Operation Sutton

During the 1982 Falklands War, Operation Sutton was the British landings on the shores of San Carlos Water, at Ajax Bay and Port San Carlos, near the San Carlos on East Falkland. During the night 3 Commando Brigade along with attached units of the Parachute Regiment were landed from the liner SS Canberra and the LPD HMS Fearless. There was very limited enemy resistance on the ground. However, an Argentinean Army platoon managed to shoot down two British Army Gazelle helicopters near Fanning Head before retreating north. As a result three Royal marines were killed in action. At least eight members of another platoon who fled the scene were left behind and captured by the British. Argentine commandos of the 601 Commando Company shot down a GR3 Harrier on a reconnaissance mission on Port Howard. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Jerry Glover, bailed out and was taken prisoner. Six Argentine pilots were killed in the operation.^[1]

The invasion, part of the overall Operation Corporate, sparked a strong reply from the Argentine Air Force and the Argentine Naval Aviation which lead to the Battle of San Carlos.

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