Enforcing the Exclusion zoneThe British Task Force had considerable firepower. However it was isolated and had to fight its way through an enemy on its doorstep. Argentina could call upon her entire military, but the Task Force would have to suffice with whatever was available, as resuppling the Task Force would take 35 days. The Task Force rendezvoued on route to ensure it arrived at full strength. Aware that the Task Force was sailing into a trap, Fieldhouse ordered submarines to scout ahead to engage the Argentine fleet en route. |
HMS Conquorer, a British submarine, spotted and engaged the ARA Belgranoe in what would prove the only naval skirmish of the conflict and would provide the British in uncontested control of the exlcusion zone from Argentine naval presence.
The successful sinking of the Belgrano terrified Argentine commanders of the presence of British submarines in the south atlantic. This fear was clear through the abscence of a rescue mission to save the survivors of the sinking Belgrano, who were left to freeze in the waters. By securing the exclusion zone, the British were able to provide a mobile artillery position to support the soldiers attacking locations on the Falklands. |
This photograph shows the burning decks of HMS Sheffield, who was hit by an Argentine bombing attack as the Task Force tried to enfore the exclusion zone.
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