1. BELLWORK: November 13th
Describe the British task force. Include air, land and sea forces.
What was the TEZ? How did this contribute to Britain’s war strategy?
What was Britain’s biggest strength? Weakness?
Describe Argentina’s task force. Include air, land and sea forces.
To what extent did Argentina’s war strategy rely on assumptions?
What was Argentina’s biggest strength? Weakness?
THINKER: After the initial invasion, Britain responded by assembling a massive task force within 5 days (even though they were in the middle of military cutbacks). It was very important for PM Thatcher to publicize the movement of this task force….why?

2. Britain Argentina Advantages/ Strengths (Include weapon advances)
Britain
Argentina
Advantages/ Strengths
(Include weapon advances)
Disadvantages/ Weaknesses
Goals
Strategies
(Include specific war plans)

3. HOMEWORK
Read and annotate the “operations” section of the Falklands War!
Pages 50-53

4. British Task Force 65 ships 2 aircraft carriers were key
Rest of ships would be stationed in Falklands Sound
7,000 troops
Army Regulars
Royal Marines (trained in amphibious landings & night fighting)
42 planes
All carrier-born; 1/3 the size of Argentina
Helicopters increased mobility once on the islands
Relied on Ascension Island to re-group and re-fuel (U.S. owned airstrip on island)
Enforced the TEZ (What was the TEZ? How did it contribute to Britain’s war strategy?)
Highly publicize movement of task force…..why???

5. Why did Britain want to publicize the movement of their task force?

6. The cover of Newsweek magazine, 19 April 1982, depicts HMS Hermes, flagship of the British Task Force

7. Key locations in the Task Force’s logistic chain

8. **Britain’s invasion force would be stationed in the Falkland Sound in order to establish a base at San Carlos and launch land operations.

9. HMS Invincible in the South Atlantic

10. A British Sea Harrier plane on the deck of the HMS Invincible

11. BELLWORK: 11/15
Explain the sinking of the General Belgrano. Why was this a turning point in the war? How did it change strategy?
How were foreign powers/groups involved in the conflict? (Include U.S., U.N, & O.A.S.)
THINKER: Who do you think is most at fault for the outbreak of war in the Falklands? Was there anything that could have been done to prevent this war from escalating?

12. Britain’s Strengths vs. Weaknesses

13. Argentine Task Force
Navy could operate in all aspects of naval warfare – submarine, surface & air
Strong Air Force
120 aircraft (quality mixed)
French-made Mirage III and Super Etendards (speed)
Exocets (anti-ship missiles)
Strategy depended on their strengths – air power and geography
Land forces – 13,000 men (10k in Stanley), but weapons limited
Arms embargo (due to “dirty war”)

14. Argentine War Plans Est. presence on S. Georgia
To what extent did Argentina’s war strategy rely on assumptions?
Est. presence on S. Georgia
Launch full scale amphibious invasion (ground forces would est. defensive positions in hills of Stanley)
Launch air/naval attacks (Exocets) on British ships at sea & in Falklands Sound (destroy British task force!)
Maintain a naval & air presence around the Falklands
Changed after Belgrano sank!

15. Mario Menendez: Argentine General; came to Falklands to become governor

16. Argentine Air Force Plans
FAA pilots plan during the war
Argentine Air Force: (Fuerza Aérea Argentina; FAA)
Due to the distance required to fly to the islands, two minutes was the average time FAA attack aircraft had available in the target area.

17. FAA primarily used French-made Super Étendard jets (could fire French-made Exocet missiles)

18. Exocet Missiles French for “flying fish”
Missile is initially computer-guided and turns on active radar late in flight to find and hit its target.
Its rocket motor gives the Exocet a maximum range of 110 miles.
As a countermeasure against air defense around the target, it stays only 5-7 ft. above sea surface.
This means that the target may not detect an oncoming attack until the missile is 4 miles from impact.

19. HMS Sheffield

20. Argentina’s Strengths vs. Weaknesses

21. General Belgrano

22. British Justification
The TEZ was stated to be "...without prejudice to the right of the United Kingdom to take whatever additional measures may be needed in exercise of its right of self-defense”, under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter

23. What did the O.A.S. declare with regards to the outbreak of war?
Supported Argentina
Problematic for U.S. who was also in N.A.T.O w/ UK
Rio Pact of 1947: An attack on one OAS state = attack on all!
OAS ordered resolution that denounced Britain and called for an end to hostilities  U.S. abstained – saw Argentina as the aggressor

24. How did the U.N. get involved in the Falklands conflict?

25. Foreign Involvement in the Falklands
Role of the UN
Role of the US
Attempted to find negotiated peace
Britain supported by Security Council
Resolution 502 called for end to hostilities and Argentine withdrawal (did not take action when broken)
Ceasefire resolution supported by 9 countries; vetoed by GB
Britain was key to Cold War alliance
Airstrip on Ascension Island used as a base
Supplied Britain with aviation fuel & missiles
Secretary of State Haig attempted arbitration
Supported their veto in the UN

26. Who did the U.S. side with? Why?
“I knew of the enormous admiration that Mr. Reagan had for Mrs. Thatcher, and the similar views that they had on many subjects. I never really had any doubt … basically, there was a trust and a friendship, personal friendship as well as professional friendships, all the way along the line. Certainly, the admiration that President Reagan had for Mrs. Thatcher, I would have found it almost inconceivable that in the final analysis, he would not have supported Britain in this situation.”
Secretary of Defense Weinberger

28. March 19, 1982: group of marines (posing as scrap metal merchants) raised Argentine flag over South Georgia
April 2, 1982: Argentina sent troops & occupied the Falklands
April 3: UN Resolution 502 demands withdrawal of all forces; GB announces task force to be sent to reclaim islands
April 28: Britain establishes a TEZ
May 2: Britain sinks Argentine battle cruiser General Belgrano killing 323 (importance?)
As UN diplomatic talks broke down, it was clear there was no turning back! Neither side officially declared war, but come on….. Obviously!!!

29. THINKER: Who do you think is most at fault for the outbreak of war in the Falklands? Was there anything that could have been done to prevent this war from escalating?

30. 20th Century Battlefields: Falklands (BBC)
As we watch the video, take notes on:
Important Events (battles, ships, turning points, etc.)
Strategies Used
New weapons/technology

31. BELLWORK: November 16th
To what extent were Galtieri & Thatcher pressured by other generals/leaders to go to war over the Falklands?
Describe how war was fought on land in the Falklands (Include the key battles of Goose Green & Stanley)

32. Pressure on Galtieri
Admiral Jorge Anaya was the driving force in the Junta's decision to invade
Never believed the UK would respond militarily.
Their goal: mobilize Argentines' patriotic feelings towards the islands and thus divert public attention from the country's economic problems and the regime's ongoing human rights violations

33. Pressure on Thatcher
First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Henry Leach assured the Prime Minister he could have a task force ready in 48 hours.
Guaranteed a victory!
Thatcher worried the public/press would demand an immediate response.

34. Why didn’t Thatcher settle this dispute diplomatically?

35. Air warfare/strategies

36. Land Strategies

37. Britain’s Invasion of the Falklands
British supply ship Atlantic Conveyor entered San Carlos Bay on May 5 carrying the helicopters and troops needed to get to Stanley.
Two Argentine aircraft released Exocets aimed at two British frigates
The frigates fired up metal foil to confuse the missiles’ radar
Instead, the Exocets picked up a new target…Atlantic Conveyor
Missiles sunk the ship and destroyed all helicopters on board
British now forced to walk four days to the capital (open to attack) carrying 120 pounds of gear
Split their ground forces into 2:
500 for “morale boost” at Goose Green
2,000 to re-capture the capital of Stanley

38. Britain's invasion of the Falklands – split into 2:
Goose Green
Stanley

39. British Night Fighting
British forces trained to fight in night as effectively as day
This was effective against defended targets and open terrain
Key was consistent communication and continual movement!

40. Key Land Battles Goose Green Stanley Capital of the Falklands
Main British force of 2,000 men
Attack over 2 nights
Troops land & launch 3-prong attack to surround hills around city
Move on city while 30 seek higher ground to force Arg. retreat
Success! Argentina loses will to fight and surrenders!
Strategic Port with air strip
500 Brits move South to achieve “morale boost”
Plan: attack air field in dark and take settlement by day
Argentina: defensive position on hills – surround British with artillery and mine fields
Britain out in open – no cover & vulnerable
Air support arrives and bombs Argentina’s defensive positions
Britain threatens to try Argentina for civilian deaths if fighting continued

41. Britain wins Stanley! Argentine POW’s in Stanley
Confiscated Argentine Weapons

42. 20th Century Battlefields: Falklands (BBC)
As we watch the video, take notes on:
Important Events (battles, ships, turning points, etc.)
Strategies Used
New weapons/technology

43. Ending/Effects of the Falklands War (54-55)

44. Historical Role Play
Group A: Advisers to General Galtieri advocating FOR war over the Falklands
Group B: Advisers to General Galtieri advocating AGAINST war over the Falklands
Group C: Advisers to Margaret Thatcher arguing FOR war over the Falklands
Group D: Advisers to Margaret Thatcher arguing AGAINST war over the Falklands
You need to prepare a brief presentation/speech/statement on your viewpoint
Your presentation should be review! Focus on actual arguments and events leading up to the Falklands War.

45. What do YOU think? Which viewpoint do you agree with?
Who should be blamed for the conflict?
Why couldn’t this dispute be settled diplomatically? Were there any alternatives?