Troops launch raids
Taskforce troops launched raids on Argentinian installations today in 1982.
This is it! Troops go in, crash kills 21
Task force troops and Royal Marines launched a series of raids on Argentinian installations on the Falklands during a dramatic night of intensified military action.
But there was tragedy for the British forces before the raids began when 21 British soldiers died after a Royal Navy helicopter ditched in the icy South Atlantic while ferrying troops from one ship to another.
Defence Ministry spokesman Mr Ian McDonald told a press conference: ‘Nine of those on board were rescued. One dead body was recovered. The next of kin have been informed.’
He said the raids, carried out by a ‘number of landing parties’ and covered by bombardments from warships and Harrier air strikes, were still going on.
Early indications were that they were ‘achieving their objectives.’
Today’s daring hit-andrun raids came seven weeks to the day since Argentine marines captured the islands.
More - and permanent - landings were expected before nightfall, it is understood.
After weeks of diplomatic activity, the peace hopes finally faded last night, and Government ministers warned the country that fighting was imminent.