Home button The Falklands Conflict - Latest News

See also Penguin News - the Falklands newspaper published in Stanley

Jan 2013 Falklands Memorial Way, National Memorial Arboretum, Staffs, UK
We are spreading the word about a project we are developing at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire UK. The Falklands Memorial Way connects eight memorials to civilian and military casualties of the war, by way of a 175 metre track, which meanders through the Allied Special Forces Memorial Grove. The "Way" will be officially opened by Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Staffordshire on the 14th June 2014. This is an open event and anyone can join us. We hope that this might be of interest to all in the Falklands and in the UK.
Mike Colton, Secretary
Allied Special Forces Association

March 2013 - Falklanders vote overwhelmingly to remain a UK Overseas Territory
Of 1,517 votes cast in the two-day referendum - on a turnout of more than 90% - 1513 were in favour, while just three votes were against.

28 December 2012 - National Archives files released.
Two BBC News website articles published containing some details from files opened to the public under the 30-year rule:
Falklands invasion 'surprised' Thatcher
Falklands telegrams reveal UK response to invasion

April 2012 - Mike Colton, Secretary of the Allied Special Forces Association
On Saturday 19th May at 1400 hours a plaque will be unveiled to the members of the Special Air Service who lost their lives in the Falklands War. This will take place in the Sun Room at the Allied Special Forces Grove, National Memorial Arboretum, Alrewas, Staffordshire. More details will be posted in the NEWS section of our website.

On Sunday 20th. May the SAMA memorial will be dedicated at the arboretum. A fly past by a Vulcan Bomber will take place.

September 2011 - BBC News | Rockhopper optimism on Falklands oil development
A British company searching for oil off the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic says it has made further significant finds. The company, Rockhopper Exploration, said it expected to start pumping oil by 2016. It said it would need $2bn (£1.3bn) to develop the field.

November 2010 - HMS Invincible | For sale by tender
The former Royal Navy aircraft carrier (or should that be through-deck cruiser) is listed for sale on the Internet website edisposals.com "HMS Invincible is for sale by tender. Laid down in 1973 at Vickers Shipbuilding, Barrow-in-Furness, she was completed in 1980. She is currently stable for tow, subject to buyer confirmation."

28 June, 2009 - BBC News | Argentine army in torture ruling
About 70 Argentine army officers can be charged with torture of their own soldiers during the 1982 Falklands War, a federal appeals court has ruled. Over 80 cases are under investigation, including allegations of murder and causing death by starvation.

27 May, 2009 - BBC News | Last Falklands ship bids farewell
The last remaining operational warship that took part in the Falklands Conflict has been decommissioned. After clocking up 892,811 nautical miles on operations around the world, HMS Exeter's 29-year career ended at a ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base.

Feb, 2009 - News from Argentina:
A group of veterans from Corrientes submitted an accusation to the Ministry of Defense regarding abuse, vexations and torture that took place during the 1982 Malvinas war. Argentinean retired Army officers are involved.

They have collected 23 testimonies; among other things: 1 soldier was murdered by an officer, 4 young conscripts starved to death (officially reported as 'fell in battle'), 15 men were tied to stakes on the ground as a 'punishment' because of 'theft due to starvation' (and they spent hours and hours, or perhaps all night long, in spite of cold and snow). Other veteran associations are quite reluctant to talk about this issue.

Many people have idealized the 'Malvinas heroes', as if all of them had been brave, self denying, and purehearted good men. Military are included, of course.

Why now? Lots of military people have been prosecuted because of Human Rights violations; this may have encouraged veterans - they need to be listened to and we owe them this.

On the other hand, many men believe that being tied to stakes is a legitimate "punishment" while serving in the Army.

7 Mar, 2008 - BBC News | Former foreign secretary Pym dies
Former Tory foreign secretary Lord Pym has died at the age of 86 after a prolonged illness, his family has said. He served in the role during the 1982 Falklands War following the resignation of Lord Carrington.

3 Oct, 2007 - BBC News | HMS Fearless heads for scrapyard
HMS Fearless, one of two amphibious landing ships that were crucial to the Falklands operation, is finally to be scrapped in a Belgian scrapyard 44 years after she was built at Harland and Wolff in Belfast.

15 May, 2007 - BBC News | Thatcher opens Falklands display
Baroness Thatcher has opened an exhibition about the Falklands War at the Imperial War Museum. The display marks the 25th anniversary of the conflict, which Lady Thatcher, now 81, oversaw as prime minister.

12 May, 2007 - BBC News | Thatcher unveils Falklands arch
Baroness Thatcher has met Falklands veterans and unveiled a commemorative arch in a Hampshire town to mark the 25th anniversary of the conflict. Hundreds of residents lined the streets for the former prime minister's appearance in Fareham on Saturday.

4 May, 2007 - Just launched by Seafarer Books is "Amphibious Assault - Manoeuvre from the sea"
In this uniquely authoritative study, leading international military and academic experts analyse 37 amphibious operations, from the 'how not to do it' catastrophe of Gallipoli 1915;through the Second World War in Europe, North Africa, the Indian Ocean and the pacific; Korea; Vietnam; the Falklands and the First Gulf War; down to the Al Faw landings in Iraq in 2003. German, Japanese and soviet operations are included.
With 520 pages of text, more than 270 photographs, and 100 maps, this definitive analysis of amphibious warfare in the twentieth century and beyond will be invaluable to anyone with an interest in military history, as well as those who, as military practitioners or historians study it professionally.

28 Apr, 2007 - Announcement of The Severn District Marine Society and Sea Cadet Association commemoration event
On Saturday 23rd June 2007, the Sea Cadet Association, the Royal Naval Association and other affiliated organisations will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the liberation of the Falkland Islands following the invasion by Argentina on 2nd April 1982.

2 Apr, 2007 - BBC News | Argentina renews Falklands claim
Argentina has renewed its claim over the Falkland Islands on the 25th anniversary of invading them - and losing a subsequent war with Britain. "The Malvinas are Argentine, they always were, they always will be," said Argentine Vice-President Daniel Scioli, using the Spanish name for the islands.

28 Mar, 2007 - BBC News | Argentina ends Falklands oil deal
Argentina has scrapped a deal with the UK to share any oil found off the Falkland Islands - days ahead of the anniversary of the war for the islands. Argentina says co-operation with the UK had to be linked to reopening talks over the sovereignty of the islands.

20 Mar, 2007 - Phil Stant, Falklands Veteran (and one-time football manager) writes:
I recently returned to the Falklands as part of an ITV TV documentary team to do my story of the war and I wondered if you were interested in it. Radio Times will be featuring it as programme of the day. For the ITV4 programme, Paul McGann will be doing the voice overs.

Also, at 21:00 on Monday, April 2nd, BBC2 presents a one-off Timewatch programme 'Remember the Galahad' telling the story of how the two RFA ships were bombed off East Falkland on 8 June 1982.

22 Feb, 2007 BBC News | Prince Harry to serve in Iraq
Prince Harry, youngest son of Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, is to become the first royal since Prince Andrew to serve in conflict.

13 Feb, 2007 - The Times | HMS Intrepid bows out (again)
One of the Falklands war's doughtiest fighters, HMS Intrepid, is to be dismantled, 25 years after she was first saved from the scrapheap and four months from the 25th anniversary of the islands' liberation.

8 Feb, 2007 - 45 Commando Reunion
A reunion of 45 Commando Group Royal Marines is to be held at RM Condor, Arbroath over the weekend 15-17th June 2007. All veterans of the unit, including supporting arms are invited to attend. See the website for full details and registration.

13 Nov, 2006 - BBC News | Events to mark Falklands War date
The 25th anniversary of the Falklands War will be marked by a series of events next summer, including a veterans' march down the Mall. Veterans Minister Derek Twigg, speaking on HMS Illustrious in Greenwich, said the islands' liberation was a "huge achievement".

26 June, 2006 - BBC News | 'Party' to commemorate Falklands
'Major celebrations' are planned to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War, Junior Defence Minister Tom Watson has announced. He told the House of Commons that festivities should take place in both the UK and the Falklands next year.

24 February, 2005 - BBC News | BBC Radio service to end
The BBC has announced that its programme Calling the Falklands is to be cut after 62 years. The twice-weekly round-up of news and personal messages to the remote South Atlantic islands has kept the population in touch with an often distant outside world since 1944. The demise of the programme will be the end of an era for many older islanders who lived through the Argentinean invasion of the Falklands in 1982.

May, 2005 - New Falklands simulation game launched
From ProSim comes The Falklands War 1982. "From playing on the actual topographical maps the British forces used of the islands, to the intensely accurate statistics for weapon platforms, to informative scenarios that present the player with the same challenges faced by real-world commanders in 1982".

January, 2005 - An ex-naval officer from Argentina accused of killing political prisoners during the country's 'Dirty War' is set to go on trial in Spain.
BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Spain tries Argentine ex-officer

September, 2004 - New Argenine Movie released
Cesar Turturro and friends have made a low-budget 60-minute movie about the war. For more details, please visit their website (both Spanish and English). It was made with cooperation of the Argentine Army and Air Force.

July, 2003 - Movie to tell Weston's story
Welsh Falklands war veteran Simon Weston has confirmed he has been in talks about plans to make a film of his life.
BBC NEWS | Wales | Movie to tell Weston's story

February, 2003 - Scientists to search for Belgrano wreck
An Argentine expedition is preparing to search for the wreck of the Argentine cruiser the General Belgrano, sunk at the start of the Falklands War by a British nuclear submarine more than two decades ago.
BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Scientists to search for Belgrano wreck

January, 2003 - Former Argentine dictator Galtieri dies
The former Argentine dictator who in 1982 triggered a war with Britain over the Falkland Islands, Leopoldo Galtieri, has died at the age of 76.
BBC NEWS | World | Americas | Former Argentine dictator Galtieri dies

April, 2002 - New book launched
Memories of the Falklands edited by Iain Dale, published by Politico's, £20 in hardback, ISBN 1842750186. You can pre-order a copy by following this link.

March, 2002 - Baroness Thatcher not attending
Baroness Thatcher will not now be attending the 20th anniversary service to be held on the Islands later this year due to the ill health of her husband, Denis.

March, 2002 - HMS Fearless axed
The last steam-powered ship remaining in Royal Navy service, HMS Fearless, sister ship of Intrepid, is to scrapped. Launched in December 1963, the amphibious assault vessel performed a vital role in the 1982 South Atlantic campaign. She will effectively be replaced by HMS Ocean (in service), HMS Albion (currently undergoing sea trials) and HMS Bulwark (due November 2003). Fearless is the seventh Royal Naval ship to bear that name, beginning with a gun vessel launched in 1794.
Meanwhile the Sea Harriers in service aboard the Invicible-class carriers are to be replaced by an upgraded version of the Harrier GR9, until two new larger carriers are commissioned in around 2012.

February, for July 2002
Big Theatre are offering Falklands '82 veterans an opportunity to tell their stories, poems, songs or to exhibit their photos, drawings etc. to a public audience at a special event on June 14th 2002 @ the new Imperial War Museum North in Manchester. Big Theatre would like to hear from individual veterans interested in being interviewed, supplying material or taking part in the event. Big Theatre have been commissioned by the Commonwealth Games to produce "52 Degrees South", a show about the experiences of Falklands veterans, in July 2002. Big Theatre artists include veterans Andrew Readman (HMS Antrim) and Darren Poyzer (HMS Broadsword). For more info visit our website or email us.

November 2001 - Jack Straw not attending Anniversary
Current Labour foreign secretary Jack Straw has turned down an invitation to attend next year's 20th Anniversary of Liberation to be held in June.

26 July 2001 - Blair to visit Argentina
Tony Blair is to become the first British Prime Minister to visit Argentina on Wednesday of next week as he makes a short hop over the border with Brazil for talks with Fernando de la Rua. The Falkland Islands are said to be "not on the agenda", but were discussed recently by Foreign Minister Jack Straw and his Argentine opposite number, Adalberto Rodriguez Giaravini.

20 July 2000 - Legal action dismissed
Today the European Court of Human Rights dismissed the legal claim against the UK government on a technicality, stating that the relatives had left their submission too late after the event.

July 2000 - Belgrano relatives to sue
The UK government looks set to be sued by two of the relatives and families of Argentine sailors who lost their lives when the battlecruiser was sunk during the early stages of the 1982 conflict. Altogether 323 sailors lost their lives when the cruiser was sunk by torpedos fired from the British SSN HMS Conquoror. The families are being represented by two Buenos Aires lawyers who will be presenting the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, arguing that the cruiser was outside the theatre of operations, and that the attack violated 1907 Hague wartime conventions.

Click for home Click here to return to Falklands Main Page.