The British were preparing to land their amphibious force on the north western tip of the East Falklands at a place called San Carlos. I won’t go into the long drawn out debate that took place between commanders over alternatives, because its moot considering what happened next. However as you’re going to hear, because they had not managed to take control of the air war, some of the landing and support vessels were going to suffer the consequences. By 15th May, civilians aboard the ships including the press, were handed the Declaration of Active Service placing them under direct military discipline. On the 18th May, the amphibious force lined up with aircraft carrier Hermes and Brigadier Thompson was told that the missiles from rear Admiral Woodward’s ships would provide air cover. Fortunately for the British, on that day the container ship Atlantic Conveyor had arrived carrying twelve Harrier aircraft. These were now flown aboard the carriers, four were RAF GR3 ground-attack aircraft while the others were from the hastily constituted 809 Naval Sea Harrier Squadron.These were flown by pilots from all over the world, Hugh Slade from Australia, Bill Covington from Arizona USA, Al Craig from Germany amongst others. They’d also brought 24 much needed maintenance crew. On the 19th May, four more GR3s landed – having flown in a remarkable single seat air-fuelled flight from Britain via Ascension Island. It was what could be called a condemned man’s final meal, the food on the ships improved dramatically, with steak on the menu for breakfast, lunch and tea. That evening on the Canberra, Lieutenant Colonel Vaux addressed 42 commando, warning that their landing would be unlike any other fighting they’d known. Most had experience of urban warfare, fighting the IRA in northern Ireland. There casualties had taken preference, here they would not.  Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.