Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The Spanish name for the Falkland Islands is the Islas Malvinas. This term was a transliteration of the name given to the islands in 1764 by Louis Antoine de Bougainville. He named the islands "Īles Malouines" after the Breton mariners and fishermen from St Malo, who were the first known human inhabitants on the Islands. John Strong, an Englishman, had previously named the Islands the Falklands for his patron the 5th Viscount Falkland. What was the name of the Viscount?
2. On March 19th 1982 Argentine sailors landed in South Georgia in support of scrap merchants who were there dismantling a whaling station and who had raised the Argentine flag. South Georgia was at that time a Falkland Islands Dependency and as a British naval vessel with a contingent of Royal Marines was present in the Falklands capital, Port Stanley, it was sent to dislodge the intruders. What was this ship called?
3. The Argentine military junta at the time were governing a country in the throes of severe economic depression and spiraling inflation. The leaders felt that if they regained the Islands they would have increased public support. What was the name of the leader of the junta who was also the country's president?
4. At the time of the conflict the Islands were being administered by a governer called Rex Hunt. What was his method of transport in and around Port Stanley?
5. At the time of the Argentine invasion there was an increased number of British military personnel on the Islands as new troops were arriving to relieve the garrison and the outgoing troops had not left yet. There were in total 58 Royal Marines and 11 sailors, but 22 of the Marines had left for South Georgia before the invasion occurred. The Argentine invasion force was headed by 92 Special Forces from the 1st Amphibious Assault Commandos and a small group tasked with capturing the Government House. What was the name of the Lieutenant-Commander in charge of the larger group?
6. The US government remained relatively neutral during the conflict although they did offer logistical support to the British. They had military obligations to both countries. Their obligation to Britain was through NATO, but as this applied only to conflict in Europe it did not apply in this case. The obligation to Argentina was through the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (the "Rio Pact"). This guarantees that the US will intervene if any adherent to the pact is attacked. How did the US avoid aiding Argentina?
7. The Argentine air force proved to be the most successful and tenacious of the Argentine armed forces. They attacked and damaged or sank ships in the UK task force with the help of Exocet missiles obtained from France. What aircraft was most commonly used in these attacks?
8. HMS Sheffield was the first of four Royal Navy vessels to be sunk in the conflict. One Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel and one British Merchant Navy vessel were also lost. What type of vessel was the Sheffield?
9. During the conflict the British government declared a 200 mile exclusion zone around all the disputed islands. On May 2nd 1982 the British submarine Conqueror sunk the Argentine light cruiser ARA General Belgrano which had a crew of approximately 1,000. About 700 were rescued from freezing seas and 18 foot waves. What battle had this grand old dame of the sea formerly survived?
10. The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Sir Galahad was hit for a second time while it was disembarking equipment and troops in Bluff Cove with 48 fatalities. Who were the troops being disembarked?
Source: Author
irishmark
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bloomsby before going online.
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