The Empire Strikes Back - Retaking South Georgia 1982

Operation Paraquet was the British operation to retake the Antarctic island of South Georgia from Argentina in April 1982.
Click here for my earlier video about the Argentine capture of South Georgia: • Mills' Marauders - Las...
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Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Mark Felton Productions. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Mark Felton Productions does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.
Thanks: Chris Nofting
This video is not monetised and all images and film are used in accordance with Fair Use for educational purposes.

[@daveybernard1056]

"Two women and a Browning High Power pistol..." How did I miss that awesome camping trip?

[@ariochiv]

The two women with the Browning pistol probably could have defeated the Argentinian garrison on their own, for all the fight they put up.

[@dogsnads5634]

@Eugene B Nothing fishy about it at all. They were civilians, equipped with radio to keep in contact with the British Antarctic Survey personnel whilst they did their filming in an isolated area. When the Argentinians invaded they were told to keep their heads down and hide.

[@giuliannochiarelli151]

One argentinian was killed by accident during this operation. British troops buried him with all millitary honors. Is not very know here in argentina the respect that the british showed to our troops

[@mh53j]

Giuliano Chiarelli I have a book with the picture of the burial; Royal Navy personnel firing a salute over the grave, Argentine personnel in attendance. British and Argentine commander's standing next to each other.

[@my_boi55]

I always like the news headline "The empire strikes back" for the British Empire during the Falklands

[@EhoodGarmiza]

images.app.goo.gl/8NkvVEStPfAdCxdb8

[@chrisneedham5803]

Or 'Don't mess with the Big Boys '

[@CancerGaming56]

Same.

[@BBoySnakeDogG]

I liked GOTCHA for Argie salt

[@chrisneedham5803]

@17ll3 x214 ......... 'Bin Bagged' 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@tomhulme1176]

Only the sas would think landing on a glacier in the middle of a blizzard as a viable Option 👍🏼🤣

[@farmerned6]

"What the condition like? Extreme air turbulence, 15 degrees of frost, the helicopters are maneuvering on pitching, icy decks." "Should we postpone the operation?" "I don't think so, Prime Minister. If we did, the weather might become unpleasant."

[@mick32156]

Thank you sir. I was on the Antrim during Operation Paraquat and subsequently San Carlos where we sustained bomb damage. I recently returned to the Falklands for the first time since 1982. I can now show this video to my wife and family. Thank you.

[@paulo1787]

Micky Finn Hi Micky, I served on the Plymouth, Antrim crew should be very very proud of what you did, I witnessed it first hand, makes me emotional just recalling it all, I’m lucky that I live in the same town as an Antrim veteran, the bond we have has lasted all this time due to what we both experienced. 🙏

[@daddybob6096]

Great series Mark, and well narrated. I'm an older New Zealander, 79yo, and remember this conflict well. As i recall a couple of NZ Frigates were sent to Britain to be on station during the absence of UK warships? I also am a veteran infantry soldier from the NZ Army, back in the 1960s.

[@hshs5756]

For anyone who wants to know more about conditions on South Georgia, the landing there by Sir Ernest Shackleton is one of the most epic survival stories in the annals of exploration. Forced by winds to land on the uninhabited south side of the island in his makeshift sailboat, he had no choice but to cross the island on foot to reach the whaling station on the north side to get word out of his men stranded on Elephant Island in Antarctica. You saw the mountains of South Georgia in this video, and of the tough, well-equipped elite troops needing immediate extraction from the harsh environment. Shackleton and his small crew, sailors not mountaineers, crossed these mountains with a bit of rope and a carpenter's adze to carve footholds in the ice.

[@moltderenou]

Hs Hs: Yes, a great man. Unfortunately not many like him left today.

[@SabreWolferos]

5:00 And to think that about 70yrs prior a starving British man named Shackleton climbed those mountains

[@SenorCrazylegs]

Flew with the chap who put a hole in the conning tower of the Santa Fe a few weeks back. Now an airline captain, he was just a naval nco at that point. He was the weapons operator in the Wasp helicopter, and hit the submarine on the second attempt I believe, whilst under small arms fire. Two young twenty-somethings, side by side, taking it to the enemy thousands of miles from anywhere. As they flew back the pilot offered him some chewing gum in the most blase way, which he said was just about the coolest thing he had ever seen, and remains his enduring memory to this day.

[@joek600]

I kinda feel bad about the submarine crew, it wasnt exactly heroic destroying an old bucket like that.

[@paulkirkland3263]

Cindy Buxton, British wildlife film maker; camera in one hand, Browning automatic in the other! Gawd, Argentina why did you ever think you could win this ?

[@timop2163]

I remember the day this happened. It was a Sunday and Brian Walden was interviewing Michael Foot on Weekend World when a newsflash/breaking news item intervened that an RN helicopter had attacked an Argentine submarine. Foot expressed his doubts about the wisdom of it all but looked mainly incoherent. After the programme had finished there was a little more news - the MOD announced in six words that "British Forces landed on South Giorgia". Then Tony Benn was on our screens. He angrily predicted that the public would "turn on Thatcher" when the coffins came home. No British casualties were suffered that day and rather than turning on Thatcher the British public a year later enormously increased her parliamentary majority.

[@davidgillettuk9638]

Captain Chris Nunn, led a troop armed with mugs of tea, the Argies never stood a chance.

[@Goit_Goit]

75 SAS, SBS and Royal Marines? Not a bad bunch to form an ad-hoc force from.

[@olliephelan]

They knew about the invasion days before it happened. It wasnt as hoc at all.

[@waratahdavid696]

It was adhoc. The intended invasion company was some distance away. Recon forces, (sas, sbs), plus a few royals from the ship were sent to do the job instead

[@lancetennenbaum2509]

It's amazing how you post so often and yet your videos retain such incredible quality! Cheers from New York!

[@JackG79]

Here here.... another NYer agreeing!!

[@Brooklyn-Manhattan]

Nyeeeee.

[@jamesdunn9714]

I recall when this happened. I believe the Argentina government though Britain would not respond. Argentina miscalculated.

[@ricardoraulmontero5279]

You're right ,James,greetings from Buenos Aires!

[@ricardoraulmontero5279]

@Mighty Megatron well, i'm argentinian , i know they true story about plan cóndor and operación rosario , they were different ways, Greetings!

[@pathoftheone4910]

I read in a book ( I wish I could remember it's name ) that a member of the UK cabinet visited the Islands before the war to address concerns from the islanders about Argentina and a possible invasion. Apparently he turned up to the meeting drunk and told the islanders that if there was an invasion then the UK would NOT provide assistance and it would be up to the islanders themselves to negotiate any terms with Argentina. The chief constable of police for the islands at the time stated that he was in shock , because three people attending in the front row of the audience ,were officers from the Argentina air force visiting the islands on a liason trip. So they probably did belive that UK would not retaliate in my humble opinion.

[@KarimTheilgaard]

This is a trilogy I can get behind!

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

Yay! People dying in terror and agony on the Sheffield and Belgrano is fucking awesome!!

[@jakehughes5962]

@@ProjectFlashlight612 Casualties of war

[@More_Row]

Yeah war is amazing isn’t it.

[@maxkennedy8075]

ProjectFlashlight612 you do realise his entire channel is about war right?

[@Sol_Invictus_]

@@ProjectFlashlight612 >being this uncultured

[@michaelhowell2326]

Love hearing about this conflict! My Spanish teacher yelled at me in elementary school for calling them the Falklands (She was an Argentine) and at the time I had no idea what the big deal was. If I can't root for the US, I'll root for the Old Country!

[@solarsatan9000]

Lol

[@ProjectFlashlight612]

I vividly remember watching the Falklands conflict on TV. It seemed to be over almost before it began - bear in mind I was seven years old - and the attack on _HMS Sheffield_ lasts in my mind. The word "Exocet" bore into my memory.

[@awhiskyintheevening8408]

I was about 14, and Exocet was my takeaway as well! LOL.

[@mrt5354]

Really love this channel. You do a great job.. really.

[@alcenofolchini6971]

I was a marine in Brazil 1982, took some pictures of the Vulcan airplane that was intercepted in the Brazilian coast, in reality it had problems end landed in Rio for repairs and fuel.

[@seumasnatuaighe]

Operation Parakeet was known in the Regiment as "Paraquat" which was a powerful weedkiller in use at that time. The two girls who held out on the island were pretty tough cookies and their story would be a very interesting one for your viewers.

[@BaronvonMoorland]

The amount of videos and the quality is insane. You’re a gift to us all sir.

[@_Matsimus_]

Amazing video!!

[@ALSmith-zz4yy]

I remember at the time watching The Tonight Show when during the monologue Johnny Carson quipped Argentinian tanks are the only ones that had backup lights.

[@jorgejefferson8251]

ok, now we have to hear about the wildlife photographers who were on the island.

[@jacobhayes9992]

I agree.

[@TheWilferch]

Yes...how did they communicate?, or better said.... how did the Brits know they were there and arranged extraction ?

[@1vw4me]

@@TheWilferch It's called "Ham Radio." People used them widely in remote locations before cellular and the internet.

[@tonyjames5444]

The SAS didn't cover themselves with glory here, I was in 40 CDO RM at this time and knew a few men in M Company 42 CDO who told me they tried to advise the SAS for their recce mission but they wouldn't listen, worth understanding that the Marines had just returned from 3 months arctic training in Norway, (one of many winter deployments for most of the Marines), and knew what they were talking about, (and you could say were better suited to this task). Also the Marines were bemused by some of the SAS insisting on wearing their jungle lightweight clothing during the landings which resulted in them requiring further assistance.

[@wildcampingharry]

I was in my last year at school when all this happened. I remember taking a small radio to school to listen to the news bulletins. Never knew about the wildlife photographers, thanks for a great video.

[@Bonk4Me]

Orders from the Iron Maiden... *turns up volume to 101%* *GET THE ISLANDS BACK*

[@evanpeacock6103]

FAILURE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!

[@kcimb]

Nobody expected the sabaton inquisition

[@joeb3052]

Is there a Maiden song about The Falklands?

[@solarsatan9000]

@@evanpeacock6103 CALL FOR ARTILLERY STRIKE

[@matso3856]

@@joeb3052 They are quoting a Sabaton song about the conflict

[@UncleFeedle]

The Wasp helicopter looks like it was put together by a mad scientist from parts of other helicopters.

[@cgross82]

I was in college when this happened on a choir tour in England and West Germany. I remember how anxious our gracious hosts were about their British troops!

[@braunx25]

Thank you for your work. I love your videos. They are always a highlight of my day.

[@Zakalwe-01]

Blimey! It all kicked off a bit there! Love the attack on the sub. That was a bit come-as-you-are!

[@petemcdonald8894]

You need to read up about the initial defence of South Georgia by a handful of Royal Marines at Grytviken when they opened fire on an Argentine frigate... now that's class :)

[@Box500spooks]

As a young airman in 1982, I got to 24 hours Notice To Move, but was posted to Germany so missed out. I eventually got to the Falklands in the 90s, on aeromedical flights. I made up for missing the op tour later in various sandy adventures!

[@erikliljeberg1796]

Quite a clever use of "The Empire Strikes Back" I must say!

[@charliemansonUK]

It was the headline of the Sun newspaper on the day. I remember seeing it as a teenager and feeling so proud...still do. Charlie 🇬🇧

[@OliverSutton1962]

Thanks. I hope there's more Falklands war story's to come.

[@fellowcitizen]

Thanks for tantalising us with the slight mention of wildlife filmmakers! Love to hear more!

[@Wolshanze]

Fascinating Mark I ways say this and all ways mean it the information in your short films is truly eye opening....

[@104thDIVTimberwolf]

Thanks for posting this. We heard so little about the fight for South Georgia at the time. All of the press went to the Falklands. First comment!

[@tigertank3024]

104thDIVTimberwolf your not first comment

[@Nygaard2]

Man, I'm getting old... Seems like yesterday I watched Rik Mayall tell tall tales from his time as a Falkland veteran.

[@stevenbailey8743]

Yet ANOTHER excellent production by Mr. Felton. Keep up the important work of preserving our history, Mark.

[@stumccabe]

I'm not a military history sort of guy, but Mark does such an excellent, professional and compelling job that all his vids are fascinating- much better than most professional productions.

[@Axemantitan]

I knew about the Falklands, but was unaware that the Argentines took South Georgia, as well. That you, Mr. Felton, for another quality production on a lesser-known historical event.

[@McRocket]

Absolutely fascinating. You've done it again. Thank you.

[@MrKnoxguy101]

The Brits had some tough looking ships. Their military certainly didn’t hold back when they reclaimed South Georgia. Other than the campaign in the Falklands, I wasn’t aware that this had taken place.

[@lauc62]

The Argentinean officer signing the surrender at 9:31 is Lieutenant Commander Alfredo Astiz/ In 2005, Astiz was detained on charges of kidnapping and torture, centered on the 12 victims of December 1977. Astiz and 17 other defendants associated with the operations at ESMA were "charged with various cases of kidnapping, torture, and murder relating to 86 victims".[9] Following a 22-month trial,[9] on 27 October 2011, Alfredo Astiz was convicted by an Argentinian court and sentenced to life imprisonment for crimes against humanity committed during the Dirty War.

[@IKS-Exploration]

Amazing documentaries I’m going to add you to my channel recommendations list :)

[@jonnibegood1]

Brilliant Mark, I love the title too. I remember all of this kicking off, and I remember that message, relayed to Her Majesty, being read on the news. 👊🏼🇬🇧👑👌🏼😉

[@golfhacker9051]

Great delivery of a complex story that was full of facts and not to long. Awesome.

[@alexdemoya2119]

"The British Side of the Force is a pathway to many abilities some consider to be unnatural" "Is it possible to learn this power?" "Not from an Argie"

[@oveidasinclair982]

Those submarine sailors were lucky to be alive, I totally back the UK, but it's good that everyone (both sides) for the most part survived.

[@I.G_NL]

I love your content, keep it up👍👍👍👍

[@lordmozart3087]

Can’t thank You enough for these great videos

[@r2gelfand]

Another winning video. Great job!

[@emilianobaldi5524]

We should never go to war against the brits... Our armed forces, at that time strong in regional terms, were under-equiped to figth against a NATO country... Our troops did what they could... I blame the Junta and his alcohlic leader, brave against workers and nuns but incompetents for a conventional war. One of the officers that cowardly surrender was convicted for crimes against humanity.

[@devingraves8044]

One of my favorite things about this channel is that when a story is for "another time" it means within the next few days, even the next day.

[@filtonkingswood]

Love what you do. Factual with no fluff. Excellent.

[@chriskelleher349]

Wonderful work, Mark. Brings back memories. I remember the surprise announcement of the rescue of the 2 lady researchers. America thought they had met a bad end.

[@m48a5patton]

How you don't have over a million subscribers is beyond me, keep up the amazing work!

[@mikaxms]

Mark strikes again! Didn't know much about the Falklands war, thanks for the videos.

[@CSmith-hx2pm]

Mika de Grote is your pp Hitler?

[@bruceschneider4928]

Well done, Britain. Well done, Mark Felton.

[@specialed1444]

I love the title of the video man. I also love your content.

[@markdavis2475]

Brings back more memories of the time, didn't know about the Lady filmmakers though....slightly reminds me of an episode of "The Comic Strip"!

[@davidwhite4137]

Once again another good video .

[@lastactionmedic5677]

Hey mark I always like your vids. I'm a ridiculous military history nerd and I love the nuances of all of it. Thanks for your hard work. A lot of these engagements most people have no idea about.

[@EdMcF1]

Turns out that the SAS weren't as suited to South Georgia's glaciers as Shackleton and his crew.

[@mwnciboo]

Savage! Love it.

[@1IbramGaunt]

Their tents got blown away and even SAS men can get frostbite and hypothermia, go ahead and try fighting a battle with that going on lol

[@moltderenou]

EdMcF1 Who had sailed there under atrocious conditions and landed very badly equipped.

[@sudaev]

@@moltderenou "But - but - but..."

[@davidnemoseck9007]

Really like to see videos about little know battles and stuff like that. Keep up the great work!

[@petemcdonald8894]

A very good read for anyone interested is 'Operation Paraquat' by Roger Perkins, it gives a lot of back ground history and follow up. (I'm ex Antrim) - Well done Mark.

[@jamesmackie9292]

Love your videos dude!

[@10toMidnight]

Thank you for another great piece!

[@aleembruggen]

Really enjoy your short videos and your direct story telling style. Cheers.

[@jethawk9941]

Your voice is perfect for these videos you would make a good narrator for military documentaries

[@sleeperawake9818]

Another great video! Thank you Mark!

[@jammer3618]

At the end of the day, I respect the Argentine commander for surrendering. It's one thing to be brave but another to be stupid.

[@MrWarwick15]

Another great video Mark! Thank you, Rich.

[@leeedmunds2539]

Your films are fantastic! Many thanks

[@rikwilliams6352]

Excellent production, well done

[@kyle18934]

I was waiting for this after your last episode. Thankyou.

[@hugohom2280]

Congrat on 185k mark, I know this channel would blow up

[@nickraschke4737]

Great to hear all these details again.

[@thomasmusso1147]

👍 ... shades of 'Boy's Own Magazine' 😊. Salute .. Respect to the British Special Forces.

[@JackB733]

I almost wish the British had shown up with Imperial Walkers on South Georgia!

[@brucebello9892]

Another excellent video, great job Mark!

[@em1osmurf]

a piece of the incident i was unaware of. thank you!

[@landfair123]

I remember hearing about the Falklands war when I was 10 years old. It was the first war that I knew of in my lifetime when i knew what war was. I remember seeing on the news when the British transport ship was sunk in an air attack. Scary stuff for a 10 year old.

[@BlueStarJT]

Loving these videos , underated channel.

[@gitfoad8032]

Santa Fe's conning tower was fibreglass, so the missile didn't go-off.

[@1IbramGaunt]

Nope, just punched straight through and out the other side as you can see in the footage. If that missile had hit a bit lower though, and it had still been the original American steel conning tower from WW2, the whole sub bridge crew would've been fishfood

[@1IbramGaunt]

Didn't matter though as the damage would've still meant she couldn't submerge even without the earlier depth charge-ing

[@simac8640]

I recall no deaths from that hit but one argy had his leg amputated by a RN ship's surgeon.

[@sharadowasdr]

Could you do a video on the British operations against the Indonesians in 1946 which used Indian troops in Java ? It was one of the last major use of Indian colonial troops in a colonial war.

[@oveidasinclair982]

Now this would be an interesting video, I never heard of it and would love to see a 15 minute production.

[@haitolawrence5986]

Great stuff as always Mark! Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@grand-dadmiral]

My Lord, the fleet has moved out of lightspeed. Comm-scan has detected an energy field protecting an area of the sixth island of the Antarctic continent. The field is strong enough to deflect any bombardment.

[@robw3027]

Great video. That was the last fling- The Falklands. The last Imperial adventure. Plus the resources to mount such and operation by the Brits disappeared by the end of the 80's/early 90's. Hats off to the lads! Well done.

[@joeb3052]

Brilliant video Mark, great footage and very informative. Cheers fella.

[@Trek001]

True story:- The First Sea Lord was at some event and took a helicopter straight to London where, still in full dress uniform went to Thatcher and told her he had already issued the order to assemble a fleet... How big would she like it? Once again, Mark, a brilliant video up to your usual standards as always

[@iananderson1848]

Indeed re the US commentator who praised the Brit SAS & SBS not wilfully killing those conscripts on Sth Georgia . Full marks . These fellows all top rate warriors who understand the concept of a challenge very well. Hip hip to the SAS/SBS . From an Aussie in Qld

[@jamesbradshaw4675]

Another great Video Mark 👍

[@sanquentin82]

Great work Mark!!!

[@robertmattison1282]

Thank you for posting this video. I didn't know about the other island.

[@cltnc571]

Thanks for finishing the story in such a timely manner. I noticed you corrected your pronunciation of Leith. That’s a good thing, you know how touchy those Scots are.

[@clarkee1ofmany]

Loving the Falklands coverage...... A British Victory that is often remembered for the terrifying footage of ships on fire. Logistic & supply problems of every kind and brutal frontal assaults conducted in freezing conditions. Hopefully the memories of those who took part can be recorded and preserved in line with other conflicts. The definitive story of the whole conflict is still yet to be told in my view.....

[@rollosnook]

Wessex XP142 Humphrey is still kept at HMS Heron, in the FAA Museum Reserve. If you are service personnel, you can go and see the holes in Humphrey, or you can visit on their open day. South Georgia was the only instance in history of a helicopter defeating a submarine. I met one of the RM who flew in Humphrey during the recapture. The heavy losses of the RN were always filmed from a distance, but the events at San Carlos were different and unforgettable for the public.