British submarines in the Falklands conflict of 1982
Emblem of the British Royal Navy
I have already written about the actions of Argentine submarines in the Military Review (see “Argentine submarines in the Falklands conflict"), let's now turn to the actions of British submarines. Naturally, I cannot guarantee the absolute accuracy of the information provided—it is often quite contradictory.
In response to Argentina's occupation of the Falkland Islands (April 2, 1982) and part of South Georgia Island (April 3), the British government led by Margaret Thatcher decided to return these British territories by force if diplomatic efforts were unsuccessful.
On April 5, the British task force Task Force 317 departed for the South Atlantic. Even earlier, on April 1, given the tense situation in the region, two Swiftsure-class nuclear submarines—HMS Spartan (commander: Commander James Bradley Taylor) and HMS Splendid (commander: Commander Roger Charles Lane-Nott)—were dispatched south.
HMS Spartan
Loading a torpedo
HMS Spartan, participating in Exercise Springtrain off Gibraltar, was ordered south. She unloaded practice torpedoes in Gibraltar and received live ones "donated" by the diesel submarine HMS Oracle. HMS Splendid departed from Faslane Naval Base in Scotland. The Churchill-class submarine HMS Conqueror, under the command of Commander Christopher Louis Wreford-Brown, also departed from there on April 4, carrying a Special Boat Service (SBS) detachment (six personnel and nine tons of equipment). The boats sailed toward the South Atlantic at an average speed of 23 knots.
HMS Splendid
[Center]
[Center]
HMS Conqueror
On May 12–13, three more submarines departed for the South Atlantic: the Valiant-class submarine HMS Valiant (commander: Commander Thomas Maitland Le Marchant) and HMS Courageous (commander: Commander Rupert Thomas Nicholas Best), which was to relieve HMS Splendid, as well as the diesel-powered Oberon-class submarine HMS Onyx (commander: Lieutenant Commander Andrew P. Johnson), which was to support special forces operations and was equipped with an airlock for five combat swimmers. The special forces were to be picked up on Ascension Island.
HMS Valiant
Diesel-electric submarine HMS Onyx (S21)
Spartan arrived in the Falkland Islands area on April 11, and the following day, the British government's 200-mile Maritime Exclusion Zone (MEZ) around the islands came into effect. Any Argentine warship or naval auxiliary vessel entering this zone was subject to attack by British forces. HMS Splendid also reached the islands on April 15, and HMS Conqueror arrived in the South Georgia area on April 18.
HMS Spartan took up position near Port Stanley, HMS Splendid patrolled the waters separating the Falklands and Argentina, and HMS Conqueror searched for the enemy off South Georgia. The SBS unit aboard the submarine was transferred by helicopter to the destroyer HMS Antrim and frigate HMS Plymouth on April 26, as it was deemed too risky for the submarine to land from such a large and valuable vessel.
HMS Conqueror during an SBS transmission to the destroyer HMS Antrim and frigate HMS Plymouth
It is believed that information released in the British media about submarines heading south (a controlled leak?) pushed the Argentine junta to advance the invasion date. After all, once the submarines reached the islands, the invasion would have become highly problematic or simply impossible.
This wasn't the first time British submarines were used to prevent an Argentine invasion of the Falklands. In November 1977, a task force (Operation Journeyman) was dispatched to the islands, including the submarine HMS Dreadnought (S101), Britain's first nuclear submarine. However, the submarine, which was en route to Australia on an eight-month mission, was urgently recalled to Gibraltar and from there sailed to the South Atlantic. The task force returned home in early 1978 after the crisis had been resolved.
HMS Spartan remained off Port Stanley until April 21, observing for several days as two ships, including the landing ship ARA Cabo San Antonio, laid mines. The submariners received no orders to attack the Argentines, as the British government still hoped for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
ARA Cabo San Antonio
On April 21, HMS Conqueror's sonar detected the sounds of a submarine under diesel power (the Santa Fe). However, before the submarine could get into position for a torpedo attack, sonar contact was lost. On the 24th, the Santa Fe's radio transmissions were detected, and Conqueror began an unsuccessful search. When the Santa Fe was finally dealt with the following day, the British submarine departed for the Falklands on April 29 to join her "colleagues."
Each of the three British submarines was assigned a strictly defined patrol area. Admiral Woodward's proposal to allow the submarines to hunt freely in Northwood was not supported.
Commander of Task Force 317, Admiral John Forster "Sandy" Woodward
It is interesting to note that the British submarines operating in the South Atlantic were not subordinate to the commander of Task Force 317, Admiral John Forster "Sandy" Woodward, but directly to Flag Officer Submarines, whose headquarters were in the London suburb of Northwood.
April 23 - British forces are given permission to use weapon when threatened.
On April 26, a 50-mile "defensive zone" is declared around Task Force 317.
On April 29, authorization is granted to use weapons against any ship shadowing the Task Force. Task Force 317 arrives in the MEZ.
On April 30, a 200-mile Total Exclusion Zone (TEZ) was introduced around the Falklands. Now, entry into it was prohibited not only to ships, but also to aviation.
On May 2, British submarines are given permission to attack Argentine warships.
On May 7, the TEZ will include all waters of the South Atlantic, with the exception of the 12-mile zone of Argentine territorial waters.
On May 12, permission is granted to attack any merchant or fishing vessel engaged in supplying the enemy in the Falkland Islands.
Beginning on April 21, Splendide searched for the Argentine carrier task force and, on the 26th, discovered its destroyers. However, the carrier itself was never found.
On April 29, Spartan detects destroyers from the escort force of 25 de Mayo.
Aircraft carrier "Vainticinco de Mayo" ("25 de Mayo")
Planes and a helicopter on the deck of the 25 de Mayo
At this time, three Argentine Navy task forces (Grupos de Tareas) were in the South Atlantic, making up Task Force 79 (Fuerza de Tareas 79) under the command of Rear Admiral Gualter Oscar Allara. The core of Task Force 79.1 was the aircraft carrier Veinticinco de Mayo (25 de Mayo), which had on board eight A-4Q Skyhawk attack aircraft, six S-2E Tracker anti-submarine aircraft, three S-61D Sea King anti-submarine helicopters, and three Alouette III multirole helicopters. 79.1 also included a British Type 42 destroyer, three corvettes armed with MM38 Exocet anti-ship missiles, and a tanker. On May 1, three corvettes, previously part of Group 79.1, were assigned to OG 79.4, and a tanker was also assigned to it.
Contraalmirante Gualter Oscar Allara
TF 79.2 consisted of three destroyers, including one Type 42, and a tanker. The core of Task Force 79.3 was the cruiser General Belgrano (ARA General Belgrano), under the command of Captain Héctor Elias Bonzo. It also included two Exocet-armed destroyers and a tanker. On April 26, the cruiser departed Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego), where it had been bunkering.
Bunkering in Ushuaia
Capitan de Navío Héctor Elias Bonzo
The first two task forces were to operate northwest and north of the MEZ, while the third (TF 79.3) was to operate southwest and south of the zone. Vice Admiral Juan Carlos Lombardo oversaw these forces from his headquarters at the Bahía Blanca naval base.
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