39 years
39 years ago today, Hermes carried out the first UK carrier strike mission since Suez when 12 Sea Harriers of 800 NAS attacked Stanley and Goose Green airfields on East Fakland. Despite the extremely heavy AAA, small arms and missile defence around Stanley - and the 35mm AAA at Goose - only one aircraft was hit. A lot of damage was done at both airfields and several aircraft were destroyed on the ground.
In the afternoon, SHARs took out a Canberra, 2 X Mirage 3s and a Dagger. 'Twas a busy day and as Brian Hanrahan (BBC reporter) said, "I counted them all out and I counted them all back again". I should add that Black Buck 1 had also attacked Stanley with 21 bombs from a Vulcan before our dawn raid and set a world record for the longest bombing mission. Quite a feat of aviation and planning but unfortunately the one KRT that hit the runway did not preclude its use. It did do wonders for the morale of the local Brits - though not so much for the Argentines! Swing the lamp! Mog |
Originally Posted by Mogwi
(Post 11037000)
39 years ago today, Hermes carried out the first UK carrier strike mission since Suez when 12 Sea Harriers of 800 NAS attacked Stanley and Goose Green airfields on East Fakland. Despite the extremely heavy AAA, small arms and missile defence around Stanley - and the 35mm AAA at Goose - only one aircraft was hit. A lot of damage was done at both airfields and several aircraft were destroyed on the ground.
In the afternoon, SHARs took out a Canberra, 2 X Mirage 3s and a Dagger. 'Twas a busy day and as Brian Hanrahan (BBC reporter) said, "I counted them all out and I counted them all back again". I should add that Black Buck 1 had also attacked Stanley with 21 bombs from a Vulcan before our dawn raid and set a world record for the longest bombing mission. Quite a feat of aviation and planning but unfortunately the one KRT that hit the runway did not preclude its use. It did do wonders for the morale of the local Brits - though not so much for the Argentines! Swing the lamp! Mog Some contemporaries and at least one name in TN Snr’s Log Book from his instructor days present during the conflict. Will raise a glass tonight to those who didn’t return. TN. |
Mog, just so happens I finished your book this morning, pure coincidence but fitting.
As for TN’s comment: Fine performances by FAA Aircrew throughout. |
Well done to those that took part, and raise a glass to those who did not make it back. .
Davids book a damm good read |
Originally Posted by Ken Scott
(Post 11037025)
Mog, just so happens I finished your book this morning, pure coincidence but fitting.
As for TN’s comment: It’s worth noting that the first poster was actually RAF at the time, along with a number of those on the NASs!! TN. |
Originally Posted by tarantonight
(Post 11037033)
A valid point of course, but always good to highlight the FAA - to which Mr M then transferred!!
TN. I was referring to FAA Aircrew in the conflict generally and taking nothing away from those in the light blue uniform - or AAC/RM. TN. |
Let’s face it, BritMil did a splendid job afloat, ashore and in the air ... as an All-Arms All-Cap-Badge demonstration of Corporate application of force.
Respect to all who were there, and RIP to those who didn’t make it home. |
I had the pleasure of being taught by Sam Drennan who won a DFC for his actions at Tumbledown. From 656sqn.org.....while Drennan and Rigg accomplished a particularly difficult mission successfully when evacuating three Scots Guardsmen and a Gurkha from a very exposed and inaccessible position on Tumbledown. Tim Lynch was on Goat Ridge manning a rebro post,
‘From the top I could make out the Argentine hospital ship in Stanley harbour and a few of the houses on the outskirts. I settled down in the rocks and got to work. My abiding memories of that morning are of Captain Sam Drennan and Corporal Jay Rigg flying in and out of Tumbledown with Captain Drennan’s radio stuck on send, allowing me to eavesdrop on his comments as he flew in to what was a very dangerous situation. After picking up the wounded, he would then scoot around Goat Ridge and fly low along the valley floor just below me. It was humbling to hear the determination with which he kept promising the guardsmen he would come back. Himself an ex-Scots Guardsman, I know that he knew some of the men personally and it was clear he would do everything he could for them. I recall hearing the voice of the Squadron Commander telling him he was under fire – again – in what sounded like an exasperated tone as though he was talking to a wayward kid.’ Sam Drennan was later awarded the DFC for his efforts that night in recovering sixteen wounded soldiers in the most hazardous of circumstances and in the course of seven sorties under enemy fire. His thoughts regarding his very busy night are as follows, ‘There were casualties scattered all over the mountain. At one point the Scots Guards were firing M79 grenades over the top of my Scout at a sniper 50 yards from us on the side of a hill. I don’t know how he could have missed us – probably the grenades landing around were putting him off a bit.’ I particularly liked his turn of phrase “ a brilliantly average....” |
39 years.
A successful operation completed in a short time against a capable airborne enemy.
Best wishes to all who served during that period including those back in the UK who were considered too valuable to send. Some were already packed, ready to go, for the whole period, should their extra presence be needed. Respect and RIP to all those who didn't come home. Sleeve Wing. |
Originally Posted by tarantonight
(Post 11037033)
A valid point of course, but always good to highlight the FAA - to which Mr M then transferred!!
TN. |
Agreed with all sentiments, l remember seeing my mates off and the confusion that was Odiham in those days.
|
Any link to Mogwi's book, please.
|
Originally Posted by Douglas Bahada
(Post 11037087)
I had the pleasure of being taught by Sam Drennan who won a DFC for his actions at Tumbledown. From 656sqn.org.....while Drennan and Rigg accomplished a particularly difficult mission successfully when evacuating three Scots Guardsmen and a Gurkha from a very exposed and inaccessible position on Tumbledown. Tim Lynch was on Goat Ridge manning a rebro post,
‘From the top I could make out the Argentine hospital ship in Stanley harbour and a few of the houses on the outskirts. I settled down in the rocks and got to work. My abiding memories of that morning are of Captain Sam Drennan and Corporal Jay Rigg flying in and out of Tumbledown with Captain Drennan’s radio stuck on send, allowing me to eavesdrop on his comments as he flew in to what was a very dangerous situation. After picking up the wounded, he would then scoot around Goat Ridge and fly low along the valley floor just below me. It was humbling to hear the determination with which he kept promising the guardsmen he would come back. Himself an ex-Scots Guardsman, I know that he knew some of the men personally and it was clear he would do everything he could for them. I recall hearing the voice of the Squadron Commander telling him he was under fire – again – in what sounded like an exasperated tone as though he was talking to a wayward kid.’ Sam Drennan was later awarded the DFC for his efforts that night in recovering sixteen wounded soldiers in the most hazardous of circumstances and in the course of seven sorties under enemy fire. His thoughts regarding his very busy night are as follows, ‘There were casualties scattered all over the mountain. At one point the Scots Guards were firing M79 grenades over the top of my Scout at a sniper 50 yards from us on the side of a hill. I don’t know how he could have missed us – probably the grenades landing around were putting him off a bit.’ I particularly liked his turn of phrase “ a brilliantly average....” |
Salute!
Thanks, Mogs, a good reminder of what a well-trained and motivated bunch can do. I shall always resent your opportunity to demonstrate the Lima, and without the slaved mode we had in the Viper. Damn, but I wanted to see the thing actually work! Gums sends... |
Never heard a slick 1000lb bomb called a KRT. What does KRT stand for?
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Sam Drennan. One of nicest men you’d ever recieve a bollicking from. And be under no illusions, you knew you’d received a bollicking.
|
Originally Posted by Sloppy Link
(Post 11037132)
Sam Drennan. One of nicest men you’d ever recieve a bollicking from. And be under no illusions, you knew you’d received a bollicking.
|
Originally Posted by MPN11
(Post 11037069)
Let’s face it, BritMil did a splendid job afloat, ashore and in the air ... as an All-Arms All-Cap-Badge demonstration of Corporate application of force. Respect to all who were there, and RIP to those who didn’t make it home.
The first cab with "Shirley Basseys" installed was towed to the flight line for air test and delivery to go South while the "cartoonists" were still sat on board sketching what we'd installed such was the pace. While safe in Blighty, we were damn sure that we were going to do whatever we could for those in the line of fire. To those who never made it back ..... and to those who did - often with hidden scars! Salute! H 'n' H |
Originally Posted by Peter G-W
(Post 11037130)
Never heard a slick 1000lb bomb called a KRT. What does KRT stand for?
Actual weapon used was KFF - 1000 (K) lbs Free Fall (FF) Our US colleagues reading this are wondering why we just didn't flick the switch between hi-drag and low-drag as conditions required. Decades later I still cannot fathom it either. That said the UK bomb cases were better and same goes for our fuses* and our airburst capability; yet the most basic thing as an in-cockpit switch vs going out with the wrong bombs fitted seemed to elude us. *Ignoring the early years of the MFBF |
On this day we were clearing and seeding grass on an old orchard in our new [old] home. Near Gainsborough.
One apple tree cut down had a sturdy trunk, which I sliced and hot-pokered "FALKLAND GREEN". I was desperately keen at 1 Group Bawtry trying to help. I hope that I did. We have the apple tree plaque still, as a memento of great days of heroism and professionalism, seen from many thousands of miles away.. |
"A finger fumble I think - KRT is a 1000 (K) lbs Retarded Tail (RT)
Actual weapon used was KFF - 1000 (K) lbs Free Fall (FF)" Quite right! Blame old age. Mog |
That long ago😳
Originally Posted by Mogwi
(Post 11037000)
39 years ago today, Hermes carried out the first UK carrier strike mission since Suez when 12 Sea Harriers of 800 NAS attacked Stanley and Goose Green airfields on East Fakland. Despite the extremely heavy AAA, small arms and missile defence around Stanley - and the 35mm AAA at Goose - only one aircraft was hit. A lot of damage was done at both airfields and several aircraft were destroyed on the ground.
In the afternoon, SHARs took out a Canberra, 2 X Mirage 3s and a Dagger. 'Twas a busy day and as Brian Hanrahan (BBC reporter) said, "I counted them all out and I counted them all back again". I should add that Black Buck 1 had also attacked Stanley with 21 bombs from a Vulcan before our dawn raid and set a world record for the longest bombing mission. Quite a feat of aviation and planning but unfortunately the one KRT that hit the runway did not preclude its use. It did do wonders for the morale of the local Brits - though not so much for the Argentines! Swing the lamp! Mog |
"I was frightened fartless" was the reply to one short interview if I recall. Great honesty. |
wrt Sam Drennan he was a serial “offender”. A true one off.
Seven years later, by then a major serving with the Northern Ireland Regiment AAC, Drennan was called out on December 16, 1989 to Croslieve Hill in south Armagh to evacuate a soldier who was seriously injured after falling on the rocky slope, where his unit was to relieve another patrol positioned at an observation post on Croslieve Hill.The injured soldier, explained Drennan’s official award recommendation, “was badly concussed and unable to move”. It added: “There was a suspicion that his skull had been fractured.” At the time it was snowing heavily, visibility was poor and there were gale force winds. Because of these conditions, the crew of another army helicopter that had initially been called out to airlift the casualty was forced to abandon the attempt. However, “due to the seriousness of the casualty’s condition, Major Drennan volunteered to attempt the casevac [casualty evacuation],” in his Lynx helicopter, revealed the award recommendation. “Undeterred by the conditions, Major Drennan, with the greatest skill, determination and daring, edged his aircraft to the pick-up point, talking himself in by radioing to the troops on the ground,” it continued. With the aid of his night vision goggles, Drennan managed to land the leading edge of the Lynx’s skids on the slope of the hill and the injured soldier was carried on board. Drennan safely landed back at his base and the soldier went on to make a full recovery. For what his medal citation described as an “outstanding performance”, Major Drennan was awarded the prestigious Air Force Cross for his daring rescue a year later, in November 1990 |
It was a post-debrief interview with Brian Hanrahan on 1st May. The first thing my 6-year old son said to me on my return was, "Daddy, you said fart on the television!"
Nice to to know that he had missed me. Mog |
Found it!
|
Originally Posted by Douglas Bahada
(Post 11037428)
wrt Sam Drennan he was a serial “offender”. A true one off.
Seven years later, by then a major serving with the Northern Ireland Regiment AAC, Drennan was called out on December 16, 1989 to Croslieve Hill in south Armagh to evacuate a soldier who was seriously injured after falling on the rocky slope, where his unit was to relieve another patrol positioned at an observation post on Croslieve Hill.The injured soldier, explained Drennan’s official award recommendation, “was badly concussed and unable to move”. It added: “There was a suspicion that his skull had been fractured.” At the time it was snowing heavily, visibility was poor and there were gale force winds. Because of these conditions, the crew of another army helicopter that had initially been called out to airlift the casualty was forced to abandon the attempt. However, “due to the seriousness of the casualty’s condition, Major Drennan volunteered to attempt the casevac [casualty evacuation],” in his Lynx helicopter, revealed the award recommendation. “Undeterred by the conditions, Major Drennan, with the greatest skill, determination and daring, edged his aircraft to the pick-up point, talking himself in by radioing to the troops on the ground,” it continued. With the aid of his night vision goggles, Drennan managed to land the leading edge of the Lynx’s skids on the slope of the hill and the injured soldier was carried on board. Drennan safely landed back at his base and the soldier went on to make a full recovery. For what his medal citation described as an “outstanding performance”, Major Drennan was awarded the prestigious Air Force Cross for his daring rescue a year later, in November 1990 |
Originally Posted by taxydual
(Post 11037101)
Any link to Mogwi's book, please.
Well worth reading. |
Ordered. Many Thanks.
|
Mogwi
You, Sir, are as cool as a cucumber. I’ve shown more excitability after a BFM training sortie. During that interview you would think you were debriefing a trip to the corner shop.
I’d like to think I would have been just as cool, calm and collected. However, I feel the reality is that I’d have been jabbering like a monkey and making no sense whatsoever. BV |
Sam Drennan sad thread.
https://www.pprune.org/military-avia...dfc-afc-2.html |
We are now longer after Op Corporate than we were at the time from WW2. Where did the years go?
I echo MPN11's remarks. |
May 4th saw our first losses. One of our SSNs had sunk the General Belgrano on the 2nd and we were under no illusions that they would want our blood. Sure enough, 2 Exocet missiles were launched at us on the 4th, one hitting and crippling HMS Sheffield, which I witnessed from my cockpit on Hermes' deck.
A few hours later, Nick Taylor was shot down during a second attack on Goose Green. His SHAR was hit behind the cockpit by 35mm and he crashed onto the airfield, where he is buried to this day. We surmised that he had flown through his leader's chaff cloud and picked up the radar lock meant for the first aircraft. nick's aircraft was the Sea Eagle trials jet and was not fitted with a radar warner. He would not be the last. Mog |
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....7689ac3493.jpg
The annual service at Nick's grave on the airfield at Goose Green. 4th May 2021. They still remember. Mog |
What a great tribute to LT Taylor, and a great photo. Thanks for posting.
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12th of May 1982.
Two British ships were attacked by the Argentine Air Force. Two flights of four MD A-4Bs attacked the HMS Brilliant and HMS Glasgow. Most of the raiders of the first flight were shot down by the Sea Wolf missiles. Three A-4Bs were shot down, First Lieutenant Nivoli, First Lieutenant Bustos, and Lieutenant Ibarlucea were killed by the Sea Wolfs. Only one A-4B survived, Alferez Vazquez could return to his base after launching his bomb without success. The second flight was initially luckier, First Lieutenant Arraras could hit the HMS Glasgow with one 1000 lbs bomb, but it didn´t explode. While overflying a Not Flying Zone returning to the continent, the First Lieutenant Fausto Gavazzi was shot down by friendly fire over Goose Green. |
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The landings were successfully carried out in San Carlos Water on the 21st, with air raids from mid-morning until dusk. This left HMS Ardent sunk and three other escorts damaged but we managed to get some 3500 troops ashore. 2 of our AAC Gazelles were shot down by enemy forces and a GR3 was downed by a Blowpipe missile at Port Howard.
The GR3s of No1(F) destroyed a Puma and Chinook near Mount Kent and SHARs took out 9 attacking aircraft, with ships and ground troops accounting for 8 more. This was by far the fiercest fighting we had seen to date. On the 23rd my winger and I bounced four helicopters over West Falkland and I knocked a Puma down with wingtip vortices at very (20') low level before gunning a A109A gunship and then firing my last couple of rounds at a further Puma, knocking off its tail pylon. This dramatically reduced the helo support available to the Argentine forces. Luckily all the crew survived to tell the story, although I did believe for several days that the GR3 pilot who had been shot down on the 21st had been in one of the Pumas. Busy days! Mog |
Yes, you are right....it was a very busy day for everyone.
Cheers. https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....b231944982.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....62db330803.jpg |
Had our Pumas been deployed to the FI, as was originally planned, things might have been rather chaotic with regard to which side they actually belonged to.
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