Themes

Conflict and Change

• Introduction

• In Focus: 1900

• In Focus: World War One

• In Focus: Interwar

• In Focus: World War Two

• In Focus: Post War Conflict

• In Focus: Cold War Climate

• In Focus: Falklands and Beyond

  • Surface Fleet

  • Submarines

  • Royal Marines

  • Fleet Air Arm

• Special Exhibition: Falklands 25

Learning

• How To: Understand Propaganda

• Propaganda Image Galleries

• Education Project: Sea With Your Own Eyes

The Falklands War

Article highlights

• War in the South Atlantic

• The Amphibious Task Force

• San Carlos landings

• Beginning the land campaign

• Battling for the high grounds

• The Battle of Two Sisters

• Towards Port Stanley

Beginning the land campaign

Once landed, Commando Brigade's job was to establish a bridgehead before the Army's 5th Infantry Brigade arrived to help complete the recapture of the Falklands.

However, events overtook the Brigade and it became apparent that the Commandos would provide the bulk of the land assault troops.

After successfully landing at San Carlos Bay the Royal Marines quickly established a beachhead.

3 Commando Brigade HQ landing on the Falkland Islands with the help of a BARV (Beach Armoured Recovery Vehicle). Brigade HQ landed after the initial landing phase in order to maintain contact with their Commando units. (RMM)

Brigadier Julian Thompson formulated a plan to capture the high grounds surrounding Port Stanley, the capital of the Falklands.

However, first the Commandos and Paras had to reach their next objectives. It was then that the Royal Marines undertook their epic yomp.

The word ‘yomp’ is Royal Marines slang for describing a long distance march carrying full kit.

The heavy loads. 45 Commando during their epic yomp through minefields towards Sapper Mill. Falklands War 1982. Care is taken to follow the path of the marine in front as the unit negotiates the minefield. (RMM)

The Commandos had to carry everything they needed to survive the journey including food and water, ammunition and weapons.

The Commandos covered 56 miles (90 km) in just three days, carrying loads of around 80lbs.