“The Falklands are a group of islands in the South Atlantic which have been under British Sovereignty since 1833. When the Argentineans invaded the Falklands on 2 April 1982 the British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, announced that Britain would win the islands back, taking them by force if necessary. Under Operation ‘Corporate’, a task force was immediately assembled and sent on its way south. Both Brigadier Peter de la Billière and Lieutenant-Colonel Mike Rose, the Commander of 22SAS, fought hard to have the regiment included in the task force. By early April, members of D and G Squadrons were on their way.





The SAS saw their first action on the little island of South Georgia, 500km (310 miles) south of Falklands. With its small Argentinean garrison, retaking the island was seen as a low-risk, high propaganda measure; men from the SAS, SBS and M Company of 42 Commando achieved the task on the 26 April.

Sea King 'Commando', Used on 'cross-decking' operations

The SAS mounted diversionary raid the night before the main task force landing on San Carlos on East Falkland. This involved 60 men of D Squadron hitting the garrison at Goose Green with the aim of simulating a battalion-sized attack. Using a vast amount of 66mm rockets, and automatic gunfire, the SAS laid down a ferocious barrage. Early next morning, with the main landing completed, the SAS withdrew from Goose Green.

The night of 14/15 May saw one of the most daring raids carried out by the SAS during the conflict. A reconnaissance group of D Squadron had already reported the presence of eleven aircraft at the Pebble Island airstrip on West Falkland.

Twenty members of Mountain Troop D Squadron, led by Captain John Hamilton, assaulted the airstrip with orders to destroy all aircraft. Despite a few last minute hitches, by the time they finished, all the aircraft hand been destroyed or rendered irreparable, and one Argentinean lay dead. Two of the squadron were wounded from shrapnel when a mine exploded, although they were not seriously hurt. The success of the mission was a serious blow to Argentinean morale.

On 19 May the regiment suffered a tragic blow when a Sea King helicopter, carrying a large group of SAS troops cross-decking from HMS Hermes to HMS Intrepid, accidentally crashed killing 22 men.

For the next few weeks the SAS continued their aggressive actions, and at the end of May, D Squadron seized Mount Kent, some 64km (4o miles) behind enemy lines and held it until relieved by 42 Commando.

The last major SAS raid was mounted in East Falkland on the night of 14 June. This involved attacking the Argentinean rear while 2 Para assaulted Wireless Ridge, just a few kilometres west of Port Stanley. A total of 60 men from D and G Squadrons and six men from the SBS used Rigid Raiders to assault Port Stanley harbour, setting fire to the oil-storage tanks while laying down suppressive fire. The Argentineans retaliated in overwhelming numbers and the raiders were forced to retreat. Shortly afterwards the Argentine surrender was effectively instigated by 22 SAS’s commanding officer. Mike Rose.”

Extract from ‘The Complete Encyclopaedia of the SAS’ by Barry Davies