Belgrano #OnThisDay

On 2nd May 1982, the Argentine cruiser ‘General Belgrano’ was sunk by British Royal Navy submarine ‘Conqueror’, killing more than 350 men.

Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The losses on the Belgrano account for over half of the Argentine deaths in the Falklands war.

Argentina had invaded the Falkland Islands (the Malvinas) on 2nd April 1982. Situated in the South Atlantic today The Falklands is a British Overseas Territory. Argentina has maintained its claim on the archipelago.

The sinking of the ‘Belgrano’ was highly controversial both at the time and for many years after. The order to sink the cruiser was given by UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Labour MP Tam Dalyell, forensically pursued what had happened to show that the Belgrano was sailing away at the time.

The Falklands (Malvinas) war ended after 74days on 14th of June 1982. It had cost the lives of 649 Argentine men and 255 British men. That number does not account for the number who were injured- often with life limiting injuries, physically and mentally.

Categories: Uncategorized

Tagged as: , , , , ,

2 replies »

  1. The Falkland Islands was an Overseas British Territory long before 1982, which is what you seem to be implying.

Leave a Reply to dorancairdCancel reply