April 25, 1982 · South Georgia Theater
April 25, 1982
British forces — combining elements of the SAS, SBS, and Royal Marines from HMS Antrim, Brilliant, and Plymouth — launched Operation Paraquet to retake South Georgia. An initial SAS insertion onto the Fortuna Glacier nearly ended in disaster when two Wessex helicopters crashed in blizzard conditions. On April 25, HMS Antrim's Wessex disabled the Argentine submarine Santa Fe with depth charges as it lay alongside Grytviken, and a scratch force of marines and special forces stormed ashore. Argentine commander Alfredo Astiz surrendered without further resistance.
Commanders