The Falklands Conflict, 2 April to 14 June 1982, followed the invasion of the Falkland Islands by Argentina on 2 April 1982.  It was a unique period in the history of Britain and Argentina and, although war was never formally declared, the brief conflict saw nearly 1,000 lives lost on both sides and many more wounded.

The Falkland Islands, which number some 700, lie around 300 miles off the coast of Argentina and approximately 8,000 miles from Britain.  In 1982 the population was just over 1,800.  Following the Argentine invasion a spirited defence, led by a platoon of Royal Marines and the Falkland Islands Defence Force, was unable to hold off the superior Argentine force.

The following day, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher announced the formation of a Task Force to liberate the Falklands.  This Cabinet decision was backed by the leader of the opposition, Michael Foot, who stated Britain had "a moral duty, a political duty and every other kind of duty" to ensure the Falklanders could continue to live as they wished, as a territory of Great Britain.

The sovereignty issue had been a source of tension between Britain and Argentina for over 200 years, although the intensity of the dispute varied considerably.  In 1982 perhaps the most significant feature of the dispute was that most British people were only vaguely aware of the sovereignty issue - if indeed they were aware of it at all - whereas to Argentines it was a matter of national pride, liable to generate great emotion.

And so Operation Corporate, the name given to the UK military's operation to reclaim the Falkland Islands, began.  The main body of the Task Force, including two aircraft carriers, the fleet flagship HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible, along with their accompanying escorts, set sail for the South Atlantic from Portsmouth on 5 April 1982.

The Task Force was preceded by warships that had been carrying out manoeuvres off Gibraltar and three submarines.  More specialist vessels followed the main task force.  These included some 50 ships, such as the QE2, the Canberra and the converted hospital ship Uganda, all of which had been requisitioned from the commercial sector.  In all over 110 ships and 28,000 men headed for the South Atlantic.

On 20 April, the British Government War Cabinet ordered the repossession of the Falkland Islands.  In a show of strength South Georgia was retaken on the 25 April.  A 200 mile exclusion zone was imposed around the Islands on 28 April (a number of smaller islands to the east and southeast, while legally separate from the Falklands, are administered from the capital of the Falkland Islands at Stanley.  These comprise South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, none of which possess any permanent inhabitants).

Due to the vast distances involved an 'Airbridge' was created between the UK and Ascension Island flown by Hercules and VC 10 aircraft.  Personnel and vital stores were transported allowing the momentum of Operation Corporate to be maintained.  Eventually this 'Airbridge' stretched to Stanley Airport and proved to be a real lifeline.

On 1 May 1982, the bombing of Port Stanley airfield by RAF Vulcan aircraft in a record 8,000 mile round trip from Ascension Island, marked the beginning of a number of significant land, air and sea battles, involving a variety of UK units, which were to continue until the end of the campaign.

The "Black Buck" mission's involved Vulcan aircraft launching from Ascension Island to attack the runway at Stanley Airport and required frequent refuelling in-flight by Victor aircraft.  These raids confirmed the RAF was able to launch such attacks at extended range.  Military targets on the Argentine mainland were therefore under similar threat.

On 21 May British Forces landed in San Carlos Water with troops from 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines going ashore at Ajax Bay.  On the same evening, 21/22 May, 2 Para established itself on Sussex Mountain, protecting the south of the bridgehead, without opposition and 3 Para landed in the north near Port San Carlos.  Over the next week Argentine air attacks against the beach-head and shipping took place almost daily.

On 26 May, 2 Para were ordered to move south and engage the Argentine Strategic Reserve and Airfield on the Darwin/Goose Green Peninsular.  The attack began during the early hours of 28 May with naval and artillery support.  By daylight, however, it was held up by strong Argentine defensive positions near Darwin.  The assault continued and, by last light, the whole peninsular, less the Goose Green settlement, was taken.  After the battle 2 Para reverted to being under command of 5 Infantry Brigade.

Whilst the British forces advanced, the naval and air engagements continued with the loss of six ships, HMS Sheffield, HMS Ardent, HMS Antelope, HMS Coventry, the MV Atlantic Conveyor and Foxtrot 4, to exocet missile and air attack.

One of the survivors of the MV Atlantic Conveyor was Bravo November, a Chinook helicopter, which continued to move troops, casualties and supplies.  Bravo November is still on active service, currently in Afghanistan.  The MV Atlantic Conveyor also brought in the RAF Harriers of No. 1 Squadron which operated from HMS Hermes.  The squadron provided close air support to troops such as 2 Para at Goose Green and were engaged by the Argentine Airforce regularly.

Meanwhile on 27 May, 3 Para set off on foot by a northern route to capture Teal Inlet which it did on 29 May.  On 11 June 2 Para moved north to rejoin 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines for the final battle for Port Stanley.  An early, but vital objective was Mount Longdon and this was attacked by 3 Para during the night of 11/12 June.  The Argentine forces were well dug-in and it was only after ten hours of fighting that 3 Para secured the objective.

They then held it for 48 hours under intense and accurate artillery fire.  On the night of 13/14 June, 2 Para passed behind 3 Para and, supported by 3 Para mortars, attacked another key objective - Wireless Ridge.  This again was secured by first light and shortly afterwards the enemy resistance collapsed.  Both Battalions followed up and were the first troops to enter Port Stanley.

By mid-morning on 14 June white flags were flying in Stanley and the official surrender was later given to Major General Jeremy Moore.  By 20 June all outlying settlements and other Islands were surrendered and Britain formally declared an end to hostilities.

The Falkands Conflict lasted 74 days and claimed the lives of 255 British and 649 Argentine servicemen, and three civilian Falklanders.  The UK lost six ships and thirty four aircraft.