Argentine naval forces in the Falklands War

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The Belgrano sinking after being stuck by torpedoes fired by HMS Conqueror
The Belgrano sinking after being stuck by torpedoes fired by HMS Conqueror

This article describes the composition and actions of the Argentine naval forces in the Falklands War (Spanish:Guerra de las Malvinas). For a list of naval forces from the United Kingdom, see British naval forces in the Falklands War.

Contents

[edit] Background

The Argentine Navy (ARA), particularly its commander-in-chief and Junta member, Admiral Jorge Anaya was the main architect and supporter of a military solution to resolve the long standing claim of sovereignty over the islands. His first attempt came in 1976 when he was the Navy Chief's Operations of the recently established Military dictatorship but General Videla and Admiral Massera were more busy disappearing people at that time [1]. By 1982 the country was already in the midst of a devastating economic crisis and large-scale civil unrest against the repressive government and Anaya, now member of the ruling Junta, ordered Operation Rosario to be brought forward to 2 April, after a group of Argentina military inflitrated a group of Argentine scrap metal merchants and raised the Argentine flag at South Georgia 19 March.

General Galtieri, acting President, agreed in his intention to mount a quick, symbolic occupation, followed rapidly by a withdrawal, leaving only a small garrison to support the new military governor and force the UK to begin talks on the long delayed sovereignty claim. On April 2 an amphibious landing was made at Port Stanley and on April 3 Argentine marines used helictopers to take over the Georgias. Whilst the Military Junta was redeploying the assault units back to their home bases they found the British responded with a large-scale mobilization to organize a naval task force and ground forces to retake the islands by force. The war could not have happened at a worse time for the Argentines, they were expecting new destroyers, frigates and submarines being built in West Germany and their shipment of French Super Etendards and Exocets were not yet complete whilst on the other hand the Royal Navy was in middle of great cutbacks that would eliminate its force of aircraft carriers and amphibious forces in the coming months.

[edit] Argentine Navy

[edit] Operation Rosario (April 2)

Main article: 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands
Vice Admiral Juan Lombardo
Ships that only participated in the initial invasion, April 2nd:

[edit] Task Group 20

Commander José Sarcona

[edit] Task Group 40

Rear Admiral Jorge Allara

[edit] Teatro de Operaciones Malvinas (April 2-June 14)

Vessels stationed at the Falklands Islands.
Major General Mario Menéndez (Governor).

[edit] Teatro de Operaciones del Atlántico Sur (April 15-Jun 14)

Direct control from Buenos Aires.
Vice Admiral Juan Lombardo

[edit] Task Group 79.1

Rear Admiral Jorge Allara
ARA San Luis sister ship, ARA Salta, was not operational at the time of the war
ARA San Luis sister ship, ARA Salta, was not operational at the time of the war

[edit] Task Group 79.3

Captain Héctor Bonzo

[edit] Task Group 79.4

Captain Juan Calmon

[edit] Submarine force

[edit] Others

[edit] Argentine Coast Guard

Stationed at the Falklands Islands.

[edit] Argentine Merchant Navy

[edit] Blockade Runners

  • Formosa - A 12,762 ton cargo ship, attacked by Argentine Douglas A-4 Skyhawks of Grupo 5 in error. Survived the conflict.
  • Mar del Norte -
  • Lago Argentino - A ELMA cargo ship.
  • Río Cincel - An ELMA cargo ship.
  • Puerto Rosales - A commercial tanker.
  • Río Carcarañá - An ELMA cargo ship, 8,500 tons, damaged by Sea Harriers in Port King. Subsequently attacked by both sides, until finally sunk by Sea Skua missiles fired from a Westland Lynx helicopter on 23 May 1982.[2]
  • Yehuin - A requisitioned oil tender, 494 tons. Captured 15 June 1982 and renamed Falkland Sound.

[edit] Spy trawlers

[edit] Falkland Islands Company ships seized by occupant forces

See also: Battle of Seal Cove
  • Forrest - coaster
  • Monsunen - coaster

[edit] References

  1. ^ MALVINAS, LA TRAMA SECRETA, CARDOSO OSCAR RAUL, KIRSCHBAUM RICARDO, VAN DER KOOY EDUARDO ISBN 950-742-863-1
  2. ^ Morgan, David [2006]. "Chapter 6", Hostile Skies. Phoenix, pg 140-141. ISBN -13 978-0-7538-2199-2. “She was later attacked by Argentine A4s, shelled by one of our frigates and finally attacked by Antelope's Lynx, which sank her on 23 May with 2 Sea Skua missiles.” 
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