The Falklands War 1982 (Full Documentary) 

It's absolutely incredible that we get this level of content for free on RU-vid! This is such a well made documentary

Always nice when the BBC broadcasts the details of your surprise attack hours before LOL

When I was young I also initially thought the Falklands are north of Scotland, and it was really confusing that Argentina would invade all the way there.

After the surrender, Admiral Woodward was offered a meeting with General Menedez. He refused on the grounds that he felt that he would probably be unable to act fully within the bounds of the Geneva Convention. He was absolutely livid at Menedez for causing all that death and destruction.

I wish HMS Invincible had been saved as a museum instead of being scrapped.

What’s fascinating is that it was an Argentine dictator trying to bolster support at home but failing to take into account that he was dealing with a Conservative pm who had nothing left to lose by military action because failure to act would have been political suicide.

Great job on clearing up the mines. I was last in the Falklands in 2010 and had no idea that goal would be achieved by 2020. Thank you for the production, IWM.

It's so interesting how polite, gentlemanly and intellectual the British military leaders and soldiers are. If you didn't know they were battle hardened warriors, you'd almost think they were professors in college! I think it's a testament to the professionalism of the British military. No "talking tough" or bombast--they just do their job and let their actions speak.

There was a group of US Marines who were part of a "transfer program" serving aboard one of the UK carriers (Invincible, I believe). Though temporarily under the "command" of the British, they were ordered to depart the ship prior to the task force's departure. Naturally, (being Marines) they were unenthusiastic about it because, according to the British, they felt it was "improper to have a war without inviting the US Marines".

As a Chinese international students who currently live in UK, I was curious about every history I could acknowledge, including this one. I think UK did proof that the RN was still hard to be defeated.

Hi IWM. Love your work 👍

No one had seen trench foot since the first world war she says? Obviously not an expert in WW2 then as it was also a big problem there. One prime example is the defence of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge where the American 101st suffered terribly in the frozen conditions with little to no cold weather gear.

"Argentina believed that Britain wouldn't respond" I'd be truly interested to find out if there has been any point in British history where a foreign nation has been allowed to simply invade a UK territory and keep it while the uk government sits idle.

I didn't spend weeks from goose green to Stanley cold and getting shot for nothing. Yep Falkand then , now , and always. Still looks like we left it 42 yrs ago.

The sinking of HMS Sheffield seems very sanitised in this account. The ship was lost as result of negligence/ineptitude, according to most accounts. A ministry of defence inquiry was less than complementary. The Argentine attack was spotted by another ship, and HMS Sheffield notified. The Sheffield failed to respond accordingly.

They do have two names, I agree. West Falkland and East Falkland.

It was very interesting to hear about the aftermath, a part of history rarely talked about.

Thank you! For some reason I'm fascinated by this conflict, even though I'm not British or Argentinian. Maybe it has to do with the competence displayed by both the British soldiers and the Argentinian pilots. It seems to have gone downhill from there.

Yo reconozco a los Argentinos que combatieron por las Malvinas, Pero que Argentina le declaré la Guerra a los Ingleses, Lo que hizo Argentina, fue una Gansada. Además él argentino no tiene mentalidad de combatir, lo único que le importa, es él fútbol, el choripan y la cervecita. Saludos 👋

Fun fact: the Spanish name for the islands (Islas Malvinas) originates from a French city of Saint-Malo which itself is named after a British monk. 🇬🇧

Seen this a few times before probably watch it again sometime 👍

Let’s not forget that the Argentine dictator also wanted Chile on the same basis.

One of the better documentaries I've ever seen on this very interesting and surprising--at that time--conflict.

Thanks for this. I lived through it but I was too young to understand what was going on.

One thing that’s interesting is if you actually look at some history, you find out that the British government at the time we’re actually considering removing the Falkland Islands from their control. However, I don’t know if it was a vote or a pole. The Islanders all basically claimed they wanted to stay a British territory. And if I recall, all of this was done just months before the conflict started. I’ve also read that a number of the Argentinian soldiers, many of which were conscripts didn’t even really understand why they were even there. Many of them, apparently even claimed that they saw no real reason for these islands to be taken by Argentina, because they offered nothing in terms of mineral wealth or anything like that.

Condolences to the families of troops who lost their lives or to those who were maimed or injured. It was an immense achievement on the part of British forces and testament to their courage and professionalism. Others around the World should be left in no doubt, that Britain will defend British people and British interests, no matter the foe, no matter the odds. God bless all those who served. God bless the Falkland Islanders, each and everyone. May you remain British forever. A salutary warning that aggressor nations can never be appeased.

great documentary, thanks!

There is only one name for the Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands does not have two names. Unless you count 1. Falkland 2. Islands. I suppose then it does.

I was serving in the Australian navy on a type 14 frigate or as the RAN called them Destroyer escort. We were heading East across the Pacific to Hawwaii to conduct RIMPAC exercises with the yanks. Word of the Falklands conflict spread round the ship with a strong rumor that we were going to be re-deployed to assist the Royal navy then the rumor changed and that we were to head to the Persian gulf to relive a Royal navy frigate so it could sail South to the Falklands. Obviously neither of these scenarios came true, but as a young nineteen year old whose father and uncle saw service in the RN during WW2 I was keen to get amongst it, Silly boy I was. Interesting to hear Israel assisted Argentina in the fight against Britain, when my understanding is Britain through Lord Balfour played a crucial part in the creation of Israel.🤔

Awesome video! I wish to indicate (re: start of video) that the islands are named, in Spanish and French simply as languages and not so as to further a dispute, las Islas Malvinas / les Îles Malouines because of the French port of St. Malo whence came 18th century French fishermen fishing around the islands. The Spanish name actually comes from French.

Brilliant brilliant documentary 👏

THE FALKLANDS ARE BRITISH! THE FALKLANDS ARE BRITISH! THE FALKLANDS ARE BRITISH! 🇫🇰 🇬🇧

This was really terrific!

Is this changed? Or just a reupload?

The BEST DOC. I have ever seen. Well documented, informative, and exciting! From SC in the USA 67yo male BA;MS;PhD

The thing that I absolutely don’t understand is why did they think they can take Britain. Granted the mainland uk is far and Argentina is really close to Falkland which was massive advantage for Argentina but Britain didn’t have an empire the biggest empire ever 25% of total landmass of earth at one point without knowing how to launch an attack at far away land and surely they knew British military was far more advanced in fact all 3 aspect of military with British navy , British air force and British army was far superior to Argentina’s so they were never going to win. So either they massively misjudged and miscalculated and thought Britain might just not bother or they had supreme confidence in their military but the whole thing was suicidal and they lost a lot of good men for nothing except dented pride a loss of ships , aircrafts , loss of economy , money etc etc

Great documentary

The BBC particularly the lunchtime programme. Pebble Mill at One had been warning about the impending invasion for weeks before it happend

That Rose is very impressive in construction, in meaning and as a symbol. It seems a shame to hide it in a box.

Oversimplified be like: "There's a tax for that.".😂

Let's just hope this was the last time Britain tried the appeasement route. In doesn't ever seem to work out.

Great documentary explaining, why things happened

Is stephen merchant narrating???

The Brits still make the finest documentaries.

It’s strange seeing photos of British troops fighting around ‘British style’ homes.

Second Falklands documentary I’ve watched this week LETS GO ❤

Good summary. FYI, 'Thule' as in Southern Thule is a Norse name and pronounced 'Too-lee', not 'Th-ewe-l'. I was with a Harrier detachment at Belize at the beginning of Apr 82. When we heard no one had any idea where the Falklands were, although I'd read of the place as a punishment posting in 'Brave New World'. The RoE for the Task Force weren't changed on 1 May 'to include warships'; I think you must have just mis-spoke. Clearly it was set up primarily to include warships. The change was to authorise Conqueror to attack enemy warships outside the Exclusion Zone. The attack on the Belgrano is also rather misrepresented. Yes, 20m of deck was ruptured but that would not have been fatal. Rather, is was the enormous hole ripped in the side of the ship that dealt the key blow, although the loss of the entire bow a few seconds early would not have helped the ship's navigability! The first description of the non-detonation of Argentine bombs is slightly off. The bombs are fused by a wee propellor on the nose that has to spin a certain number of times and screw in a contact before the fuse is made live. With the A-4s forced into ultra low-level release these props didn't have time before they hit to spin up and arm the bombs. So it wasn't the skill of the pilots that was the problem but over-conservativism by the armourers. Once of course as I understand it [a UK Red-Top Newspaper] had made the issue public they were able to rectify this. You repeatedly talk about there being just 20 SHAR, but this was the number embarked in UK on the 2 carriers. Another 8 came down on Atlantic Conveyor and transferred to the carriers before she was lost. I did wonder when we were going to get round to 1 Sqn and the GR3 Harriers, and it's a little odd to be talking about countering the Argie air threat while standing in front of a GR3, all of whose sorties were of course air-to-mud. So yes there were another 4 RAF Harriers on Hermes from the start and a further 6 arrived on the RFA. So the actual total Harrier force numbered 32, although 4 GRs were lost to ground fire and 6 SHAR to SAM, AAA and accident. In re Black Buck, the physical impact was the tactical impact. The word you need in 'strategic'. And before the debate starts, no, 1000lb bombs delivered at low-level are pretty useless against runways, retard tails or not, and the Harriers had no high-level bombing capability. The GR3s were never, at any stage fitted with radar! The main problem I have with this though is that is clearly stitched together from previous material so the timeline is frequently broken and there is lots of repetition, some issues being covered three times! Better editing would both shorten and improve!

That Vulcan aircraft is still preserved at RAF WADDINGTON Lincolnshire England 🇬🇧

Never let the British cover history. I'm here to honour and respect Argentina. Love from Greece.🏛🐬🔱🐟⚓

Excellent documentary, greetings from Chile 🇨🇱

8.000 Miles Away - Jegsy Dodd and the Sons of Harry Cross. #poetry #OurHistory ☘️ 📚 🌟

As a young army recruit . We were on standby to go.

Argentina's claim is without merit. Evidence of the insincerity of their claim is that they invaded not only the Falklands/Malvinas, but also South Georgia. South Georgia is much farther from Argentina, and it has no Spanish or Argentine history at all. It has always been British entirely.

fue cuantos buenos hombres se perdieron en esa guerra sin sentido y estados unidos enpujando de ambos lados

What a excellent documental!! As an argentinian i found it very impartial. Even with a few details omitted as france blocking our exocets missiles software and not giving the quantity wich Argentina had already paid. Argentinian engineers had to discover how to bypass exocets computer to activate destination (this is why the high detination fail rate).

Could we say that the Harrier was the Spitfire of its day?

Falklands then. Falklands now. Falklands forever.

I loved the lyrics of a Macc lads song " Frey Bentos and cheap red wine, Is all they have in the Argentine, But after a scrap with the English Navy they asked for the recipe for chips and gravy!. Hilarious

Excellent.

Many thanks to the IWM for this in-depth look at the Falkland/Malvinas. You helped explain the political situation, whereas neither the U.S. nor Argentina ever did or would have.

Argentina such a friendly place and people 4 minutes into the video. It does boggle the mind when NAZI war criminals are given asylum, The Argentine goverment with authoritarion violations to their own citizens rights are suddenly forgotten when they invade the Falklands.

It's 2nd time I saw this documentary about Falkland Island.

Ah, yes, the Falklands, where Prince Andrew lost the ability to sweat. Tragic stuff

all being said and done and considering that the rest of the world doesn't care about a war between Britain and Argentina, these island should obviously belong to the Philippines

It was another 'Nelson moment' - what other Wars probably didn't even start due to winning the Falklands War

First attack was Black Buck 1, RAF Vulcan attack on airfield of port Stanley

We shouldn’t loose sight of the courage shown by the Argentinian forces who were cut off, hated by the locals (which wasn’t what they were expecting, something this documentary didn’t show). We need to maintain a good defence against a repeat of this war, I’ve a YT Chanel stating Argentina is looking to buy F16 fighters. So we need to ensure there looking at defence only any sign of attack and we need to ensure our allies don’t supply them with the tools to invade the FALKLAND ISLANDS. WE NEED A STRONGER NAVY. Thankfully we’ve sorted a lot of the equipment issues, however we must never ever be caught like this again.

I stopped the video and typed this the moment it lost all credibility. It happened when he said the falklands have two names. No they don't. Their called the falklands.

Argentina fought for the Islands, Britain fought for the Islanders. Kudos.

Argentinian Gov't unintentionally proped up Tatcher's. That's ironic.

The vulnerability of surface ships was learnt in WW2

last 5 seconds of video, Not anymore

Please can we have a video about midget submarines? Please?

It was an enormous miscalculation by the Argentine Junta to invade.

I read "The Falklands War" by Martin Middlebrook (Pen & Sword). The war was won by Admiral Woodward, the RAF Hurricane Pilots, the Paras, the Royal Marines, the Scots Guards, and by the Grace of Lady Luck and Almighty God. The war was almost won by the courageous and very professional pilots of the Argentine Air Force. The outcome was a closer call than most people even imagine.

The Mighty Avro Vulcan Used In Anger Grand !!!!

There were not 30,000.

Big up to the BBC for letting the diegos know about the bombs fusing

As I understand it (I'm open for correction) , G.B. was already willing to give the Falklands back to Argentina, but was in negotiations to ensure the residents some reasonable Rights . I'm really glad the Brits put them in their place . The Brits really try to be DECENT , but have a Steel backbone when they get Abused . Then ... they get as mean as anyone can . Good for them . And good for Thatcher !

The Argentinians heard the Gurkha’s were on the way and they knew it was simply a matter of time until they lost.. So they got out of there before they arrived🤔

The Falkland islands are roughly 500 kilometres from Argentina. What geographical features or countries are within 500km from UK ??

Great topic, but the editing is pretty poor with what appears like several repeats of the same part of the battle.

F A L K L A N D I S L A N D S F O R E V E R!!!

I remember during the conflict being told by a Spanish translator that the Argentinians were told if they were captured by the British, they would be eaten. Guess that's one way to keep your men fighting.

The question is, if Argentina’s government was so barbaric with their people (30000 disappeared which isn’t true, just 8000 some in some internal anti communist war) why England was such a weapons supplier to Argentina. And we are not talking small guns. All Canberra’s planes bombs and 2 type 42 which one of them assembled in Argentina and in 1981 was bought to Portsmouth to adjust weapons.

South Atlantic wind blows.

Only one name , the Falklands

Spain established its sovereignty starting in the 15th century over the Argentine territory and the Malvinas Islands. At the Nootka convention in 1790, England recognized as Spanish territory up to 18,520 kilometers (10 nautical leagues) from the coasts that its colonies occupied, with the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the Sandwich Islands only a little more than 500 kilometers away. In 1816 Argentina achieved its independence by claiming what was previously Spanish territory. In 1820 Argentina established its colony in Puerto Soledad and MAINTAINED POSSESSION OF THE ISLANDS FOR 13 YEARS. Rejecting illegal US fishing led to the attack by the war corvette Lexington on Puerto Soledad. On January 2, 1833, the British war frigate HMS Clio arrived, commanded by Captain John James Onslow, who took possession of the islands from the captain of the schooner Sarandí, José María Pinedo, because he was not in good condition. to resist. Let all good English people know that the Malvinas Islands are currently under the UN Special Committee on Decolonization. And the only thing that holds them back is British political and military power.

amazing how the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (that is the name,) did it without the shameful help from any country in the commenwealth or the European union. we stood alone...again.

Excellent documentary on the Falklands War. I don't blame the guys who retreated from the Gurkhas. Lol

What part isn't clear in the 21st century that we still have to explain this? Argentina has claimed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands since they became part of its territory after independence in 1816, even having its own Argentine government during that period. However, in 1833, the islands were illegally invaded by the United Kingdom without the consent of the Argentine government of the time. This British action was deemed illegitimate by Argentina and the international community. Since then, Argentina has maintained its sovereign claim over the Falkland Islands, supported by international law prohibiting the acquisition of territory by force. Therefore, Argentina's claim is based on both history, geography, and legal principles emphasizing the illegitimacy of the British occupation and Argentina's territorial integrity.

Disappointing that there are no real legal arguments presented here. There is really nothing on the legal claims to the territory. And we get the usual load of old rubbish about the Belgrano: declaring an exclusion zone means that all enemy belligerent ships are on notice that they risk attack within the zone. It does not say anything about attacking them outside the zone, which the RN were at liberty to do subject to the Law of Armed Conflict. The Belgrano was a perfectly legitimate target. Why declare an exclusion zone at all if it so limits your freedom of action?

1806: First British invasion of Buenos Aires Criolla Victory !!! 1807: Second British invasion of Buenos Aires Criolla Victory !!! 1845 - 1850: War of Parana Criolla Victory !!! ........ .... ................

The disputed islands lay here just off the coast of Argentina...

I was in Buenos Aires 3 weeks ago and still saw cars with Malvinas bumperstickers.

01:03 omg, that guy in the back forgot to put on pants! Argentina greatly underestimated the Iron Lady

Interesting that a proposal was made to pay all Falklanders to move to NZ. I would venture to suggest that if something like this happened, and the UK removed or destroyed all British infrastructure there, not a single Argentinian would voluntarily go and live there. It's not generally in their nature to go and live in isolation and work in relative solitude. They had to invite the Welsh and South African Boers to farm in Patagonia, as they couldn't hack the isolation.

If you read the book Beyond Endurance’ by Captain Nick Baker, Northwood had been given intelligence that this was going to happen a year prior to the invasion by the Naval Attaché in Chile, if you watch Ben Fogal’s documentary on the 40th anniversary of the invasion, John Nott, Thatchers Defence Secretary stated, ‘If Galteri hadn’t invaded, Thatcher would have given him the Falklands. Look up ‘ Operation Journeyman’ 1977, how a Prime Minister who was ex Royal Navy handled the same situation.

RAF Sir Tristram. Hells bells can’t they get it right. RFA Sir Tristram. Someone needed to have gone through this who knew what they were talking about.