The Battle for Goose Green

A Battle is Fought to be Won

Mark Adkin

• Publisher: Pen & Sword Military
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN:
  9781526760142
• eBook ISBN:
  9781526707185
• Topic: Histoire
• Subtopic: Histoire de l'Amérique latine et des Caraïbes

"Probably the best and most detailed description of a key battle in the 1982 Falklands War . . . an excellent and fast paced narrative." —Michael McCarthy, historical battlefield guide
 
This book tells the story of the battle for Goose Green—the first crucial clash of the Falklands War—through the eyes of the commanders, both British and Argentine, from brigadier to corporal. It follows in detail, with the aid of maps, the fourteen hours of vicious infantry as both sides struggled for the tiny settlement of Goose Green. The book explains how 2 Para came close to failure as the battalion fought over open ground, in daylight, without adequate fire support against prepared positions. Controversial questions—such as: Was it an unnecessary battle? Why did London overrule the brigadier commander's reluctance to attack? Did Col. Jones's solo charge, which won him the Victoria Cross, decide the issue?—are discussed frankly. The author, himself a former infantry officer, has had the full support of the Parachute Regiment, and has assembled the views and comments of over forty-five veterans of all ranks who fought there.
 
"The Falklands War showed British military personnel at their best and most innovative under the most testing of conditions, and the Battle of Goose Green was one of the classic actions . . . The author has made an impressive job of reviewing the important factors, the events and decisions that led to the battle." — Firetrench
 
"This brought home to me how the infantry fight and how the British Paratrooper has gained a worldwide reputation for being one of the best fighting men around. A superb read." —Army Rumour Service

APPENDIX I

2 PARA BATTLE GROUP OFGANISATION AT GOOSE GREEN

APPENDIX II

ARGENTINE ORDER OF BATTLE AT GOOSE GREEN ON 28TH MAY 1982

APPENDIX III

THE ARTILLERY SUPPORT AT GOOSE GREEN

APPENDIX IV

MAJOR KEEBLE’S SURRENDER ULTIMATUM

To: The Commander Argentinian Armed Force (Darwin) (Goose Green) From: Commander British Armed Forces (Darwin) (Goose Green)

MILITARY OPTIONS

We have sent a PW to you under a white flag of truce to convey the following military options:

1. That you unconditionally surrender your force to us by leaving the township, forming up in a military manner, removing your helmets and laying down your weapons. You will give prior notice of this intention by returning the PW under the white flag with him briefed as to the formalities by no later than 0830 hrs local time.

2. You refuse in the first case to surrender and take the inevitable consequences. You will give prior notice of this intention by returning the PW without his flag (although his neutrality will be respected) no later than 0830 hrs local time.

3. In the event and in accordance with the terms of the Geneva Convention and Laws of War you will be held responsible for the fate of any civilians in Darwin and Goose Green and we in accordance with these terms do give notice of our intention to bombard Darwin and Goose Green.

Signed

C. KEEBLE

Commander of the British Forces

APPENDIX V

2 PARA’S ROLL OF HONOUR FOR GOOSE GREEN

Officers and men of the 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment killed in action at the battle for Darwin and Goose Green, 28 May, 1982.

Lieutenant-Colonel ‘H’. Jones OBE	Commanding Officer
Captain C. Dent	A Company
Captain D. Wood	Adjutant
Lieutenant J.A. Barry	D Company
Corporal D. Hardman	A Company
Corporal R.S. Prior	A Company
Corporal P.S. Sullivan	D Company
Lance-Corporal G.D. Bingley	D Company
Lance-Corporal A. Cork	D Company
Lance-Corporal N.R. Smith	D Company
Private S.J. Dixon	D Company
Private M.W. Fletcher	D company
Private M.H. Holman-Smith	HQ Company
Private S. Illingsworth	B Company
Private T. Meehan	D Company
Attached Arms
Lieutenant R.J. Nunn	Royal Marines
Corporal D. Melia	Royal Engineers

APPENDIX VI

HONOURS AND AWARDS

The awards listed below were received by those who fought at Goose Green. Except for those awarded posthumously, members of 2 Para received theirs for their actions during Operation Corporate as a whole.

2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment

Victoria Cross

Lieutenant-Colonel ‘H’. Jones, OBE (posthumous) - Commanding Officer

Distinguished Service Order

Major C.P.B. Keeble - Battalion Second-in-Command

Military Cross

Major J.H. Crosland - Officer Commanding B Company

Major C.D. Farrar-Hockley - Officer Commanding A Company

Lieutenant C.S. Connor - Recce Platoon Commander

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Sergeant J.C. Meredith - Platoon Sergeant, 12 Platoon, D Company

Corporal D. Abols - Section Commander, 1 Platoon, A Company

Private S. Illingsworth (posthumous) - 5 Platoon, B Company

Military Medal

Sergeant T.I. Barrett - Platoon Commander (at Goose Green) 1 Platoon, A Company

Corporal T.J. Camp - Section Commander, 2 Platoon, A Company

Corporal T.W. Harley - Section Commander, 11 Platoon, D Company

Lance-Corporal S.A. Bardsley - 6 Platoon, B Company

Lance-Corporal M.W.C. Bentley - Medical Orderly, Regimental Aid Post

Lance-Corporal G.D. Bingley (posthumous) - 11 Platoon, D Company

Lance-Corporal L.J . Standish - Medical Orderly, 5 Platoon

Private G.S. Carter - 12 Platoon, D Company

Private B.J. Grayling - 11 Platoon, D Company

Mention in Despatches

Major P. Neame - Officer Commanding D Company

Captain the Reverend D. Cooper, Royal Army Chaplain’s Department -Battalion Padre

Captain P.R. Farrar - Patrols Platoon Commander

Acting-Captain M.S.H. Worsley-Tonks - Mortar Platoon Commander at Goose Green, then Adjutant.

Captain S. J. Hughes, Royal Army Medical Corps - Battalion Medical Officer

Lieutenant J.D. Page - Fire support coordinator in D Company at Goose Green, then 12 Platoon Commander

Lieutenant G.R. Weighell - 5 Platoon Commander, B Company

2nd Lieutenant G. Wallis - 3 Platoon Commander, A Company

Sergeant I. Aird - Platoon Sergeant, 5 Platoon, B Company

Corporal D. Hardman (posthumous) - Section Commander, 2 Platoon, A Company

Lance-Corporal N.J. Dance - Section Commander, 5 Platoon, B Company

Lance-Corporal K.P. Dunbar - 4 Platoon, B Company

Private S.J. Alex...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• CONTENTS
• Dedication
• List of Maps
• Abbreviations
• Military Symbols used on maps
• Note on Sources and Acknowledgements
• Introduction
• Prologue
• I. 2 Para
• II. Task Force Mercedes
• III. Operation Sutton
• IV. It’s on - It’s off - It’s on again
• V. Preparations
• VI. 2 Para’s Plan
• VII. The Low Pass and Burntside House
• VIII. Dawn at Darwin and Boca House
• IX. The Gorse Gully
• X. Boca House
• XI. Action for the Airfield
• XII. Action for the Schoolhouse
• XIII. The Argentines’ surrender
• Postscript
• Appendix 1: 2 Para’s Order of Battle
• Appendix 2: The Argentines’ Order of Battle
• Appendix 3: Artillery support at Goose Green
• Appendix 4: Major Keeble’s surrender ultimatum
• Appendix 5: 2 Para’s Roll of Honour
• Appendix 6: Honours and Awards
• Notes
• Bibliography
• Plate section