The Argentine invasion of the Falklands took place on April 2, 1982. It was successfully carried out by a mixed amphibious force composed of Argentinean Navy´s frogmen and marines and Army´s commandos, under Rear Admiral Carlos Büsser. The mission of taking the Falkland Islands was accomplished under the military code-name Operation Rosario, which had originally been called ¨Azul¨ (Blue). The Argentinean invading force was composed of 630 men, while the British defense units consisted of 130 Royal Marines.
The Argentine invasion of the Falklands was set in motion at 21:30 hours, on April 1, 1982, when the Argentine Navy´s destroyer ¨Santisima Trinidad¨anchored about one mile off the southern coast of East Falkland. There, 92 amphibious commandos got on rubber boats and then landed on the coast at Mullet Creek. A 16-man unit of this invading force, under Ltd Cdr. Pedro Giachino, advanced dead north, towards the Government House at Port Stanley. The rest of the frogmen, under Lt. Cdr. Sanchez Sabarets, first advanced westwards and then northwards, heading towards Moody Brook Barracks, which was six miles away beyond a high ridge.
Sanchez Saberets´ force arrived at Moody Brook Barracks at 05:15 hours, on April 2. Then they surrounded the British unit, throwing tear gas grenades into the building only to find out it was empty. Meanwhile, Pedro Giachino´s force engaged the Royal Marines at Government House at 06:20 hours. Five Argentinians tried to enter the building through the back door, drawing enemy fire. Lt. Quiroga and Lt. Cdr. Pedro Giachino got wounded. Giachino would die a few hours later. The gun fire fight raged on for about two and a half hours. It stopped when the Royal Marines surrendered to the Argentinean force.
20 amphibious armored wheeled vehicles, carrying marines from 2nd M. Battalion, and one Army´s commando unit, came ashore and secured the airfield at 07:00 hours. Then they headed for Stanley. At 08:00 hours, the armored vehicles moved into Stanley. Finally, at 09:30 hours, Governor Rex Hunt ordered Major Norman´s forces to surrender. The Argentine flag was raised at 10:00 hours on the Government House mast.
Below, the Royal Marines surrender to the Argentinean commandos on April 2, 1982.
The map of Eastern Falkland showing the Argentinean forces movement in Operation Rosario on April 1 and 2.
Royal Marines lying prone on the pavement after surrendering.
Below, invasion of Falklands footage.
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