The Task ForceThe Task Force was, for all its many military strengths, incredibly vulnerable. The boats in the Task Force were; HMS Hermes: Aircraft carrier. 12 Harriers, 12 Sea Kings helicopters HMS Invincible: Aircraft carrier. 8 Sea Harriers. 15 Sea Kings HMS Bristol: Type 82 Destroyer. HMS Antrim (damaged in conflict): Country Class. HMS Glamorgan (damaged): Country Class. HMS Cardiff: Type 42 destroyer. HMS Coventry (sunk): Type 42 destroyer. HMS Exeter: Type 42 destroyer. HMS Glasgow (damaged): Type 42 destroyer. HMS Sheffield (sunk). Type 42 destroyer. HMS Brilliant (damaged): Type 22 destroyer. HMS Broadsworth (damaged): Type 22 destroyer. HMS Active: Type 21 destroyer. HMS Alacrity: Type 21 destroyer. HMS Ambuscade: Type 21 destroyer. HMS Antelope (sunk): Type 21 destroyer HMS Arrow (damaged): Type 21 destroyer. HMS Avenger (damaged): Type 21 destroyer. |
HMS Argonaut (damaged): Leander class.
HMS Penelope: Leander class. HMS Minerva: Leander class. HMS Andromeda: Leander class. HMS Yarmouth: Rothesay class. HMS Plymouth (damaged): Rothesay class. HMS Endurance: Ice Patrol Ship. Submarines. HMS Spartan : Swiftsure class HMS Splendid: Swiftsure class HMS Conquorer: Churchill class HMS Valiant: Churchill class HMS Couragous: Valiant class HMS Onyx: Oberon class With these boats were a series of civilian requisition ships, such as the Queen Elizabeth II and the Canberra (crusie liners). Other ships were also requisitioned in order to refuel and supply the battleships and frigates. Despite the size of the Task Force, if either of the Aircraft carriers were sunk, the entire operation would be called off due to the inability to mount an effective attack. |
This documentary explains the workings of the Task Force and explains some of the logistical problems that it faced on its way to both Ascension island, and also to the Falklands exclusion zone.
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