His citation reads: “In these two acts of supreme courage Private Illingsworth showed a complete disregard for his own safety, and a total dedication to others. Pte Mark Holman-Smith It was then he was hit. The Gorse Gully, Darwin Hill and Darwin Bay, near Goose Green, 29 May 1982. God bless you and your friends departed with great respect and eternal gratitude, What an amazing story and very inspirational. 3 PARA CO and RSM walk through Goose Green settlement, 9 June 2012. Tomo 2 PARA, Nice tribute to your friend and interesting text.
Pte Mark Fletcher The battle was not over yet. Our camaraderie forged over long TABs (tactical advance to battle – speed marching) over sodden Welsh hills, long sleepless nights in trenches filled with water, and gruelling PT sessions that left our lungs gasping for oxygen. Lt Col H Jones was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) for leading an attack that resulted in his death; with another 17 members of 2PARA being killed in action and 64 wounded. Using his research; degrees from Leicester in Security & Risk Management and St Andrews in Terrorism & Political Violence; as well as a vast amount of empirical experience. Major-General John Dutton Frost of the British Army describes the resulting attack on 12 Platoon: For two very long hours the company remained under pressure. The platoon of 2nd Lieutenant Rodriguez-Pérez in fact closed with the British 12 Platoon, under the command of Lieutenant Jonathan Page (following the death of Lieutenant Barry at Goose Green). [13] The battle for Goose Green, the first of the Falklands War, had started the night before with a naval bombardment.A and B companies of 2 PARA, had advanced from their start line at the base of the isthmus connecting the two Falkland Islands towards Darwin Hill, but the attack had faltered. that his actions warranted the highest award, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GahmIOWTSsE&t=3s, Damascus Redemption is Looking for Book Reviewers, International Terrorism: A Critical Perspective. One Mount Longdon survivor from 3 Para recalled the British attack which was initially repulsed by the Argentines: They tried going over the top first, but the incoming fire was too heavy so they went back behind the peat and waited for more artillery to soften them up. 2 PARA veterans at cross marking where Pte S Illingsworth DCM fell, 13 June 2012. As long as we read his story and think of his selfless actions and tell others he will live on.
The Battle of Darwin and Goose Green was a resounding British military victory against a resolute and well dug-in enemy. We’d basher’d up in a forestry block for the night, a defensive position. Both Steve and I picked 2 PARA. Goose Green – The First Major Land Victory co-edited by Colonel David Benest. The only surviving medical card from Goose Green - complete with blood stains. If you are currently a ParaData member please login. 'Yank' Thayer standing next to Argentinian Pucara A-527 at Goose Green, blown apart by a Cluster Bomb Unit (CBU). We chunted to each other endlessly, but we didn’t give up like so many did. So 2 Para marched around the back of Mount Longdon to take up their positions for the assault on Wireless Ridge. Cpl Stephen Prior The Battle of Goose Green occurred from 28 to 29 May 1982 during the Falklands War. Remains of enemy position, Goose Green, 9 June 2012. With a bergen on his back and his sleeping bag stuffed down the front of his para smock, he kept up as we ran for two miles, each section taking it in turn to put down suppressive fire on the platoon staff who chased us mercilessly through the inky black, Welsh winter night. Casualty evacuation by Sea King from area of Darwin Hill, 29 May 1982. Chaundler jumped into the sea, where he was picked up by helicopter and eventually delivered to HMS Hermes for a briefing with Admiral Woodward and then to Major General Jeremy Moore's headquarters. Cheers. The battle for Goose Green, the first of the Falklands War, had started the night before with a naval bombardment. If you are not currently a ParaData member but wish to get involved please register. Pte Tam Mechan, See also Citation for the award of the Military Cross to Major John Crosland, Falklands, 1982. The picture below is of Steve at Brize, I too have this picture as I’m standing right behind him – I’ll update the post with the full picture when I find it. But some good lads came back with seriouse depression for which the answer was disaplinary action !!!!!! Looking towards re-entrant the Lt Col H Jones VC attacked, 9 June 2012. After you’d got your wings, each recruit was allowed to submit a request to join one of the three Parachute Regiment battalions. Steven’s example of personal courage has stayed with me ever since I read about his tragic death in 1982. Some might have been suprised at Steves bravery, I wasn’t. Profits from all sales made through our shop go directly to Support Our Paras, so every purchase you make with us will directly benefit The Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. With this massive fire support, A and B Coys were convinced the enemy on the 'Apple Pie' feature had been defeated, and began to advance confidently, but they met fierce resistance when they left their trenches.
Near the church in Stanley, intent on helping Berazay, Major Carrizo-Salvadores, Second-in-command of the 7th Regiment, helped by the chaplain Father José Fernández,[11] mustered about 50 Wireless Ridge survivors and led them on a bayonet charge, with the soldiers chanting their famous 'Malvinas March', but were stopped by heavy artillery and machine-gun fire.
In the preceding 12 to 14 hours, British artillery had fired 6,000 rounds with their 105 mm pieces, and as they began their push, they were further backed by naval fire and the 76 and 30 mm guns mounted on the light tanks. Captain Chris Dent [14][15] The final phase of 3 Commando Brigade's campaign, the battle for Stanley, would follow the capture of these hills. Personal account of events leading to deployment to Falklands. Today battle : Battle of Goose Green, fought in Falklands Campaign, 1982 Today battle is an important battle toward modern warfare, many lesson learn from Battle of Goose Green, which also see as the first major battle fought by two peer/near peer enemy.
By daylight, however, it was held up by strong enemy defensive positions near Darwin and the Commanding Officer, Lt Col H Jones, was killed during the battle. [8]
Its 35 years since Steve committed his incredible act of bravery. Pile of captured Argentinian weapons outside settlement of Goose Green. Private Patricio Pérez, who had just left school, recalled the unnerving experience of 66 mm rockets coming straight at them like undulating fireballs. From the Gorse Line looking down toward Goose Green, 9 June 2012. 2 PARA Falklands veterans and villagers from Goose Green at memorial, 1992. Lest we forget. I met Steve when I joined the Parachute Regiment at Browning Barracks, Aldershot – better known as depot PARA – in September 1980. I was so furious with them. On the morning of 13 June, it became clear that the attacks on Tumbledown had been successful. Anglo-Argentine Alan Craig tells of fight for Wireless Ridge, recollections of Anglo-Argentine conscript Michael Savage of the 7th Infantry Regiment's C Company, https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Wireless_Ridge?oldid=4509920. The Gorse Gully, Darwin Hill, near Goose Green, 29 May 1982. Steve was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) – one notch down from the VC – but there are those who cite that his actions warranted the highest award. His name always stood out for me amongst his fallen comrades, especially being so young. © 2020 Richard C Pendry Security Consultant All Rights Reserved. [4] It had been hit by an intense barrage from British guns, from land and sea. The attack began during the early hours of 28 May with naval and artillery support. The assault continued with some ferocious trench to trench fighting and by last light the whole peninsular less the Goose Green Settlement was taken. Argentine PoWs being marched off to the sheep sheds after the surrender at Goose Green, 29 May 1982. In two hours the cavalry unit suffered five dead and about fifty wounded. Major Neame's officers and NCOs rallied the men to capture the final part of their objective and in the face of heavy fire, the Argentines having run out of ammunition, broke and retreated under the covering fire from the supporting machinegun fire, controlled by Lieutenant Horacio Alejandro Mones-Ruiz of Berazay's compañía. L/Cpl Tony Cork [6] He believed he shot a British Paratrooper, possibly 12 Platoon's commander, and became enraged when he heard that his friend, Private Horacio Benítez from his platoon, had been shot.[7]. Lt Col H Jones' final order group, before the attack on Darwin & Goose Green, Camilla Creek House area, 27 May 1982.