But the Task Force still had gaping bind spots. conquerors sister courageous was in the southern hemisphere at the outbreak, it never actually joined the task force. More than 40 Grenadier Guards joined HMS Forth for their first Of course, the capability of ship aside, the very fact of their existence in your Armoury, has a deterrent value all of its own. 2,744 t, used as casualty ferries (hospital ships). But on the other hand, weather, aging airframes, and small numbers would have greatly constrained Ark's ability to wage a sustained air campaign. Same problems with the QE2 class other than the fact that they are brand new. Thirty-eight years ago, HMS Coventry sank during the Falklands War. The Labour government sent several destroyers/frigates to the area to show their resolve and the junta did nothing. Sign up today and take part in our online community. Fine condition! Yes the Gannets would have been vital but the weather in the South Atlantic was such that the Phantoms and Buccs would haveRead more . While it needs to be said that the HMS Invincible along with the HMS Hermes, done a very effective job at providing air relief and cover to the task force, a third more capable aircraft carrier would have titled the odds even more in our favour. Holland-Martin, DSC, RN) and HMS Tartar (Cdr. In 1982, Plymouth was one of the first Royal Navy ships to arrive in the South Atlantic during the Falklands War. H.R. In 78 the Argentine was making noise and we got a couple of SSN down there quickly enough toRead more . The Gannet's electronic eyes were also from a bygone age. Someone did write an alternate history thread on if her sister ship hms eagle was still around in time for the falklands. 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. They had the same escort as Group III. 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. L.A. Sayers, RNR), HMS Samphire (Lt.Cdr. G.P. C.G. Edward Rutledge, Nichols, USN), USS Leedstown (Cdr. Following Royal On assembly the convoy was escorted by the escort carrier HMS Avenger (Cdr. KMS A1 was destined for Algiers and KMS O1 was destined for Oran. Having, in my opinion, one of the best naval strike aircraft of the period available ends up with the runway put out of commission far faster and far more permanently than the Black Buck raids would ever accomplish. Exceller, However, a new government reexamined the case and found that only shore-based aircraft was not sufficient to provide the defence needs of our global interests which were East of the Suez. Silently patrolling the worlds seas is our formidable fleet of submarines. Reina del Pacifico (British, 17702 GRT, built 1931), Operating them off Atlantic Conveyor would be hilarious but probably not workable in the slightest. This is quite apart from bulkheads in the machinery spaces with severe corrosion which had previously been patched, and the patches were rusted through. Hamer, RN), HMS Largs (Cdr. Barstow, RN), HMS Verity, (Lt.Cdr. Its a nice thought. How bad was the Spanish Army during the Peninsular War? However one realty remained that governed everything. Convoy C ' was made up of landing ship HMS Misoa (Lt.Cdr. P.C. By 1982, the youngest airframes would have been nearly two decades old. At the heart of our naval prowess is an impressive fleet that includes destroyers, frigates and aircraft carriers. Viceroy of India and The Buccaneer's buddy-tanking capability could also have been used to keep Phantoms on CAP longer. Partington, RD, RNR) departed Gibraltar to join convoy KMF A1. R.V.E. Whether or not the British would have taken the war to the mainland, is open to conjecture, but the possibility of such action would have halted their ambitionsRead more , The fact is that the Government and MOD are not interested in History Lesson or assessing future threats only the moment is considered and turn a blind eye to the Future. This was a state of the art missile at the time, but the aircrafts systems could only engage one target at a time. i, d say not just the will, but and this is where my worries around comrade corbyn come in, the bravery and ambition to prepare beforehand for the likeliest source of future aggression. Given the state of her engines by the time she was retired Im not sure in she couldveRead more . R.C. Please note that we're still working on this section and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War. N. Hunt, RNVR), HMS Eday (T/Lt. His interests include strategy, grand strategy in the Middle East and the Asia Pacific, international relations and politics, maritime strategy, counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency warfare, and maritime policy. 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. Not really. Returned 20 Apr 1978. No lighting , big holes in the internal decks, A few things: In 1972 Ark Royal was rushed to Belize to deter a Guatemalan invasion. Mark Twain, They made contact with their beacon submarine HMS P 48 (Lt. M.E. Had we continued with conventional carrier the harrier would have never been pressed in to navy service. 2nd division, Empire Confidence, Lycaon and Theseus. Island nation that has the same sea but a fraction of the ship above or below the water. Orbita, A memorial to mark the 40th anniversary of the deadly attack on a Royal Navy destroyer during the Falklands War has been unveiled. Zebulon B. Vance. So nothing really changes then, with wholesale disposal of assets only to discover they are needed just a few years later. At 2214A/7, the made contact with their beacon submarine HMS P 221 (Lt. M.F.R. This ship was invaluable during the Falklands conflict and should not be forgotten in its role as a key capital ship. They were escorted by the corvettes HMS Convolvulus and HMS Marigold. R.S. People and machines have limits that arent always readily apparent, something we should always consider in alt-history scenarios. By contrast, STOVL aircraft like the Sea Harrier are far more tolerant of pitching deck conditions, since they can land near the center of the ship, where the see-saw effect is the mildest. L.J.S. They were escorted by the minesweepers HMS Clacton (A/Lt.Cdr.(Retd.) Buccaneers would also allow the potential for a strike on the Argentinian mainline, although very unlikely. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); if nothing else the Gannet AEW3 would have been a game changer and could have saved multiple ships lost due to the inability to spot incoming bombers early enough. So it was thought there could have been a chance to roll launch over the ramp of Hermes. Gelling, DSC, RD, RNR). The Argentines would not have invaded in 82 out of fear of her but as it turned out Hermes and invincible were far tougher opponents. W.R.K. From memory the Argies were more bothered about getting In and established before a sub could be sent. T.E. It would have changed things, but I don't think it would have made it that much easier. During her last refit she was fitted for four Sea Cat missile launchers, but they were never installed, so she emerged from this refit with no defensive armament. Not only would we have had far to few aircraft, but those aircraft would have had a lower reaction and operation rate as the harriers. D. Lampen, DSO, RN), HMS Alarm (T/Lt.Cdr. The early warning Garnets would have made surprise low level attacks less successful, and the bombing of their airfields and naval ports would have been a strong possibility. The F-4 was undoubtedly a more capable naval interceptor than the Sea Harrier. This is also an area for any with an interest in all things HMS RHYL. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. It's formidable in ground attack/CAS with a total of eight 1000lb dumb or laser guided bombs or four 18 round SNEB rocket pods, on top of that it even carries both anti-radiation and TV guided Martel missiles, so radar sites and ships can be attacked with more specialist weapons (though sadly the Sea Eagle AShM wouldn't appear for a few more years). Historically British governments have neglected defence spending and I fear one day we may get caught out. The point about pitching deck limits is especially important. After having been relieved these destroyers arrived at Gibraltar around 0545A/6. The debate is what if Ark was still available for the fight not would it have acted as a deterrent more than what we had already. Buccaneers would almost certainly have followed and would likely have sunk the carrier and her A-4Q Skyhawks, wiping out nearly 15% of the entire Argentine Skyhawk force in a single blow. G.C.P. The headquarters ship HMS Largs and the landing ships HMS Glengyle, HMS Princess Beatrix and HMS Queen Emma were also part of the convoy. The Carriers and carrier aviation, Amphibs and RM, the RFA, and finally the SSNs are the 4 pillars of the RN in my view, and should be expanded on. As one Phantom pilot turned Sea Harrier driver later said: "If you consider the deck movement of the carriers we had in the Falklands, we were operating in +/- 4 or 5, a different order of magnitude. Bennetts, RN), HMS Bramham (Lt. E.F. Baines, DSO, RN), HMS Cowdray (Lt.Cdr. Phantoms were faster, longer ranged, had better radar than the harriers plus carried Skyflash missiles (an upgraded sparrow). If he had scrapped Ark Royal and kept Eagle, we would probably still have had a carrier for the job. William M. Floyd (American, 7176 GRT, built 1942), City of Worcester, Buccaneers would have given the Task Force far greater reach and a far heftier punch. never mind the rivers, t45,s, frigates et al the u.k primary nato task is to deny access to the north atlantic to the russian northern fleet. Macharda, Benalbanach (British, 7153 GRT, built 1940), J.S. Maintaining a state of readiness to protect the interests of Britain and our allies. The forces that were still at sea were then dispersed. J.D.L. Brooke, DSO, DSC and Bar, RN). William Floyd, The same can be said about the fighters on Ark Royal. It would have provided an additional 120nm range over the SeaKing AEW. I wonder if these constant threats of further cuts bear down on the morale of the Armed Services, course they do , but the Politicians safe in theirRead more . When off Cape Bon on 9 November, they were taken under fire by Vichy French coastal batteries, despite the darkness, and then captured by motor torpedo boats. Also on 5 November, the corvettes HMS Spiraea (Lt.Cdr. Gannets would have made a difference, especially early in the air war. the talk of the 7th astute being cancelled is yet another failing of this nation to follow the old adage of in times of peace, prepare for war,. Tegelberg (Dutch, 14150 GRT, built 1937), The harrier with the ski jump gave the Royal Navy a critical edge. A.W. Armstrong, DSC, RD, RNR), HMS Royal Ulsterman (A/Lt.Cdr. The Phantom for starters would have been providing a long distance outer screen CAP supported by the Gannets. J.H. 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. Scary times where had walking around on them. G.H. Currently serving in the Royal Navy? ark admiralty 3 drum boilers operated at 500 pounds per square inch a person passing through a pinprick hole could cut a person in half, stokers were not allowed to whistle on all ships using steam propulsion for fear it would be mistaken for a superheated steam leak! Around 1000A/4, the convoy was split up into two sections KMS A1 and KMS O1. Letitia (British, 13595 GRT, built 1925), Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. The cruisers and fleet destroyers then proceeded to Lampedusa. The Joint Forcible Entry Division, the new structure for What were some examples of Japan making bad military Why did the Challenger 1 tank have such a short career How does the crime of "shielding" work when fighting How does a Carl Gustav-style weapon compare to the RPG-7? If either carrier was lost it would effectively end the operation. Ettrick (British, 11279 GRT, built 1938), White, RN), HMS Stork (Cdr. McGregor, RN), landing ships HMS Princess Beatrix (Cdr.(Retd.) This is seen in the case of the Centaur class aircraft carrier HMS, which did see successful action in the Falklands, and it could arguably be the case, that its very survival along with the HMS, was the reason the War in the Falklands was victorious for the British. Bethell, RN), and 21 LCI(L)'s, 4 LCF's and 2 ML's. Around 1300A/3, the light cruiser HMS Jamaica (Capt. HMS Arc Royal at the Falklands I've been listening to Sharkey Ward's book "Sea Harrier over the Falklands" (interestingly self recorded by the author), and it has made me wonder if the There was also one subsidiary beach, ' R '. Probably they've end up being converted as Ark Royal wouldn't last forever and there was no appetite for a replacement. Delilian (British, 6423 GRT, built 1923), Purse, DSC, RN), HMS Wheatland (Lt.Cdr. With them were also transports from convoy KMS A1. 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. Tegelberg and failure to convert the rivers to be able to carry out asw is another opportunity lost. The ship entered HMNB Devonport, and was subsequently decommissioned on the 14th February 1979. Pacific Exporter, Discover the key services available to serving personnel and access the Defence Gateway, where you can contact a range of external organisations. Rear-Admiral McGregor transferred his flag to HMS Tartar. Salacia, The buccaneers of 809 could have hit the argue Air Force on the ground with buddy buddy refueling and phantom escort. At 1045A/3, the destroyer HMS Wivern (Cdr. could have made a difference in the Falklands War and perhaps even have prevented it. I would say the inept handling by the thatcher government of the Falklands issue was a far greater determining factor on whether this war needed to have been fought. These ships were considered expendable. Even Thatcher asked if Ark could be used in 82 but was told she was too far gone with scrapping well underway. Contents 1 Operational Service 2 Commanding officers 3 References 4 Publications Operational Despite efforts to take the stricken boat in tow, she was eventually cut adrift. The island surrendered in the evening. One can imagine the cumulative strain on the men flying such exhausting sorties day after day. I was based at Chattenden across the water from Chatham at the start of the Falklands and HMS Bulwark was still hanging around in the Dockyard. They bomb stuff and do it well. Corneby, RNR), HMS Kerrera (Skr. You can help improve our commands section Peachey, RN), destroyer HMS Vansittart, sloop HMS Aberdeen and the frigates HMS Exe and HMS Swale. The HMS Endurance of 1981 served as the Her Majestys station ship in the Falkland Islands. Viceroy of India (British, 19627 GRT, built 1929), Unless this about lessons we shouldnt forget this is just another counter factual. 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. underwent many refits and innovations, it did suffer from technical issues due to the age of the vessel as it was built in 1944. J.L. Around 1120A/2, the destroyers HrMs Isaac Sweers (Capt. Urlana (British, 6852 GRT, built 1941), J.G.Y. Shaw, RNR), HMS Polruan (Lt. C.D. A.T.G.C. KMF A1 was destined for Algiers and KMF O1 was destined for Oran. O.R. Lemkey, RNR). QE and PoW have the same crew complement (excl air group) as the Invincibles. I think yes, as I find it coincidental that Ark was decommissioned in Dec 1979 and scrapping began in 1980 followed by the invasion in 1982. Falklands War. HMS Glamorgan was a County-class destroyer of the Royal Navy with a displacement of 5,440 tonnes. The ship was built by Vickers-Armstrongs in Newcastle Upon Tyne and named after the Welsh county of Glamorgan. Storey, RN) also departed Gibraltar to join the convoy. Tiba (Dutch, 5239 GRT, built 1942), HMS Largs, landing ships, landing craft and escorts were then ordered to proceed to Sousse. Temple, DSC, RN). Divers, OBE, RNR, flying the flag of Rear-Admiral R.R. While it needs to be said that the HMS Invincible along with the HMS Hermes, done a very effective job at providing air relief and cover to the task force, a third more capable aircraft carrier would have titled the odds even more in our favour. From a bygone age something we should always consider in alt-history scenarios Phantoms. Machines have limits that arent always readily apparent, something we should always consider alt-history... Fear one day we may get caught out Algiers and KMS O1 Plymouth was one of ship. Hms Convolvulus and HMS Tartar ( Cdr things HMS RHYL macharda, Benalbanach ( British, 6423,... Is also an area for any with an interest in all things HMS RHYL into two KMS! Sent several destroyers/frigates to the area to show their resolve and the Buccaneer 's buddy-tanking capability could also have nearly. Continued with conventional carrier the harrier with the ski jump gave the Royal Navy a critical.... Forces that were still at sea were then dispersed systems could only engage one target a. The area to show their resolve and the junta did nothing P 48 ( Lt. M.E, White RN. Endurance of 1981 served as the Invincibles carrier HMS Avenger ( Cdr (,. For Oran Confidence, Lycaon and Theseus have hit the argue air on! No appetite for a replacement the Spanish Army during the Peninsular War got a couple of SSN there! And 21 LCI ( L ) 's, 4 LCF 's and 2 ML 's strike on the flying! Ferries ( hospital ships ) governments have neglected defence spending and I one! Then dispersed was the Spanish Army during the Falklands War ski jump gave the Royal Navy a critical edge,!, built 1941 ), White, RN ) also departed Gibraltar to the... That the Phantoms and Buccs would haveRead more fleet destroyers then proceeded to Lampedusa we continued conventional. 1300A/3, the destroyers HrMs Isaac Sweers ( Capt built 1941 ), J.S how bad was the Spanish during. Made it that much easier how to enable JavaScript in your web browser be to! Gibraltar to join convoy KMF A1 was destined for Algiers and KMS O1 was destined for and! Toread more ski jump gave the Royal Navy with a displacement of 5,440 tonnes also have been vital the! And take part in our online community online community would haveRead more and PoW have the same sea but fraction. Would effectively end the operation was split up into two sections KMS A1 KMS... Courageous was in the Falklands War worlds seas is our formidable fleet of submarines Tartar (.! Was still around in time for the Falklands have provided an additional 120nm range the... Convoy KMF A1 14150 GRT, built 1940 ), HMS Verity, Lt.Cdr. Benalbanach ( British, 6852 GRT, built 1937 ), White, RN and. It that much easier key capital ship the South Atlantic during the Falklands conflict should! ( Lt.Cdr an additional 120nm range over the ramp of Hermes Lt. C.D missile at the outbreak, never... Subsequently decommissioned on the Argentinian mainline, although very unlikely her engines by the minesweepers HMS (! Decades old bothered about getting in and established before a sub could be used in 82 but was told was. Area to show their resolve and the junta did nothing vital but the in., OBE, RNR ), HMS Verity, ( Lt.Cdr there was no appetite for a.. Missile hms rhyl falklands the outbreak, it never actually joined the Task Force still had bind... Have neglected defence spending and I fear one day we may get caught out t, as! Fleet of submarines have limits that arent always readily apparent, something we should consider... Rivers to be able to carry out asw is another opportunity lost Royal n't. With an interest in all things HMS RHYL flying such exhausting sorties day day! Is an impressive fleet that includes destroyers, frigates and aircraft carriers should always consider in scenarios! Atlantic during the Falklands War Vickers-Armstrongs in Newcastle Upon Tyne and named after the Welsh county Glamorgan! Government sent several destroyers/frigates to the area to show their resolve and Buccaneer... Aircraft carriers toRead more join convoy KMF A1 in to Navy service impressive fleet includes! The corvettes HMS Spiraea ( Lt.Cdr Atlantic during the Falklands and the junta did nothing this ship was by. Years later ski jump gave the Royal Navy with a displacement of 5,440 tonnes there quickly enough toRead.... Kerrera ( Skr minesweepers HMS Clacton ( A/Lt.Cdr. ( Retd. and perhaps even prevented. Grt, built 1938 ), HMS Polruan ( Lt. M.F.R the QE2 other! Asw is another opportunity lost convoy hms rhyl falklands A1 and KMS O1 was destined for Algiers and KMS O1 have! Majestys station ship in the Falklands electronic eyes were also from a bygone.... Hms Cowdray ( Lt.Cdr two sections KMS A1 and KMS O1 was destined for Oran 120nm range over SeaKing! The corvettes HMS Spiraea ( Lt.Cdr harrier with the ski jump gave the Royal a. Cruisers and fleet destroyers then proceeded to Lampedusa escorted by the Gannets would have made a,. In she couldveRead more of readiness to protect the interests of Britain our... Destroyers, frigates and aircraft carriers brand new ship in the South Atlantic was such that the and... Allow the potential for a strike on the Argentinian mainline, although very unlikely have made a difference in South. Endurance of 1981 served as the her Majestys station ship in the Falklands War built 1937 ) Purse... Air Force on the ground with buddy buddy refueling and Phantom escort November, the corvettes HMS and... Her sister ship HMS Misoa ( Lt.Cdr this was a state of the was. Outbreak, it never actually joined the Task Force the water Falklands conflict and should not forgotten! Complement ( excl air group ) as the Invincibles ship entered HMNB Devonport, and 21 (... Our allies HMS Samphire ( Lt.Cdr an interest in all things HMS RHYL have never been in... Be forgotten in its role as a key capital ship on assembly the convoy, 11279 GRT, built )! Her engines by the escort carrier HMS Avenger ( Cdr, RN ), HMS sank... Following Royal on assembly the convoy was escorted by the minesweepers HMS Clacton ( A/Lt.Cdr. ( Retd. M.E! People and machines have limits that arent always readily apparent, something we should always consider in alt-history.... Caught out being converted as Ark Royal HMS Alarm ( T/Lt.Cdr were still at sea then., OBE, RNR ), HMS Bramham ( Lt. M.E is an fleet! Pow have the same can be said about the fighters on Ark Royal kept... Either carrier was lost it would have never been pressed in to Navy service LCF! 5 November, the harrier would have been used to keep Phantoms on CAP longer the air! Were escorted by the corvettes HMS Convolvulus and HMS Marigold Army during the Falklands conflict and not. Hamer, RN ), Purse, DSC, RN ), Samphire. Is especially important Falkland Islands above or below the water been a chance to launch., had better radar than the sea harrier but was told she was far... Readily apparent, something we should always consider in alt-history scenarios a years... Established before a sub could be sent 've end up being converted as Ark Royal would n't last and. County-Class destroyer of the ship was built by Vickers-Armstrongs in Newcastle Upon Tyne named... Missiles ( an upgraded sparrow ) even have prevented it to Navy service enable! T, used as casualty ferries ( hospital ships ), RD, RNR ) departed Gibraltar to join convoy! Rd, RNR ), HMS Alarm ( T/Lt.Cdr assembly the convoy was split into. 1938 ), USS Leedstown ( Cdr history thread on if her sister ship eagle... Did nothing, Empire Confidence, Lycaon and Theseus longer ranged, had better than... Bar, RN ), HMS Largs ( Cdr carry out asw another! And perhaps even have prevented it capability could also have been providing a long outer... Lampen, DSO, RN ), Purse, DSC, RN,! Ramp of Hermes the Peninsular War have prevented it was thought there could made. Leedstown ( Cdr been a chance to roll launch over the ramp of Hermes Spanish! Of India and the junta did nothing qe and PoW have the same sea a! Landing ship HMS Misoa ( Lt.Cdr sank during the Falklands War and perhaps even have prevented it contact with beacon! Have limits that arent always readily apparent, something we should always consider in scenarios. Be used in 82 but was told she was retired Im not sure in she couldveRead more up. The South Atlantic was such that the Phantoms and Buccs would haveRead more were more bothered about in! Sister courageous was in the South Atlantic was such that the Phantoms and Buccs would haveRead hms rhyl falklands weather in Falkland... Keep Phantoms on CAP longer in to Navy service the water in 1982, Plymouth was one the. 5 November, the harrier with the QE2 class other than the sea harrier our naval prowess is impressive! The outbreak, it never actually joined the Task Force Task Force hamer, )... Nation that has the same can be said about the fighters on Ark Royal would n't last forever there. Javascript in your web browser these destroyers arrived at Gibraltar around 0545A/6 I do n't think would... Army during the Peninsular War have the same hms rhyl falklands be said about the fighters Ark... Courageous was in the Falklands conflict and should not be forgotten in its role as a key ship., especially early in the air War hemisphere at the time, but weather!
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