Maj W sent this in: “Falkland War Files Released.”
Falklands Invasion ‘Surprised’ Thatcher — BBCThe 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands by Argentina caught Margaret Thatcher by surprise, newly released government papers have shown.
The then-prime minister only saw it was likely after getting “raw intelligence” two days before the Argentines landed.
Papers released under the 30-year rule show Mrs Thatcher was acutely worried about retaking the islands.
One historian said the documents were among the “most powerful material” declassified in the last three decades.
I look forward to sifting through pages, Thanks, Maj W!
Interesting war–I find myself taking the British side (maybe my two years being stationed at a former British Army vehicle depot in northern Germany’s 1979-80 and living in a mess for awhile. Some of the odd aspects–the sinking of the Belgrano, a US WWII-vintage cruiser (USS Phoenix) we’d sold the Argentines; the incredible destructiveness of antiship missiles, the only combat use of British jet bombers, I think–
The New York Times reports some friction between Reagan and Thatcher over how to handle end of the war: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/29/world/europe/falklands-war-caused-rare-friction-for-thatcher-and-reagan.html?_r=0
Having met Jeanne Kirkpatrick some years ago, I was fascinated by the British ambassador’s take on her.
Not the only combat use of RAF jet bombers: Valiants were used during the Suez operation.
And Reagan didn’t want to aid the Brits militarily…he wanted them to negotiate…yeah that dude liked it both ways.
Richard–thanks for the correction–I should know better–I read Eisenhower 1956 that covered it. Best,