The Falklands Experience | BBC Documentary

Tuesday, 14 Jun 1983.
The Falklands experience with Major-General Sir Jeremy Moore, KCB, OBE, MC, and contributions from members of the South Atlantic Task Force, and the people of the Falkland Islands. The first of a new Tuesday Documentary series.
What was it like to be summoned unexpectedly to war? What was it like to cope with the problems of command in a hard intense campaign? What was it like to go into action at the controls of a Harrier fighter, to be a sitting target in ‘Bomb Alley’, to abandon ship and fight for your life in the water, to be in the middle of an infantry attack (whether as civilian or soldier) to be wounded in battle? What was it like to be a doctor or nurse coping with gravely injured men?
Did men get a ‘buzz’ from going to war? What was the feeling among the troops and the Falklanders when the white flags appeared over Port Stanley - just one year ago today?
This film is about the personal experience of some of the men and women involved in the Falklands conflict of 1982; not about its causes, politics, or strategy.

[@JohnDoe-tw8es]

I have seen that a number of the soldiers and marines have committed suicide or have had mental problems from their experience's in that war. What those young men did is really outstanding. My heart goes out to them all.

[@expatexpat6531]

In 1983 I worked on a Youth Training Scheme with a teacher who had taught on the Falklands when the invasion took place. She said a shell had gone straight through the wall of the school (she wasn't in it at the time). I watched the war unfold on TV from the comfort of my home while young men my age were dying in the Falklands. Much respect to the men from the UK forces who fought there.

[@stevesloman7748]

HMS Exeter proud of what we all achieved. Its important that we never forget. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them

[@ant7936]

Excellent doc. Thanks. Great respect for those young men who served.

[@robogamer5384]

My brother served in the gulf War and entered the war zone when Iraq was taken out he was in the 18th Airborne division which was part of 1 2 3 of the paras. He came home ,and was mentally scared for life for what he did and saw in that battle which they fought the minute their Chinnock helicopter landed.believe me these heroes are trained killers and nothing less than that,my brother is a recluse now doesn't go out much and is not happy with the people who cause all these senseless wars all for nothing and losing good mates in the battle. My grandad served in the Royal marines in Italy my brother in the paras and my son in the RAF .its been a emotional roolacoster but at least they all came home safe.god bless all servicemen who have paid the ultimate sacrifice and RIP you will never be forgotten.

[@user-gj6pk2bs1f]

Orgullo. Felicitación. Familia. Respetable👏

[@FrancisCsaszar-gv9zt]

I was on Ascension Island from 1980 to 1985 . Amazing time on Ascension during the Falkand island war.

[@robinhodgson7629]

The best comment of the whole campaign " we put it in little boxes" Brilliant campaign with all who were part of it Navy, Soldiers and Marines

[@oldesarge]

Agreed

[@LeBaboir]

very interesting with some footage I'd not seen before. hanks for posting.

[@JacobafJelling]

Keep the posts coming mate. Thank you

[@stephenasbridge878]

Thank you lads.🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@WilliamEvans-py4gq]

Welcome

[@Anglo_Saxon1]

​@@WilliamEvans-py4gqWelsh Guards?

[@charleswhinney3008]

Excellent video, many thanks.

[@liverpoolscottish6430]

Post Para Regt, Malcolm Simpson joined the Royal Corps Of Transport (Now RLC) TA unit, based on Mather Avenue, Liverpool, having acquired a commission. I encountered him in 1990/91, whilst a member of LUOTC- Liverpool University Officer Training Corp. He attended the barracks, which was right next to the RCT TAC. He gave an excellent and very revealing talking on the Falklands campaign. He explained just what a close run thing it really was, and spoke about the poor leadership decisions which culminated in the Welsh Guards being hit badly on Sir Galahad in Bluff Cove. He was rather critical of Brig Julian Thompson- who insisted on 'kit' being transported ashore before the men themselves. Had he prioritised moving the men first, the Welsh Guards would not have sustained losses.

[@BARGEWALK]

Thompson was CO of 3 Commando Brigade and had no operational control of 5 Infantry Brigade (Scots and Welsh Guards and Ghurkas) which was under Brig Wilson.

[@tomsoki5738]

Remember that British forces were essentially out of nearly all ammunition by the very end, had the munitions not been taken off first, they may have properly ran out, leading to a British surrender. Not everything is black and white, especially from the point of war planners

[@bagsey34]

A Royal Marine Landing Craft Officer said it was dangerous to stay on the Galahad and he could transport the men off but was told they don’t take orders from Royal Marine Officers.

[@georgerobert4709]

@@bagsey34 The Welsh Guards CO was advised by Euan Southby Taylor (SBS) to disembark his men from Galahad .He refused to put his men in a LC with a load of ammunition. Nothing to do with Thompson.

[@501sqn3]

What happened to the Welsh guards was down to their own C.O. who ignored advice given to him to get his men off the Sir Galahad and ashore by Major of the Commandos. Shortly after which it was attacked by the argies. Needless waste!🤦

[@joebloggs8422]

There’s a few Argentine videos on the Falklands available on KZbin, you can read the comments using the translate feature and seriously you need to read them. Some of the whoppers include 1. They actually won, but thatcher threatened to nuke them so they had to surrender 2. They actually sank the aircraft carriers 3. They sank 3/4 of the tasks force ships 4. They weren’t just fighting England, they were fighting nato as well 5. We used mercenaries 6. They inflicted way over the published casualties, we Lost over 2000 men

[@nigelpilgrim4232]

You're right ive seen many comments like that !! The argies seem to assume that the Falklands are theirs !! Duleded comments !!! & we are all pirates !! Its the Spanish that invaded south America in the first place !!

[@501sqn3]

Tut, typical argies 😒

[@javiermartinmehdi1914]

1er nadie dijo q se habia hundido un portaviones si q se lo golpeo la OTAN ( Edtados Unidos ) si ayudo militar y logisticamente a Inglaterra hubo barcos golpeados con bombas ( algunas terminaron dentro de los mismos.barcos ) y no explotaron xq no estaban preparadas para golpear barcos y sobre las bajas es lo q dicen algunos soldados q combarieron esas batallas y con respecto a la batalla de goose green los ingleses dicen q se peleo contra 1500 Argentinos FALSO las cifras oficiales del ejervito Argentino dice q habia 981 de los cuales muchis eran mecanicos o cocineros ni siquiera soldados y no se quien dijo q se habia ganado la guerra tal vez alguno habra dicho q se pudo haber ganado q yo sepa los "superhombres" ingleses se llevaron de "recuerdo" 255 cadaveres tal vez no fue tan facil como vos crees...

[@FranzBieberkopf]

When you consider that Argentine children at primary school commence the indoctrination that "Las Malvinas son Argentinas", it's hardly surprising such evidence-free guff proliferates on the internet. On the other hand, the documentaries are largely factual. Some are BBC or History Channel translated into Spanish

[@georgerobert4709]

@@501sqn3 This is what happens when your Government keeps the truth from it's people. Something that is happening in UK today . !!

[@paulmcdonough1093]

my uncle Dave Abols was in 2 Para at goose green he is a scouser like me from LIverpool he used the milan missile to destroy a argentiine communication trench he survived moved to australia

[@criostoirashtin11]

Didn't think they allowed Scousers in Oz

[@DarrenMarsh-kx8hd]

​@criostoirashtin11 there's loads of us here in Australia

[@peterwhitaker4038]

the scousers were in Australia before Aussies were@@criostoirashtin11

[@josephjackson7269]

My brother was at a base camp in Vietnam only 2 days when faced a night attack. Mortars came first and all he could think of is bury his head inside a bunker. After someone yelled here they come did he say to himself I’ll be damned and opened fire and forgot fear. He said it changed in seconds about how he was thinking to defending his fellow soldiers and felt anger

[@Anglo_Saxon1]

Brilliant doc. They were the days,when men were men,and women were ladies.

[@billb7876]

And BBC lied through their teeth as usual

[@davidcarter6737]

That was interesting to watch, not sure what to make of Sharkey Ward shooting down that Herc, think it was on fire in trouble when he decided to rake the interior with cannon shells, but he was there and I wasn't.

[@JammyDodger45]

His missile has set it alight so I guess he wanted to finish the job. If you can find the gun camera footage it's a very grim watch.

[@bobdinwiddy]

@42:00 note the defence radar interference on the audio track : bzzzz : every ten seconds or so…

[@Sam_Green____4114]

Never seen this before !!! How did l miss it first time around ? More interested in discos ,girls and motorcycles in 83 maybe ?

[@Anglo_Saxon1]

Haha! Exactly same mate.

[@walshy5144]

27 min what a legend 👍

[@steveforster9764]

Served with Dave Gray in JPC in 1980 good lad,

[@HoofinBob]

37 minutes. Tim Donovan 5trp Yankee 45Cdo died last year. RIP lad, fair winds.

[@paulhofman]

Why isn't (then) brig Julian Thompson appearing in this documentary? He did the whole land campaign on his own.

[@sunrayisdown1690]

Good question !

[@DonWan47]

Really? How many rounds did he fire in anger?

[@JammyDodger45]

If your Brigadier needs to find a weapon to fire you really are in the 💩!

[@DonWan47]

@@JammyDodger45 Apparently he did the whole land campaign on his own. 🤷🏼‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️

[@granitesevan6243]

@@DonWan47 Have you been tested for Asperger's? One symptom is taking everything a person says literally. Seriously

[@sSteppingStones]

Lesson learned: Don't touch her majesties rock collection

[@zenzen9131]

Lest we forget

[@Trek001]

15:07 - is that the almighty and great _Norland_ on the left of screen?

[@johnmorganhirecompany1198]

NAAFI manager....what a legend

[@fredtheted2259]

Amazing reading the comments regarding Moore, from the armchair generals

[@danielw5850]

Precisely. Maj Gen Moore RM was unexpectedly promoted to his position, following the sudden death of his predecessor. He was the Marine at the heart of Northwood who was the advocate for Brig Thompson (although his fight was with the admirals, over the landing) and the commander to hold the land forces together for the final (land) phase; he was also quite brave, in operations before 1982!

[@bigdaveo397]

The Falklands War was savage one for our Armed Forces. 255 killed in only 74 days. Compare say with 6 years of Iraq that cost 179 killed or

[@Ardass486]

The Somme? 57,470 killed the first day. Compare that 🥸

[@javiermartinmehdi1914]

Soy Argentino la diferencia entre Malvinas e Irak es ABISMAL la de Malvinas si fue una guerra donde se enfrentaron 2 ejercitos lo de Irak solo fue una simpke invasion ( absolutamente INJUSTIFICADA x lo menos para mi...) donde los mejores y mas grandes ejercitos del Mundo emprzando x Estadis Unidos enfrentaban a algunos "loquitos" con ak-47 algun q otro lanzagranadas y poco mas...

[@josephjackson7269]

Javier are you brainwashed. Faulkland s was a evening out in LA. Iraq we’re thousands of tanks . A million troops. Thousands of best aircraft’s in world

[@pjmoseley243]

Man loves war and war heroes Heroic deeds are remembered over time and history is made. so what is it to be a live coward or a live hero?

[@stevekaye5536]

My UK heroes who beat the Argies:

[@nicholaswoolfenden5254]

Pathetic comment

[@jaywalker3087]

I had friends on the islands. They used to invite the young Argies in for a cuppa , but made them leave their rifles at the door. Whilst the lads were drinking their tea , someone would pinch their rifles!!😅

[@sstaffords12]

Really?

[@hisheroship]

Yeah I believe that.

[@EasyTiger.01343]

Jay Walker: celebrated raconteur. Charming. Dashing. Trust your instincts, every tale is true. She quite literally adds life and colour to any video she happens to comment on. National treasure.

[@wor53lg50]

Not when it can be a court marshal offence or severe punishment, like staked to the ground in the elements for a few hours, i dont buy that for one moment...

[@etienneterblanche9717]

I just wonder how Argentina though it could just conquer a part of the world on dubious historical grounds. Perhaps Argentina should rather put some effort into saving itself and rescuing its own economy, before it invades another? It's plagued by constant economical problems, inflation rates of up to 100%, the inability to even pay the interest on its own national debt. The war was obviously an attempt to redirect attention away from its own apparently unsolvable problems. I've been to Argentina and it's a stunning country, although I found the people to be slightly "superior". I wouldn't like to be part of Argentina if I were from the Falklands, certainly not until they can clean up in their own backyard, the corruption, constant economic problems and record inflation.

[@Rosco-P.Coldchain]

What Fighter planes are the British army flying in 2024..?

[@shecksthesheckler423]

Jeremy Moore turned up just before the end, he literally did nothing in that war

[@BAKEDPOTATOLARDYASS]

The top brass were useless

[@alanbrooke144]

@@BAKEDPOTATOLARDYASS yeah, with all those privates and LCpls planning the operations and logistics eh?

[@Ardass486]

Thompson was the main man.

[@jakechapman254]

Armchair military analysts?

[@shecksthesheckler423]

@@jakechapman254 have you been to the Falklands? I sailed down on the SS Uganda, I don’t remember there being an armchair

[@mitcha1065]

Biggest problem with humanity is the universal thinking that it is not going to be me, but rather it'll be the other guy. The Utter selfishness of mankind.

[@andyg208]

I liberated Port Stanley Tescos you know.

[@agustinorellano8266]

las malvinas son ARGENTINAS

[@zigongosaurus5274]

Nope. Never have been.

[@NorceCodine]

Interesting how honestly the British talk about their losses, fears and setbacks - while being victorious. The Americans would never admit a single man lost, more ships returned that left port, each pilot shot down two dozen enemy aircraft, and there is no such thing as fear, except for the enemy. I'm beginning to wonder if the British military actually has a public relations department.

[@davidbaker8483]

We have a rather different public. They would see through all that US bullshit.

[@adrianh332]

Their general public is very strange, I don't understand them at all.

[@lawrencemyers3623]

Gee, that's funny. I wonder who's lying under all those Crosses and Stars of David in France, Belgium, Holland, the UK, Italy, Tunisia, the Philippines, Hawaii and oh yeah, some place outside Washington DC called Arlington. Just a short distance away from there is a black slab wall with the names of some 58,000 who died in the Vietnam War, not to mention the other 140÷ veteran cemeteries in 42 states across the U.S. When the Mogadishu Raid went sideways, we were bombarded with the loss figures for weeks. Another example is the Battle of Dong Ap Bia in 1969 where the faces of the dead were featured in Life Magazine. Then there were movies such as "With The Marines At Tarawa" which President Roosevelt ordered to be shown to the public to show them that despite victories at Midway and Guadalcanal, the War was by no means over and a long, bloody road lay ahead. Guess we're doing a pretty poor job of hiding it.

[@generalpatton8468]

@@lawrencemyers3623 He's stupid, don't even bother arguing with him.

[@gazza1196]

@@lawrencemyers3623 well said mate. I’ve been to states loads of times. Had nothing but respect for being British and honoured to of met many of American servicemen.ignore the yank bashing as I ignore Brit bashing of some from across the pond. Best wishes Britain 🇬🇧

[@angloaust1575]

Even prince andrew did his duty Thus time they had an enemy they Could face unlike ulster!

[@andrewpinard6125]

How did they not court Marshall someone for staying on a ship in Fitzroy is beyond comprehension

[@JammyDodger45]

Because the whole reason they were on the ship was because they weren't capable of living ashore and moving under their own steam. Getting whacked onboard was almost inevitable.

[@liverpoolscottish6430]

'Court martial.'

[@nigelpilgrim4232]

The British troop deployment to go on shore was meant to be at night to avoid being seen & attacked but it was the plan was behing schedule , Sir Galahad was bombed by Argentine planes resulting in fatal casualties !!!!

[@JammyDodger45]

Even worse than that they loaded the LSL in an order contrary to that which they were told so the RAF Regiment Rapier Air Defence which should have come off first (and hours previously) was literally just hitting the beach at the time of the bombing. So many opportunities to have avoided this were ignored or missed.

[@davidrendall7195]

@@JammyDodger45 Proves what you actually know about the situation.

[@karlv2876]

Last time Isaw Max was in a house at Teal inlet I was having a cup of coffee , he looked chin strapped ! He asked where we were going next . A close run thing . Too much BS written since hey no !

[@greenriverviews6819]

posh accents !

[@samidagsa9379]

Falklands belong to UK alwais 😅

[@midlifeadventures77]

Sounds like he was a bit useless the General. What did he contribute? Not a lot it seems

[@eng9040]

But "One" must accept that "One" may not have "Ones" perspective. A Officer bell end.

[@user-vn4sv3tm7w]

Dieub ha par en o dellezegezh hag o gwirioù eo ganet an holl dud. Poell ha skiant zo dezho ha dleout a reont bevañ an eil gant egile en ur spered a genvreudeuriezh. We the Bretons pertains to Londinium, englishmen are from Germany.

[@josephjackson7269]

Brit’s good Allie’s ! They drive you crazy ! Special forces are superb but regular forces are hesitant and led by very slow moving leaders who find drinking tea very important !!!! During WW2 repeatedly had to wait for them to advance with rest of allied forces or even get moving . Everybody would fall asleep, waiting for Montgomery. When they finally get into combat, they fight very hard. If you follow closely you here a lot of mentioning we don’t fight that way. Don’t get upset. It’s just a different mindset.

[@grimreavers]

It's called waiting for orders ..so u have a brew ...bit like US services having to much blue on blue contacts because of their wild west trigger fingers and shit Comms

[@wor53lg50]

I wonder why the british wombat recoiless was left there, or not given to the island defence force,that would have been a modern weopon in the early 80's...

[@sergiovelasquez8750]

God bless them. Great british victory.

[@lewissmith3896]

Yep.

[@kentuky1233]

Nothing but a bunch of crooked teeth thieves.

[@nicholaswoolfenden5254]

Really? Pathetic.

[@mikeharland3358]

Why are always looking back to the Falklands? Is it because we are now after Brexit becoming a smaller and smaller force?

[@colin...101]

The Falklands was Britain's last personnal war. The Yanks said Britain couldn't win and refused to help with air power. Out numbered the enemy dug in(massive advantage) the British won 👍🇬🇧

[@nicholaswoolfenden5254]

Dead right. I find it pathetic.

[@EasyTiger.01343]

Mike, I understand what you’re saying. The UK is unquestionably undergoing constant evolution, as are all nations. That said, it’s important to appreciate that this programme was made in 1983, to mark the first anniversary of the end of the conflict and to take into account the opinions and reflections of people who’d been participating in the dramatic events of the previous year. Brexit didn’t become a topic of general conversation until a decade or so into the next century. So it’s safe to say that the two events are largely unrelated.

[@wor53lg50]

I wouldnt call it evolving its more devolving of anything british..

[@grimreavers]

Lol oh lol a remoaner.😂😂😂😂 I didn't think they were still around # 🤡

[@billb7876]

BBC is one awful corporation

[@jodalinkus5538]

The state of UK, there were far more pressing matters that needed to be addressed domestically than fighting a ballyhoo war in a remote island half way round the world.

[@RJM1011]

The UK would be in an even BIGGER mess if we just gave everything the UK has away and showed NO care for the people on The Falklands that live there. Most of the mess the UK was and is in. Is because of the crap Labour Gov's the UK has had.

[@nigelpilgrim4232]

This Falklands islands invasion by Argentina was important to get back & give the islanders the Flag & of the government of their choice which is United Kingdom.. As Margaret Thatcher said or insinuated its British sovereign territory & would make Britain lose bad face if it was to lose against a south American tin pot - military dictatorship to a western NATO country that had a big empire ..!!! It gave Britain the respect it use to have !! & to achieve the victory & come so far in one large task- force with out re-enforcements !!! To even thinkin of losing or giving in the islands to Argentina against the wishes of the islanders ridiculous !! What more pressing matters than that its this cause that brings the country together & its what can & did lift the spirits of the country !! As i said it would make Britain & thatchers government look weak if a country like Britain lost or gave up the islands !! It showed the "Lion roar in times of war " & put Britain back in its place in the world ! 🇬🇧👌 😁

[@RJM1011]

@@nigelpilgrim4232 YES and THANK YOU

[@RJM1011]

@The Richest Man In Babylon YES ! Thank you

[@alanbrooke144]

more pressing than having a military junta invade part of your country and subjugate your citizens?

[@rogervaldez-vi5hq]

Greed,royal ,greed for land,don't ,care how much death happens in war,

[@501sqn3]

Grow up!

[@TomFynn]

Cope harder.

[@mikeharland3358]

If Thatcher and not made the massive mistake of sinking the Belgrano, there might have been very little of an experience and many lives saved.

[@hisheroship]

It wasn’t a mistake.

[@mikeharland3358]

@@hisheroship The invasion was to win an election in Argentina, to boost a presidents popularity. We sent out the task force and implemented an exclusion zone. The Belgrano, a ship so old it had been at Perl Harbour, turn away and was heading back to port. At this time no one had been killed. The president at this time had three options. Remove his troops and face humiliation in Argentina. Leave the troops there let them be captured and let them return as heroes at a later time. Fight our task force with its superiority in weapons and intelligence provided by the USA. The sinking of the Belgrano left the president with the loss of 500 or so sailors only the last option and his lead to the death of so many people in the so called war. This sinking was such a mistake that the right wing press still today have to try and convince people other wise. Did you know the weapons guidance system on the French missile the sunk the Antelope was made in the uk? Did you know the Tory government was looking at returning sovereignty of the islands back to Argentina at the time of the invasion? Think don’t follow.

[@hisheroship]

@@mikeharland3358 do think, it was war, they invaded, and their ship was destroyed. The section basically took the Argentinian Navy out of the picture.

[@littleshep5502]

@@mikeharland3358 Argentina had been warned that any warship that bore the Argentine flag was a valid target if it was deemed a threat. The General Belgrano had been given orders to take part in a pincer attack on the british fleet, and this order had been intercepted. Due to this, when HMS Conqueror asked for permission to engage, permission was granted. If the belgrano had been allowed to carry on, it is unlikely it would be found as quickly. As for "Heading to port", captain Hector Bonzo confirmed that it wasnt, the reason it was turned away at the time of sinking was due to a manoeuvre, not returning to port

[@mikeharland3358]

@@littleshep5502 And the Belgrano had turned round and was heading back to port. As our demands. She was still sunk and so then the Argentinian president after losing 500 or so men only had one choice, to fight or lose all face. And so many of our service men died on the islands and in the surrounding seas. A massive mistake by Thatcher.

[@albertoluzon9079]

Malvinas argentinas y no soy argentino

[@granitesevan6243]

There's always one wanker...

[@steveforster9764]

😂

[@danielw5850]

@@steveforster9764 I know, Steve, poor old Alberto hasn't moved-on; 41 years on (much like his nation)!

[@npcoo337ooo7]

Butt hurt much ?

[@nigelpilgrim4232]

Its British & has never been Argentine !! Its nearly 400 miles off the Argentine coast , so how can Argentine say its part of the geographical continental plate of the land of Argentina is laughable !!

[@Katmando376]

So many lives lost because of politics Thatcher never did anything during WW2 she was a student!

[@fredtheted2259]

She was 18 when the war ended, what was she suppose to do storm the beaches on d day/fly a Lancaster over Berlin

[@jjimmyrjagger]

"Once one "say they top brass in there posh voice's (acting like they were in the thick of the battle by theirselves on there own ) , while all the cannon fodder soldiers say when we were stuck in the thick of it like a band of brothers, it kind of makes a difference.

[@williammohan9784]

Guardsman Gary Brown Scots Guards, now in prison for the murder of his ex partner and leaving a 16 year old lad in such a way that he now needs round the clock care. He has to serve a minimum of 27 years before considered for release.

[@georgerobert4709]

Maybe you should ask yourself WHY ?

[@williammohan9784]

@@georgerobert4709 i couldn't care less mate. He's a murderer and that's it. I bet he has used his experience in the Falklands as a get out of jail card. Well it doesn't work for me. He is a murdering slag and i hope he rots in there.

[@gw2891]

@@williammohan9784have you served William ? And If so followed his same path ?

[@williammohan9784]

@@gw2891 Yes indeed, i served, in 3 Commando, Rhodesian Light Infantry, for 6 years during the Rhodesian Bush War, and i have had not one problem since. Sleep like a baby and never felt the need to go and murder any innocent member of the public.

[@gw2891]

@@williammohan9784 i suppose we are all built differently I served 8 yrs British Infantry NI Bosnia bla bla but never felt the the need for this kind of violence outside of the on the job need if that makes sense?