Introduction
On April 4th, 1982, 48 hours after the Argentine Marine Corps landed in the Malvinas islands, two Argentine Naval Prefecture patrol boats moored at the Dock E of the Metropolitan Port were ordered to set sail to the islands.
They were the Z-28 class Patrol Boats GC 82 (Islas Malvinas) and GC 83 (Río Iguazú) built by Blohm+Voss GmbH (Germany). Both were 81 tonnes and 28 meters length and had two 12.7 mm caliber Browning machine guns located on stern. These ships could develop a maximun speed of 22 knots.
The GC 82 crew was formed by 15 men most of them of low rank but her Commander Lieutenant Eduardo Adolfo Olmedo and two officers. 13
The GC 83 crew was formed by 18 men including her commander Lieutenant (Junior grade) José Carlos Cárraga and two officers. 12,13
On April 11th at 15.30hs they departed to the Malvinas outsmarting the British blockade established since April 12th at 0.00 hs. They travelled about 700 km amidst a stormy weather. Both patrol boats arrived to Malvinas on April 13rd at 00.15hs.
Their mission was reconnaissance, supply logistics, patrol, radar sweep, pilotage of vessels who entered Stanley, communications interception, SAR and since May 15 nightly tasks of mining in the bay. 13
They were the Z-28 class Patrol Boats GC 82 (Islas Malvinas) and GC 83 (Río Iguazú) built by Blohm+Voss GmbH (Germany). Both were 81 tonnes and 28 meters length and had two 12.7 mm caliber Browning machine guns located on stern. These ships could develop a maximun speed of 22 knots.
The GC 82 crew was formed by 15 men most of them of low rank but her Commander Lieutenant Eduardo Adolfo Olmedo and two officers. 13
The GC 83 crew was formed by 18 men including her commander Lieutenant (Junior grade) José Carlos Cárraga and two officers. 12,13
On April 11th at 15.30hs they departed to the Malvinas outsmarting the British blockade established since April 12th at 0.00 hs. They travelled about 700 km amidst a stormy weather. Both patrol boats arrived to Malvinas on April 13rd at 00.15hs.
Their mission was reconnaissance, supply logistics, patrol, radar sweep, pilotage of vessels who entered Stanley, communications interception, SAR and since May 15 nightly tasks of mining in the bay. 13
The patrol boats were painted in light brown color and green paint obtained from the former Royal Marines´ barracks at Moody Brook. 2,13,15
Nurse Able Seaman 1st Class Roberto Borello
In 1982 Nurse Able Seaman 1st Class Roberto Borello (20) was stationed at the old Buenos Aires Naval Hospital (Ambrosetti street) helping in the formation of what was going to be the new Buenos Aires Naval Hospital ¨Cirujano Mayor Dr Pedro Mallo¨. On April 14th Borello was relieved of his duty and was appointed to the Navy´s General HQ (Edificio Libertad) which later sent him to the APOSVINA. On April 15th he was transferred to Palomar and later taken to Río Gallegos. Borello made his trip to the islands in a Hércules plane crowded of supplies. When he arrived to the islands he stayed overnight at the vessel ARA Bahía Buen Suceso. He performed various navigations until the time of the attack.
In 1982 Nurse Able Seaman 1st Class Roberto Borello (20) was stationed at the old Buenos Aires Naval Hospital (Ambrosetti street) helping in the formation of what was going to be the new Buenos Aires Naval Hospital ¨Cirujano Mayor Dr Pedro Mallo¨. On April 14th Borello was relieved of his duty and was appointed to the Navy´s General HQ (Edificio Libertad) which later sent him to the APOSVINA. On April 15th he was transferred to Palomar and later taken to Río Gallegos. Borello made his trip to the islands in a Hércules plane crowded of supplies. When he arrived to the islands he stayed overnight at the vessel ARA Bahía Buen Suceso. He performed various navigations until the time of the attack.
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1982
Nurse Able Seaman 1st Class
Roberto Borello
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2013
Nurse Warrant Officer 1 (Ret)
(Photograph taken by the author)
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The attack on the GC 82 (Islas Malvinas)
On April 30th the GC 82 had a broken propeller which reduced its velocity in half.
On May 1st, 1982 at 15.20hs in Berkeley Sound, the GC 82 was attacked by a British helicopter whose burst of machine gun hit the port side damaging the main machine leaks. 11
Our strategy was to maneuver the 12.7 mm gun, which had a stern, but the commander of the helicopter also knew, so we were looking forward. We shot with everything we had, even with the 9 mm and the Falcon. In this English attack, was wounded Corporal Antonio Grigolatto second, who worked as a machinist, who at the time was assigned as a combat outpost high bridge on the port side. Grigolatto was a brave crew acted under attack, despite the pain of his wounds, and he had been hit by MAG in the abdominal area. 7
According to British sources such attack was made by a Lynk HAS.2 Mk 2/3 helicopter Registration Number ZX 736 commanded by Lieutenant Commander Burrows from the HMS Alacrity (F174) (Type 21 Frigate Amazon class).13
Lynk HAS.2 Mk 2/3 helicopter
Note:
The HAS.2 naval ASW variant took part in combat operations in British service during the Falklands War in 1982. Although none were shot down, three were lost aboard vessels hit in Argentine air attacks (HMS Coventry, HMS Ardent and MV Atlantic Conveyor). 3,8
Nurse Able Seaman 1st Class Roberto Borello could hear the screams for help coming from the bridge. He passed his Fusil Automatique Léger (FAL) to another Seaman and runned to the place where the attack was taking place.
The Engine Seaman Antonio Ramón Grigolatto was hit in the abdomen. Borello cut the overall with his bayonet and found an inlet in the right upper quadrant with an outlet in the ipsilateral lumbar region. While Grigolatto was being transported they suffered another barrage which sent Borello and his patient rolling downstairs.
Nurse Able Seaman 1st Class Roberto Borello could hear the screams for help coming from the bridge. He passed his Fusil Automatique Léger (FAL) to another Seaman and runned to the place where the attack was taking place.
The Engine Seaman Antonio Ramón Grigolatto was hit in the abdomen. Borello cut the overall with his bayonet and found an inlet in the right upper quadrant with an outlet in the ipsilateral lumbar region. While Grigolatto was being transported they suffered another barrage which sent Borello and his patient rolling downstairs.
From left to right: Juan José Baccaro, Carlos Alberto Bengoechea and Antonio Ramón Grigolatto. Bengoechea said: We didn´t hate our enemy. We tried to destroy thier material¨
(Revista Gente, 3 de junio de 1982)
While being at the aid station (the Commander´s cabin), Borello found Grigolatto was suffering a hipovolemic shock so he quickly put two IV lines and started volume expanding fluids. Petty Officer Second Class Marcelino Blatter noticed that the anchor was jamed so he quickly cut its rope with a handsaw thus allowing the immediate transport of the wounded.
The Commander Lieutenant Jorge Carlos Cárrega being informed took course towards Port Stanley where an ambulance would be waiting. Grigolatto underwent surgery and saved his life. Borello assisted the rest of the crew.
Years later Borello remembered how he broke his FAL on deck and threw it to the bay. He left the patrol boat carrying the image of the Stella Maris Virgin wrapped in a flag and concealed in his clothes thus avoiding any requisition. Borello embarked in the merchant ship Yehuin 10 which took him to the icebreaker ARA Almirante Irizar. He later delivered in the Ezeiza airport the Stella Maris image to the rest of the crew.
The British description of the attack on the GC 82
1st MAY: HMS Alacrity, HMS Arrow and HMS Glamorgan close with Port Stanley for the first daylight Naval Gunfire Support (NGS) action. HMS Alacrity´ Lynx helicopter is sent on spotting role but is fired upon by the Argentine Naval patrol craft, Islas Malvinas (GC82), near Kidney Island. The Lynx returned fire and silenced that from the patrol craft but was hit by machine gun fire from an armed fishing vessel that accompanied the Islas Malvinas. The Lynx continued with the intent of conducting the spotting mission and landed to check on damage. Machine gun fire had holed the long range fuel tank and fuel was draining at a rapid rate. The aircraft returned to HMS Alacrity for an emergency landing. As the Lynx approached the NGS group all on board were impressed by the sight of three proud warships, on the gunline, with bright battle ensigns standing out from the dull grey of the sea. The final damage to the Lynx was extensive including holes in an engine, fuselage and fuel tank. Most alarming was the fact that a bullet had sliced through the tail rotor drive shaft leaving very little metal intact. Pilot, Lt. Rob Sleeman, surely had the closest escape when a bullet went through the windscreen- it would have hit him had he not instinctively turned his head to check he was clear to turn away from the gunfire. The Islas Malvinas was later captured by HMS Cardiff and renamed HMS Tiger Bay. 1
The surrender
Cárrega said: The time of the capitulation was th ehardest one, although it was very civilized. As we entered, the English filled some identification forms and gave us a number. Mine was 611 and I was expected to answer to it. They exerted upon us very strong psychological action and we had serious doubts about our future. We were locked in an old refrigerator of North San Carlos . In the distance , I think the British intelligence did not believe we had made the crossing from mainland to the islands without having what they called mother ships or support. Looking at the patrol boat they did not believe we could have attempted the crossing so much from "outside". There were shortcomings, the water treatment plant was blown , we obtained water from the British ships and the cold was intense. After the refrigerator, we were sent t othe transport ship Sir Edmond , where we shared the place with maximum security prisoners. They allowed me to write a letter as authorized by the Geneva Convention. This last was sent through the International Red Cross but ironically I received it later at home. 7
Note:
The HMS Tiger Bay
Once in British hands the GC 82 was towed across the Atlantic to be exhibited as a war trophy in several British ports. She was baptized as HMS Tiger Bay and taken to Portsmouth. 6
The nameplates
In January 2009, the GC- 82 appeared at the newspaper headlines when one of its nameplates made in oak with molded metal letters , was sold by Bonhams 5 auction at no less than £ 5040 , almost ten times more that was valued (between £ 500 and £ 700). The buyer's name was kept confidential although it is estimated that it was acquired by the Argentine Naval Prefecture or some close association.It is currently displayed at the Argentine Naval Prefecture Central Historical Museum in Tigre.
The plate was removed from the patrol boat by the crew of HMS Cardiff and was submitted to the auction house Bonhams Oxford by Colonel Ian Baxter of the Royal Navy who decided to get rid of it after keeeping it at his home as a "war trophy" for over 27 years (Baxter received the plate on June 15, 1982 from the brand new harbor master appointed by the British authorities).
At the auction the plate was accompanied by a statement of authenticity written by Baxter`s handwriting stating : "As the acting Chief of Staff HQ Command Forces, I was present at the surrender on 14 June of the Argentine Forces occupying the Falklands Islands. The following day the harbour master presented me with one of the two name boards he had removed from the patrol boat."
Nothing is known about the other original plate, but it is most probably is preserved as a war souvenir by some British High Command who took part in the conflict. 14
Roberto Borello´s career
Nurse Able Seaman 1st Class Oscar Guzman
Able Seaman 1st class Guzman, a native of San Martín Department (Province of San Juan), was appointed in 1982 to the Health Department of the Arsenal Naval Azopardo (Azul, Province of Buenos Aires) being later assigned to APOSVINA (Malvinas Naval Station). The Chief of the Arsenal was Marine Corps Captain Carlos Alberto Bouvet and the author was chief of the Health Department.
Our first naval combat
The story was quite different with the GC 83. In addition to being the first vessel of our country that mocked the British naval blockade was also the first to be attacked by aircraft of that country and therefore has been historically our first naval combat.
The GC 83 Río Iguazú was carrying to Darwin two howitzers OTO MELARA 105mm belonging to Group No. 4 of Airborne Artillery in order to reinforce the Infantry Regiment No. 12 at Goose Green and company C of the 25th Infantry Regiment. 16
At 18 meters above the sea the Sea Harrier fired its Aden 30 mm cannon fire hitting Benitez in his chest.
Then 24 years old Engine Able Seaman José Raúl Ibañez of Libertador (Esquina Department, province of Corrientes) pushed his comrade aside and took his place. Ibañez had no special instruction as gunner but he paid much attention during the drills. According to Ibañez he shot a fire curtain which hit full the Sea Harrier. **
** According to British sources, the sortie was actually carried out by two Sea Harriers of 800 Naval Air Squadron, Nº XZ460 (Lieutenant Commander `Fred´ Frederiksen) and XZ499, which strafed the vessel with 30 mm cannon fire. (Pook, Jerry: RAF Harrier Ground Attack – Falklands. Pen & Sword, 2006, page 69).Lieutenant Commander Frederiksen of South Shields and Lieutenant Mike Hale attacked Coast Guard GC-83 Río Iguazú. Frederiksen died on September 27th, 2009 at 62 . He married Jill Coker in 1986. The couple separated and she survives him with three daughters.(The Telegraph-29 Nov 2009)
The Sea Harrier was withdrawn from service in 2006 and the last remaining aircraft from 801 Naval Air Squadron were decommissioned on 29 March 2006. The plans for retirement were announced in 2002 by the Ministry of Defence.
Justice of the Peace Andrew Brownlee`s description
The British description of the attack on the GC 82
1st MAY: HMS Alacrity, HMS Arrow and HMS Glamorgan close with Port Stanley for the first daylight Naval Gunfire Support (NGS) action. HMS Alacrity´ Lynx helicopter is sent on spotting role but is fired upon by the Argentine Naval patrol craft, Islas Malvinas (GC82), near Kidney Island. The Lynx returned fire and silenced that from the patrol craft but was hit by machine gun fire from an armed fishing vessel that accompanied the Islas Malvinas. The Lynx continued with the intent of conducting the spotting mission and landed to check on damage. Machine gun fire had holed the long range fuel tank and fuel was draining at a rapid rate. The aircraft returned to HMS Alacrity for an emergency landing. As the Lynx approached the NGS group all on board were impressed by the sight of three proud warships, on the gunline, with bright battle ensigns standing out from the dull grey of the sea. The final damage to the Lynx was extensive including holes in an engine, fuselage and fuel tank. Most alarming was the fact that a bullet had sliced through the tail rotor drive shaft leaving very little metal intact. Pilot, Lt. Rob Sleeman, surely had the closest escape when a bullet went through the windscreen- it would have hit him had he not instinctively turned his head to check he was clear to turn away from the gunfire. The Islas Malvinas was later captured by HMS Cardiff and renamed HMS Tiger Bay. 1
The surrender
Cárrega said: The time of the capitulation was th ehardest one, although it was very civilized. As we entered, the English filled some identification forms and gave us a number. Mine was 611 and I was expected to answer to it. They exerted upon us very strong psychological action and we had serious doubts about our future. We were locked in an old refrigerator of North San Carlos . In the distance , I think the British intelligence did not believe we had made the crossing from mainland to the islands without having what they called mother ships or support. Looking at the patrol boat they did not believe we could have attempted the crossing so much from "outside". There were shortcomings, the water treatment plant was blown , we obtained water from the British ships and the cold was intense. After the refrigerator, we were sent t othe transport ship Sir Edmond , where we shared the place with maximum security prisoners. They allowed me to write a letter as authorized by the Geneva Convention. This last was sent through the International Red Cross but ironically I received it later at home. 7
Note:
MAG: The FN MAG is a Belgian 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun, designed in the early 1950s at Fabrique Nationale (FN) by Ernest Vervier. It has been used by more than 80 countries, and it has been made under licence in countries such as Argentina, Egypt, India, Singapore and the United Kingdom. The weapon's name is an abbreviation for Mitrailleuse d'Appui Général, meaning general-purpose machine gun (GPMG). The MAG is available in three primary versions: the standard, infantry Model 60-20 machine gun, the Model 60-40 coaxial machine gun for armoured fighting vehicles and the Model 60-30 aircraft variant.
The HMS Tiger Bay
Once in British hands the GC 82 was towed across the Atlantic to be exhibited as a war trophy in several British ports. She was baptized as HMS Tiger Bay and taken to Portsmouth. 6
It is at that time when they removed the port and starboard nameplates, and renamed her HMS Tiger Bay. The war camoflage was replaced by the Royal Navy`s gray. In 1986 it was sold to an individual who renamed it "Challenger Survey" and the last known photo of the boat dates from July 1989 when she was moored in the port of Penzance. Since then no more data was obtained.
The nameplates
In January 2009, the GC- 82 appeared at the newspaper headlines when one of its nameplates made in oak with molded metal letters , was sold by Bonhams 5 auction at no less than £ 5040 , almost ten times more that was valued (between £ 500 and £ 700). The buyer's name was kept confidential although it is estimated that it was acquired by the Argentine Naval Prefecture or some close association.It is currently displayed at the Argentine Naval Prefecture Central Historical Museum in Tigre.
The plate was removed from the patrol boat by the crew of HMS Cardiff and was submitted to the auction house Bonhams Oxford by Colonel Ian Baxter of the Royal Navy who decided to get rid of it after keeeping it at his home as a "war trophy" for over 27 years (Baxter received the plate on June 15, 1982 from the brand new harbor master appointed by the British authorities).
At the auction the plate was accompanied by a statement of authenticity written by Baxter`s handwriting stating : "As the acting Chief of Staff HQ Command Forces, I was present at the surrender on 14 June of the Argentine Forces occupying the Falklands Islands. The following day the harbour master presented me with one of the two name boards he had removed from the patrol boat."
Roberto Borello´s career
In 1983 Borello became the first hemodialysis technician who inaugurated such service at the Buenos Aires Naval Hospital. In 1985 he earned his degree as Perfusion Circulatory Assistance technician at the University of Buenos Aires being then the only military personnel with such training in the Argentine Armed Forces. Borello worked at the Cardiovascular Recovery Unit. He retired in February 2013 as Warrant Officer 1. With Mrs. Oviedo (speech therapist) they had two daughters: Rosario(18) and Rocío (16).
Nurse Able Seaman 1st Class Oscar Guzman
Able Seaman 1st class Guzman, a native of San Martín Department (Province of San Juan), was appointed in 1982 to the Health Department of the Arsenal Naval Azopardo (Azul, Province of Buenos Aires) being later assigned to APOSVINA (Malvinas Naval Station). The Chief of the Arsenal was Marine Corps Captain Carlos Alberto Bouvet and the author was chief of the Health Department.
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Nurse Able Seaman 1st Class
Oscar Guzmán
(Argentine Navy files)
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| Nurse Petty Officer Oscar Guzmán |
The first nurse sitted on the left is Able Seaman Oscar Guzmán in 1982 with the raest of the Health Departmenl Arsenal Azopardo (Azul, Province of Buenos Aires).
(Photograph taken by the author)
Our first naval combat
The story was quite different with the GC 83. In addition to being the first vessel of our country that mocked the British naval blockade was also the first to be attacked by aircraft of that country and therefore has been historically our first naval combat.
The GC 83 Río Iguazú was carrying to Darwin two howitzers OTO MELARA 105mm belonging to Group No. 4 of Airborne Artillery in order to reinforce the Infantry Regiment No. 12 at Goose Green and company C of the 25th Infantry Regiment. 16
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| OTO MELARA 105 mm |
On Friday May 21, after midnight the load was stowed in lockers below the waterline. At 4 AM is set sail to its destination. There were 20 Army men on board under the orders of Lieutenant José Eduardo Navarro. The crew consisted of 15 members of the Argentine Naval Prefecture and Nurse Able Seaman Oscar Guzman of the Argentine Navy.
Navarro remembers that the Captain of the patrol boat foretold the nightmare: their passage would demand eight hours, the main part of the sailing being carried out in daylight, when the Brits shot at everything that moved. 16
On May 22nd, at 9:00 pm the patrol boat was at the center of Choiseul Sound which separates both portions that form the island Soledad.
Navarro remembers that the Captain of the patrol boat foretold the nightmare: their passage would demand eight hours, the main part of the sailing being carried out in daylight, when the Brits shot at everything that moved. 16
On May 22nd, at 9:00 pm the patrol boat was at the center of Choiseul Sound which separates both portions that form the island Soledad.
According to Argentine sources the GC 83 was attacked by three Sea Harriers. British sources said they were two. One came forward and one came up from the opposite side. The British aircraft fired rockets that hit the roof and opened a very large course which activated the overburden bilge pumps.
Commander Eduardo Adolfo Olmedo ordered to abandon ship communicating the crew that he would pull the boat to the coast, at that time about 1000 meters. The patrol boat was beached in Bottom Bay.
The last attack was made while the patrol boat was near the shore. As the engines kept running a dense smoke came out from the chimney.
As engines were running a dense smoke rose from the chimney. Chief officer Juan Ramón Villar started the Halon automatic fire extinguisher.
Then there was another attack from starboard which destroyed the roof and aluminum plates lifting much of the structure which became splinters.
In these 10 minutes of attack there were scenes of tragedy and heroism.
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Commander Eduardo Adolfo Olmedo ordered to abandon ship communicating the crew that he would pull the boat to the coast, at that time about 1000 meters. The patrol boat was beached in Bottom Bay.
The last attack was made while the patrol boat was near the shore. As the engines kept running a dense smoke came out from the chimney.
As engines were running a dense smoke rose from the chimney. Chief officer Juan Ramón Villar started the Halon automatic fire extinguisher.
Then there was another attack from starboard which destroyed the roof and aluminum plates lifting much of the structure which became splinters.
In these 10 minutes of attack there were scenes of tragedy and heroism.
The 19 years old machine gunner Seaman Omar Benítez of Basavilbaso (province of Entre Ríos) aimed the Sea Harrier .
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| Seaman Julio Omar Benítez (1962-1982) |
At 18 meters above the sea the Sea Harrier fired its Aden 30 mm cannon fire hitting Benitez in his chest.
Then 24 years old Engine Able Seaman José Raúl Ibañez of Libertador (Esquina Department, province of Corrientes) pushed his comrade aside and took his place. Ibañez had no special instruction as gunner but he paid much attention during the drills. According to Ibañez he shot a fire curtain which hit full the Sea Harrier. **
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| Engine Able Seaman José Raúl Ibañez in 1983 |
** According to British sources, the sortie was actually carried out by two Sea Harriers of 800 Naval Air Squadron, Nº XZ460 (Lieutenant Commander `Fred´ Frederiksen) and XZ499, which strafed the vessel with 30 mm cannon fire. (Pook, Jerry: RAF Harrier Ground Attack – Falklands. Pen & Sword, 2006, page 69).Lieutenant Commander Frederiksen of South Shields and Lieutenant Mike Hale attacked Coast Guard GC-83 Río Iguazú. Frederiksen died on September 27th, 2009 at 62 . He married Jill Coker in 1986. The couple separated and she survives him with three daughters.(The Telegraph-29 Nov 2009)
Sea Harriers FRS.1 from 800 Naval Air Squadron
The Sea Harrier was withdrawn from service in 2006 and the last remaining aircraft from 801 Naval Air Squadron were decommissioned on 29 March 2006. The plans for retirement were announced in 2002 by the Ministry of Defence.
Justice of the Peace Andrew Brownlee`s description
During the November 2007 Pilgrimage Major (ret) Mike Seear met former Police Officer and then Justice of the Peace Andrew Brownlee. Together with his brother-in-law James, he had been a twenty year-old eye-witness of the engagement which occurred three kilometres from them. At the time they were drinking ‘a good cup of English PG Tips tea (loose tea – not tea bags!)’:
Before sunrise I was on top of a hill just outside Walker Creek, along with my brother-in-law, a former Royal Marine, and noticed a small vessel moving in Choiseul Sound in the area of Gull Island. It was a beautiful start to the morning, the sky was red, calm and dry. We then noticed two Sea Harriers (their shape is unmistakeable) high in the sky to the east of us.
The Harriers had obviously spotted the Iguazú and went into a very steep dive pattern down towards it and flew very close and low over it at high speed. Nothing was fired at this stage. They then banked and regained height and came back around and in from the east. On this pass the lead Sea Harrier opened fire.
We saw streaks of red coming from the aircraft towards the vessel of which we now had a clear and unobstructed view and daylight was a little better. You could see that the vessel was being hit with just about everything the Harrier had. My diary states that only the lead Harrier fired. We could not see any sign whatsoever of any gunfire or tracer coming from the vessel towards the Harriers. After the attack run both aircraft regained height and did victory rolls high in the sky, then flew off in a westerly direction. Neither had any trails of smoke from them. We could see a lot of smoke coming from the vessel which then went out of sight. 16
Argentine Army Sub-Lieutenant José Eduardo Navarro´s description
At nine `clock in the morning the air attack alarm went off, and ten minutes later there was a tremendous explosion, the lights went out and the bridge filled with smoke. The order to abandon the boat was issued and as I made my way towards the bows I looked around and saw that most of the men were alreay in the water swimming towards the coast, which lay about thirty meters from us. At the same time I spotted one of the planes returning for a second straffing dive, this time along the beam. I dived into the water with the rest of my men and we reached land, though not on the mainland. We gathered on a small barren island of no more than 3,000 metres `diameter`.
At nine `clock in the morning the air attack alarm went off, and ten minutes later there was a tremendous explosion, the lights went out and the bridge filled with smoke. The order to abandon the boat was issued and as I made my way towards the bows I looked around and saw that most of the men were alreay in the water swimming towards the coast, which lay about thirty meters from us. At the same time I spotted one of the planes returning for a second straffing dive, this time along the beam. I dived into the water with the rest of my men and we reached land, though not on the mainland. We gathered on a small barren island of no more than 3,000 metres `diameter`.
The Río Iguazú had not given up without fighting back. Her artillerymen fired against the incoming Harrier.One of them died while firing his gun (a Browning) and an engine-room mate pushed his corpse away, manned the weapon and shot down one of the planes.
Nothing dramatic had happened to my people, but we had two severely wounded Coastguard men. One of my men Conscript Roberto González, told me that his throat felt sore. In inspected his neck only to discover a wound from which blood was oozing. I tried to open his jacket, but could not, a four centimetre piesce of shrapnel had lodged itselfed in the metal zipper, rendering it useless but missing the flesh underneath.
I then took a headcount and noticed that I was missing a man. Conscript Rodolfo Sulin had dived again into the water. He climbed onto the vessel and threw two life rafts overboard. He then loaded them with rations, dry clothes and medicines he could find and returned to the island with both rafts.I think that saved us all dying from exposure.
Note:
Conscript Rodolfo Sulin was decorated. He was the son of the Commander of the ship Piloto Alsina and had few weks in the military service. He met his father again when the Brits send him as POW to the icebreaker.
Note:
Conscript Rodolfo Sulin was decorated. He was the son of the Commander of the ship Piloto Alsina and had few weks in the military service. He met his father again when the Brits send him as POW to the icebreaker.
According to the Argentine Coast Guard on May 22nd a Sea Harrier ZA 192 (Lieutenant Commander Gordon W. J. Batt DSC (Royal Navy) of the aircarrier HMS Hermes was shot down. by the Río Iguazú. 6,15
According to British sources on Sunday May 23 at 7.55 PM Sea Harrier No. 800 NAS HMS Hermes exploded (by unknown reasons) shortly after his take off and crashed off the northeast of the Falkland Islands killing Commander Batt.
Batt was born in Yorkshire in 1945 and was the only son of Rose and James Batt.
During the Conflict he took part in various missions and was conferred post- mortem the Distinguished Service Cross. (800 Naval Air Squadron) 3,8
In his book Return to Tumbledown author Major (ret) Mike Seear stated that, according to Andrew Brownlee´s eye witness and two Argentine Air Force Observers, Ciano Zampieri and Julio Rotea, no Sea Harrier was shot down during the attack on the Río Iguazú. 16
The injured
On courage
The dictionary defines courage as the state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery. 4
A helicopter rescued them about five on the same afternon and took them to Darwin. The following day Navarro returned to the Río Iguazú. Sub Lieutenant Juan José Gómez Centurión a trained diver was with him. They accomplished a nearly impossible mission: the rescue of at least one of the dissambled guns, its transport to Darwin, putting it together and making it workable. Gómez Centurión dived and handed Navarro the different part and mechanisms he had found and they loaded them in the boat. A helicopter picked them and took them to Darwin. They recovered a whole OTO Melara in pieces. When the Brits attacked Darwin and Goose Green, the gun rescued from the sea was used to delay their advance. 16
(Malvinas: historia de un cañón rescatado del mar-El recuerdo de José Eduardo Navarro hoy Teniente Coronel-Clarín -1º de Abril, 2003)
The injured
Nurse Able Seaman 1st class Oscar Guzmán had to treat severely wounded men: Boatswain Juan José Baccaro was injured by 72 shrapnels in hiss skull, neck, spine, lungs, hips and left leg. He still has 61 fragments in his body. 6 Able Seaman Carlos Alberto Bengochea had his left thigh severed by shrapnel.
While there was a risk of a new attack, Nurse Able Seaman Guzmán threw himself in the water (average temperature of the water surface at the time of year = 7.8 ° C) and reached the coast. There he attended with professionalism and great speed the wounded who were later evacuated by an Army helicopter .
Guzman remained in the island and witnessed two British helicopters attacking the ship Monsunen.
Note:
The Battle of Seal Cove was a minor naval action west of Lively Island. On May 22, 1982, while supporting Operation Suttonoff San Carlos Bay, the British frigates HMS Brilliant (Captain John Coward) and HMS Yarmouth (Captain Anthony Morton) received orders to stop and seize the Argentine armed coastal supply boat ARA Monsunen. The ship was spotted by a RAF Harrier while sailing from Fox Bay towards Stanley with a cargo of 150 fuel drums and 250 flour sacks. The action is thought to be the only naval encounter between armed surface ships in the war. Argentine Comander Jorge Gopcevich Canevari was awarded by the Argentine Navy To Valor en Combate.
The Battle of Seal Cove was a minor naval action west of Lively Island. On May 22, 1982, while supporting Operation Suttonoff San Carlos Bay, the British frigates HMS Brilliant (Captain John Coward) and HMS Yarmouth (Captain Anthony Morton) received orders to stop and seize the Argentine armed coastal supply boat ARA Monsunen. The ship was spotted by a RAF Harrier while sailing from Fox Bay towards Stanley with a cargo of 150 fuel drums and 250 flour sacks. The action is thought to be the only naval encounter between armed surface ships in the war. Argentine Comander Jorge Gopcevich Canevari was awarded by the Argentine Navy To Valor en Combate.
During the last days of the contest, Guzmán helped set an emergency hospital in a carpentry assisting the wounded in the colony .
Andrew Brownlee said: I saw the vessel from a Gazelle helicopter on the morning of 17 June 1982 beached onto a small island in the Choiseul Sound, it could well have been Gull Island or its neighbour Sea Lion Island (not the famous wildlife reserve to the south of the Islands). She was listing right over to her port side. You could see extensive damage to the vessel – holes everywhere and signs that the surviving crew had slept on the beach. The helicopter hovered over the area for around a minute so that I could get a good view of it.
The GC83 Río Iguazú lies broken on a shore near Goose Green,
after fight with 2 British Harrier aircraft in May 1982
(Kindly submitted by Roberto Borello)
The Río Iguazú herself was left derilict on the beach at Button Bay until her capture by the British, however they had no use for the ship and left it to rot on the tidal flats.
The hulk remained on the beach in her sad state for another 22 days when she was attacked again, this time being hit by a Sea Skua missile fired by a Westland Lynx HAS.Mk.2/3 (XZ691) from HMS Penelope on June 13th, 1982, which mistook the wreck for a active warship. Following the conclusion of the Falklands War, the hulk of the Río Iguazú was towed by British Forces to Goose Green, where it was beached again and scrapped postwar. 18
Omar Benitez was buried in the cemetery of Darwin (Argentine Military Cemetery) and the Army offered postmortem accolades .
Ibáñez received the highest award "The Argentine Nation to heroic valor in combat. ". In 1998 the Senate declared "Illustrious material" the episode depicted by the Río Iguazú crew.
Four years later Nurse Able Seaman 1st class Malvinas Guzmán completed the course of Technical Assistant Therapist in Puerto Belgrano Naval Hospital led by Lieutenant Commander Medicine Doctor Guillermo Weyland. That very same year Guzmán married to Ms Alicia Haydée Rodriguez. They had two daughters Johanna Valeria and Camila Alejandra.
From November 1993 to November 1994, Petty Officer Guzmán was stationed in El Salvador where he received the UN award from the Commander of the ONUSAL Military Division Colonel Luis Alejandro Sinte (Spain). As Chief Petty Officer Guzmán was later appointed to the Health Division of the Naval Hydrographic Service.
In 2000, the Navy by EMGD Resolution No. 240/00. awarded the Medal to Valor in Combat to Roberto Daniel Borello and Oscar Guzmán who assisted wounded personnel under enemy fire which involved a great risk to their lives.
Petty Officer Borello received the medal while being appointed to the Buenos Aires Naval Hospital ¨Cirujano Mayor Dr Pedro Mallo¨.
Petty Officer Guzmán received the medal from the Governor of the Province Buenos Aires D. Felipe Sola while being stationed at the Naval Academy in Rio Santiago .
On May 20th, 2002 the combat of the GC 83 was presented in the University of El Salvador auditorium as part of the extracurricular Naval History which is taught in the University.
The wounded crew received the Medal of the Argentine Nation to the wounded in combat. The full crew received the distintivo Operations in Malvinas and Coast Guard in Malvinas.
After the war the flag of both Coast Guards received the decorations Combat Operations , Coast Guard in Malvinas and a medal given by the province of Santa Fé with the inscription The Government and the people of the province of Santa Fé to the flag which fought in the South Atlantic 1982. The GC 83 Río Iguazú received the distincion Honor to Valor in Combat.
On courage
The dictionary defines courage as the state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery. 4
The writer , congressman and diplomat Clare Boothe Luce (1903 -1987) said : Courage is the ladder on which all the other virtues mount.
Prosperity in Japan is represented by a bamboo. Longevity is represented by a pine. The value is represented by the plum . Why the weak and delicate plumb symbolizes the value ? Why not strong and resistant oak? The plum symbolizes courage because even when snow covers the land it never fails to deliver flowers.
Heroism is a moral concept and requires a conflict of values. The hero is one that keeps its rational values and fight for them, if necessary against every conceivable form of opposition.
The relevant principle is that if one remains true to his convictions in middle of the action whether you face enemy fire or your own Hell, if you fight without ceasing against all antagonism, if you never betray your soul and searching tirelessly for excellence , if you embrace all this and never cry for mercy then one is a hero although we might have failed in practical terms.
Aristotle called this attitude " greatness of soul " . These people may fail in their attempt, receive a shot in the back and even die but their devotion represents at the end a moral victory and as a result of this these men become an inspiration.
A civilization is preserved when highlights and protect those members who reveal courage in their daily work. As they become models to be followed they are worthy of emulation.
Major (Ret) Mike Seear
Nurse Warrant Officer 1 (Ret) Roberto Borello
Nurse Chief Petty Officer (Ret) Oscar Guzmán
Bibliography
- Alacrity in action- http://www.hmsalacrity.co.uk/may.html
- 2-Al combate en cáscaras de nuez-La Guerra de las Malvinas-Ediciones Fernández Reguera- pág 396-399
- Battles of the Falklands Islands War 1982-Surrender, Victory and Part of the price Paid ( Parts 50-55 )- Part 53-British Aircraft Lost-22nd April-12th June 1982- http://www.naval-history.net/F63 raircraftlost.htm
- Bernstein, Andrew Dr. –The Philosophical Foundations of Heroism. http://www.mikementzer.com/heroism.html
- Bonhams http://www.bonhams.com/press_release/9967/
- Bouillon, Willy G-Un Guardacosta frente a los Sea Harrier-La Nación Sección 7-Enfoques-página 4-16 de junio de 2002.
- Cárrega,Jorge Carlos Prefecto Mayor-Los Guardacostas PNA GC 82 Islas Malvinas y el GC 83 Rio Iguazu http://www.alfinal.com/politica/guardacostasislasmalvinasyrioiguazu.php
- Gilbert, Barbara-Collections Assistant-Fleet Air Arm Museum, Box Nº D6, RNAS Yeovilton, Somerset, BA22 HT, England. (UK)
- “La Gaceta Argentina”-Puerto Argentino 25 de mayo de 1982-Año 1- Nº 6- Ejército Argentino-Editada por Fray Salvador Santore OP y el Capitán D. Fernando Orlando Rodríguez Mayo.
- La historia del Yehuin patrimonio histórico de los argentinos. El Malvinense- http://www.malvinense.com.ar/smalvi/10/1584.htm
- La Primera vez que entró en combate una embarcación argentina con un helicóptero inglés-Gaceta Marinera Digital-1º de marzo de 2012.
- Muñoz, José- “Los Tigres del Mar “-Editorial Cruz del Sur-Buenos Aires, 1994.
- Patrulleras Argentinas- http://patrullerasargentinas.blogspot.com.ar/2009/06/gc-82-islas- malvinas- y-gc-83-rio-iguazu.html
- Placas identificatorias del GC 82 Islas Malvinas http://patrullerasargentinas.
blogspot.com.ar/2011/08/de- como-logro-recuperarse-una-de- las.html - “ Prefectura en Malvinas ”- Círculo de Suboficiales de la PNA-ISBN 987-96455-0-2 http://www.prefecturanaval.gov.ar/web/es/html/inst_malvinas.php
- Seear, Mike-Return to Tumbledown:The Falklands-Malvinas War Revisited-CCP-ISBN 978-1-905510-39-9
- Tiempo Militar-4 de junio de 2002, pág. 8.
- Wreck of Río Iguazú http://wikimapia.org/9064215/Wreck-of-R%C3%ADo-Iguaz%C3%BA- GC83
On May 22nd, 2015 the Prefect General Luis Alberto Heiler distinguished SMEN (RE) Robert Borello and SIEN (RE) Guzman for their work as nurses aboard the GC 82 and GC 83 during the Conflict of Malvinas. Miss Doris West, nurse aboard the Formosa was decorated as well. All this was made during a tribute to the Argentine Coast Guard in Malvinas and as a remembrance of the combat the GC 83 Rio Iguazu had on May 22nd,1982.
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| Left to Right: SMEN(RE)Roberto Borello and SIEN(RE)Oscar Guzman |
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Left to Right: SMEN(RE)Roberto Borello (GC 82) , SIEN(RE)Oscar Guzman
(GC 83) and nurse Doris West of the Formosa.
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