By the 31st March, British intelligence had led to the belief that an invasion of the Falkland Islands was imminent.

Rex Hunt, the governor of the islands, was warned. On 1st April he announced over the radio that an invasion was expected early on the morning of 2nd April.

The small Falklands garrison of Naval Party 8901 had deployed for the defence of Stanley, positioning four delaying sections on the Stanley road ready to fall back to Government House.

From 06.00 hours main attacks and supporting landings got under way. The Argentine troops split into two parties, one to capture Government House while the other was to neutralise the Royal Marines' barracks at Moody Brook, at the Western end of Port Stanley harbour. The first firing was heard by the defenders at 06.05.

The larger body of Argentine troops hit Moody Brook and then headed for Government House.

As the Marines began to fall back on Government House, one of the sections on the Stanley road stopped an Amtrak with anti-armour weapons.

At daybreak, with Government House surrounded, Governor Hunt attempted to negotiate.

Faced with overwhelming forces at Adm Busser's disposal, he ordered the Marines to lay down their arms, which they did at 09.30.

The Argentinians consolidated through the rest of the day.

News of the invasion began to reach London at around midday on 2nd April - 8am Falklands time.

The news of the invasion was publicly announced in Britain that afternoon.

In the early evening the Argentine ship Bahia Paraiso contacted the garrison in South Georgia by radio, telling it to expect an important message the following morning.