Battle of Goose Green
The Battle of Goose Green, fought from May 27 to May 29, 1982, was a significant conflict during the Falklands War between British and Argentine forces. Following the British landing near Port San Carlos, intelligence indicated a small Argentine contingent at Goose Green posed a strategic threat. The British forces encountered unexpectedly strong defenses from the well-fortified Argentine troops. The battle was characterized by intense fighting, with British paratroopers making gradual advances despite heavy resistance. Ultimately, the British forces captured over 1,000 Argentine soldiers and their equipment, while suffering 16 fatalities and 30 injuries, including the loss of their commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Jones. The victory at Goose Green bolstered British morale and facilitated their subsequent march towards the capital, Port Stanley. This battle remains an important event in military history, reflecting the complexities and challenges of war.
On this Page
Battle of Goose Green
Type of action: Ground battle in the Falkland Islands War
Date: May 27-29, 1982
Location: South of Port San Carlos on the West Falkland Island (fifty miles west of Port Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands)
Combatants: 600 British vs. 1,200 Argentinians
Principal commander: British, Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Jones
Result: Successful British attack on fortified Argentine force
On May 21, 1982, a British parachute regiment landed in the vicinity of Port San Carlos and immediately started an advance to the capital of the Falkland Islands, Port Stanley. British intelligence suggested that there might be a small detachment of Argentine troops at the village of Goose Green. Because the Argentine troops posed a flanking problem to the British, they chose to attack Goose Green. To the surprise of the British troops, they found a well-fortified, dug-in Argentine army.
The battle started on the evening of May 27 and continued all night and all the next day, ending early on May 29. The fighting was fierce and intense. The paratroopers continuously attacked, gaining small advances throughout the three days. When the battle was over, the British had captured more than 1,000 Argentine troops and all their equipment and killed more than 200. The British lost 16 killed and 30 wounded. However, the paratroopers lost their commander, Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Jones, who was killed leading an attack on a machine-gun nest.
Significance
The successful battle campaign on Goose Green increased the high morale for the British troops, and it cleared the way for a quick advance on the capital of Port Stanley.
Bibliography
Hoffman, Fritz L., and Olga Mingo Hoffman. Sovereignty in Dispute: The Falklands/Malvinas (1984). Boulder, Colo.: Westview Press, 1984.
Smith, Wayne. Toward Resolution? The Falkland/Malvinas Dispute. Boulder, Colo.: Lynne, 1991.