Carlos Water using exhaustive research. I thought I knew everything there was to know about the battle, but even I learned quite a bit from this video. Well done!

[@adiputra9164]

I've been waiting for this!!! Please make more video about Falklands war, and keep up the nice work :)

[@Bishop1664]

Great video. Your animations and edits are of a really high quality now and really help to paint the picture!

[@TankerBricks]

Excellent video as always!

[@jakehughes6087]

Been waiting for this

[@2Links]

Same

[@switch_lp1302]

Oh yes

[@MrBrianYoutube]

I have been waiting for this video for ages!

[@rick7424]

Your tireless and high quality work is deserving of praise. You are amazing and your knowledge contributes to the availability of knowledge.

[@iainmalcolm9583]

My comment now serves no porpoise. 😉

[@rick7424]

@@iainmalcolm9583 Yep

[@iainmalcolm9583]

@@rick7424 I think most would agree with your comment.

[@agustinnarvaez5251]

As an argentinian im aware we don't have the greatest army and likely couldn't have performed any better in order to win the falklands war, but one thing i will defend till death, our air force in terms of braveness and experience is at least legendary

[@emafrancisco1808]

Y algunos aviones eran de la Armada tambien, no solo de la Fuerza Aérea

[@jasonfearnley1744]

I'm from sheffield in uk and i think both countries leaders used human life to gain points in the poles

[@gusenri]

@@jasonfearnley1744 totalmente de acuerdo... somos tan solo piezas de ajedrez de intereses expancionistas

[@kevinjones6328]

When Coventry and Broadsword were attacked the Coventry swings in front of the Broadsword whilst taking evasive manoeuvres breaking the lock of her Sea Wolf missiles which were tracking the inbound air raid. You see the forrad 909 dome of the Coventry slowly move across the Broadswords Sea Wolf gun camera. Sea Wolf then resets and the rest is history.

[@2Links]

Super excited for this continuation

[@weon_absoluto]

Im latino and I always get anoyed when people butcher the pronounciation of our names, but you sir did it right, thank you

[@jeebusk]

I'm not Latino and I get annoyed when people butcher the word annoyed :p

[@Cr0zzle]

I don't care because I know they speak vastly different languages and mispronunciation are common.

[@alimack5489]

This is the battle that made the higher ups (finally) in their amazing judgment see that that we need close in weapon systems. We should have lost a lot more ships due to their short sightedness. But as always they wanted to do it on the cheap

[@Kriegerdammerung]

A U.S. pilot once asked an Argentinian who took part in this battle "what was he feeling when his instruments warned him about missiles coming?" And the silver pilot replied "nothing, we operated with all electronics turned off because the aeroplanes were not fit for combat". Also, the Argentinian explained how numb you have to be while contemplating a maelstrom of fire that at any second can destroy you whilst you focus on the ship at the centre. The Liberation of Malvinas was hell in Earth.

[@mauromodica8293]

i think that the electronics were turned off for not being catched up by radars

[@Kriegerdammerung]

@@mauromodica8293 That very well could have been the case. The Argentinian pilots would fly at the 9 metre altitude to avoid the wave of the radar, which makes sense. So both possibilities are plausible, mate

[@mauromodica8293]

I am argentinian, a soldier tells me this. Not a Pilot but well i believe him

[@santiagobritolezana1589]

Not to tell that most of Argentine Navy's A-4Qs had their wings cracked and still had the Mk 12 cannons that were considered unfit for combat since Vietnam War...if you guys want to listen about a guy with balls of steel look for the name Owen Crippa

[@FMAlchemist2006]

@@santiagobritolezana1589 Also, many of the A4s had the ejection seat pyros well past due.

[@neilcairns9531]

Thanks for the episode. Been waiting for it

[@recce8619]

Broadsword's Sea Wolf didn't fail to fire, Coventry moved into the firing line, blocking any shot. The use of the "Type 64" anti-air picket wasn't something that had been trained for. Operating in a relatively confined area, with no good / well defined threat axis, co-ordination between the ships was nigh on impossible. The standard "total war" tactics would have put the Type 42 further up threat of high value assets (ie the CV), while the Type 22 would have really used it's Sea Wolf for self-protection, having been tasked with covering the ASW threat axis. Basically, the "Type 64" concept was total alien to training and doctrine.

[@colinbarron4]

Not quite correct. When Broadsword attempted to shoot at the first pair of Skyhawks its computer became confused by the two weaving targets flying close together. It responded by shutting down the system. It was then unable to engage the second pair of Skyhawks because Coventry manouevred and got between it and the targets. Max Hastings' book on the war explains all this.

[@jorgelrevene]

@@colinbarron4 That's the correct explanation of the facts!

[@tellyknessis6229]

To be close enough to the Amphibious Ops Area, they were alsotoo close to Pebble Island and the N coast of W Falkland. The 992 target indication radar couldn't track incomers over land so the T42 was on the back foot. (It was designed to operate in open waters against high-flyers.) The so-called "missile trap" was a flawed compromise from the start. Type 992 was upgraded later that year.

[@0Zolrender0]

Good show Ol Chap. That was a splendid watch.

[@Xcyiterr]

heck yeah loving the series so far, keep up the great work!

[@glynmountjoy998]

very good video

[@MaximilianoAedo]

As an Argentine by birth, I have nothing but constant praise for my native country's brave pilots who fought the Royal Navy against all odds using nothing but Mirages, Skyhawks and Exocet-armed Super Etendards. And I also praise the brave sailors and airmen of the Royal Navy who fought just as fiercely on those fateful days.

[@robertstorey7476]

There were fighting for an evil repressive dictatorship and should be ashamed of themselves for causing so much misery. A relative was in the task force and he loathes them.

[@TomFynn]

Those pilots who were trained by ex-Nazi pilots?

[@hectorzambrano9411]

​@@robertstorey7476both regimes were despicable

[@cursedcat281]

Glad you brought the intro music back!

[@stephenconroy5908]

"It takes three years to build a ship. It will take three hundred years to build a new tradition. The [landing] will continue." If you know, you *know*.

[@MrK1kk3r]

Crete :)

[@jamesscalzo3033]

Loved the video @Historigraph! Can't wait for the next video man! Almost done with the videos on the Falklands War that are already up and then I'll watch you video of Haguro's Last Stand. The DCS Community has covered various Points of the Falklands War, Namely @Grim Reapers. One of his videos with his friends was on the Hypothetical Situation of a Second Falklands War in 2025 when all the New Equipment of the Royal Navy would be Coming into Service alongside ships like the Modern Queen Elizabeth-class Aircraft Carrier and Type 45 (aka Daring-class) Destroyers, Eurofighter Typhoons and Fleet Air Arm F-35B/C Lightning II's, on the Equally Hypothetical Premise that Argentina Bought 24 Aircraft each of the Chinese J-16 Thunder's and one other Jet from China to replace the Aging A-4EA Fightinghawk's. It's quite Interesting and worth a look.

[@mattp.3949]

The Argentine air force and navy pilots were called the real heroes of the Falklands war of 1982 in their country for they flew their Mirage and A-4 Skyhawk aircraft from bases on the Argentine mainland and sank six British ships and damaged at least 10 more ships (mostly with bombs that failed to explode) with little regard for their or their aircraft's safety.

[@TomFynn]

Ironically the head of the Argentine Navy was the one who pushed hardest for invasion. And the Argentine Navy was the to run away.

[@robbabcock_]

Terrific video!

[@fhlostonparaphrase]

The British got hit rather badly, however Cdre Mike Clapp in charge of the landings expected the RN to lose 8, yes eight, ships during the landings. So losses was to be expected, the remarkable thing is that none of the troop carriers got hit.

[@josm1206]

Exactly. That's the point. Landings are incredibly dangerous, as they're sitting ducks. It was actually a small number for such a dangerous operation.

[@jorgelrevene]

Especially the ship Canberra, declared as hospital ship, but which disembarked troops in San Carlos. Were those troops sick? Let's say they suffered from a cold? Otherwise it would be one more of the dirty tricks that the UK used throughout its perverse imperial history

[@fasfas8999]

Foxtrox ship landing was sunk in Bahia Agrable 8 june by Skyhawks sorry!!!

[@fhlostonparaphrase]

@@jorgelrevene Canberra was not declared as a hospital ship, that was the Uganda. Get your facts straight! The Bahía Paraíso on the other hand...questionable.

[@jorgelrevene]

@@fhlostonparaphrase My mistake, it is as you state, the hospital ship was the Uganda. About the rest... I reserve my opinion.

[@antoniocarrascosa6060]

Muy buen trabajo

[@profesercreeper]

Feels like the argentine air force was the only branch of the argentine military that performed well during this conflict. If they had fixed their bomb fuse issues the effect could have been devastating on the British landings.

[@helvete983]

I can't understand why the Argies didn't identify the problem and correct it, thank God they didn't.

[@xxnightdriverxx9576]

@@helvete983 they did, just days after this

[@tuff9486]

@@helvete983 the Airplanes had to fly too low to not be shot down. But dropping the bombs with short fuses could destroy the plane in the process. Argentina didn´t have any naval bombs either, so these refitted bombs had to be used.

[@ant7936]

Imagine being on a landing craft for the first time, but without your parachute!

[@mikearmstrong8483]

The Brits & Argies used the same Belgian battle rifle as their primary weapon. Imagine dropping yours, so you grab an enemy rifle lying around, and end up shooting yourself because it's pointing the wrong way!

[@ant7936]

@@mikearmstrong8483 Interesting. I think the Belgian weapon was a newer model. Although my comment was meant to be amusing, I suppose you realise that, unlike RMC, Paras usually arrive at a battle by air? All the heavy helicopters had been destroyed and parachutes were not an option either, so it was a new and unnerving experience for them, to board and travel in LC.

[@mikearmstrong8483]

@@ant7936 Yes, I saw the humor in your comment, and responded with humor about both sides using much of the same kit.

[@jorgelrevene]

@@mikearmstrong8483 Joke resulting from classic bland British humor

[@mikearmstrong8483]

@@jorgelrevene I'm not British.

[@medievalgaming8754]

Can’t wait for the next one!

[@lessonslearned2569]

Pucaras also participated and shot down at least one helicopter. And a large ammo dump was bombed as well.

[@littleshep5502]

Only one helicopter, which was tasked with medevac at the time. It was the only Argentine air to air victory

[@collinsx62]

Great video!

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

The warships sunk were also relatively new. Very unfortunate.

[@omarbradley6807]

They also have much aluminium who made the things worse

[@Aren-1997]

@@omarbradley6807 Only the Type 21s had aluminium superstructures.

[@daufi3433]

@@omarbradley6807 whats with the aluminum? prone to fire?

[@kevindoyle1884]

Brilliant video. I had never known how bloody the Falklands had been

[@bardslee]

My grandfather served on the invincible. He said if every bomb dropped that day had went off. We would be fighting there still.

[@fasfas8999]

Sr. What happened to the invencible was attacked ?

[@JostVanWair]

​@@fasfas8999 nothing happened to it

[@fasfas8999]

@@JostVanWair not you bardslle.....

[@DaFroBroforeal]

Great video, keep it up!

[@mountainboardwales]

Is it true that the British press reported that the bombs were fused wrong giving the Argentinians the chance to fix the problem that they didn't know about?

[@fhlostonparaphrase]

Yes, that's the BBC for you...

[@ZvZd]

That reminds me of when a US rep visited the troops in the Pacific during WW2 and when he returned home he bragged to the news about how the Japanese depth charges were incorrectly set and they didn't affect US submarines, the Japanese then changed the settings and many US subs were lost.

[@thesupremepizza6893]

@@fhlostonparaphrase The worst was goose green. The BBC reported the intention to land troops there, which gave away the element of suprise and led the Argies to increase there garrison there, making it deadlier than it would have been otherwise.

[@stevyjobs8436]

@@thesupremepizza6893 I believe that’s not quite true, I’ve heard the Argentinians thought it was misinformation as they didn’t believe their own media would be so stupid.

[@neilwilson5785]

@@fhlostonparaphrase GBnews might be more to your taste. Flat earth stuff.

[@marmadukegrimwig]

Great, concise video.

[@Cristianoyargentino]

Proud of being argentinian. Argentina, the only american country what defeated english, french, spanish and brazilians. Plus, liberated Chile and Perú and liberated slaves in Madagascar Island, defeated pirates in Makassar streit. The argentine flag floated over California during six days. Like i said, very proud.

[@rapalma38]

And Portugal...

[@spidos1000]

I’m proud of being British. A country that kicked out the Argentines from the Falkland Islands.

[@fasfas8999]

@@spidos1000 Air sea Battle San Carlos won Argenine pilots sorry !!!!!!

[@tuff9486]

@@spidos1000 Argentina kicked out the Brittish three times from Buenos Aires

[@amkathegod8422]

@@spidos1000 and a country that was the first narco state in history destroying and stealing China's biggest citys during opium wars, a country that caused more famines in India that any other communist nation, a country well know for the traffic of slaves, imposing global racism, and a country well know for their crimes at Jamaica and Ireland. Uk pride is not really different from proud nazis.

[@reaver1414]

Love these videos keep it up

[@lessonslearned2569]

Also Rapiers had some poor performance due to problems with the arming pins. The Rapier would leave the rail and land on the peat due to the fact that the pin broke but did not arm, thus the sustainer rocket would cut off (if I remember my sources correctly) and the missile would just plop to the ground. No warheads detonated but I bet the Army soldiers manning the battery were less that please. Radar placement and lack of a proximity fuse didn't help matters either.

[@colinbarron4]

Very true. Rapier missiles only achieved one confirmed kill during the entire war . There were also four planes shot down by 'multiple weapons' ( including Rapier). Blowpipe only achieved one kill, on 28 May. Seacat gor either one or zero kills depending on what source you use. Seawolf either four or five depending on source. Sea Dart got seven or eight kills ,making it the most effective SAM used in the war. Stinger got one kill. 40mm Bofors one kill. 4.5 inch gun zero kills. 20mm Oerlkon unknown number of kills though probably zero.

[@timwoodman1154]

@@colinbarron4 The Seacats were nicknamed "Whoosh Splashes" because that what they did.

[@colinbarron4]

@@timwoodman1154 Another Falklands veteran said that Seacats were only good for killing fish.

[@Highendaudio1]

Rapier was a waste of time. 1950s tech

[@bepolite6961]

Yeah the all sing and dancing hittiles turned out to be bloody rubbish. Mate of mine a Rapier Radar tech was sent south one week after hostilities ceased, He did five more tours which pissed him off no end. Lets just say he was a busy little Cpl, very busy in fact,

[@beardedloon77]

Wow so I started the Falklands video moaning at you about the frequency of your ads, now I'm gna sign up for bespoke post.

[@Lord_Lambert]

Babe wake up new Historigraph vid just dropped

[@subsidingjoshua9354]

Good Video!

[@dbpuckett6919]

The Brits were contemplating sending their newest line ship to the Falklands. It was a 20,000 ton Glass Bottom Cruiser, they wanted to watch their fleet pass in review.

[@d-dawg5564]

Just fact checked this whole video. Turns out, this guy is actually right about everything. He's the real! You sir, have won the internet 🤣😮

[@mikearmstrong8483]

2 Exocets were launched, but the intended target was Illustrious. Both were decoyed away by use of chaff and ECM, and one then locked onto Atlantic Conveyor. The other fell in the sea. It was one of several times the Argies claimed to have sunk Illustrious. Edit: Invincible, not Illustrious.

[@fhlostonparaphrase]

Correct, but it was HMS Invincible, not Illustrious. Illustrious was being rushed through completion at the time and only arrived to relieve Invincible and Hermes later.

[@mikearmstrong8483]

@@fhlostonparaphrase This is what happens when you rely on memory of events 40 years ago, before there was any way to look up such things in seconds. Absolutely correct, it was Invincible.

[@omarbradley6807]

No it was the Atlantic Conveyor the intended target and both hit, what you are saying is about the attack on the Invincible who was made later with only one Exocet, who fell into the sea

[@mikearmstrong8483]

@@omarbradley6807 My source was a compilation of the personal accounts of those involved. The Argies only had 5 Exocets available for air launch. Their intended target was always the Invincible. The RN acknowledged that the single Exocet that hit the Atlantic Conveyor was decoyed from the carrier.

[@edwardgray4693]

@@omarbradley6807 the Argentinians primary targets were always warships. They would not have used one if their precious excess on a container ship. The British deliberately ised Atlantic conveyor as a decoy hottest in the event of an exciting the exciting radar would hit AC and not a carrier. They were correct. The target was definitely a carrier. AC itself was not deliberately targeted.

[@Cannedcheese45]

Can you please put the playlist for this into chronological order

[@guidofawke6274]

I am argentinian. I am very proud, because we fought against the better one. ( please, forgive my bad english).

[@hrk59]

Ni de cerca es el mejor, es una isla imperialista que ya fue derrotada en argentina en épocas pasadas.

[@hrk59]

@David Barr The language doesn't matter, if I didn't speak Spanish, I would speak Polish (my ancestors are from there) and if not another native language. It is not relevant. You are the orks, plain and simple.

[@Baud2Bits]

I was there [HMS Boadsword] and can only say that no-one I know who was there has anything but admiration for the Argentinian fighters. Your leaders were another matter, but then, so often, are ours.

[@OGPatriot03]

@@terrum-c7s A military junta sounds preferable to the contemporary English government..

[@NotSoSerious69420]

@@OGPatriot03 id rather be ruled by bureaucrats than dictators, but I guess everyone wants communism round 2:electric gulag.

[@StewartWalker-hy1eo]

Their navy ran away and the onslaught took place on land with their soldiers People forget what happens during naval warfare because no metal or alloy is indestructible and when the enemy gets past as they always will do it becomes a sad day

[@JamesJones-yn6xs]

Great video. I'm in awe of the near suicidal bravery of the Argentine pilots. Totally incongruent with the stakes which were hardly a matter of national survival. On top of that the Argentine Air Force was the red headed step child of the Junta and had been largely left out of the planning for the Falklands campaign. They had every right to put in the sort of token effort the Navy did. Maybe they felt they had something to prove?

[@martindione386]

the ARG Navy was much smaller and obsolete than the RN, with almost no ASW equipment to counter 5 or 6 nuclear submarines, the odds were much worse than for the Air Force. The Navy tried a carrier attack on May 2nd, but couldn't launch the attack squadron for climate and catapult limitations, the carrier barely evaded the Spartan (IIRC) on the way back, the Belgrano couldn't do the same with the Conqueror. The Navy did commit, though, with two submarines, the helicopters, maritime patrol A/C, attack A/C, and infantry forces in the islands. Aircraft are much easier and cheaper to replace than ships, it was the right choice.

[@tanostrelok2323]

Those poor pilots broke their backs trying to carry the army and the navy

[@JamesJones-yn6xs]

@@martindione386 All true from a military perspective but from a political perspective the Air Force had a good case to stay out of it if they chose.

[@martindione386]

@@JamesJones-yn6xs from a petty political point of view, maybe, but the Air Force fulfilled her duty

[@JamesJones-yn6xs]

@@martindione386 The war was about as petty at it gets and politics and war are two sides of the same coin, especially if you're fighting for a Junta. So it cannot be separated from "duty" in this case imo. In any case I would not consider it petty for a squadron of Skyhawk pilots to decline to fly for hours at wavetop height into a gauntlet of AA, SAMs and Harriers (a full generation more advanced) for a bleak cold rock of dubious importance. History would not have judged them harshly for that. In the end their attacks were quite effective due to several technical and tactical shortcomings on the part of the British but the Argentine pilots didn't know that when they took off. In fact they'd run training exercises against Argentine destroyers before the war where they were all shot down. Hence my awe.

[@WanderlustZero]

It should be noted that most of the non-exploding bombs were dropped by Argentine Air Force Pilots, having their bombs fused for a higher-level drop than they were able to perform, thanks to the Sea Dart threat. Argentine Navy Skyhawks also flew that day, and having trained more extensively at attacking ships, had their bombs fused correctly, and scored most of the true hits.

[@matiasbolig9040]

I grow up listening Argentina infantry vets of that war, and the horror in their eyes are the same. One thing in common is the respect they had for British army. Aside the differences, real heroes in both sides, fighting for their country's cause. RIP Isabel, and long live to the King! The west needs more than ever the best of the UK culture and history. Greetings from Argentina.

[@outlawcatcher1]

That is a real Argentine speaking.

[@matiasbolig9040]

@@outlawcatcher1 absolutely... Although I dont look alike... If you see my profile photo I have a british flag in the tshirt lol...

[@outlawcatcher1]

@@matiasbolig9040 I am an 82 veteran and have many good Argentine friends. I have visited and adore Argentina. The respect shown on both sides during the war was admirable.

[@gusenri]

Escelente infografia (neutra) ¿podrías agregarles subtitulos en español?

[@jude_the_apostle]

The British couldn't establish air superiority over the islands because of the Exocet threat to its carriers. Thus its carriers had to keep their distance. Its turn out the French had lied about the missiles kill switch (a small box that emits signals to neutralise the Exocets). Britain was a rival in the arms trade and President Mitterrand did not want to hand over the 'keys to the safe'.

[@FMAlchemist2006]

There is no such thing as a "kill switch" on missiles. It doesn't have any form of radio communication. The only connection to the missiles is physical. Either from the launching aircraft or plugging a computer on an entry port. That's why countermeasures such as chaff, flares or intercept missiles exist. Otherwise, anyone could hack a missile.

[@OGPatriot03]

It's just wrong to sell a weapon to a country and include a "kill switch", imagine your reputation as an international arms dealer.... Just ridiculous if there was ever any truth to the story.

[@reneestevez7193]

Argies were severely underestimated by the Brits. Little did the later know they were putting up against such a formidable military force both in technique and in strategy.

[@minhmeo9506]

To make things worse, the Argentine Navy has been hiding in its port since Admiral Belgrano was sunk. Only Air Force alone does not make a summer :(((

[@erictull2089]

Incidentally, (never said this before) as a non combatant (I repaired the Radar and radios on the Landing craft) I only came under fire once travelling from Sir Bedevere to HMS Fearless on Foxtrot 4. That was from spent small arms fire of our guys firing at the Argentine air force. I could hear spent bullets hitting the metal work all around me. I watched the Argentine Skyhawk drop two bombs on Fearless which never exploded. The Skyhawk then turned towards us but didn't open fire with his cannon. In the tank deck I sat against a pack of artillery shells. I still think about this. Abuse me online all you like I shouldn't be here.

[@recce8619]

I don't believe the Atlantic Conveyer was directly attacked, rather Exocet were decoyed away, and then the missiles engaged the ship as an available target. If it had been known the stores ship was out there, it should have been a priority target, but it's possible that the FAA pilots were being "honourable" and only attacked hard military targets. Speaking for priorities, "Sharky" Ward was very critical of the air defence. He wanted Sea Harriers up threat of the Sound with radars turned on. Wouldn't have mattered if the radar sets worked or not, the FAA wouldn't have known and there would have potentially been "soft kills" on incoming raids. Being in position to "swoop down" when a raid is finished to be an avenging angel racks up the air-to-air kills but means the ships have already been bombed.

[@Aren-1997]

Indeed, HMS Ambuscade was the original target which fired chaff that confused the missiles, which in turn relocked on AC.

[@Wanderer628]

Argentinian was a fascist dictatorship that was actively murdering its own people and oppressing the Islanders. They didn't have any honour.

[@timwoodman1154]

The rules of engagement were that the attacking aircraft could not be engaged before they fired on the Harriers. Sharkey Ward told his pilots to ignore that order and shoot everything out of the sky. The pilots liked that a lot. Admiral Woodward said later that if Lt Cdr Ward had obeyed orders the war would have been lost

[@timwoodman1154]

Also, the Chilean military had a radar station very high up in the Andes which relayed its feed directly to the British fleet and Whitehall courtesy of Pinochet. It could see the Argie airfields so the Brits knew when the air raids were on their way. This is why Thatcher defended PInochet when he was arrested some years later, she repayed the favour.

[@Ilostmycactus]

I find it interesting how often weapons fail

[@werwinn]

Argentinians pilots are special warriors...

[@TomFynn]

All trained by Nazi Ex-pilots...

[@pancakeboy8642]

As an american i have heard of falkland war. But it a passing knowledge. Once again showing how regional some knowledge is.

[@lachbullen8014]

These Royal Navy ships were not really design to fight a third class military with second hand equipment.. The Royal Navy ship types use during the Falkland war where design on the basis fighting the Soviet Union they weren't the pad for this conflict it's kind of out-of-focus sort of subject..

[@federicogonzalez7126]

What a jerky comment... .Man, next time just try to be a little bit more objective...

[@fasfas8999]

The modern war still demands bayonets.....the point skill and bravery

[@chrismac2234]

Check out Rick Jolly s medics documentary the man decorated by both sides.

[@timwoodman1154]

Top man. I knew him as a Lieutenant surgeon at Culdrose, one of the best.

[@jorgelrevene]

He passed away a few years ago. A loss to humanity!

[@Big_E_Soul_Fragment]

Man, imagine if these ships got modern CIWS...

[@fasfas8999]

Anyway can imagine if those Argentine pilots have modern weapons

[@ricardosmythe2548]

@@fasfas8999 yeah or if today's Argentine gad modern weapons 😂

[@CanadianDolphinSurf]

British ships recieve Phalanx CIWS after the conflict concluded due to the lessons learned.

[@CanadianDolphinSurf]

@@fasfas8999 They had Exocets which were pretty modern. Otherwise, they really didn't need modern equipment at the time. Any LGBs wouldve put them too high and made them suceptable to being shot down by Seawolfs and Seacats.

[@RicardoSilva-lu2qn]

Y si Argentina tenía más misiles Exocet . ?????

[@IRMentat]

Anti air defences that don’t fire, bombs that didn’t boom, dawn raids with no deaths, fighting retreats against AFV. It’s terrifying to think how much more lethal everything is were history to repeat.

[@upthebracket26]

imagine thinking you could beat the British in a war.

[@frostedbutts4340]

American colonies: Hold my musket

[@upthebracket26]

@@frostedbutts4340 Burn!!! you know what else burns? The white house when we actually make the effort

[@Warspite-1915]

@@frostedbutts4340 the French won that war for you. The british won most battles in the revolutionary war

[@Agostoic]

We beat it twice already lol

[@upthebracket26]

@@Agostoic when you were British. Since then, you've lost pretty much to everyone. Rice farmers in Vietnam, pirates in somalia, got kicked out of iraq, poppy farmers in afghanistan beat you, & Russia controls the GOP. At least you'll always have the wars on drugs & terror & all things woke to keep you occupied.

[@beachboy0505]

Excellent video Important topic for future naval strategist. How could they lose less ships in a similar situation? This is comparable to the loss of American ships in the assault on Okinawawa some 40 years previous.

[@tammysharonlorettastafford3376]

Unbelievable that we still won back the Islands after losing most of our equipment.Our boys did us proud!

[@deusvult8251]

all we ever needed was toughest most excellent made backpacks & webbing, good wilding clothes, hot food and water supplies and a decent kit

[@lilboy3102]

07:08 🌈 Rainbow is seen 🌈 Sign of Good Luck for the British 🇬🇧

[@Durandarte3004]

The argentinian pilots flying just above the water like Jedis...

[@helvete983]

Bread and butter for all fighter pilots, low level ingress is basic stuff.

[@murci981]

Modern war is a spectacle

[@markthompson6540]

Although I disagree with Argentina this was a war that cost the lives of too many people.

[@mikesimms5750]

I didn't realize just how much worse the war could have been. If the Argie bombs had gone off that war could have been much different.