The loss of Sir Galahad

[The Sailor]

THE FALKLANDS WAR

On 3 June 1982 Fitzroy on the south side of East Falkland was occupied. The campaign on land had been going reasonably well with troops crossing the main part of the island from San Carlos but it was decided to open up a further line of advance from Fitzroy. In doing this two of the landing ships Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram were sent carrying equipment, ammunition and several military units including part of the Welsh Guards. On 8 June they were at anchor there in daylight.

Before unloading could be completed the ships were attacked by five Argentine air Force A-4 Skyhawks. Bomb and cannon hits were taken on both causing fires, worst in Sir Galahad, leading to her being abandoned. Unfortunately there was heavy loss of life, especially on board Sir Galahad, a total of 50 men killed or missing with more wounded. It might have been worse without timely rescue efforts by helicopter and boat and rapid medical assistance.

Subsequently Sir Tristram returned to the UK, was repaired and returned to service. Sir Galahad, more seriously damaged, was taken out to sea and sunk.

Funny to see the pic in colour. The world got coloured by 1982


Builder: Alex. Stephen
Laid down: February 1965
Launched: 19 April 1966
Commissioned: 17 December 1966
Status: Destroyed 8 June 1982, during Falklands War. Sunk as a war grave post-war.
General characteristics
Displacement: 3,270 tons standard
5,674 tons fully loaded
Length: 412 feet (126 m)
Beam: 60 feet (18 m)
Draught: 13 feet (4.0 m)
Propulsion: 2 Mirrlees National ALSSDM10 diesels.
Power: 9,400 bhp (7010 kW)
Speed: 17 knots (31 km/h)
Range: 9,200 nautical miles (17,040 km) at 15 knots (28 km/h)
Capacity: 2,404 tons
Complement: 68 crew, up to 340 passengers
Armament: Two 40 mm Bofors AA guns.
Aircraft carried: Up to 20 Wessex helicopters

[TheDigger]

The RN suffered very badly at the hands of the Argentinean Air Force the following aircraft types their success and losses are included for information. The Argies did not get off scott free either and they lost nearly 50 aircraft of various types.

1st Attack Sqdn (1 Esc)
6 Aermacchi MB-339A's to Falklands, 2 lost and 3 captured

Minor damage to "Argonaut" by cannon (21st May)

2nd Fighter and Attack Sqdn (2 Esc)
Super Etendard flying from Rio Grande with no losses

Destroyer "SHEFFIELD" (4th May) and
Support ship "ATLANTIC CONVEYOR" (25th May) hit by Exocet; both sunk


3rd Fighter and Attack Sqdn (3 Esc)
Skyhawk A-4Q's flying from Rio Grande, 3 lost

Frigate "ARDENT" sunk by bombs (21st May)

4th Attack Sqdn (4 Esc)
4 Mentor T-34C's to Falklands, all lost


1st Air Transport Group (Grupo 1)
C130 Hercules (1 lost), also photo-rece Learjets (1 lost)


2nd Light Bomber Group (Grupo 2)
Canberras flying from Trelew and Rio Gallegos, 2 lost

3rd Attack Group (Grupo 3)
24 Pucaras to Falklands, 13 lost and 11 captured, plus one mainland-based aircraft lost

The only British aircraft casualty directly due to Argentine aircraft was Royal Marine Scout shot down by a Grupo 3 Pucara on the 28th May

[B]4th Fighter Bomber Group (Grupo 4)
Skyhawk A-4C's flying from San Julian and Rio Grande, 9 lost

Believed to have damaged LSL's "Sir Bedivere", "Sir Galahad" and "Sir Lancelot" with UXB's (all 24th May)

5th Fighter Bomber Group (Grupo 5)
Skyhawk A-4B's from Rio Gallegos, 10 lost

Destroyer "Glasgow" damaged by UXB (12th May)
Frigate "Argonaut" damaged by UXB (21st May)
Frigate "ANTELOPE" sunk by bomb (23rd May)
Destroyer "COVENTRY" sunk by bombs and frigate "Broadsword" damaged by UXB (both 25th May)
LSL's "SIR GALAHAD" (later scuttled) and "Sir Tristram" damaged; "Fearless" LCU F4 sunk by bombs (all 8th June)


6th Fighter Bomber Group (Grupo 6)
Daggers from Rio Grande and San Julian, 11 lost

Destroyer "Glamorgan", frigates "Alacrity" and "Arrow", minor damage by cannon fire and near misses (all 1st May)
Destroyer "Antrim" damaged by UXB, frigate "Ardent" damaged by bomb (21st May)
Frigates "Brilliant" and "Broadsword" minor damage by cannon fire (all 21st May)
Frigate "Plymouth" damaged by UXB and cannon (8th June)

[tim lewin]

The tragic losses incurred aboard Sir Galahad was mainly due to the fundamental error of not evacuating the ship the minute she arrived. The most dangerous moment of any assault ship is when it arrives, General Wolfe (Quebec) recognised this and was quoted as saying that the first responsibility of a soldier is to get off the ship not the shore. Had she debarked everyone the losses would still have been materiel but the men would have been saved.
tim

[TheDigger]

The other point of note on the Losses and the Damage looking at my earlier response there was a lot of damage by UXB ( Unexploded Bomb) now had some of these gone off then I am sure the Brits may have looked very closely at what they were doing and how to go on supporting the ground troops perhaps by the then the Argies were done anyway.

[The Sailor]

I was just looking at your list of UXB damage Digger.

"Sir Bedivere"

"Sir Lancelot"

Destroyer "Glasgow"

Frigate "Argonaut"

Frigate "Broadsword"

Frigate "Plymouth"


One would have to ask the question here. What was wrong with the Argintine's bombs?
Incredible.

[John Brown]

I think the problem for the Argentinians was that their pilots were doing their job too well. By flying so low to avoid anti aircraft fire they were reaching and hitting their targets but the bombs were not falling far enough to arm themselves before impact.

I think we Brits had to consider ourselves very fortunate that all these 'hits' did not explode. Had all those ships actually been sunk, the course of the conflict might well have taken a very different path.

Regards...John

[The Sailor]

That is a very good reply John. I believe that is exactly why they didn't arm now that you come to say it.
And no one is disputing the fact that we weren't very lucky and that many of our guys lives were saved because of it.
Graeme

[TheDigger]

You are correct John if you also look at how the Argie planes were bought down it was by close in support AA like the 40mm Bofors and the old 50 Cal machine gun

[tim lewin]

the ferocity and accuracy of the AA fire was indeed the answer to the failure of the bombs to explode ( I have some little insight into this!) the Argentinian planes were flying so low that the bombs in very many case indeed failed to arm their fuses.
tim

[Lancastrian]

One of the bombs which didnt explode - thankfully.
RFA Sir Lancelot 28 May 1982.
http://www.rfaaplymouth.org/lancelotreunion/index8.htm

[Vegaskip]

RE Argentinian air losses...... SEA HARRIERS ?

[Lancastrian]

The tragic losses incurred aboard Sir Galahad was mainly due to the fundamental error of not evacuating the ship the minute she arrived. The most dangerous moment of any assault ship is when it arrives, General Wolfe (Quebec) recognised this and was quoted as saying that the first responsibility of a soldier is to get off the ship not the shore. Had she debarked everyone the losses would still have been materiel but the men would have been saved.
tim

Whilst that is undoubtedly true, the failure to disembark on arrival was despite the urging of Maritime authorities at the scene, who were well aware of the need. The reasons why this tragedy occurred are many. The whole move on the Southern Flank by 5 Brigade was marred by insufficient planning, lack of assets and failure of communications from the start. Map of Fitzroy - http://www.worldnavalships.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37261&d=1236260570
For the full story, I recommend Reasons in Writing by Ewen Southby-Tailyour.
ISBN 0 85052 310 9.

[Blaydon]

I concur with Lancastrian it was Ewen Southby-Tailyour himself who went aboard to try and persuade them to disembark.

He was instrumental in the planning and conduct of amphibious operations around the Falklands as ex Commanding Officer of Naval Party 8901 the standing Royal Marine unit in the Falklands which acquitted themselves very well against the Argentine forces until the Governor Rex Hunt ordered them to Lay down their arms to prevent needless bloodshed.

[downhill]

Hi all, Im new to the site but came across this thread & thought I would contribute.

I was an MEA3 (baby Tiff) on HMS Fearless during the Falklands & was part of the fire fighting team sent round to try to extinguish the fire before Sir Galahad was scuttled.
We sailed round on the 'Black Pig', a small rig supply vessel captured from the Argies, & myself, Sub Lt Waltho, POMEM Mal Lock & MEA3 Johnson were the fire fighters that boarded her.
Very vivid memories with it being 30 years ago.

[sunray9]

The journal of the Royal Marines, the 'Globe and Laurel' features a small but illuminating section of 'Where do you read yours', it generally shows serving or former Royal Marines 'reading the 'G&L' in various poses and locations all over the world. In a recent edition Ewen Southby-Tailyour is pictured in civvies, wearing shirt and tie with his Green Beret against a tree at an Argentine Defence building of some sort in Buenos Aries! ;)

Picture taken by an unsuspecting tourist - such is the measure of the man.

[Prom]

If you were going to find anyone doing that, Ewen would be high on the list. Quite a character