At the news of of the Argentinian invasion of the Falklands, many senior Naval chiefs said that an armed response would be impossible. They said the distance was too large, the navy was too weak thanks to government cutbacks and that the Argentinian aircraft would take out the flotilla- which it nearly did.
Indeed, many US, Argentinian and UK officials, press and commanders were surprised that Thatcher was going to attempt it at all!
Of coarse, thanks the Army " Yompers", the special forces, the navy, air force and merchant navy the UK did the impossible and recaptured port Stanley- securing Thatchers next term.
But suppose the flottila was intercepted and destroyed, that invasion force was met by heavy resistance as it landed, that the weather deteriorated, that the unexploded bombs did explode and the Aircraft carriers were sunk, the attempt would fail. I doubt Maggie would survive such a disarster, the Argentinians would get there demands met, and Britain would be humiliated and isolated. But what would the long term consequences be if the the impossible was indeed impossible.....
Indeed, many US, Argentinian and UK officials, press and commanders were surprised that Thatcher was going to attempt it at all!
Of coarse, thanks the Army " Yompers", the special forces, the navy, air force and merchant navy the UK did the impossible and recaptured port Stanley- securing Thatchers next term.
But suppose the flottila was intercepted and destroyed, that invasion force was met by heavy resistance as it landed, that the weather deteriorated, that the unexploded bombs did explode and the Aircraft carriers were sunk, the attempt would fail. I doubt Maggie would survive such a disarster, the Argentinians would get there demands met, and Britain would be humiliated and isolated. But what would the long term consequences be if the the impossible was indeed impossible.....