Battle of Goose Green
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The Battle of Goose Green (May 27–28 1982) was an engagement of the Falklands War between British and Argentinian forces. Goose Green had little strategic value to the overall aim of recapturing the capital Port Stanley but, as it was a significant Argentinian position and close to the beachhead at San Carlos Water, it could not be ignored.
The British force consisted of four companies of 2 PARA which had the following support: three 105mm artillery pieces with 960 shells from the 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery; two Blowpipe detachments; one Milan anti-tank missile platoon; Scout helicopters, and at dusk, air support provided by three Royal Air Force Harriers. They also had two mortars, M-79 grenade launchers and sixty-four 7.62mm belt-fed machineguns according to Brigadier Julian Thompson, author of the book Ready For Anything (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1989).
HMS Arrow of the Royal Navy gave brief naval gunfire support using its 4.5-in gun. RAF.
There were about 600 British in the assault. The defending Argentinian forces, numbering more than 1400 men, consisted of the 12th Regiment and a company of the elite Commando-trained 25th Infantry Regiment, a battery of 105mm artillery pieces and smaller heavy anti-aircraft guns (such as 35mm Oerlikons). Argentinian air-support was limited due to bad weather for much of the battle.
The starting line of 2 Para was situated from the isthmus to the east of Burntside Pond. Major John Crosland's B Company and Major Philip Neame's D Company were positioned on the isthmus, which led into Goose Green/Darwin, while C company was positioned on the west of Burntside Pond (which meant they were still on the isthmus), while A company were positioned on the east of the pond. At 3:30 am on 28 May, the battle had begun. A Company, now positioned 2 miles ahead of the starting line, began the attack from the east, attacking Burntside House but finding no Argentinians present. An hour later B Company, followed by D Company, proceeded to a position known as Boca Hill situated south of the starting line. They met stiff resistance from Argentinian troops in trenches and took fire from Darwin Hill.
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As this occurred, A Company were moving further south and as the morning progressed reached Darwin Hill which they attacked, taking some casualities from the Argentinian 25th Regiment platoon, commanded by Lieutenant Roberto Estevez. Ahead of them was Major Dair Farrar-Hockley's A Company, advancing from the east coast. The Argentinian Lieutenant Estevez on Darwin Hill held up the advance of the British battalion, inflicting casualties. He was mortally wounded by enemy sniper fire. The Argentinians took further casualties but held their position despite heavy fire. This determined defence caused the British A and B Companies to break off the attack.
Lieutenant colonel H. Jones, eager to press the attack, made his way to A company's position and led a charge against the Argentinians, but he was shot dead at about 10.30 am. Lieutenant Colonel Jones was awarded the posthumous VC for his actions. The British offensive resumed with increased ferocity and Darwin Hill was taken.
There were two battles going on in the Darwin hillocks - one around Darwin Bay, and an equally fierce one in front of Boca Hill (also known as Boca House Ruins). Second Lieutenant Guillermo Aliaga's 3rd Platoon of C Company, 8th Regiment held Boca Hill.
The position of Boca Hill was taken, after heavy fighting, by B Company of the Paras with support from the Milan anti-tank platoon. About the time of the victory at the Boca Hill area, A Company overcame the Argentinian defenders at Darwin Hill, finally taking the position that had caused many casualties on both sides. Peluffo (promoted to Major), who himself was gravely wounded eventually received Argentina's second highest decoration for military valour, the Gallantry In Combat Medal. British historian Peter Harclerode in his book Para!: Fifty Years of the Parachute Regiment (Orion Publishing Group, 1996) reported that the British parachute battalion had fired 1,000 mortar bombs into Darwin Hill and Boca Hill.
After the victory at the Boca Hill area C and D Companies began to make their way to the small airfield in Goose Green as well as the Goose Green settlement, while B Company made their way south of Goose Green settlement. A Company remained at Darwin Hill. C and D Companies saw some action at the schoolhouse and surrounding area, which was east of the airfield.
As day became night, two Argentinian NCOs who were POWs were sent to the Argentinian commander at Goose Green, Lieutenant Colonel Piaggi, by the acting CO of 2 Para Major Chris Keeble, with the terms of surrender.
Later that night Piaggi surrendered all Argentinian force - approximately 1,200 men 2 Para had suffered fifteen dead, sixty-four wounded (source (http://www.sama82.org.uk/news/june13a.htm)), and one Royal Engineer and one pilot from the Royal Marines were killed. The Argentinians lost 200 men killed and many wounded.
See Also
Reference
External link
- detailed article and map of battle (http://www.naval-history.net/F48goosegreen.htm)
- an even more detailed article and map (http://www.britains-smallwars.com/Falklands/GooseGreen/Page1.html)