On this day in military history…
On 2 April 1982, Argentine forces invaded and occupied the Falkland Islands. Within just three days, the British government ordered a full naval response, known as Operation Corporate, to retake the territory. On 5 April 1982, the first wave of the British Task Force sailed from the United Kingdom, beginning an 8,000-mile journey to the South Atlantic. This marked one of the fastest large-scale naval mobilisations since the Second World War.
The primary departure point was Portsmouth Naval Base on England’s south coast. The aircraft carriers HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible both sailed from Portsmouth on 5 April, watched by large crowds who gathered to witness the historic moment. These ships initially headed for Ascension Island, which would become a vital staging post in the mid-Atlantic. Other vessels departed from Devonport in Plymouth, while submarines had already sailed earlier from Faslane in Scotland. Additional ships would later join the force from Gibraltar.
The aircraft carriers formed the core of the task force and were essential because Britain had no nearby airbases. HMS Hermes served as the flagship and carried Sea Harrier fighters along with Sea King helicopters. HMS Invincible, Britain’s newest carrier at the time, also carried Sea Harriers for fleet air defence. These aircraft would prove critical in protecting the fleet and supporting ground operations.
The carriers were protected by a screen of escort warships, including destroyers and frigates tasked with air defence, anti-submarine warfare, and general protection. Among the early ships sailing were HMS Alacrity and other vessels such as HMS Ardent, HMS Argonaut, and HMS Antelope, which joined during the early phases of the deployment. These ships formed a defensive ring around the carriers, shielding them from aircraft, submarines, and missile threats.
Modern naval warfare required an enormous logistical effort, and Royal Fleet Auxiliary support ships sailed alongside the combat vessels. RFA Olmeda departed from Devonport on 5 April, while RFA Pearleaf supported HMS Hermes. These ships carried fuel, ammunition, food, and spare parts, enabling the task force to operate thousands of miles from Britain. Without this support, sustained operations in the South Atlantic would not have been possible.
The first phase of the deployment carried elements of 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines, which formed the core of the land forces. This included 40 Commando, 42 Commando, and 45 Commando, along with supporting artillery, engineers, and logistics units. These troops would later be reinforced by units such as 2 PARA and 3 PARA. Special forces units, including the SAS and SBS, were also involved, along with helicopter crews and medical teams.
Although not all amphibious ships sailed on 5 April itself, the assault force was assembled rapidly and followed shortly afterwards. This included HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid, along with landing ships such as Sir Galahad, Sir Tristram, and Sir Lancelot. These vessels would later play a key role in landing troops at San Carlos in May.
While the initial sailing involved only part of the fleet, the full task force eventually grew to more than 100 ships, including Royal Navy warships, Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels, and requisitioned civilian ships. Thousands of personnel were deployed, supported by aircraft operating from the carriers and from Ascension Island.
The departure on 5 April 1982 demonstrated both speed and determination. Britain had reacted within 72 hours of the invasion and committed itself to a complex operation far from home waters. The mission depended heavily on the survival of the aircraft carriers and the effectiveness of the logistical chain.
This first wave of ships laid the groundwork for everything that followed, from the buildup at Ascension Island to the establishment of a maritime exclusion zone and the eventual landings in the Falklands. It marked the beginning of a campaign that would end with the Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982.
