South Atlantic 1982

The carrier campaign in the Falklands War

South Atlantic 1982 cover

South Atlantic 1982

The carrier campaign in the Falklands War

Description

A detailed account of the war-winning role that a handful of Harrier squadrons played in the Falklands War.

On 5 April 1982, the British aircraft carriers Hermes and Invincible sailed for the South Atlantic at the heart of the task force that would retake the Falkland Islands, known to Argentina as the Islas Malvinas. Air power was essential to the operation, and some analysts considered the contest unwinnable. The British had just 42 fighter jets available (28 Sea Harriers and 14 RAF Harrier GR.3s), and were outnumbered three-to-one by the Argentinian Air Force.

Naval expert Angus Konstam offers a focused history of naval aviation in the Falklands War. The superbly manoeuvrable Harriers provided air cover during the ferociously contested landings, and later a Harrier Forward Operating Base on the islands was also made available. He explains how the British forces achieved their impressive Falklands air-to-air record, shooting down 21 Argentinian jets for no losses, while suffering more to anti-aircraft fire. He also looks into the Harriers' ground-attack campaign, and explains the roles played by weapons technology, radar, electronic warfare, aerial reconnaissance, and support helicopters.

Illustrated throughout with spectacular new artwork, 3D diagrams and maps, this book explains how the brutal test of the Falklands War showed the way forward for naval aviation and fleet air defence for decades to come.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION
CHRONOLOGY
ATTACKER'S CAPABILITIES
- South Atlantic strike force
DEFENDER'S CAPABILITIES
- Air power of the Task Force
CAMPAIGN OBJECTIVES
- The struggle for the Falkland Islands
- The background
- Argentinian intentions
THE CAMPAIGN
- The air war over the South Atlantic
- The voyage south
- Saturday 1 May
- The weeks of attrition, 2–20 May
- San Carlos Water
- The turning of the tide
- The endgame
ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSION
FURTHER READING
INDEX

Product details

Published Jan 16 2025
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472864727
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Illustrated throughout with 65 photos and 14 pages of colour illustrations
Series Air Campaign
Short code ACM 51
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Angus Konstam

Angus Konstam is a Fellow of the Royal Historical…

Illustrator

Edouard A. Groult

Edouard Groult grew up inspired by watching histor…

Resources

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