| On 2 April 1982 Argentinian forces overwhelmed the Royal Marine garrison in Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands. This was the first invasion and occupation of British territory since the Second World War. Argentina had claimed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands - which they called the 'Malvinas' - for more than 150 years.
The Falklands had a population of around 1,800 - many living in remote sheep farms and settlements. The Falkland Islanders had made it clear before 1982 that they wished to remain British and not part of Argentina. Britain responded to the invasion by sending a Task Force 8,000 miles to the South Atlantic. A seven week naval, air and land campaign resulted in Britain recapturing the islands.
252 British servicemen, 655 Argentinian servicemen and 3 islanders died.
(Source: Press Release - Imperial War Museum North - "The Falklands, 1982"
24 March 2012 - July 2014) |
