H.M.S. SheffieldH.M.S. Sheffield was hit by an exorcet missile two days after the attack on ARA Belgrano. The Sheffield was hit in the most unlikely of circumstances that collectively saw her scuppering from the British just outside the exclusion zone. As one of the more modern boats in the fleet, HMS Sheffield was equipped with radar and satallite. Radar was turned off on the Sheffield during the raid that sank her because the captain was talking to the War Cabinet and recieving orders for the Task Force. Leaving her unable to see an attack coming. Two Argentine fighter bombers, armed with exercet missiles which locked onto HMS Coventry. These missiles were fired, however radar aboard the Coventry triggered anti aircraft protection and the missile missed its target. |
However, the missile now searched for a new object to attack, and found the completely vulnerable Sheffield, which it hit.
The attack suprised the British because although they knew Argentine powers had the deadly exocet missile, they did not think it would be able to avoid the rough seas of the South Atlantic and would crash en route. HMS Sheffield was hit at 11.03. the missile did not deternate but instead automatic fire control system on the ship and ignitied the fuel tanks of the engines, causing an explosion which killed 20 crew. The fires could not be extinguished without the fire control system and the ship had to be abandoned. During this process Captain Carrington-Wood led the crew in singing Monty Pythons 'Always look on the bright side of life' |
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