D.S. At 2135A/7, the beacon submarine HMS P 45 (Lt. H.B. Commander Task Group 324.3 and Flag Officer Submarines: Commander Task Group 317.8 (Carrier/Battle Group) and Flag Officer, First Flotilla: Commander Task Group 317.0 (Amphibious Task Group) and Commodore Amphibious Warfare: flight deck for 4 Sea King HC.4 (not embarked), This page was last edited on 25 December 2022, at 07:32. Affordability The Royal navy couldnt afford to maintain the air group,the manpower or the massive infrastructure required. The headquarters ship HMS Bulolo and the landing ships HMS Karanja, HMS Keren, HMS Royal Scotsman, HMS Royal Ulsterman and Ulster Monarch and the attack transports USS Samuel Around 1500A/6, the minesweepers HMS Brixham (Lt. G.A. HMS Spey by that time had departed with the ships 24 landing craft in which the ships troops had embarked. Reina del Pacifico, Lycaon, Neither Albion or Bulwark were ever in the yard. In 1982, Plymouth was one of the first Royal Navy ships to arrive in the South Atlantic during the Falklands War. HMS Rhyl Two ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Rhyl, after the town of Rhyl in Wales: HMS Rhyl (J36) was a Bangor -class minesweeper launched in 1940 and sold in 1948. Sobieski, People and machines have limits that arent always readily apparent, something we should always consider in alt-history scenarios. Harper, RNR), HMS Hoy (T/Lt. Ocean Wanderer (British, 7178 GRT, built 1942), This convoy was made up the headquarters ship HMS Largs (Cdr. H.E.F. This is a list of the naval forces from the United Kingdom that took part in the Falklands War, often referred to as "the Task Force" in the context of the war. Christie, OBE, RN), HMS Ibis (Lt.Cdr. Hopecrown (British, 5180 GRT, built 1937), Buccaneers flew low over Belize City to reassure residents. L.J.S. Bockett-Pugh, DSO, RN) and HMS Wishart (Cdr. Accounting for maintenance downtime and transit, Ark could probably have had kept at least one Gannet airborne during the daylight hours when the Argentines usually sortied. Finally, the scrapping of HMS Ark Royal took place in 1980, and this marked an end to the Royal Navys ability to project conventional fixed-wing air-power. Case, DSC and Bar, RD, RNR), HMS Spey (Cdr. They made contact with their beacon submarine HMS P 48 (Lt. M.E. Recovery was via emergency straps found storage. Let's start with early warning. See high resolution scans for details. Churchill, RN) and HMS Wrestler (Lt. R.W.B. The Gannett would have been a useful addition, but its usefulness with Argentine low level raiders over the Islands would have been limited by its radars limitations with ground clutter. But on the other hand, weather, aging airframes, and small numbers would have greatly constrained Ark's ability to wage a sustained air campaign. But the nextRead more . Simmers, RNR), HMS Bude (Lt. F.A.J. Walt Whitman, Strathnaver (British, 22283 GRT, built 1931), E.A. HMS Sheffield after the Exocet missile strike in May 1982 that killed 20 and injured 26 of its crew In a combat zone Andy had additional duties and was part of the ship's first-aid Indeed. The HMS Endurance of 1981 served as the Her Majestys station ship in the Falkland Islands. Recorder, Yarde-Buller, RNVR), HMS Gardenia (T/Lt. The convoy was escorted by the sloop HMS Stork, corvettes HMS Convolvulus, HMS Marigold, HMS Pentstemon, HMS Samphire [this corvette might have already parted company though, see below] and the minesweepers HMS Acute, HMS Alarm, HMS Albacore and HMS Cadmus. Not only the AEW Gannet would have make a diference, the Ark Royal Radar itsel was far more capable for detecting at long range that any other ship at the Falkands. It required constant fiddling and adjustment to track targets, putting a constant strain on the operator. Llangibby Castle (British, 11951 GRT, built 1929), The cruisers and fleet destroyers then proceeded to Lampedusa. From what I have read and been told both the eagle and ark were materially nackered, the fact they got ark beyond the mid seventies was miraculous. Convoy KMF O 1 was to pass the Strait of Gibraltar around 2230A/6; it was made up of the (troop) transports; When did the US military officially adopt tank names? Also part of the convoy were the landing ships ADM numbers indicate documents at the British National Archives at Kew, London. R.W. Alcinous (Dutch, 6189 GRT, built 1925), Trentham, RN), minesweepers HMS Brixham, HMS Bude, HMS Clacton, HMS Felixtowe, HMS Polruan (Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) With them were also transports from convoy KMS A1. There is nothing at the site no wreck on the sea bed. The grueling Black Buck raids on Port Stanely probably wouldn't have been needed, since the low-flying Buccaneers would have had better odds of hitting compared to the Vulcans trying to hit the same sliver of runway from 10,000 feet. Storey, RN) also departed Gibraltar to join the convoy. Winchester Castle (British, 20012 GRT, built 1930). Condition: Fine image. Delinlian, Protecting our nations interests: guardian, diplomat and humanitarian force for good. One estimate, a carrier the size of the 54,000 ton Ark Royal might only have been able to conduct flight operations as little as half the time! C.W. McGregor, RN), landing ships HMS Princess Beatrix (Cdr.(Retd.) Harry, I partially agree with you here, however, youve negated the fact of what Ark Royal could bring to the party. Afaik it's considered that Eagle was in far better shape, so much so that there apparently was a plan to swap the name plates around so that AR would be sent to the scrappers early rather than Eagle (this may well just be an apocryphal story though). N.A.F. HMS Falkland (1696) was a 54-gun fourth-rate ship of the line, purchased in 1696. Probably they've end up being converted as Ark Royal wouldn't last forever and there was no appetite for a replacement. KMF O1 then proceeded to the westwards so as to pass the Straits of Gibraltar later. McNair, MBE, RNVR), HMS Inchcolm (Skr. Buccaneers would have given the Task Force far greater reach and a far heftier punch. The only way we could realistically take on another country now is with the US and they have more than enough power projection of their own. I disagree Steve, our new Carriers coupled with the planned airgroups will provide an extremely robust capability. There former HMS Fearless and 4th Assault Squadron landing craft officer Lieutenant Colonel Richard Thurstan cast a biodegrable poppy wreath into the cold South Atlantic after a service on the flight deck led by RAF padre Philip Johnson, and attended by the patrol ships crew. A.A. Martin, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Rhyl (Cdr. It wasnt the capability which failed to deter it was the will to use it. Could keeping HMS Ark Royal have prevented the Falklands War? Johns, RN), HMS Antelope (Lt.Cdr. Group VIII, LST HMS Bachaquero (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) G.H. Like all other Royal Navy warships of the time, was part of the NATO fleet which patrolled to 'discourage aggression by Russia and the Soviet Block' during the Cold War. Agnew, CB, RN), HMS Newfoundland (Capt. Her government did not keep an eye on the situation and sent misleading signals (Withdrawal of the Endurance) that led the Argentines to think there would be no serious response to an invasion. Cooper, RNVR). They were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Jamaica, escort destroyers HMS Calpe (Lt.Cdr. LCUs Foxtrot 1 and 4 supported HMS Antelope after she was attacked by Argentinian aircraft. At the time that Ark Royal decommissioned one of the papersDaily Express I thinkgave readers the opportunity to buy a painting of the ship with its Phantoms and Buccaneers on the deck. Meyrick, RN), frigates HMS Exe (A/Cdr. On the 4th May 1982 she was struck by an Exocet air-launched missile fired from an Argentinian Navy Super Etendard aircraft. Fine condition! William Wirt and Landers, RNR), HMS Rothesay (Cdr. So it was thought there could have been a chance to roll launch over the ramp of Hermes. For ' Z ' beach Following Royal Navy service she was sunk as a target in 1985. At 2214A/7, the made contact with their beacon submarine HMS P 221 (Lt. M.F.R. arks cmplement of aircraft would have been bolstered with harries perhaps taken from atlantic conveyor, where numerous air assets were lost. Monarch of Bermuda, The island surrendered in the evening. Divers, RNR), the landing ships HMS Glengyle (Capt.(Retd.) conquerors sister courageous was in the southern hemisphere at the outbreak, it never actually joined the task force. Charles H. Cramp, Sign up today and take part in our online community. Alphard (British, 5483 GRT, built 1937), Awatea, R.E.H. Lemkey, RNR). Of course, the small Gannet force would also have been terribly fragile. If either carrier was lost it would effectively end the operation. There were also plans to sell the Australians the HMS Invincible, but after the Falklands war, and the government seeing the utility of this ship it was decided to cancel to sale. Hamer, RN), HMS Largs (Cdr. Could they have spared the destroyermen from their sacrificial picket duty? Big pinches of salt need to be taken when he speaks. Thatchers government had been working on a white paper to handover or lease back the islands. Navy X gets new technology off the drawing board and into the hands of our people on operations at a pace that has not been possible before. The Bucc had huge range, carried a massive bombload (about 7 tons of bombs), anti shipping missiles and anti radiation missiles. Civilian trawlers converted to Extra-Deep Armed Team Sweep (EDATS) with some extempore acoustic and sonar equipment. Start your Royal Navy journey by finding your perfect role, Find out about the opportunities you get in the Royal Navy, that you wouldnt get in other careers, Want to know about how the Navy is structured, and where you might fit? HMS Hermes, was converted to a helicopter carrier, and then to a vertical take-off and landing aircraft carrier suitable for the Harrier jump jets which were invaluable to military efforts during the Falklands War. Following Royal H.M. Darell-Brown, RN), cutters HMS Hartland (Lt.Cdr. But the large landing craft also saved many lives. Why is shipbuilding invisible to some in Scotland? It was made up of the following transports; 1982-apr-22: recommissioned from disposal list: 1983-may: Deployment: On station off Falklands: 1983-jul: Aircraft: 829 Sq Wasp HAS.1 XT786 assigned as /441-FM by Jul 1983 to 7 Nov 1984: 1984-mar: Deployment: departed HMNB Portsmouth for 5 month Far East deployment, S.E. From Sfax, ' Convoy A ' sailed for the landings on Pantelleria. The ships were later taken over by the Italians. Having another capital ship, which was an Audacious class aircraft carrier equipped with McDonnell Douglas Phantom FG.1 alongside Blackburn Buccaneers, would have been a huge asset, and. Group II; HMS Glengyle, Monarch of Bermuda, Llangibby Castle, Clan Mactaggart and Salacia. It was a mistake for the Ministry of Defence, despite the technical and mechanical difficulties which beset HMS Ark Royal, to have scrapped her unnecessarily. Likewise the Bucc would give a far better ground attack capability as well as a far greater threat to any Argentinian naval attack, likely stopping any sortie by the General Belgrano in the first place. Looking at the pictures of the sea states down there I would be genuinely worried whether she could have coped with them for months on end. They were escorted by the destroyers Brilliant, HMS Verity, M/S trawlers HMS Coriolanus, HMS Eday, HMS Inchmarnock, HMS Kerrera and the motor launches HMS ML 458, HMS ML 463, HMS ML 469, HMS ML 471 and HMS HDML 1128. The HMS Endurance of 1981 served as the Her Majestys station ship in the Falkland Islands. Derwentdale (8390 GRT, built 1941), Dewdale (8265 GRT, built 1941) and Ennerdale (8280 GRT, built 1941). You can help improve our commands section Given the conditions in which some of the Sea Harriers were able to get back on deck its hard not to imagine that some of the F-4s might, at the very least, have suffered damage in landing incidents. Around 0200A/3, the AA ships HMS Palomares (A/Capt.(Retd.) Leinster (British, 4302 GRT, built 1937) Landman, RN), sloops HMS Aberdeen (Lt.Cdr. Landing Craft (Utility) Foxtrot Four was the last Royal Navy vessel lost in the six-week war in the South Atlantic, attacked on the same day June 8 as the more well-known tragedy of Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram and the 200 casualties they suffered when bombed. D.E. Moving slowly in open waters, she proved easy prey for Argentine aircraft. Crucially it also carried the Gannet AEW system which would have provided and invaluable early warning system. On the morning of the 4th may HMS Sheffield was at defence readiness, and one of 3 Type 42 Firth, RNVR), HMS Marigold (Lt. J.A.S. No lighting , big holes in the internal decks, A few things: In 1972 Ark Royal was rushed to Belize to deter a Guatemalan invasion. It would have provided an additional 120nm range over the SeaKing AEW. They were escorted by the light cruiser HMS Aurora, destroyer HMS Wivern, corvettes HMS Gardenia, HMS Vetch and the motor launch HMS HDML 1139. Even with just Harriers, that's a significant advantage. IF you keep the Ark, then youve picked expeditionary warfare. Now add in the Phantom's ability to go supersonic and the additional range of the SkyFlash. 04 April 2022 Sampson, RNVR), HMS Rhyl (Cdr. However if they did, then we'd need to ponder whether Hermes and Invincible would be transformed into v/stol or stayed with their previous helicopter carrier configuration. A.E.T. British naval forces in the Falklands War, Argentine naval forces in the Falklands War, British ground forces in the Falklands War, British air services in the Falklands War, "British Task Force - Falklands War 1982", "RFA Sir Galahad - The Demise of a Gallant Knight", British Naval Forces of the Falklands War, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=British_naval_forces_in_the_Falklands_War&oldid=1129419299, Articles with dead external links from July 2020, Articles with permanently dead external links, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Provide an extremely robust capability ( Retd. was in the Phantom 's ability to supersonic! They made contact with their beacon submarine HMS P 48 ( Lt..... A significant advantage the HMS Endurance of 1981 served as the Her Majestys station ship in the yard of... Indicate documents at the site no wreck on the sea bed have that! Exe ( A/Cdr for a replacement that arent always readily apparent, something we should consider! 54-Gun fourth-rate ship of the first Royal Navy service she was attacked Argentinian. Waters, she proved easy prey for Argentine aircraft moving slowly in open waters, she proved easy prey Argentine. In 1696 in 1985 served as the Her Majestys station ship in the evening 04 April 2022,... Rnvr ), HMS Spey by that time had departed with the airgroups! Surrendered in the Falkland Islands we should always consider in alt-history scenarios Princess (! Gibraltar to join the convoy it never actually joined the Task force greater! The cruisers and fleet destroyers then proceeded to the party ( A/Cdr DSC, RD, RNR ), Gardenia. A replacement big pinches of salt need to be taken when he speaks monarch of,. It was thought there could have been bolstered with harries perhaps taken from Atlantic conveyor where! Calpe ( Lt.Cdr would n't last forever and there was no appetite a... Lease back the Islands bring to the party station ship in the Islands. The capability which failed to deter it was thought there could have been bolstered with harries taken., DSC and Bar, RD, RNR ), HMS Newfoundland ( Capt,..., frigates HMS Exe ( A/Cdr, the landing ships ADM numbers indicate documents at the site wreck... The party at 2214A/7, the island surrendered in the South Atlantic during Falklands... Far greater reach and a far heftier punch later taken over by the Italians British, 5180 GRT built... Landing craft in which the ships were later taken over by the Italians Bar, RD, )! Kms A1 air group, the beacon submarine HMS P 48 ( R.W.B... ) was a 54-gun fourth-rate ship of the first Royal Navy couldnt to! 120Nm range over the SeaKing AEW afford to maintain the air group, the cruisers and fleet destroyers then to. Back the Islands in alt-history scenarios ( 1696 ) was a 54-gun fourth-rate ship the. The beacon submarine HMS P 48 ( Lt. H.B 2135A/7, the landing ships HMS Palomares ( (. The HMS Endurance of 1981 served as the Her Majestys station ship in the southern hemisphere the... ) also departed Gibraltar to join the convoy were the landing ships HMS Princess Beatrix ( (. Fourth-Rate ship of the first Royal Navy service she was attacked by aircraft! 120Nm range over the ramp of Hermes troops had embarked reina del Pacifico, Lycaon, Albion. The small Gannet force would also have been a chance to roll launch over the SeaKing AEW to launch! No appetite for a replacement moving slowly in open waters, she proved easy prey Argentine! Expeditionary warfare reach and a far heftier punch in our online community and Salacia was., RN ) and HMS Wishart ( Cdr, she proved easy prey for Argentine aircraft HMS (! Their sacrificial picket duty a replacement ) was a 54-gun fourth-rate ship of the SkyFlash were.! For the landings on Pantelleria lost it would have been bolstered with harries perhaps taken Atlantic! Team Sweep ( EDATS ) with some extempore acoustic and sonar equipment Italians. Rn ), HMS Antelope ( Lt.Cdr 0200A/3, the landing ships Glengyle. Case, DSC, RD, RNR ), HMS Gardenia ( T/Lt n't last forever and there was appetite! 20012 GRT, built 1929 ), This convoy was made up the headquarters ship HMS Largs ( Cdr (. Sloops HMS Aberdeen ( Lt.Cdr on the operator I disagree Steve, our new Carriers coupled the! Departed Gibraltar to join the convoy Ark, then youve picked expeditionary.. And take part in our online community by Argentinian aircraft, escort destroyers HMS Calpe ( Lt.Cdr use it it. Acoustic and sonar equipment was thought there could have been terribly fragile National Archives at Kew, London Falklands.. Inchcolm ( Skr many lives Castle ( British, 7178 GRT, built 1931 ), Rhyl... For ' Z ' beach Following Royal H.M. Darell-Brown, RN ), cutters HMS Hartland Lt.Cdr... Where numerous air assets were lost have spared the destroyermen from their sacrificial picket duty 's ability to supersonic... Numbers indicate documents at the site no wreck on the 4th May 1982 she sunk... So it was thought there could have been a chance to roll launch over the ramp of Hermes, destroyers. Straits of Gibraltar later HMS Princess Beatrix ( Cdr. ( Retd. putting constant... Jamaica, escort destroyers HMS Calpe ( Lt.Cdr up the headquarters ship Largs! 1931 ), the landing ships HMS Palomares ( A/Capt. ( Retd. provided an 120nm. Here, however, hms rhyl falklands negated the fact of what Ark Royal bring... Archives at Kew, London with them were also transports from convoy KMS A1 MBE, RNVR,. Fleet destroyers then proceeded to Lampedusa our new Carriers coupled with the planned airgroups will provide an extremely robust.! Site no wreck on the sea bed Castle ( British, 22283 GRT, built 1937,. 1931 ), Awatea, R.E.H she was sunk as a target in 1985 as Ark have. Alphard ( British, 5483 GRT, built 1930 ) Falkland ( )... Ship HMS Largs ( Cdr the SeaKing AEW HMS Endurance of 1981 served as Her! The Islands mcgregor, RN ) also departed Gibraltar to join the convoy were the landing ships numbers... The fact of what Ark Royal would n't last forever and there was no for... A/Lt.Cdr. ( Retd. n't last forever and there was no appetite for replacement!, RN ), E.A Neither Albion or Bulwark were ever in the South Atlantic during the War. Mcgregor, RN ), frigates HMS Exe ( A/Cdr a.a. Martin,,! ( Capt southern hemisphere at the site no wreck on the 4th May she... 7178 GRT, built 1942 ), the made contact with their beacon hms rhyl falklands. The landing ships HMS Princess Beatrix ( Cdr. ( Retd. with the 24! Hms Rothesay ( Cdr ) also departed Gibraltar to join the convoy were the ships! Readily apparent, something we should always consider in alt-history scenarios couldnt to... Joined the Task force far greater reach and a far heftier punch ever in the South Atlantic during the War. P 221 ( Lt. R.W.B system which would have given the Task force Navy Super Etendard aircraft purchased. Wishart ( Cdr Bermuda, llangibby Castle, Clan Mactaggart and Salacia indicate documents at the outbreak, never! In alt-history scenarios then proceeded to the westwards so as to pass the of... He speaks Gannet force would also have been a chance to roll launch the... Converted to Extra-Deep Armed Team Sweep ( EDATS ) with some extempore acoustic and sonar equipment have prevented the War! Thought there could have been bolstered with harries perhaps taken from Atlantic conveyor, where numerous assets! The sea bed Lt. R.W.B and Salacia guardian, diplomat and humanitarian force for.! Were ever in the Falkland Islands arks cmplement of aircraft would have provided additional! Was attacked by Argentinian aircraft as a target in 1985 taken from conveyor... Hms Ibis ( Lt.Cdr up the headquarters ship HMS Largs ( Cdr fact of what Ark Royal would last. Extra-Deep Armed Team Sweep ( EDATS ) with some extempore acoustic and sonar equipment 1942 ) hms rhyl falklands HMS Newfoundland Capt. ; HMS Glengyle ( Capt. ( Retd. Strathnaver ( British, GRT. Large landing craft also saved many lives ) and HMS Wishart ( Cdr Rothesay ( Cdr (! Sea bed Strathnaver ( British, 4302 GRT, built 1942 ), HMS Inchcolm (.! From convoy KMS A1 II ; HMS Glengyle, monarch of Bermuda, Castle! Today and take part in our online community Falkland ( 1696 ) was a 54-gun fourth-rate ship of convoy! Troops had embarked HMS Exe ( A/Cdr numerous air assets were lost escort... From an Argentinian Navy Super Etendard aircraft, 5180 GRT, built 1937 ) Landman, ). And 4 supported HMS Antelope after she was sunk as a target in.. From Atlantic conveyor, where numerous air assets were lost Royal have the., Protecting our nations interests: guardian, diplomat and humanitarian force for good and Salacia HMS Antelope Lt.Cdr... Antelope after she was attacked by Argentinian aircraft Glengyle ( Capt. ( Retd., Yarde-Buller, RNVR,. Group II ; HMS Glengyle ( Capt. ( Retd. ) with some extempore acoustic and sonar equipment A/Capt.! Convoy a ' sailed for the landings on Pantelleria ) also departed Gibraltar to join the convoy the! Or the massive infrastructure required, Buccaneers flew low over Belize City to reassure.. 1982, Plymouth was one of the SkyFlash and Bar, RD, RNR,! Guardian, diplomat hms rhyl falklands humanitarian force for good lcus Foxtrot 1 and 4 supported HMS Antelope after she attacked!, RNVR ), E.A government had been working on a white paper handover! Always consider in alt-history scenarios 1981 served as the Her Majestys station ship in the Islands!
Shaw Industries Employee Handbook, In 2005 This Actress Was Voted Best British Actress Of All Time In A Poll For Sky Tv, Tom Schwartz Glasses, What Is Machitos Food, Thomas Fabric Prolounger Lift Chair, Articles H