Three Days in June, page 26
Steve was known throughout the battalion as ‘Shakespeare’ because of his use of colourful language.
Sgt John Pettinger
After my patrol had been hit, I still had to continue with the original task, which was to locate and destroy a 120mm mortar that had been firing onto Longdon, and had probably just taken out my patrol. I spoke to Sgt Dave Robson of the Mortar platoon. He said, ‘Get me some coordinates of the area that it’s firing from, the tighter the area the better, then we [the Mortars] will do a search and destroy.’ So I went out with Cpl John Graham, Cpl Pete Haddon and LCpl Derek [Del] Jones, Pte John [Jock] Wilson and Pte Mark [Zip] Hunt. We made our way to the forward edge of Wireless Ridge to try and locate the 120mm mortar. We called a number of fire missions in on a couple of likely locations and at about 15.00hrs (zt) from our OP, we could see three of the 155mm artillery pieces plus all the 105s on the racecourse on the edge of Stanley. It took hours for our guns to be allocated, as they were adjusting fire for 2 PARA’s attack later that night. But eventually when we got them, just before last light about 20.00hrs (zt), after adjusting, we got a mega ‘Fire for effect’.
Pte Mark (Zip) Hunt
We were scanning the area looking for anything that would possibly give away the location of the 120mm mortar, possibly the signature [flash] as it was fired. We called a number of fire missions, on various locations on Wireless Ridge, and also on the racecourse in Stanley, where we could see artillery pieces firing onto Longdon. But while we were observing, a fire mission was also called on the Argentine position just to our front, and it very nearly took us out – Sgt Johnny Pettinger was absolutely furious!
Cpl Mark (Tomo) Thompson
About midday, I was told that my Detachment Commanders and I would be going to recce a position that we’d be using later that night to support D Company 2 PARA during their attack on Wireless Ridge. We set off with Captain Mason leading. Also with us were the Milan Detachment Commanders. As we neared the position we came under artillery fire, but I managed to have a good look at the ground and put a fire plan together for my gun locations, my routes in and out, also RV and FRVs [Rendezvous and Final Rendezvous], then made our way back.
I reported to the OC and CSM Caithness, who was happy with my plan for the machine guns, the Anti-Tanks would be in reserve. I went back down to my position at the end of the sheep track, and told Pte Billy Knights, who was now my gunner as Rick had been medically evacuated, to go and collect some more resupplies, which he was not happy with and we exchanged a few harsh words.
An artillery round came in and for some reason I didn’t hear it. I was told it blew me through the air. I woke to find Major Dennison and CSM Caithness looking down at me. I picked myself up, dusted myself down as I was full of mud and dirt, and I said, ‘What the fuck was that?’ CSM Caithness said, ‘Cpl Thompson, are you all right?’ and I said, ‘Yeah.’ Billy Knights shouted ‘Tomo, look over there,’ and he pointed to a large smoking shell hole approximately 3 metres from where I was sat. CSM Caithness then said, ‘Cpl Thompson, are you sure you’re okay?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ He then told me to, ‘Go and have a brew and get some rest as we will be moving out at last light.’
Lt Col Hew Pike
I was stood somewhere on Longdon and watched seven Argentine Skyhawks fly past, coming from the direction of Port Stanley heading west. Shortly after this they attacked Brigade HQ but fortunately there were no casualties. Soon after this, I would go to a Brigade ‘O’ Group where the divisional plan for the capture of Port Stanley on the 14th/15th was to be discussed.
15.10hrs (zt): from C/S 1 to All Stations: ‘Air-raid warning RED.’
CO’s helicopter is confirmed for rescheduled ‘O’ Group:
15.16hrs (zt): from C/S 9 to C/S 0: ‘16.30hrs (zt) for pick up from 9A location.’
Seven A4 Skyhawks attack Brigade Headquarters:
15.17hrs (zt): from C/S 0 to C/S 9: ‘Airstrike thought to be on Brigade HQ – now confirmed.’
15.22hrs (zt): from C/S 98 to C/S 0: ‘1 x Skyhawk hit trailing smoke heading north.’
15.22hrs (zt): from C/S 0 to C/S 98: ‘Passed to Brigade.’
15.40hrs (zt): Note: ‘No casualties suffered by Brigade, but 1 x Sea King with shrapnel through rotor blade.’
15.43hrs (zt): from C/S 9A to C/S 0: ‘Put on Helicopter going to 9B the following: 15 x 350 batteries / 15 x 351 batteries / 3 x 350 headsets / + other spares.’
15.43hrs (zt): from C/S 0 to C/S 9A: ‘Passed to echelon.’
15.45hrs (zt): from C/S 99 to C/S 0: ‘Air-raid YELLOW.’
16.15hrs (zt): from C/S 9A to C/S 0: ‘Did we get any extra 66mm and what happened to the ammo we were going to get sent forward? We need 50 x 66mm.’
16.30hrs (zt): C/S 9A to C/S 0: ‘50 x L2 Grenades / 50 WP Grenades to go to 9B.’
16.30hrs (zt): C/S 0 to C/S 9A: ‘Passed to echelon.’
16.40hrs (zt): C/S 3 to C/S 0: ‘One of 43B personnel used his sleeping bag on casualty, can it be replaced?’
16.40hrs (zt): C/S 0 to C/S 3: ‘Passed to echelon, to take bag from one of the dead Bergens.’
The next message would bring REME Cfn Alex Shaw to Mount Longdon:
16.45hrs (zt): C/S 50B to C/S 0: ‘We require as many charge seven and eight augmenting cartridges asp + bluebell [Bluebell = REME] this location, three containers.’
16.50hrs (zt): from C/S 9B to C/S 0: ‘Only five bodies now to go back there.’
17.15hrs (zt): from C/S 99 to C/S 0: ‘Funerals will now not take place – new date and time ASAP.’
17.15hrs (zt): from C/S 0 to C/S 99: ‘Kestrel informed.’
17.30hrs (zt): from C/S 1 to C/S 0: ‘For Seagull your location: add 1 x Grail SAM7 to enemy weapons found.’
17.30hrs (zt): from C/S 0 to C/S 1: ‘Passed to ops officer.’
18.00hrs (zt): from C/S 99 to C/S 0: ‘Reference funerals – will now take place as planned at 19.00hrs (zt).’
18.00hrs (zt): from C/S 0 to C/S 99: ‘Ops officer informed.’
18.15hrs (zt): from C/S 85 to C/S 0: ‘Can A 120’s Bergen be sent back to Teal?’ [A 120 = Cpl Sturge.]
The Echelon area has been under adjusting artillery fire and, with more supplies coming in, for the safety of troops in this area it is decided to stop helicopter supplies for the evening:
18.25hrs (zt): from C/S 9B to C/S 0: ‘Coming under adjusting artillery fire, no more re-supply to this location, all further re-supply to go to Murrell Bridge.’
18.25hrs (zt): from C/S 0 to C/S 9B: ‘Passed to echelon 9B asked to supply GR at Broken Arrow [i.e. Murrell Bridge].’
18.53hrs (zt): from C/S 9B to C/S 0: ‘Will be establishing alternative landing site tonight.’
19.15hrs (zt): from C/S 99 to C/S 0: ‘Six waves of helicopters landing to the north of CF (?) No further information.’
19.30hrs (zt): from C/S 5 to 0: ‘It is confirmed that Support Company number 200 [Cpl McCarthy] died yesterday.’
19.45hrs (zt): from C/S QR to C/S 0: ‘How much ammunition at your location?’
19.45hrs (zt): from C/S 0 to C/S QR [i.e. 2 PARA]: ‘30mm x 699 / 76mm AP x 28 / 76mm HESH x 79 / 4 x WP, the bulk was on Samson [an armoured recovery vehicle] which overturned.’
19.55hrs (zt): from C/S Z9 to C/S 9A ‘We have just taken one casualty [Craftsman Alex Shaw].’
19.55hrs (zt): from C/S 9A to C/S Z9: ‘Roger.’
20.00hrs (zt): from C/S Z9 to C/S 9A: ‘We need two more stretchers; more casualties [LCpl Denzil Connick and Pte Craig Jones].’
20.00hrs (zt): from C/S 9A to C/S Z9: ‘Roger.’
Cfn Michael Hall, 20 yrs – REME
On Friday 11 June, Cfn Alex Shaw and I had been flown by helicopter from Teal Inlet to Estancia House. As we arrived there the main body of 3 PARA had just left, to attack Mount Longdon. Later on we watched as the sky lit up, as the battle raged. The following day, Saturday 12 June, a continuous stream of helicopters arrived, and we loaded them up with ammunition and primed grenades which they ferried back to Longdon. In the 3 PARA HQ, which was a large wriggly tin shed, you could hear the battalion clerk, who was in radio contact with the troops on Longdon. We could hear him repeating the names of soldiers who had been killed or wounded. I thought I had missed my chance of fulfilling my desire to be in a battle, and perhaps be a hero.
But on the following day, Sunday 13 June, a request was sent from 3 PARA Mortars to 3 PARA HQ requesting a Bluebell [REME] to be brought forward to Longdon. Later on Captain Brown, the QM Tech, asked me, as the REME armourer, if I had any mortar spares. I told him that I did, and he said, ‘A mortar bipod has broken on Mount Longdon; a helicopter will be picking you up in 30 minutes to take you there to fix it.’ I asked Alex Shaw if he wanted to come with me, and Alex agreed.
Our flight to Mount Longdon was fast and low. We stopped about a mile short at 3 PARA’s Echelon area, which was in a small rocky outcrop. No sooner had we landed when a couple of spotting rounds landed close to the helicopter, and the Loadmaster was extremely nervous and wanted to get us off as quickly as possible. We took cover in the rocks as a couple of rounds came in. Alex seemed apprehensive – I put it down to him being older than me. However, in hindsight he may have had a clearer understanding of the danger that we were in.
A BV picked us up and took us to the resupply area at the base of Mount Longdon. One of the first people we saw was Cpl Ross Noble [REME] who we had gotten to know on the journey south. Ross had been very gung ho and had been really looking forward to seeing some action, but now he looked totally different, he looked as if he’d aged. Ross began reeling off the names of blokes from the MT platoon who had been killed or wounded during the battle, Tony [Fester] Greenwood and David [Scotty] Scott had both been killed and Roy [Shirley] Bassey wounded. I was shocked: these were people I knew.
Suddenly there was a commotion; apparently several Argentine Chinooks had been seen taking off from Stanley and a counter-attack on Longdon was expected. We were hurriedly given 66mm anti-tank weapons and lined up facing the flat ground to the north. We were then briefed to wait until the Chinooks were about 50 feet off the ground and then let rip. However, the eagerly awaited Argentine Chinooks never arrived, and we were stood down about half an hour later.
We made our way up along the side of Longdon to just below Fly Half and climbed into the rocks, where some REME lads had begun making a brew. I climbed into a crevice with Ross Noble and LCpl Geoff Hamilton, while Alex Shaw, LCpl Simon Melton and LCpl Steve Lint climbed into another crevice. Both groups were not far apart, maybe 20 feet away from each other. I was standing up viewing Longdon while Geoff Hamilton made the brew. Then Geoff heard the distant crump of artillery being fired and shouted to me, ‘Get your fucking head down.’
About three shells came in at once. I watched mesmerized as one landed about 50 feet away. I then became aware of someone screaming, ‘Medic!’ He sounded terrified. He then started screaming, ‘I’ve been hit, I’ve been hit.’ Then it slowed to a low moaning, ‘I’ve been hit.’ My illusions about war were instantly shattered: this was no adventure and I was terrified. Geoff Hamilton verbally dragged us from our shelter: ‘Fucking come on, somebody’s just been hit.’ We went into the next crevice and there was Alex, unconscious. He had blood spattered on his face and Steve Lint was applying a shell dressing to his leg. Now I was totally shitting myself with fear, I was just waiting for the next salvo to come in.
Spr Tommy Trindall
Just as we were getting some scoff, we got shelled again and an incoming round landed extremely close to the rock face, wounding Cfn Alex Shaw with either shrapnel or secondary fragmentation. I heard someone shouting for a medic and ran over to help. He was bleeding heavily and we applied five or six shell dressings on him. The medic John Kennedy turned up and he began trying to get a drip into him. A stretcher arrived and we carried him down to the RAP as fast as we could.
Cpl Peter (Tomo) Thompson
At approximately 19.30hrs (zt), I was doing my last checks of the gun teams, when two young 3 PARA lads turned up and said, ‘We’re looking for Cpl Thompson.’ I said, ‘Yeah, it’s me, what do you want?’ Unbeknown to me, one was Pte Craig Jones. He said, ‘We’ve been sent here to help the machine guns.’ At the same time, I heard Denzil Connick being told to go down to Tac HQ and pick up some things from the resupply area. I was just about to issue my final orders to support 2 PARA’s attack on Wireless Ridge, so I said, go with him and do something, that to this day, I cannot remember what it was, and off they went. The next thing I heard was artillery rounds landing all around our area, I took cover and waited. In a matter of maybe 10 seconds, I heard someone shout, ‘Fucking hell, Denzil’s been hit.’
Pte Chris Parris
Craig Jones and I had been going up and down the mountain bringing link ammunition forward for our machine guns. We were carrying about 800 rounds each and I was knackered; we were only managing to run about 20 or 30 metres, then taking cover in between salvos of incoming rounds. It was very mentally and physically tiring. We had only just dropped off our ammunition when someone came to our group and said, ‘One of you needs to go down and let the other fire-support team know that we are moving out at 20.30hrs (zt), and not 20.00hrs (zt) as per the previous orders.’ I said, ‘For fuck’s sake!’ but Craig said, ‘I’ll do it; I want to go and see a few people anyway.’ So Craig set off with Denzil down the mountain.
CSgt Steve Knights
On Sunday, late afternoon, Captain Tony Mason, Sgt Chris Howard, Sgt Graham Colbeck, Cpl Thompson plus various personnel and I, had returned from our reconnaissance patrol. Our task had been to recce a position where we would set up a firebase for later that night in support of 2 PARA, who were attacking Wireless Ridge. During the debriefing with Major Dennison, we were confirming where everyone in the battalion was deployed. This led to some confusion as I disagreed with where he thought C Company was located. I said, ‘I thought they were still in the valley bottom to the north of Mount Longdon. He said, ‘Well, there seems to be some confusion, as that’s not where Battalion HQ think they are; they think they’re much further forward.’ He then asked me to go down to the Battalion HQ and update them with this info. I said, ‘Okay, Sir.’ However, at the same time I thought to myself, Not yet, as I had been out all day doing a recce for the task tonight, and I thought, I’m having a brew and scoff first! LCpl Denzil Connick was listening to our conversation, and as he had not taken part in the recce, offered to take my map down and brief the CO. He had an ulterior motive because he told me that a supply of cigarettes had arrived at the resupply area. Selfishly, I agreed and told him to make sure he got me a packet of cigarettes as well. It was sometime later that I found out that on his way to the Battalion HQ, he’d been wounded by artillery fire.
Pte Andy (Stretch) Dunn
I heard the crump of a number of rounds being fired and knew I had to get myself into a bit of cover. I crawled into a fissure in the rocks, and I could tell from the whistle of the shells these were going to land really close. I watched as Craig Jones and Denzil Connick walked past. I shouted to them, but I’m not sure if they heard me. I braced, closed my eyes, and thought, These are going to land on top of me. There was a terrific explosion, followed by bits of shrapnel, rock, earth and various bits of stuff flying through the air. There was a moment of silence, and after that the most awful screaming.
I ran to help. I knelt down by Craig Jones, who was lying face down and was trying to get up, and for a moment I thought he looked fine. I said, ‘Are you all right?’ He said, ‘I can’t breathe.’ We lifted the back of his smock up to check him for wounds; he was peppered with lots of small holes, but they weren’t bleeding. Sadly, he died shortly after the medics arrived despite their best efforts. While we were dealing with Craig, Denzil Connick was lying next to us and was screaming. I went over to help put a tourniquet on what was left of his leg. There was a red beret lying close by and this was also pushed on top of a shell dressing, and yet another shell dressing put on, anything available to try to stop the blood loss.
I remember the medic Pte John Kennedy arriving. He had an air of ‘don’t worry, I’m here now’ with his calmness. He tried to get a line into Denzil’s arm but he couldn’t find a vein. He said to Denzil, ‘You’re fine now, Denzil, I’ve got it in, you’re going to be okay.’ However, he still hadn’t got it in, but he did eventually. He gave me a bag of saline and said to me, ‘Hold this up.’ After I’m not sure how long, Denzil was stabilized, and we put him on a stretcher.
LCpl Mark (Rolly) Rawlings
We were waiting for last light when the first of four or five salvos came thundering in with a massive whoosh. A warm blast wave blew me over and blew my helmet off. I picked myself up and waited for a moment in case any more rounds were incoming. I decided to go and retrieve my helmet from where it had rolled. While I was doing this I noticed Vince Bramley and Tony Peers dealing with someone, I wasn’t sure who, but there was a group of them beginning to form, so I decided to go back to my shelter as it wasn’t a good thing to have so many people in one place, as it could become a target of opportunity for an Argentine spotter.
LCpl Denzil Connick
CSgt Steve Knights had a very detailed Argentine map and Major Dennison said, ‘The CO should see it.’ But Steve Knights was knackered and I said, ‘Give it to me, I’ll take it,’ as I’d heard a rumour about cigarettes in the resupply area! I set off along the sheep track, when I saw Craig Jones. He stopped to ask for directions or something, and then there was an almighty whoosh.
