This essay will take a broad look at the Falklands Conflict of 1982 in.
which the British Armed Forces re-took the islands following the.
Argentinean invasion. It will identify four key factors that are.
fundamental to the success of the operation using examples from the second.
world war and testimony from Admiral Woodward to reinforce the argument.
The essay will look at the speed with which the British taskforce was.
ordered south, the use of the deception tactic as a means of achieving.
surprise, the crucial role played by the British forces, most notably the.
Royal Navy and finally the understanding of the limitations imposed by the.
weather and changing seasons.
Main.
Towards the end of 1981 and early 1982, the political outlook for the.
conservative party in power at that time under Margaret Thatcher was fairly.
bleak.It could be argued that the invasion of the Falkland Islands came.
at a crucial time for the government, a fact that clearly did not go.
unnoticed and affected a rapid response. It is the speed and decisiveness.
of this response, to retake the British colony that ultimately, months.
later afforded the task force under Admiral Sandy Woodward, the time to.
achieve the aim. With national defence cuts devastating the armed forces,.
several interested parties were keen to demonstrate the invaluable nature.
of their services. One such individual was Admiral Sir Henry Leach, the.
Chief of the Defence staff. On being asked by the Prime Minister if we.
could re-take the islands, he responded with the positive and decisive.
answer that we should recapture the Falklands because:.
'if we do not, or if we pussyfoot in our actions and do not achieve.
complete success, in another few months we shall be living in a.
different country whose word counts for little.'.
This attitude had the desired effect on the Prime Minister and thus the.
action was initiated, quickly.
The second key factor to be discussed is the use of deception.
