Nothing remains more vividly in my mind than the 11 weeks in the spring of 1982 when Britain fought and won the Falklands War and restored the territory and its people to their rightful heritage.

It scarcely seems possible that all of this was 15 years ago. The memories of those days are still so clear: the days of worry, days of happiness, days of sorrow, days of courage. They were the most intensely lived days I can ever remember.

It is not easy to take a decision which commits your country to fight a war, particularly one eight thousand miles from home. I knew that there would be casualties, I feared that there would be some who would never return. But I also knew that we could not allow the aggression to stand. If we had, then a message would have been sent to every dictator and tyrant that the free world was not prepared to defend liberty.

The Argentinian aggression drew us into a war which we had not sought and which we never thought we would have to fight. The first news of the invasion came on a Friday from an amateur radio operator. That evening I gathered together the cabinet and ordered the task force to prepare. On the Saturday, parliament was recalled and, with the exception of a small handful of isolated dissenters, gave its overwhelming support to the campaign. By Monday evening the Fleet was sailing towards the South Atlantic.

The speed of our response surprised the world, but it came as no surprise to me. I shall always remember the confident and composed manner of the First Sea Lord when I first asked him what response we could make. He replied in a very calm and matter of fact way `I can put together a task force of destroyers, frigates, landing craft, support vessels. It will be led by the aircraft carriers HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible. It can be ready to leave in 48 hours.' That same unruffled professionalism was displayed time and time again by all the members of the task force in the following weeks.

Those gathering in Gosport to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Argentinian surrender, will each have their own individual memories of those harrowing days, as will the families of those servicemen who never came home. You achieved great things. You renewed the reputation for honour and courage which we all associate with the name of Britain. You ensured the triumph of freedom.

Margaret Thatcher, June 1997

Memories
Main Menu