Falklands War order of battle: British naval forces

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Template:Short description This is a list of the naval forces from the United Kingdom that took part in the Falklands War, often referred to as "the Task Force" in the context of the war.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> For a list of naval forces from Argentina, see Falklands War order of battle: Argentine air forces.

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Royal Navy

Operation Corporate command structure 1982
The flagship of the Carrier Group, HMS Hermes, alongside HMS Broadsword
Command

In Northwood, London:<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In the South Atlantic:

  • Commander Task Group 317.8 (Carrier/Battle Group) and Flag Officer, First Flotilla: Rear-Admiral J.F. Woodward (HMS Hermes)
  • Commander Task Group 317.0 (Amphibious Task Group) and Commodore Amphibious Warfare: Commodore M.C. Clapp (HMS Fearless)
Template:Sclass - V/STOL carrier
HMS Invincible in the South Atlantic.
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Landing platform docks
File:Foxtrotcallsign.jpg
Large Foxtrot - Fearless LCU at Red Beach.
  • Template:HMS - Flagship Task Group 317.0 (†6)
    • Captain E.S.J. Larken
    • 4 LCU (Foxtrot One to Four), 100 troops or one Main Battle Tank. LCU Foxtrot Four, bombed and sunk in the Choiseul Sound by A-4B Skyhawks
    • 4 LCVP (Foxtrot Five to Eight), 25 troops or a Land Rover with trailer.
    • flight deck for 4 Sea King HC.4 (not embarked)
File:Tangocallsign.jpg
Large Tango - Intrepid LCU.
  • Template:HMS
    • Captain P.G.V. Dingemans
    • 4 LCU (Tango One to Four)
    • 4 LCVP (Tango Five to Eight)
    • flight deck for 4 Sea King HC.4 (not embarked)
HMS Bristol
Type 82 destroyer
Type 42 destroyers
Template:Sclass2s
Type 22 frigates
Type 21 frigates
Template:HMS returning to San Carlos, 23 May 1982
  • Template:HMS
    • Commander P.C.B. Canter
  • Template:HMS - Slightly damaged by bomb. Lynx helicopter damaged by return fire from armed coaster ARA Forrest on 1 May.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> Sank Argentine transport ship Template:Ship on 10 May.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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HMS Endurance
Ice patrol ship
Template:Sclass2s

As despatch vessels, carrying mail between the Task Force and Ascension Island.

File:HMS Conqueror (S48).jpg
Template:HMS returning to Faslane Naval Base after the war, flying the Jolly Roger to signal her sinking of Template:Ship
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  • Template:HMS - ran aground - Moderate Damage
    • Lieutenant-Commander A. O. Johnson
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  • Template:HMS - Argentine fighters returning from an aborted mission jettisoned bombs nearby - Minor Damage<ref>West, Nigel (2010). Historical Dictionary of Naval Intelligence. Scarecrow Press, pp. 63-64. Template:ISBN</ref>
    • Commander T.M. Le Marchand
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2,744 t, used as casualty ferries (hospital ships)

Trawler/Minesweepers - Minesweeper Auxiliary (MSA) 11th MCM Squadron
HMS Northella departing Portsmouth Harbour

Civilian trawlers converted to Extra-Deep Armed Team Sweep (EDATS) with some extempore acoustic and sonar equipment. They were crewed by Royal Naval personnel, mainly from 1st MCM Squadron based at Rosyth. All five minesweepers were involved in clearing two minefields off Port Stanley.

  • Template:HMS 1,238 GRT<ref name="proceedings">Baker (June 1983) pp.111-118</ref>
    • Lieutenant-Commander M. Holloway
  • HMS Farnella 1,207 GRT<ref name="proceedings"/>
    • Lieutenant R. Bishop
  • Template:HMS 1,615 GRT<ref name="proceedings"/>
    • Lieutenant-Commander M. Rowledge
  • Template:HMS 1,238 GRT<ref name="proceedings"/>
    • Lieutenant-Commander J. Greenop
  • Template:HMS 1,478 GRT<ref name="proceedings"/>
    • Lieutenant-Commander D. Garwood

Royal Fleet Auxiliary

RFA Olmeda (A124)

Tankers

Landing Ship Logistic

The peacetime crews of the Round Table-class ships – British merchant seamen, operating under Ministry of Defence jurisdiction – were joined by British servicemen as signalmen, stevedores and gunners.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

File:RFA Sir Lancelot.San Carlos Water.1982.jpg
RFA Sir Lancelot. San Carlos Water.
RFA Sir Tristram being carried home after the war by MV Dan Lifter

Supply ships

Helicopter support ship

Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service

RMAS Typhoon off Stanley.

Ships taken up from trade

Canberra in San Carlos Water. May 1982

The following Merchant Navy ships were requisitioned, as Ships Taken Up From Trade (STUFT).

Liners
  • Template:SS 44,807 GRT – equipped with helicopter pad<ref name="proceedings"/> and carried personnel of 3 Commando Brigade to San Carlos on 21 May.<ref name="villar171">Villar (1984) p.171</ref>
  • Template:MV. 67,140 GRT – equipped with helicopter pad<ref name="proceedings"/> and carried 3,200 men of 5 Infantry Brigade. At South Georgia, the men of 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards, 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards and 1st Battalion, 7th Duke of Edinburgh's Own Gurkha Rifles were transferred to Canberra, Norland and RFA Stromness on 27 May for transport to San Carlos.<ref name="p2">Trotter (June 1983) pp.108-111</ref><ref name="villar49">Villar (1984) pp.49&173</ref>
  • Template:SS 16,907 GRT – equipped with helicopter pad and used as hospital ship from 11 May.<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar183">Villar(1984)p.183</ref>
Roll-on-Roll-off ferries
  • Template:MS 5,463 GRT – equipped with helicopter pad and two Bofors 40 mm guns to carry three Sea King helicopters, ammunition, and heavy vehicles including eight Bofors 40 mm guns, four FV101 Scorpion and four FV107 Scimitar light tanks - joined carrier battle group on 16 May<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar9">Villar (1984) pp.9,37-38,40&171</ref>
  • Template:MS 6,455 GRT – equipped with helicopter pad and carried three Army helicopters, 105 troops, and 1,874 tons of stores and ammunition to Ajax Bay on 1 June<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar43">Villar (1984) pp.43&173</ref>
  • Template:MS 4,190 GRT – equipped with helicopter pad and carried vehicles, ammunition, fuel, and four Scout helicopters of 656 Squadron Army Air Corps to San Carlos on 21 May<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar44">Villar (1984) pp.44&172</ref>
  • Template:MS 6,455 GRT – equipped with helicopter pad and carried troops, stores, and ammunition to Falklands on 29 May<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar173">Villar (1984) p.173</ref>
  • Template:MV 12,990 GRT – equipped with helicopter pad<ref name="proceedings"/> carried 800 men of 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment and men of 848 Naval Air Squadron to San Carlos on 21 May<ref name="villar31">Villar (1984) pp.31&172</ref>
  • Template:Ship 9,387 GRT – equipped with helicopter pad and Oerlikon 20 mm cannon to carry 1,000 engineers with vehicles and equipment, but sailed after cease fire.<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar28">Villar (1984) pp.28&174</ref>
  • Template:MV 8,987 GRT<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> – equipped with helicopter pad and carried RAF crews (18 Sqn), troops and vehicles<ref name="proceedings"/>

  • Template:MS 5,056 GRT – equipped with helicopter pad and carried vehicles and equipment; arrived 12 June<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar180">Villar (1984) p.180</ref>
Container / Cargo ships
Atlantic Conveyor approaching the Falklands
  • Astronomer 27,867 GRT – equipped with helicopter pad and Oerlikon 20 mm cannon and carried thirteen helicopters; arrived after cease fire.<ref name="villar87">Villar (1984) pp.87&179</ref>
  • Atlantic Conveyor 14,946 GRT – equipped with helicopter pad<ref name="proceedings"/> and carried eight BAE Sea Harriers (809 Squadron - aircraft later transferred to the two carriers), six Hawker Siddeley Harriers, six Westland Wessex helicopters, and four CH-47 Chinook helicopters (18 Squadron RAF); arrived 19 May<ref name="p3"/><ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar37">Villar (1984) pp.37&178-179</ref> - hit 25 May by one or two Aérospatiale AM39 Exocet Air-to-Surface Anti-ship missile(s) launched from a Dassault Super Étendard (†12) - Fatal Damage: Sank in tow 28 May - 6 embarked Wessex HU.5 helicopters, 3 embarked Chinook HC.1 helicopters, 1 embarked Sea Lynx HAS.2, heavy equipment intended for airfield construction, and the bulk stock of tents intended for infantry shelter ashore were lost
  • Atlantic Causeway 14,946 GRT – equipped with helicopter pad<ref name="proceedings"/> and carried eight ASW Sea Kings and twenty Westland Wessex helicopters; arrived 27 May.<ref name="villar84">Villar (1984) pp.84&179</ref>
  • Contender Bezant 11,445 GRT – equipped with helicopter pad and carried 9 Wasp helicopters, 4 Harriers and 3 Chinooks; arrived after cease fire.<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar86">Villar (1984) pp.86&179</ref> - purchased as RFA Argus post-war
  • MV Myrmidon 23,413 GRT-equipped with tented accommodation and Portakabins armed with 20mm Oerlikon cannons, arrived after ceasefire
Freighters
Geestport, refrigerated ship, in Southampton Docks
  • Avelona Star 9784 GRT (refrigerated) – equipped with helicopter pad and carried provisions; arrived after cease fire<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar95">Villar (1984) pp.95&180</ref>
  • Geestport 7,730 GRT (refrigerated) – equipped with helicopter pad and carried provisions and stores; arrived 11 June<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar180"/>
  • Laertes 11,804 GRT – Soviet-built with armored cable trunks and damage control centers - carried general supplies; arrived after cease fire<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar180"/>
  • Lycaon 11,804 GRT – Soviet-built with armored cable trunks and damage control centers - carried ammunition and supplies; arrived 28 May<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar179">Villar (1984) p.179</ref>
  • Saxonia 8,547 GRT (refrigerated) – carried provisions; arrived 23 May<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar180"/>
  • Strathewe 12,598 GRT – carried supplies and landing craft; arrived after cease fire<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar180"/>
  • Template:RMS 3,150 GRT – equipped with helicopter pad and four Oerlikon 20 mm cannon for use as minesweeper support ship after the cease fire<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar182">Villar (1984) p.182</ref>
Tankers
  • Alvega 33,000 t (57,372 DWT) – used as base storage tanker at Ascension from mid-May<ref name="villar53">Villar (1984) p.53</ref>
  • Anco Charger 24,500 DWT – used as auxiliary support tanker from 24 April<ref name="villar169">Villar (1984) p.169</ref> with capability to transport 42 different liquids at once<ref name="proceedings"/>
  • Balder London 19,980 t (33,751 DWT) – used as auxiliary support tanker from 12 May<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar169"/>
  • British Avon 15,640 t (25,620 DWT) – used as auxiliary support tanker from 25 April<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar169"/>
  • British Dart 15,650 t (28,488 DWT) – used as auxiliary support tanker from 22 April<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar176">Villar (1984) p.176</ref>
  • British Esk 15,643 t (25,905 DWT) – fitted with over-the-stern underway refueling equipment for use as the first convoy escort oiler<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar174">Villar (1984) p.174</ref>
  • British Tamar 15,646 t (25,498 DWT) – fitted with over-the-stern underway refueling equipment for use as convoy escort oiler from 13 April<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar174"/>
  • British Tay 15,650 t (25,650 DWT) – used as auxiliary support tanker from 12 April<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar175">Villar (1984) p.175</ref>
  • British Test 16,653 t (25,641 DWT) – used as auxiliary support tanker from 14 April<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar169"/>
  • British Trent 15,649 t (25,147 DWT) – used as auxiliary support tanker from 18 April<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar169"/>
  • British Wye 15,649 t (25,197 DWT) – used as auxiliary support tanker from 25 April<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar169"/> - hit by bomb from Lockheed C-130 Hercules - Minor Damage
  • Eburna 19,763 t (31,374 DWT) – used as auxiliary support tanker from 26 April<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar169"/>
  • Fort Toronto 25,498 DWT – fresh water tanker from 19 April<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar176"/>
  • G.A.Walker 18,744 t (30,607 DWT) – used as auxiliary tanker from 10 June<ref name="villar169"/>
  • Scottish Eagle 33,000 t (54,490 DWT) – used as base storage tanker at South Georgia from 18 June and then moved to Falklands on 14 July<ref name="villar53"/>
Tugs / Repair / Support Ships
Cable ship Iris
MV Stena Seaspread
  • British Enterprise III 1,595 t – diving support ship
  • Iris 3,873 GRT – cable ship equipped with helicopter pad and two Oerlikon 20 mm cannon for use as despatch vessel from late May.<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar101">Villar (1984) p.101</ref>
  • Irishman 686 GRT – ocean salvage tug from 24 May.<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar182"/>
  • Salvageman 1,598 GRT – ocean salvage tug from 7 May.(the most powerful tug on British registry with 11,000 brake horsepower and 170 ton bollard pull)<ref name="villar116">Villar (1984) p.116&182</ref>
  • Stena Inspector 5,814 GRT – equipped with helicopter pad and used as repair ship after the cease fire.<ref name="villar67">Villar (1984) pp.67&178</ref> - purchased as RFA Diligence post-war
  • Stena Seaspread 6,061 GRT – diving vessel, oilfield support ship equipped with helicopter pad and used as repair ship from 16 May.<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar178">Villar (1984) p.178</ref> "Quote": Supreme effort to prepare fleet for battle: Not for the first time has the versatility and technological capability of the offshore support fleet astounded the military - it only comes as a surprise to those not familiar with the offshore oil industry and the demands it places on ships and those crewing them, that the navies of the world do not have the same level of technology available and their personnel often lack the same levels of skills and experience. Most noteworthy was the MSV Stena Seaspread, a refitted diving and maintenance vessel which was taken to the Falklands to act as a floating workshop for the warships. During the period of hostilities the MSV Stena Seaspread carried out damage and other repairs in mid-ocean to more than 50 ships, including 10 warships and 4 captured vessels.<ref name="Supreme effort to prepare fleet for battle.">http://www.thenewscentre.co.uk/falklandsTemplate:Dead link</ref>
  • Wimpey Seahorse 1,599 GRT – oilfield supply vessel used as mooring tender and tug from 8 June.<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar183"/>
  • Yorkshireman 686 GRT – ocean salvage tug from 24 May.<ref name="proceedings"/><ref name="villar183"/>

Weaponry

HMS Cardiff Sea Dart Launcher.
Type 42 destroyer returning from a nightly shelling

See also

Notes

Template:Reflist

References

Template:Falklands War Template:Falklands War British ships

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