British ground forces in the Falklands War
Encyclopedia
This is a list of the ground forces from the United Kingdom
that took part in the Falklands War
. For a list of ground forces from Argentina
, see Argentine ground forces in the Falklands War
The land forces employed by the United Kingdom during the Falklands War amounted to a divisional sized formation, named as Land Forces Falkland Islands, consisting of two brigades:
3 Commando Brigade
Commander: Brigadier
Julian Thompson
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
that took part in the Falklands War
Falklands War
The Falklands War , also called the Falklands Conflict or Falklands Crisis, was fought in 1982 between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the disputed Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands...
. For a list of ground forces from Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, see Argentine ground forces in the Falklands War
Argentine ground forces in the Falklands War
This is a list of the ground forces from Argentina that took part in the Falklands War . For a list of ground forces from the United Kingdom, see British ground forces in the Falklands War.- Operation Rosario :...
Land Forces
- 3 Commando Brigade - formed primarily by the Royal MarinesRoyal MarinesThe Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
, 3 Commando Brigade was the primary British rapid reaction force, tasked with reinforcing the NATO northern flank in NorwayNorwayNorway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
in the event of war with the Soviet UnionSoviet UnionThe Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
in Europe. 3 Commando Brigade was the formation with most experience of amphibious operations. In its NATO role, 3 Commando Brigade was reinforced by the Dutch Korps Mariniers. However, the situation required reinforcement by British units, with the result that 2nd & 3rd Battalions of the Parachute Regiment were reassigned from 5 Infantry Brigade. - 5 Infantry Brigade was the UK's main "out of area" reaction formation, tasked with operations outside the European theatre. At the time, it would normally be formed using two battalions of the Parachute Regiment, together with the UK based GurkhaGurkhaGurkha are people from Nepal who take their name from the Gorkha District. Gurkhas are best known for their history in the Indian Army's Gorkha regiments, the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas and the Nepalese Army. Gurkha units are closely associated with the kukri, a forward-curving Nepalese knife...
battalion. However, since both 2 PARA and 3 PARA were used to reinforce 3 Commando Brigade for the initial landings in the Falklands, 5 Brigade was reinforced with two battalions of foot guardsFoot Guards-British Army:The Foot Guards are the Regular Infantry regiments of the Household Division of the British Army. There have been six regiments of foot guards, five of which still exist. The Royal Guards Reserve Regiment was a reserve formation of the Household Brigade in existence from 1900-1901...
then on public dutiesPublic dutiesPublic duties are performed by military personnel, and usually have a ceremonial or historic significance rather than an overtly operational role.-Germany:...
in London. These were chosen as they were immediately available, as they were neither on internal security duties in Northern IrelandNorthern IrelandNorthern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
nor attached to BAOR.
Land Forces HQ
- Land forces commander: Major-General Jeremy MooreJeremy MooreMajor General Sir John Jeremy Moore KCB, OBE, MC & Bar was the commander of the British land forces during the Falklands War in 1982. Moore received the surrender of the Argentine forces on the islands.-Military career:...
, Royal MarinesRoyal MarinesThe Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service... - Deputy commander: BrigadierBrigadierBrigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
John WatersJohn Waters (British Army officer)General Sir Charles John Waters GCB CBE is a former Commander in Chief, UK Land Forces.-Army career:Educated at Oundle School, John Waters was commissioned into the Gloucestershire Regiment in February 1956. He was made Commanding Officer of 1st Bn Gloucestershire Regiment in 1975...
3 Commando Brigade3 Commando Brigade3 Commando Brigade is a commando formation of the British Armed Forces and the main manoeuvre formation of the Royal Marines. Its personnel are predominantly Royal Marines, supported by units of Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, The Rifles, and the Fleet Air Arm, together with other Commando...
Commander: BrigadierBrigadier
Brigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
Julian Thompson
Julian Thompson
Major General Julian Howard Atherden Thompson, CB, OBE is a military historian and former Royal Marines officer who, as a brigadier, commanded 3 Commando Brigade during the Falklands War.-Military career:...
- 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery29 Commando Regiment is the Commando-trained unit of the British Army's Royal Artillery. The regiment is under the operational control of 3 Commando Brigade providing artillery support and gunnery observation.- History :...
(Lt ColLieutenant-Colonel (UK)Lieutenant colonel is a rank in the British Army and Royal Marines which is also used in many Commonwealth countries. The rank is superior to major, and subordinate to colonel...
Mike Holroyd Smith)- 18 x 105 mm L118 Light GunsL118 Light GunThe L118 Light Gun is a 105 mm towed howitzer, originally produced for the British Army in the 1970s and widely exported since, including to the United States, where a modified version is known as the M119A1...
- 148 Naval Gunfire Observation Battery
- 18 x 105 mm L118 Light Guns
- 40 Commando40 Commando40 Commando RM is a battalion sized formation of the British Royal Marines and subordinate unit within 3 Commando Brigade, the principal Commando formation, under the Operational Command of Commander in Chief Fleet....
, Royal MarinesRoyal MarinesThe Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
(Lt Col Malcolm Hunt) — Blue Beach 1 - Sapper HillSapper HillSapper Hill is on East Falkland, Falkland Islands, . It is just to the south of Stanley, and is heavily mined from the Falklands War. It is named after a company of sappers who were based at Moody Brook barracks.-Falklands War:...
. (†1) - 42 Commando42 Commando42 Commando Royal Marines is a battalion sized formation of the British Royal Marines and a subordinate unit within 3 Commando Brigade, the principal Commando formation, under the Operational Command of Commander in Chief Fleet....
, Royal Marines (Lt Col Nick VauxNick VauxMajor General Nick Vaux, CB DSO RM is a retired Royal Marine officer, and former commander of 42 Commando during the Falklands War. Vaux joined the Royal Marines in 1954, and completed training in time to take part in the first helicopter-borne amphibious operation as a member of 45 Commando during...
) — Mount Kent - Mount HarrietBattle of Mount HarrietThe Battle of Mount Harriet was an engagement of the Falklands War, which took place on the night of 11/12 June 1982 between British and Argentine forces. It was one of three battles in a brigade-size operation on the same night.-Forces:...
. (†2) - 45 Commando45 Commando45 Commando Royal Marines is a battalion sized unit of the British Royal Marines and subordinate unit within 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, the principal Commando formation, under the Operational Command of Commander in Chief Fleet....
, Royal Marines (Lt Col Andrew Whitehead) — Red Beach - Douglas Settlement - Two SistersBattle of Two SistersThe Battle of Two Sisters was an engagement of the Falklands War during the British advance towards the capital Stanley that took place from 11 to 12 June 1982.-Composition of forces:...
. (†12) - 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (Lt ColLieutenant-Colonel (UK)Lieutenant colonel is a rank in the British Army and Royal Marines which is also used in many Commonwealth countries. The rank is superior to major, and subordinate to colonel...
H. JonesH. JonesLieutenant-Colonel Herbert Jones VC OBE, , known as H. Jones, was a British army officer and posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross...
VC) — Blue Beach 2 - Goose GreenBattle of Goose GreenThe Battle of Goose Green was an engagement of the Falklands War between British and Argentine forces. Goose Green and its neighbour Darwin are settlements on East Falkland in the Falkland Islands. They lie on Choiseul Sound on the east side of the island's central isthmus...
& DarwinDarwin, Falkland IslandsDarwin is a settlement in Lafonia on East Falkland, lying on Choiseul Sound, on the east side of the island's central isthmus, north of Goose Green...
- Wireless RidgeBattle of Wireless RidgeThe Battle of Wireless Ridge was an engagement of the Falklands War which took place on the night of 13 June and 14 June 1982, between British and Argentine forces during the advance towards the Argentine-occupied capital of the Falklands Stanley. Wireless Ridge was one of seven strategic hills...
. (†18)- 29 Field Battery RA
- BlowpipeBlowpipe missileThe Shorts Blowpipe is a man-portable surface-to-air missile which was in use with the British Army and Royal Marines from 1975. It was superseded by an interim design, Javelin, and later the greatly improved Starstreak missile.-Description:...
Troop of 43 Air Defence Battery - Field Troop 9 Parachute Engineer Squadron (†4)
- Troop 16 Field Ambulance
- Department 81 Ordnance Company
- 613 TACP
- 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (Lt ColLieutenant-Colonel (UK)Lieutenant colonel is a rank in the British Army and Royal Marines which is also used in many Commonwealth countries. The rank is superior to major, and subordinate to colonel...
Hew PikeHew PikeLieutenant-General Sir Hew William Royston Pike KCB, DSO, MBE is a retired British Army officer known for his service in the Falklands War and for his command in Northern Ireland.-Education and early career:...
) — Green Beach - Teal InletTeal InletTeal Inlet is a settlement on East Falkland, in the Falkland Islands, on the south shore of Salvador Water. It is overshadowed by Jack's Mountain...
- Mount LongdonMount LongdonMount Longdon is a mountain in the east of East Falkland in the Falkland Islands. It is best known as the site of the Battle of Mount Longdon, and overlooks Stanley, the islands' capital....
. (†21)- 1 x Section Field Ambulance
- 1 x Ordnance Coy Detachment
- Commando Logistics Regiment, Royal Marines (Lt ColLieutenant-Colonel (UK)Lieutenant colonel is a rank in the British Army and Royal Marines which is also used in many Commonwealth countries. The rank is superior to major, and subordinate to colonel...
Ivar Helberg) (†1) - 3 Commando Brigade HQ and Signals Squadron (MajorMajor (UK)In the British military, major is a military rank which is used by both the British Army and Royal Marines. The rank insignia for a major is a crown...
Peter Cameron) (†1)- 9 x Gazelle AH.1 helicopters (†3)
- 6 x Scout helicopters (†1)
- Reconnaissance Troops (Lt.LieutenantA lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Mark CorethMark Coreth-Biography:Mark Coreth was born in London in 1958 and was immediately dispatched to the family farm in the Kenyan highlands where the Equator ran through the house. Black and white colobus monkeys leapt amongst the branches in the trees behind the house where leopard and cheetah also lived...
)
-
- B Squadron, Blues and RoyalsBlues and RoyalsThe Blues and Royals is a cavalry regiment of the British Army, part of the Household Cavalry. The Colonel-in-Chief is Her Majesty The Queen and the Colonel is HRH The Princess Royal...
-
- 4 x FV101 ScorpionFV101 ScorpionThe FV101 Scorpion is a British armoured reconnaissance vehicle. It was the lead vehicle and the fire support type in the Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance , CVR, family of seven armoured vehicles...
CVR(T) (Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked)) - 4 x FV107 ScimitarFV107 ScimitarFV107 Scimitar is an armoured reconnaissance vehicle used by the British Army. It is very similar to the FV101 Scorpion but mounts a high velocity 30 mm L21 RARDEN cannon instead of a 76 mm gun. It was issued to Royal Armoured Corps, Armoured Regiments in the Reconnaissance role...
CVR(T) (Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked)) - 1 x FV106 SamsonFV106 SamsonFV106 Samson is a British Army armoured recovery vehicle, one of the CVR family. The main role of this vehicle is to recover the CVR family of vehicles, but can recover other light tracked vehicles such as the FV430 series.-Design and features:...
CVR(T) (Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Tracked))
- 4 x FV101 Scorpion
- T Battery 12 Air Defence Regiment
- 12 x Rapier Missile FS.B2Rapier missileRapier is a British surface-to-air missile developed for the British Army and Royal Air Force. Entering service in 1971, it eventually replaced all other anti-aircraft weapons in Army service; guns for low-altitude targets, and the English Electric Thunderbird, used against longer-range and...
Launcher
- 12 x Rapier Missile FS.B2
- Air Defence Troop
- 12 x Blowpipe MissileBlowpipe missileThe Shorts Blowpipe is a man-portable surface-to-air missile which was in use with the British Army and Royal Marines from 1975. It was superseded by an interim design, Javelin, and later the greatly improved Starstreak missile.-Description:...
launchers
- 12 x Blowpipe Missile
- Raiding Squadron, Royal Marines (Captain Chris Baxter)
- 17 x Rigid Raiding CraftRigid RaiderThe Rigid Raider is a series of fast patrol/assault boat made by RTK Marine, a subsidiary of Halmatic . They are in service with many armed forces, including the Royal Marines, the SBS and Royal Engineers...
- 17 x Rigid Raiding Craft
- Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre, Royal Marines (Captain Rod Boswell)
- 2, 3 and 6 Sections Special Boat Squadron (SBS), Royal Marines, (Major Jonathan Thomson) (†1)
- 67 men
- D and G Squadrons 22nd SAS Regiment (Lt ColLieutenant-Colonel (UK)Lieutenant colonel is a rank in the British Army and Royal Marines which is also used in many Commonwealth countries. The rank is superior to major, and subordinate to colonel...
Michael RoseHugh Michael RoseGeneral Sir Hugh Michael Rose KCB, CBE, DSO, QGM , often known as Mike Rose, is a retired British Army General. As well as commanding 22 Special Air Service Regiment, he was Commander UNPROFOR Bosnia in 1994 during the Yugoslav Wars.-Early life:The stepson of British author John Masters, Rose was...
) (†19)- 107 men
- 3 x Tactical air control parties
- Air maintenance group
- Rear link detachment 30 Signal Regiment (†3)
- Elements of 17 Port Regiment Royal Corps of TransportRoyal Corps of TransportThe Royal Corps of Transport was a British Army Corps formed in 1965 from the transport elements of the Royal Army Service Corps and the movement control element of the Royal Engineers . The depot was Buller Barracks in Aldershot...
.- 3 x MexefloteMexefloteThe Mexeflote is a landing raft used by the British Royal Logistic Corps to move goods and vehicles between ship and shore. It was first used by British military in the 1960s, and remains in use at present...
detachments. - 5 x Landing ship logistics detachments.
- 3 x Mexeflote
- 3 x Surgical support teams
- Postal courier communications unit detachment of 1 PC regiment
- Detachment 47 Air despatch squadron RCT.
- 59 Independent Commando Squadron24 Commando Regiment Royal Engineers24 Commando Engineer Regiment is a unit of the British Army's Royal Engineers which supports 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines. It was formed in April 2008...
, Royal EngineersRoyal EngineersThe Corps of Royal Engineers, usually just called the Royal Engineers , and commonly known as the Sappers, is one of the corps of the British Army....
(Major Roddy MacDonald). (†3) - Detachment 49 EOD squadron 33 engineer regiment (†1)
- 2 man bomb disposal team
- Y Troop detachment communications.
- Commando forces Band (stretcher-bearers)
-
- B Squadron, Blues and Royals
5 Infantry Brigade
Commander:Brigadier Anthony Wilson- 2nd Bn, Scots GuardsScots Guards (1946)The Scots Guards are a regiment of the British Army. The regiment cherishes its traditions, especially on the parade ground where the scarlet uniform and bearskin have become synonymous with the regiment and the other Guards regiments...
(Lt ColLieutenant-Colonel (UK)Lieutenant colonel is a rank in the British Army and Royal Marines which is also used in many Commonwealth countries. The rank is superior to major, and subordinate to colonel...
Michael Scott) — Mount TumbledownBattle of Mount TumbledownThe Battle of Mount Tumbledown was an engagement in the Falklands War, one of a series of battles that took place during the British advance towards Stanley.-Overview:...
. (†8) - 1st Bn, Welsh GuardsWelsh GuardsThe Welsh Guards is an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Guards Division.-Creation :The Welsh Guards came into existence on 26 February 1915 by Royal Warrant of His Majesty King George V in order to include Wales in the national component to the Foot Guards, "..though the order...
(Lt ColLieutenant-Colonel (UK)Lieutenant colonel is a rank in the British Army and Royal Marines which is also used in many Commonwealth countries. The rank is superior to major, and subordinate to colonel...
John Rickett) — Sapper HillSapper HillSapper Hill is on East Falkland, Falkland Islands, . It is just to the south of Stanley, and is heavily mined from the Falklands War. It is named after a company of sappers who were based at Moody Brook barracks.-Falklands War:...
. (†33) - 1st Bn, 7th Duke of Edinburgh's Own Gurkha Rifles (Lt ColLieutenant-Colonel (UK)Lieutenant colonel is a rank in the British Army and Royal Marines which is also used in many Commonwealth countries. The rank is superior to major, and subordinate to colonel...
David Morgan) — Mount WilliamMount WilliamMount William is a prominent snow-covered mountain, 1,600 m, standing 4 miles north-northeast of Cape Lancaster, the south extremity of Anvers Island, in the Palmer Archipelago. It was discovered on February 21, 1832, by John Biscoe who believed it to be part of the mainland of Antarctic...
. (†1) - 97 Battery Royal Artillery
- 6 x 105 mm L118 Light GunsL118 Light GunThe L118 Light Gun is a 105 mm towed howitzer, originally produced for the British Army in the 1970s and widely exported since, including to the United States, where a modified version is known as the M119A1...
- 6 x 105 mm L118 Light Guns
- HQ 4 Field Regiment, RA
- 36 Engineer Regiment Lt Col Geoff Field RE (CRE)
- 9 Parachute Squadron RE Maj Davis RE
- 11 Field Squadron RE Maj Hawkins RE
- 61 Plant Squadron RE
- 1 x Field Troop, 20 Field Squadron RE (att 9 Para Sqn RE)
- 656 Squadron Army Air Corps (†21982 British Army Gazelle friendly fire incidentOn 6 June 1982, during the Falklands War, the British Royal Navy Type 42 destroyer engaged and destroyed a British Army Gazelle helicopter, serial number XX377, in a friendly fire incident, killing all four occupants...
)- 6 x Gazelle
- 6 x Scout
- 10 Field Workshop REME (†3)
- 16 Field Ambulance (†3)
- 81 Ordnance Company
- Forward Air Control Party
- 2 x FAC
- Army Catering Corps (†4)
- 407 troop Royal Corps of Transport, 2nd lt Ash RCT
- 63 Squadron RAF RegimentQueen's Colour SquadronThe Queen's Colour Squadron is the unit of the Royal Air Force charged with the safe-keeping of the Queen's Colour for the Royal Air Force in the United Kingdom. Since its formation, it has been manned exclusively by officers and men of the RAF Regiment...
- Rapier Missile FS.B2Rapier missileRapier is a British surface-to-air missile developed for the British Army and Royal Air Force. Entering service in 1971, it eventually replaced all other anti-aircraft weapons in Army service; guns for low-altitude targets, and the English Electric Thunderbird, used against longer-range and...
Launcher
- Rapier Missile FS.B2
Infantry weapons
- L9A1 Browning
- L1A1 SLR (main infantry weapon)
- L42A1 (Sniper rifle)
- L2-A2 (Hand grenade)
- M79M79 grenade launcherThe M79 grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, break-action grenade launcher that fires a 40x46mm grenade which used what the US Army called the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low, and first appeared during the Vietnam War...
(infantry grenade launcher) - L4 Bren
- L7A2 GPMG
- L14A1 Carl Gustav Recoilless RifleCarl Gustav recoilless rifleThe Carl Gustav is the common name for the 84 mm man-portable reusable multi-role recoilless rifle produced by Saab Bofors Dynamics in Sweden...
- Rocket 66mm HEAT L1A1
- MILANMILANMILAN " is French and German for "kite bird") is a European anti-tank guided missile. Design of the MILAN started in 1962. It was ready for trials in 1971, and was accepted for service in 1972. It is a wire guided SACLOS missile, which means the sight of the launch unit has to be aimed at the...
ATGM (used against Argentine bunkers) - L9A1 51 mm MortarL9A1 51 mm Light MortarThe L9A1 51 mm Light Mortar is a man-portable mortar system used by the British Army. Smoke, illuminating and high explosive bombs are available. A short range insert device allows the weapon to be used in a direct fire mode...
- L16A1 81 mm MortarL16 81mm MortarThe United Kingdom's L16 81 mm mortar is the standard mortar used by the British armed forces. It originated as a joint design by UK and Canada. The version produced and used by Australia is named the F2 81mm Mortar, whilst the version used by the U.S...
- BlowpipeBlowpipe missileThe Shorts Blowpipe is a man-portable surface-to-air missile which was in use with the British Army and Royal Marines from 1975. It was superseded by an interim design, Javelin, and later the greatly improved Starstreak missile.-Description:...
MANPADSMan-portable air-defence systemMan-portable air-defense systems are shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles . They are typically guided weapons and are a threat to low-flying aircraft, especially helicopters.-Overview:...
(infantry use) - FIM-92 StingerFIM-92 StingerThe FIM-92 Stinger is a personal portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile , which can be adapted to fire from ground vehicles and helicopters , developed in the United States and entered into service in 1981. Used by the militaries of the U.S...
MANPADSMan-portable air-defence systemMan-portable air-defense systems are shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles . They are typically guided weapons and are a threat to low-flying aircraft, especially helicopters.-Overview:...
(special forces use) - M16A1M16 rifleThe M16 is the United States military designation for the AR-15 rifle adapted for both semi-automatic and full-automatic fire. Colt purchased the rights to the AR-15 from ArmaLite, and currently uses that designation only for semi-automatic versions of the rifle. The M16 fires the 5.56×45mm NATO...
& M203M203 grenade launcherThe M203 is a single shot 40 mm grenade launcher designed to attach to a rifle. It uses the same rounds as the older M79 break-action grenade launcher, which utilize the High-Low Propulsion System to keep recoil forces low. Though versatile, and compatible with many rifle models, the M203 was...
(special forces weapon) - L2A3 SterlingSterling submachine gunThe Sterling submachine gun is a British submachine gun which was in service with the British Army from 1944 until 1994, when it was phased out with the introduction of the L85A1 assault rifle.-History:...
(support services weapon i.e. for tank crewmen, engineers and artillerymen)