Royal Marines 22-year old officer stationed in South Georgia, an isolated island off the southern Atlantic coast of South Georgia, received a clear radio message from his superiors. “When you’re asked to surrender, don’t.”
The second, seemingly contradictory order was issued half an hour later. ‘The OCRM [Officer Commanding Royal Marines]Is not to, and repeat not to, take any action which would put life at risk.
Keith Mills’ actions in the difficult opening hours of Falklands War earned him the Distinguished Service Cross. He was also feted as one of conflict’s most heroic heroes.
This is just one of many remarkable stories of courage and gallantry that I have the privilege to share in my new book, which will be published to commemorate the 40th anniversary the end of the ten week conflict.
I have had in-depth conversations about former military personnel and can pay tribute to their courage in fighting the Argentine invasion in 1982. I am grateful for everyone’s time and their memories, not all of them fond or easy because, as with all wars, there was a heavy price to pay – even in victory.
In so many ways, the Falklands War was a remarkable conflict. The Falklands War could be considered the final colonial war Britain fights. Whether or not this is the case, it is remarkable that the country sent a force of 20,000 military personnel to fight for a small cluster of islands 8,000 miles away that were home to only 1,820 people – and 400,000 sheep.
My book will not shed light on the greatest controversies surrounding this war.
Keith Mills was in command of the small Royal Marines force that prepared to defend South Georgia at the British southern Atlantic outpost. It began in the morning of April 3rd 1981. This was a difficult situation. His young team was responsible for surviving the Argentine attack, with only two men available and no reinforcements nearby.
Could it not have been prevented? Do you think Britain needed to fight, resulting in the death of 255 British military personnel, three islanders and 649 Argentines? Should we have attacked the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano – an episode that is still controversial 40 years on? Is the Battle for Goose Green too risky?
Many of these issues were addressed in detail over the years. Instead, I want to celebrate and highlight the bravery of those who gave their lives to ensure that the Falkland Islanders can continue living without Argentine interference.
They are the stories they tell.
It all started on March 19, 1982 when a small group of civil scrap-metal workers illegally landed on South Georgia (a Falkland dependency) and raised the Argentine flag.
As many people in Argentina believed, the Falklands, also known as Las Malvinas to them, belonged to Argentina.
Acting Lieutenant Keith Mills, along with his small unit of Royal Marines, were in South Georgia before the Argentine Invasion.
British Antarctic Survey was alerted to the arrival of workers and sent messages to London as well as to Rex Hunt the Governor of Falkland.
The British requested that the flag of Argentina be lowered. Hunt, however, refused to accept diplomatic politeties and sent the British patrol boat Endurance south to South Georgia in order to drop off 22 Royal Marines. Their mission was to observe events.
In a matter of days tensions began to escalate. This was not a serious incident that appeared to have any consequence. It quickly escalated into something much worse.
Hunt broadcast a radio message to islanders on April 1. He told the islanders that there was mounting evidence that Argentine armed force were preparing for an invasion of Falkland Islands. The events unfolded quickly.
Hunt declared a State of Emergency the following day. In minutes, Argentine commandos landed 3 miles south of Port Stanley. They advanced on Government House.
Hunt surrendered after an exhausting two-hour gun battle and being cut off from London. Argentina and its leader in the military junta, General Leopoldo Galltieri were now fully in command of the Falkland Islands.
It is the hour of the man.
Keith Mills was in command of the small Royal Marines force that prepared to defend South Georgia at the British southern Atlantic outpost. This happened on April 3. This was a difficult situation. His young team was responsible for surviving the Argentine attack, with only two men available and no reinforcements nearby.
The Royal Marines were faced with overwhelming odds after Argentine forces reached the Falkland Islands. They called it Las Malvinas. (See survivors of the RFA Sir Galahad that was bombarded in San Carlos Bay by Argentinian jets.
Argentina’s Captain Cesar Trmbetta called Mills at 10.30 in the morning from Bahia Paraiso, an auxiliary ship. He said that the former Governor had surrendered all dependencies and islands as a result of the successful Malvinas operation. We recommend that you follow a similar path to avoid any death. All British military personnel and troops will be returned to the UK unscathed.
Mills asked for time to clarify the situation – to consider his response and to radio his superiors on Endurance, now many miles away, for guidance. Although Mills had been hoping for several hours of grace, he was only given five minutes. He was quick, determined and determined in his reply.
Bahia Paraiso radioed him back, stating that he was the British commander for the South Georgia military troops. “Any attempt to land is met with force.”
His commanding officer at Endurance, Nick Barker wrote many years later: “We were most afraid for Keith and the Marines. Accepting the risk is part of the deal when you are a member of the armed forces. You don’t expect to be fighting on a godforsaken mountainside, or even die.
Mills’s men, with a Union Jack flapping beside them dug into an area about 100 meters from shore in a protected bay. Mills’s men placed explosive devices and mines at the spot where they feared the enemy would be. Mills said that the plan was to make their enemies bleed and then retreat into the mountains where they had basic supplies.
Marines were first to see the invading force when they saw Guerrico’s corvette, a small warship. It was coming close to the British Antarctic Survey station. An Alouette helicopter was hovering over it.
Mills displayed great courage and marched down the jetty to meet the Argentine landing party. The helicopter instead landed, dropping eight enemy marines near by. One of them raised his gun in Mills’ direction. The pilot retreated. The next step was to have a Puma helicopter, from Bahia paraiso, land on the beach. Mills directed his men open fire. More than 500 small arms rounds were shot at the helicopter by Mills’ men from less than 100m. The helicopter, trailing smoke, pulled off and made a slow, 1,200-metre sprint to the other end of the bay where it crashed-landed.
The next helicopter to arrive was an Alouette. Another helicopter, this time an Alouette, was hit and also crashed.
Guerrico was blasting away from the bow with a pair of 40mm guns and one 100mm gun.
British expected the British to see it stop within their reach and fire from far away, but Guerrico continued on its way until it was just 500m away.
Mills stated in his official account of the incident (a copy of which I obtained): “I ordered my men open fire. The corvette was determined to enter the bay. It could not return. A first shot of 84mm ammunition at the corvette landed 10 meters short of its intended target. While the round didn’t detonate upon impact with the water it detonated on impact below the waterline. Heavy machine guns and rifle fire were also used to engage the ship.
Mills added: “The ship then moved straight into the bay, around-turned, and set sail again at full speed. The corvette was engaged again, and we scored anti-tank rocket strikes to the Exocet. [missile system]over the main upper-deck structure.
‘We had made 1,275 hits against the corvette. Had we not hit her below the water line, she would certainly have sunk. I was informed later by an Argentine Marine Officer.
The heavy shelling continued for twenty minutes, before a ceasefire appeared. Mills was then able to see the grave danger in their current situation.
He said, “I realized that a withdraw for us would almost be impossible since the Argentine troops had landed along the far side the bay to stop our withdrawal.” We had only suffered one loss, but I knew that we could sustain many more if our withdrawal was delayed until after dark.
“Having accomplished our objective of forcing the Argentines use military force, it was clear that we couldn’t achieve more. This was when I realized that we could not achieve more.
Mills recalled that even this was a frightening and potentially dangerous experience.
He recalled that despite not having intended to surrender, they had no white flag and had to use a green anorak, with a white liner, to escape the situation. “On initial waving this article clothing. [perched on the top of a rifle]The Argentines responded with heavy fire. Then I waved it once more and it wasn’t engaged.
“I realized I had to change my position in order to reach an agreement with the Argentines. They were unlikely to approach me.” Surprisingly, I wasn’t shot. I stood slowly up. After moving forward, I was greeted by an Argentine marine official.
I told him his position was very desperate and that we must cease firing. He and his men will surely die if he does not stop firing. If we could be assured good treatment, we would surrender our arms. He would not have survived if our positions were taken forcefully.
“The Argentine officer accepted my request, saying it was a sensible decision that would ensure good treatment of my men.”
The battle for South Georgia ended after more than two hours’ intense fighting.
The 22 Royal Marines were confronted by an invasion force consisting of 300 enemy servicemen. One British soldier was killed in action, a corporal who had been shot two times. It is unknown how many enemy casualties were involved, however it seems likely that there were at least 20 killed and wounded.
Mills, with his men, gathered at the beach along 13 British Antarctic Survey researchers, and were then escorted to Bahia Paraiso.
Mills explained to me that the Argentines initially were ‘twitchy,’ even though they had been liberated by the British in a Devon house interview. Given the sheer strength of the resistance they were up against, Mills said that it was hard to believe and they feared they would be attacked.
He told me that they eventually accepted the fact that there was only 22 of us. Our men were worried that they might still be shot, even though the police were not armed.
“It was all very stressful. I was forced to inform the Argentines that wires were installed at the jetty as well as other locations. They didn’t need to blow themselves up now that they were all prisoner of war.
The British media picked up Mills’s story and compared it to Rorke’s Drift defense in 1879, during which a smaller group of British soldiers stood against a larger contingent of Zulu warriors. Whitehall was proud to see a headline that read: “Marine who showed Whitehall that the British fighting spirit is still alive.”
Mills, along with his men, were taken by a 11-day journey to Puerto Belgrano (an Argentine naval base) where they were questioned and interrogated. Mills became overcome by pride as he described how a top Argentine officer General Carlos Busser had demanded that he meet all 22 Royal Marines personally. Mills heard the Argentine tell Mills that he came to Mills’ because he was familiar with the story of South Georgia’s defense by British Marines. “I am a marine, and I felt that I must meet these men.”
Mills added: “With that the general moved along the line, saluted my men and then said to me, “If Argentine Marines were as good as British Marines, I would conquer the whole world.” Let me know if you need anything and I will get it for you.
“We made a list that included ‘Twentytwo one-way flights to London and 22 women.
“Busser stated, “You can have all the things on the list, except for the women and one-way tickets back home. But we left Argentina the day after that.
The Marines returned to England on April 19, in an RAF VC10 aircraft. They landed at RAF Brize Norton (Oxfordshire).
Keith Mills, his girlfriend Liz Stananought was again reunited the next day. Liz later became his wife. On June 4, he received the Distinguished Service Cross.
Three days later, Admiral Desmond Cassidi (second sea Lord, Chief of Naval Personnel) wrote Mills in a letter, congratulating him on his award of the DSC. You displayed the best traditions of the Corps through your strong leadership in this mission.
Mills left the Armed Forces in December after serving several more tours, which included operations in Northern Ireland and Bosnia. Mills is now 62 and has started a Devon-based business to develop and run care homes.
Thousands of miles away his legacy lives on – after hostilities ended, a mountain on South Georgia was named Mills Peak in the young officer’s honour.
Mills explained to me that while many are able to win gallantry medals for their efforts, it is rare to get a monument named after them. “I was touched.”
- Abridged extract from Falklands War Heroes, by Michael Ashcroft, published by Biteback on Tuesday at £25. To order a copy for £22.50, with free UK delivery, go to mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3176 2973 before November 28. Lord Ashcroft KCMG PC, a businessman as well as philanthropist and author, is a pollster. You can find more details about Lord Ashcroft’s work at lordashcroft.com. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter @LordAshcroft
Unsaved man screamed: “I used be handsome, but now I can’t look normal.”
Jeune Hendy, a selfless nurse who was dedicated to her work, bravely served as a nursing officer on the SS Uganda. It was anchored around and in the Falkland islands during World War II.
After some of the fiercest battles, up to 160 casualties a day – from both sides – were treated on board, some suffering horrendous injuries.
She said that there is nothing better than being a nurse and doing the right thing in difficult situations. We all realized that this was going be an entirely different experience.
“We were highly trained and qualified. But when we arrived in Gibraltar to sail to Falkland Islands, one of our tasks was to make a passenger boat into a hospital vessel. It was a case of make-do and-mend. We were unable to label the equipment brought onboard, so we began unpacking all boxes and asking ourselves, “What’s that?” Is this what you’re looking for?
Jeune Hendy, one of 40 nurses who bravely served as nurse staff on SS Uganda during World War II was one of many. The ship was anchored around Falkland Islands and it was manned by 40 women.
“Most of us hadn’t been to sea before so we were slightly apprehensive.”
Although Argentina claimed to be committed not to attacking the hospital ship, it was in fact a war zone, and the vessel was constantly at risk. Hendy, along with the nurses, discarded their uniforms in favor of shirts, pants, and woollen pullovers, to combat cold, sometimes sub-zero weather.
Hendy recalled, “As the Falklands approached, many of the inadequacies and conditions of our circumstances became obvious.” “For instance, we did not have appropriate footwear. So they sent out plimsolls, but the smallest shoe size was a seven – I am a five-and- a-half, so my shoes were like flippers.’
While she stated that she wasn’t nervous about any dangers, she was anxious about how they would deal with ‘all of the inadequacies aboard’.
On May 12, the SS Uganda sustained its first casualties, with 132 others injured at the end of June.
She stated that she saw men who were in extreme pain or in shock. “It was hard for me to see so many fit young men missing limbs or with limbs so severely injured they needed to be taken out. We had to pull the boots off with only one foot and place them over the sides because there wasn’t any room for body parts.
“It was extremely distressing. It was clear that they would have a very different life and that the military career was over.
Some of the burns also were very serious. A man who had terrible facial injuries was crying, grabbed me by the arm, and told me, “I used to be handsome. But now, I will never look normal again.”
“The work was never-ending. Every day we worked four hours, every night, for four hours.
The medical team was able to treat between 40-70 wounded soldiers daily during the height of the fighting. They treated 730 casualties including 150 Argentine military personnel.
Hendy shared with me her experience of breaking down and crying, despite her professionalism.
She said that a chappie who had served in Special Forces needed to have his left leg amputated. ‘But because of his medical history he couldn’t have a general anaesthetic – he had to have a local, spinal anaesthetic.
He was conscious even though he was being operated on. He was still conscious and I had to hold his hand. This brave man then said, “You poor nurses! My heart was touched by his courage and I felt so sad.
‘And I thought, this is the wrong way round – why are you reassuring me? He was an amazing man.
Hendy, along with her coworkers, treated enemy prisoners injured by war crimes with the same devotion and compassion that their British counterparts.
“I’m not sure what they were told about us but some young Argentine troops seemed incredibly afraid,” she said. He had surgery on one leg and I was there with him. After his leg was pinned, plated, and set in what is known as ‘Portsmouth cement’ it hardened. One piece fell to the floor and I was able to make a small penguin with it, which I then gave him as a gift after his operation.
‘When he was being transferred onto an Argentine Ship, he was calling me for help. So someone went to my rescue.
“He told me that he had the penguin, and gave me his rosary beads. It was very significant. He waved me off. The beads remained with me for many, many more years.
Hendy, a naval nurse from Argentina was the first to land on the Falklands. She jumped onto a landing craft to get supplies and then she surrendered to Argentine forces. She said, “I thought, I’ve come all the way to not set foot on Falkland Islands,”
She and her fellow nurses thought about their work on the return journey. We were nurses going back to work a bit older and wiser than we did before, but the men who were severely disfigured were not able do their job.
Hendy, who is now 65 and reflecting on her service almost four decades later said, “If someone asked, would you repeat it?”. You want to assist people in distress, who are suffering from terrible injuries, who are scared, and who are sick.
“It was an unforgettable experience and I am privileged to be a small part of it.
“I’ve always loved the military and my passion for it has only grown as a result all that I saw and experienced.”
© Michael Ashcroft, 2021