Quick reaction
Riain
Banned
The Argentine reaction to the landings began to occur from 9.30 as aircraft were launched from mainland bases.(1) Closer to the scene an ANA Macchi 339 was launched from Stanley and 4 Pucara, furtively flown in as others were destroyed by RN Buccaneers, launched from Goose Green and headed toward San Carlos. As the Macchi and Pucaras approached the landing zone the Phantoms on the northerly CAP station were advised of possible contacts and both CAPs were vectored to intercept. As the Macchi flew over San Carlos, seeing what Lt Guillermo Crippa described as ‘all the ships in the world’ a Pucara was shot down by the SAS with a Stinger missile. As Lt Crippa egressed after firing his rockets at the HMS Argonaut he was set upon by the northern CAP Phantoms and shot down by a SRAAM.(2) At the same instant the southerly CAP attacked the remaining 3 Pucaras, shooting down 2 while the remaining aircraft fired it’s rockets at a shed within the San Carlos anchorage with minimal results.(3)
As soon as the Argentine aircraft had been detected by the next pair of Alert 5 Phantoms were launched from QEII.(4) The two pair on CAP had been in the air for over 2 hours and these interceptions has used up most of their remaining fuel, so had to head back to ‘mother’. It was noted how quickly a routine CAP changed into simultaneous interceptions of 5 aircraft, although the fighters had acquitted themselves admirably. While the Argentines knew that it was now or never, this was the moment they had been carefully hiding their precious assets on the islands for, they’d have to come out and fight.
As soon as the Argentine aircraft had been detected by the next pair of Alert 5 Phantoms were launched from QEII.(4) The two pair on CAP had been in the air for over 2 hours and these interceptions has used up most of their remaining fuel, so had to head back to ‘mother’. It was noted how quickly a routine CAP changed into simultaneous interceptions of 5 aircraft, although the fighters had acquitted themselves admirably. While the Argentines knew that it was now or never, this was the moment they had been carefully hiding their precious assets on the islands for, they’d have to come out and fight.
- IOTL these missions occurred on 21 May, there was intensive FAA/ARA flying 21, 23, 24 and 25 May, these will be compressed into 23-25 May
- IOTL Lt Guillermo Owen Crippa made it back to Port Stanley and was decorated for bravery
- IOTL only 1 Pucara was shot down, by CO 801 NAS Sharkey Ward.
- For those keeping count this is the 8th pair of Phantoms launched already
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