Battle Story: Goose Green 1982

The detailed story of the first major engagement of the Falklands War.

The Battle for Goose Green has become an integral part of the Falklands story and yet it nearly didn't take place at all. Goose Green was earmarked to be isolated, with the bulk of the British Army focused on Port Stanley, however as the momentum of the invasion force ground to a halt, political pressure came into play. It was important for the British to be seen to be achieving something in the campaign. So, despite much opposition, Brigadier Julian Thompson was forced to give the order to attack the Goose Green area. The British 2 Para Regiment were deployed against 12th Argentinean Regiment, which numbered approximately 1,200 men well-equipped with artillery and small-arms; the British believed that the Argentinean force numbered at least half this and set off with a strength of 690 men. They took two days' rations, weapons, and ammunition in the belief that it would be a swift conquest. There followed a bitter and bloody fight, as the Argentine forces fiercely defended the Goose Green area. Eventually the Argentines were forced to surrender, with 961 men captured, 145 taken prisoner during the fighting, and 47 killed.