By the third week of May 1982, the ships carrying the British ground forces had arrived at the waters off the Falklands. British authorities decided to launch the ground war despite not having achieved total control of the sky because the rough seas and deteriorating weather conditions indicated that winter in the South Atlantic was fast approaching. San Carlos Bay, a lightly defended area located about centrally north of the East Falklands, was chosen as the landing point. The British were unwilling to launch a direct attack on the capital Port Stanley, believing this would cause heavy British casualties.
On May 21, 1982, some 4,000 British Marines landed at San Carlos Bay. After easily overpowering the small Argentine garrison, the British soldiers secured the landing zone, where British transport ships soon arrived to unload weapons and supplies. The Argentineans carried out many air attacks, sinking the British frigates HMS Ardent and HMS Antelope on May 21 and May 24, respectively, and the destroyer HMS Coventry on May 25. Also badly damaged were the British frigates HMS Argonaut and HMS Brilliant. Many other ships also could have been hit or suffered heavy damage were it not that Argentinean pilots often released their rockets too low, which exploded with little effect or did not detonate on time.
The British incurred heavy losses at San Carlos Bay, but succeeded in completing the landings. However, the loss of a freighter carrying the transport helicopters for the troops meant that the British ground forces at San Carlos Bay could not be airlifted to Port Stanley as planned, but would have to walk the 80 kilometers of open terrain in bad weather to the capital. The main force of 3,000 troops was tasked to advance to Port Stanley.
Background Argentina invaded Falklands on April 2, 1982 when 100 Argentinean commandos were landed at Port Stanley, the capital, ahead of the main force of 2,000 soldiers who later were landed amphibiously. After some skirmishes, the island’s British garrison of 60 soldiers surrendered, and the Falklands came under Argentine control.
Argentina then set up a military command to administer the islands. British authorities and military personnel were expelled, and Falklanders were given the option to leave with compensation. (More details on the war here.)