![]() ![]() His flagship was the old carrier HMS Hermes, supported by another carrier, Invincible (which were both up for sale at the time), destroyers and frigates – a total of 27 warships plus transports. Woodward had tactical, frontline command of the taskforce, TF 317, at sea as it assembled and sailed southward via Ascension Island. Three nuclear-powered attack submarines under his direct control were secretly sent out at once. In overall command was Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse, commander-in-chief (C-in-C) of the fleet. The prime minister announced in an electrifying broadcast on Saturday 3 April that an amphibious operation would be mounted. ![]() On arrival he marched in full uniform into parliament and assured Thatcher and her officials that the navy could mobilise a suitable task force "by the weekend". He left a ceremony in Portsmouth and ordered a helicopter to fly him to London. Enter, in the most dramatic fashion, the first sea lord and chief of naval staff, Admiral Sir Henry Leach. ![]() Even the defence secretary, John Nott, regarded the occupation as irreversible. In London Margaret Thatcher's government, caught unawares, wrung its collective hands. The Argentinian military junta invaded the Falklands on 2 April 1982. ![]()
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