A RAF Vulcan made an attempt to destroy the TPS-43 radar of VCYA2, using Shrike anti-radar missiles. The results of the attack were regarded as 'unquantifiable' by the British Authorities.

Uganda entered Falkland Sound in daylight and proceeded to Grantham Sound to continue embarking wounded from Ajax Bay. -> more

Elk and Tidepool remained in San Carlos Water, unloading ammunition and refuelling the guardships. HMS Penelope was forced to return to the Carrier Battle Group due to mechanical problems.

As the Elk and Tidepool left the Sound on their way to rejoin HMS Andromeda, they passed Uganda who was on her way in. The hospital ship was on her way to a new anchorage in Grantham Sound.

During the night of 29th/30th May HMS Arrow fired 100 rounds at targets in the Fox Bay area, while HMS Ambuscade and Glamorgan bombarded targets in the Port Stanley area. -> more

Major Chris Keeble began negotiations with the defenders of Goose Green before dawn.

Argentine forces surrendered at Goose Green, up to 1,400 taken prisoner. Fewer than 700 British troops had taken the position.

The advance on Port Stanley was going to plan. -> more

HMS Fearless met and passed the Carrier Battle Group shortly before dawn.

HMS Arrow continued her bombardment, covering 2 Para's advance through Darwin. She returned to San Carlos Water by dawn.

Air support for the Para's push into Goose Green was to come from No 1 Squadron's GR3, but thick fog engulfed the carriers and no aircraft could fly until the push was well under way. -> more

The Amphibious Phase was now complete, with the Brigade ashore and virtually self-sufficient.

Sir Geraint and Europic Ferry left San Carlos during the night.

B Company, 41 Cdo, found the first Argentine presence finding a Captain de Corbeta of the Argentine Marine Corps. -> more

The Carrier Battle Group moved to the eastern section of the TEZ during the night of 25th/26th May.

The Group was joined by HMS Avenger, Active, Bristol, Cardiff, Minerva and Penelope. -> more

The previous evening RFA Tidepool, the Norland, Sir Bedivere and Sir Tristram had been escorted out of Falkland Sound by HMS Plymouth. They were taken in charge by the Ambuscade to be taken out of the TEZ.

25th May was Argentina's National Day and it was believed that major offensives would be likely. -> more

The fires on HMS Antelope continued to burn through the night. Shortly after dawn another major explosion occurred, the ship's back broke and she sank with her bows and stern sticking out of the water. Her survivors were transferred to the Norland during the day. -> more

HMS Brilliant had joined the Carrier Battle Group during the night, HMS Antelope replaced her at San Carlos, bringing with her the first re-supply convoy made up of the Stromness, Norland and Europic Ferry. The ships had spent the day before, along with Elk and RFA Resource on the edge of the TEZ, transferring hundreds of loads. -> more

An Argentine Air Force Boeing 707 on a reconnaissance mission avoided being hit by HMS Coventry's Sea Dart as a flash-door failed safe, preventing missile loading on the launcher.

A second 707 approached the Bristol Group later in the morning. Tidespring had reported the aircraft's presence and HMS Cardiff dropped back from the group. When the 707 came within her range, Cardiff fired a Sea Dart salvo. One missile was seen to burst close to the target which broke away. -> more

Providing close escort to the Amphibious Group during the passage west were HMS Antrim, Broadsword, Brilliant, Plymouth, Yarmouth, Argonaut, Ardent and RFA Fort Austin.

Midnight - HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid led fleet into Falkland Sound while HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible steamed south to launch air and sea attacks.

From 02:00 Task Force landed several thousand troops at San Carlos Water, 50 miles west of Port Stanley. -> more

During the night of 19/20 Glamorgan went inshore to bombard targets between the entrance to Choiseul Sound and Cape Pembroke.

Royal Navy Sea King helicopter from HMS Invincible crashed on a beach near Punta Arenas in Chile. Crew of three burn their machine and go into hiding, later surrendering and being repatriated.

The Amphibious Group turned to the west, leaving the Carrier Battle Group to continue to the south west.

The first offensive mission flown by the RAF from an aircraft carrier since October 1918, was launched from HMS Hermes.

At dusk HMS Glamorgan detached to bombard targets on the south coast. The purpose was to divert attention from events developing in Falkland Sound.

Cabinet approval given for landings.

HMS Glamorgan spent the night of the 18/19 bombarding targets between Port Stanley and Lively Island.

HMS Brilliant and Alacrity patrolled to the north of Falkland Sound.

A stream of warships, RFAs and STUFTs were still heading south from Ascension. Surveillance support was provided by a Nimrod 2P flown from Ascension.

The Battle and Amphibious Groups spent the day east-north-east of Port Stanley moving aircraft, weapons, equipment and assault units.

Troop movements from Canberra to HMS Fearless and Intrepid carried out by LCVP and LCU.

British troop-carrying helicopter ditched at night between ships in the Task Force, 21 lost.

HMS Invincible remained in the TEZ to cover the activity. The last of 809 Squadron's Sea Harriers were flown onto her from the Atlantic Conveyor later in the day.

HMS Invicible's first three CAP missions dropped six 1,000lb bombs on Port Stanley airfield.

Four Sea Harriers and four RAF Harriers took off from the Atlantic Conveyor to HMS Hermes. The STUFT Europic Ferry was following with the Amphibious Group carrying RN Wessex and RAF Chinook helicopters and ground crews. Once the Amphibious Group met with the Carrier Battle Group the jets would be off the Atlantic Conveyor allowing the helicopters to be transferred for preparation.

The Carrier Battle Group and Amphibious Group rendezvoused in the evening and although the Argentine Air Force missed this, they were soon provided with the information by the BBC Overseas Service.

Hopes faded for a successful outcome to United Nations peace negotiations.

Argentina's 'Navy Day', it was believed that there would be some major offensive actions.

Invincible's first CAP of the day dropped a couple of 1,000lb bombs on the Port Stanley airfield.

800 Squadron made a photo reconnaissance trip, bringing back pictures of Fox Bay, Goose Green, Port King and settlements in Lafonia.

The Sea Harriers provided defensive CAP for the Battle Group throughout the day in anticipation of any air attacks.

The Argentine Navy launched a Super Etendard attack but without the Neptune's shadowing capabilities, they had not been able to maintain their plot of the Battle Group's movements. This and deception measures put in place by the senior aviators on the British carriers meant that when the pair of Super Etendards popped up to target their Exocets, their radars swept only empty sea.

Helicopters were moved in order to prepare for the arrival of Atlantic Conveyor and her cargo.

HMS Hermes left the group in the mid-afternoon in order to rendezvous outside the TEZ with Atlantic Conveyor. One of Hermes' Sea King 5s was lost in the evening, the aircraft had to be ditched due to instrument malfunction.

Argentine Air Force commander Brigadier Lami Dozo warned that British task force will receive 'massive attack' if it sails within range of Argentine weapons.

EEC renewed sanctions against Argentina for another week: Italy and Ireland lift them altogether.

British ambassadors returned to the USA.

801 Squadron dropped more bombs on Port Stanley airfield.

Two armed reconnaissance missions were flown off HMS Hermes.

Argentine freighter Rio Carcarana spotted off Port King was bombed and strafed. The crew abandoned ship and made their way to Port Howard.
The naval auxiliary Bahia Buen Suceso, moored near the civilian settlement at Fox Bay was strafed by the Harriers.
Anti aircraft fire was heavy and one of the fighters returned with a bullet hole in its fin.

Late afternoon an 800 squadron sortie was flown off to photograph the damaged ships, Port Darwin, Moody Brook and Port Stanley airfield.

The photographs showed another bomb crater on Port Stanley airfield runway. This had been created by the Argentine Air Force unit who had begun to simulate bomb craters using bulldozers to build piles of mud which could be removed at night allowing aircraft to land.

The Amphibious Group came together. Fifteen RFAs and STUFT, HMS Fearless, Intrepid, Antrim, Plymouth, Argonaut and Ardent.

HMS Glamorgan sent inshore to continue bombardment. 130 rounds fired at targets in Port Stanley, Darwin and Fitzroy. The object of this was to convince the Argentineans that landings were to take place to the south of Stanley.

"Active Service " declared at midnight.

Bad weather prevented planned photo reconnaissance sorties to cover Port Stanley, Pebble Island and Fox Bay.

801 Squadron dropped 1,000lb bombs on Port Stanley airfield, Sapper Hill and a helicopter support base near Mount Kent.

800 Squadron's CAP dropped six 1,000lb bombs over the airfield.

The Carrier Battle Group operated to the East of the Falklands.

HMS Glasgow joined Coventry on the picket line.

The Argentine navy lost its last Neptune aircraft ending their long-ranging air reconnaissance and shadowing capability.

The weather began to clear in the late afternoon.

HMS Alacrity and later HMS Brilliant detached from the Battle Group for inshore operations.

Troops landed in Grantham Sound.

Sir Anthony Parsons, Britain's envoy at the United Nations, and Sir Nicholas Henderson, Britain's ambassador to the United States, flew home from UN peace negotiations for urgent talks with Mrs Thatcher.

801 Squadron dropped eight 1,000lb bombs on Stanley airfield. 800 Squadron dropped a further two later in the afternoon.

HMS Hermes, Broadsword and Glamorgan detached from the Battle Group to the north of East Falkland.

Troops landed by helicopter in Pebble Island off the northern tip of West Falkland, and destroyed 11 aircraft on a grass landing strip, plus an ammunition store.

Bad weather prevented the flight of CAPs and strike sorties.

Brigadier Thompson, Commander 3 Commando Brigade RM, held Orders Group meeting in HMS Fearless.

Five minesweeping trawlers left Ascension for South Georgia.

United Nations peace talks reported to be making progress.

QE2 sailed from Southampton with 5 Infantry Brigade embarked.

HMS Brilliant and Glasgow took up positions on the 'gun-line'.

The weather improved, allowing Hermes to send up a CAP (the first since 9th May).

Mid-afternoon Brilliant detected four aircraft heading toward her. Glasgow's Sea Dart loading system failed safe, she opened fire with her 4.5in gun but this jammed after firing eight rounds. Brilliant's Seawolf system fired three missiles in quick succession, Two scored direct hits and a third Skyhawk flew into the sea, the fourth plane dropped a 1,000lb bomb which bounced off the water and over the top of Glasgow's hangar.
Twenty minutes later another raid was detected. Glasgow's engineers were still fixing the weapons systems. This new wave of Skyhawks approached the ships weaving in order to avoid the close-range gunner's aim. This also confused Brilliant's Seawolf, at the moment when it should have fired, the system trained the launchers to their fore and aft positions.
The Skyhawks released their bombs at both ships. Bombs bounced over Brilliant but Glasgow was hit. A 1,000lb bomb entered amidships, 3 feet above the waterline, passed thought the upper part of the Auxiliary Machine Room and exited the ship through the other side at about the same height.
Damage control parties improvised plugs and the ships withdrew on a course which minimised rolling.

Hugh Gordon was CPO(OPS)(R) on Glasgow and the 12th May 1982 was his fortieth birthday.
"After the initial damage had been brought under control, I was in the mess when Steve Glasby, Chief Mechanician, came in, hot from several hours damage control. As he slumped against one of the mess benches, with a coffee I'd made for him. He asked if I was going to have any more anniversaries, and when I told him my wedding anniversary was on May 20th, to the delight and mirth of the rest of us in the mess, he gave a mock scream, and fled the mess. Of course he was soon back grinning broadly. All the light-hearted badinage that followed raised a few tired heads. " -> more

A Sea King ditched.

HMS Cardiff, which was on patrol in the Persion Gulf, left Gibraltar for South Atlantic.

Patrolling Nimrod sighted Argentine Boeing 707.

3 Commando Brigade Operation Order for landing issued.

HS Uganda received first casualties, sailors from HMS Sheffield.

HMS Alacrity sunk supply ship Isla de Los Estados, and continued through Falkland Sound checking for mines.

Hospital Ship Uganda arrived off the Falklands and established a 'Red Cross Box' with Argentine counterpart, Bahia Paraiso.

HMS Broadsword and Coventry were despatched to operate to the west of the West Falklands.

Carrier Battle Group joined by RFA Regent and BP STUFT tanker British Elk.

Bad weather prevented a great deal of aircraft movement on either side.

The remainder of the Narwal's crew was removed from the trawler by Sea King and the ship was sunk.

HMS Glasgow bombarded positions at Moody Brook.

HMS Sheffield sunk while under tow to safe anchorage in South Georgia.

Bristol Group left UK.

HMS Alacrity and Arrow detached for nocturnal operations.

Narwal, an Argentine fishing vessel being used as a spy ship, was bombed and strafed by two Royal Navy Sea Harriers. The two carriers flew off three Sea Kings, troops abseiled down to the trawler. Aboard, one man had been killed and eleven more injured. The prisoners were winched up to the Sea Kings, which then headed back to the carriers. It became clear that one of the Sea Kings had insufficient fuel to make it back to the carrier and HMS Glasgow made her way toward the helicopters. The Sea King was landed on the destroyer's deck with just three feet clearance between the tips of the rotor blades and the flight-deck hangar.

HMS Broadsword and Coventry bombarded positions around Port Stanley.

HMS Coventry shot down an Argentine Puma helicopter with a Sea Dart missile.

Late in the evening HMS Brilliant and Glasgow relieved HMS Broadsword and Coventry on the 'gun-line'. HMS Arrow and Alacrity patrolled the ends of Falkland Sound.

RFA Sir Bedivere left Ascension.

Newly-extended Exclusion Zone enforced.

First long-range air supply drops to Task Force in South Atlantic.

New peace initiative launched by United Nations secretary-general, Javier Perez de Cuellar.

Britain widened war zone to within 12 nautical miles of Argentina's coast.

mv Norland, carrying 2 PARA, arrived at Ascension to join Amphibious Task Group.

Amphibious Group sailed from Ascension.

Two Royal Navy Sea Harriers lost over the South Atlantic at night in bad weather.

Argonaut Group left Ascension.

HMS Exeter, a Type 42 destroyer, was ordered to proceed to join the Task Group.

HMS Cardiff, another Type 42, ordered to proceed to Gibraltar for maintenance and storage.

RAF Vulcan attacks Port Stanley for a second time.

Overnight the Carrier Battle Group had moved, the carriers were within 100 miles of Port Stanley with the three Type 42s formed into a picket line.

An Exocet missile hit HMS Sheffield. -> more>>

Sea Harrier was shot down attacking Goose Green airfield.

Two Lynxes from HMS Coventry and HMS Glasgow attacked 2 patrol craft. The Coventry flight sinks one of the craft. The Glagsow's flight targeted the Alferez Sobral and launched her two Sea Skua missiles. One of the missiles hit the bridge structure of the Alfrez Sobral, killed the commanding officer and several ratings.

Fog descended over the Carrier Battle Group's operating area.

The Argentine warships were pulled back to operate in shallower water, where submarines would not follow.

Argentine Fleet Commander Contralmirante JJ Lombardo set his countermeasures in motion.
He created four task groups to deliver a succession of blows from separate directions.

Carrier Battle Group rejoined by the Glamorgan group, HMS Brilliant and Yarmouth.

HMS Conqueror tracked the movements of the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano.

The three Type 42s were stationed thirty miles up-threat as a picket line.

HMS Glamorgan, Yarmouth, Alacrity and Arrow formed an anti-aircraft and anti-submarine screen protecting the main body of the two carriers and the RFAs Olmeda and Resource, with the Type 22s goalkeeping for the carriers.

CAP sections were flown before dawn.

HMS Plymouth recalled to screen the Carrier Battle Group.

RFA Fort Austin approached the TEZ, HMS Yarmouth was despatched to shepherd her.

By mid-afternoon the Argentine navy's plan had been thwarted by a lack of wind, the Argentine Skyhawks needed at least 25knots of natural wind to allow take off.

Argentine cruiser General Belgrano sunk by torpedoes fired from HMS Conqueror. -> more>>

BAS Survey team and two photographers left in HMS Antrim and RFA Tidespring for Ascension.

Russian spy trawler sighted off Ascension.

Admiral Woodward's Carrier group entered the TEZ.

Eleven Victor tankers and two RAF Vulcan bombers took off from Ascension to bomb Port Stanley runway.

HMS Invincible launched the first Sea Harrier Combat Air Patrol (CAP) of the conflict.

HMS Hermes launched its 12 Sea Harriers for attacks on Port Stanley airfield and Goose Green.

HMS Glamorgan, Alacrity and Arrow headed for the Falklands protected by the CAP.

HMS Brilliant and Yarmouth headed to the north-west of the Carrier group on submarine patrol.

HMS Plymouth detached to reinforce South Georgia defences.

By mid-afternoon, the Glamorgan group came within gun range of Port Stanley airfield.

As the Glamorgan group bombarded the airfield they came under attack by three Mirages.
HMS Glamorgan and Alacrity were both near-missed by 1,000lb parachute-retarded bombs and strafing caused some superficial damage to Glamorgan and Arrow, wounding Arrow's Seacat aimer.

HMS Glamorgan tracked Argentine aircraft and gave warnings to the carriers for the rest of the day.

The Glamorgan groups bombardment of Stanley airfield continued until 0135 covering the landings of reconnaissance teams at Port Stanley.