Three Days in June, page 7
04.16hrs (zt): from C/S 41B to C/S 29FDC: ‘C/S 3 End of mission ZU7920 add on 600 metres 55 rounds expended.’
At 04.16hrs (zt), Y and Z Companies of 45 Commando are to cross their Start Line and begin their attack. The Snowcat vehicles are only now allowed to cross the Murrell Bridge and drive the 2 kilometres to 3 PARA’s Mortar Line to drop off their mortar ammunition, and then drive 1.5 kilometres to the RAP to start evacuating the wounded.
At approximately 04.20hrs (zt), Cpl Thompson of Support Company engages what may be the Argentine counter-attack by 1st Platoon, 10th Engineer Company commanded by 2nd Lieutenant Hugo Quiroga. They are advancing along the southern side of the eastern slope to link up with Lt Neirotti’s 3 Platoon 7IR based on the south-western corner of Mount Longdon.
Pte Julian (Baz) Barrett
I was exhausted and kept ‘double tapping’, nodding off, falling asleep then waking up suddenly. When I went quiet the blokes would shout at me to stay awake. They wouldn’t let me sleep or even pee in case I became hypothermic. Cpl Jimmy Morham talked me through much of the night. He got me spotting enemy positions to my front and kept feeding me reasons to carry on. At one point I was told to sing to keep myself awake. I sang a couple of Simon and Garfunkel songs that seemed to sum up my melancholy. It was weird lying in a firefight singing my head off, but there wasn’t a great deal else to do in the situation. On a couple of occasions during the night the blokes would sprint out and cover me with a blanket. They would crawl towards me, have a bit of a brief chat, whilst waiting for a moment to crawl back.
Pte Gareth Lewis
At some point, we were asked to join 4 and 5 Platoon. CSM Johnny Weeks said, ‘No, leave them, they’ve done well.’
Pte Charlie Hardwick
Cpl Jimmy Morham took me into the First Bowl, where I met up with more of the Anti-Tank Platoon – Cpl Phil Skidmore, Kev Connery and Jon Crow. It was great to see familiar faces. We got a brew on. There was talk of a plan to get 4 and 5 Platoon formed up to try to carry out a left-flanking manoeuvre along the sheep track leading to the Second Bowl.
The Snowcat vehicles finally arrive at 05.30hrs (zt). Four members of 6 Platoon’s wounded are now loaded into the vehicles: LCpl Steve Wright, Pte Mark Dodsworth, Pte Stuart Grey and Pte Dennis Dunn.
The RAP informs 3 PARA HQ that they need a helicopter:
05.35hrs (zt): from C/S 9A to C/S 0: ‘Can we confirm that large Hawkeye [Wessex helicopter] will collect casualties from about one kilometre west of Broken Arrow [Murrell Bridge]?’
Acting Captain Giles Orpen-Smellie, 22 yrs – Battalion Intelligence Officer
The CO went across to 6 Platoon to see Lt Jonathan Shaw to persuade Jonathan to make another attack along the northern side of the ridge. Jonathan was very calm and sensible [despite the casualties his platoon had suffered] in the advice he offered; suffice to say the CO accepted Jonathan’s advice.
At approximately 06.15hrs (zt), HMS Glamorgan and HMS Yarmouth begin their late withdrawal, leaving HMS Avenger on the gunline.
Lieutenant-Commander Ian Inskip, Navigating Officer of HMS Glamorgan
Our orders that night were ‘to support 45 Commando and to be back on the carrier screen by dawn’. 45 Commando were delayed, and Glamorgan elected to stay on the gunline until 45 Commando no longer needed us. Had we left early to be back with the carriers by dawn, 45 Commando would have suffered many more casualties and may not have taken the Two Sisters mountain.
We received an updated position of the carriers, which had moved another 50 miles east overnight, an extra two hours steaming. We were thus going to be extremely late getting back. Intelligence had informed us that the Exocet [missile launcher] was based at Cape Pembroke Point: with a missile range of 20 miles, therefore a 20-mile danger arc was promulgated. To get from the gunline, we had to enter the danger zone to avoid the kelp/rocks. The decision was made to head due south, away from the danger of the Exocet, until Cape Pembroke was outside radar range. At this point we altered to 150 degrees true to make a good 50 per cent of our speed towards the carriers while still making a good 89 per cent of our speed away from the charted 20-mile danger arc, keeping outside radar range of the believed Exocet site.
The risk we took was carefully calculated, since we knew that if we lost a carrier, we risked losing the war, and while we were inshore, there was a gap in the carrier screen. Unfortunately, due to flawed intelligence regarding the launch site, our calculations based on Cape Pembroke were meaningless. Unknown to us, the missile was not located at Cape Pembroke Point, but near Hookers Point. We were still within radar range of the launch site.2
Cpl Jerry Phillips
I went back down the western slope and east along Route 3 towards the First Bowl, to see what I could do from this side. As I walked, I began noticing wounded and dead Argentines. It was clear that 4 Platoon had also suffered badly. I bumped into a group containing Captain Pat Butler of D Company. I said, ‘I have to get into there,’ indicating the Second Bowl. Butler said, ‘It’s still full of Argentines and too dangerous. You’re coming with me to get 2 PARA and bring them in down the Murrell River.’ I thought, No, I’m not, as I was still involved with 6 Platoon and did not want to leave them. I met LCpl Stephen [Benny] Bentall and he updated me on what was happening on this side. I thought, I am going to fuck off back and see Lt Jon Shaw, as not many people on the northern side seemed to appreciate the position that 6 Platoon were in. I’d started walking back when I saw a group of blokes in single file. I got down and challenged them. It was A Company 2 Platoon. Nobody replied: they just walked past me, bayonets fixed, as if they were all in a trance, intent on what was coming next for them.
06.37hrs (zt): HMS Glamorgan hit by an Exocet missile in the port side hangar and main galley; 13 men dead with 14 wounded. HMS Yarmouth and HMS Avenger go to assist. The Glamorgan is able to make 15 knots as all three ships return to the main carrier group. There is no more naval gunfire after this time. 29 Commando will be the sole artillery support.
Pte Charlie Hardwick
Back up to Fly Half, I joined Cpl Mick Matthews and others, who were carrying ammunition for the SF teams. We were all struggling up and down the mountain with ammo, carrying either large sandbags full of loose ball or metal boxes of ammunition. We would carry two or three at a time, over the rocky western slope, which in the dark was extremely difficult. We also sat linking up sandbags full of the loose Argentine ammunition for the GPMGs. The whole area of the western slope seemed to be getting quite congested with members of Support Company, Tac HQ and 6 Platoon.
Brigade informs 3 PARA HQ that they intend to reinforce 3 PARA with 2 PARA:
07.28hrs (zt): from C/S 99 to C/S 0: ‘We are going to reinforce you with 2 PARA, but need to know, which flank you want them on and how you will tie up with them.’
Cpl Carlos Colemil, Argentine Marine
I was separated from the conscripts and had lost contact with anyone. It was not until approximately 07.30hrs (zt) when I assessed my performance. I had caused several casualties: it gave me strength because I was surrounded by the enemy and did not think I would come out alive from the situation that I was in! I was still losing blood, but recovered fully. I ran, maybe about 2–3 metres, using the cover of the rocks. I decided to change tactics. Using the cover around my position I would crawl towards some rocks, fire at targets, then return to my original position. Lying on the ground, I fired my rifle against the shadows that were continuing to appear among the rocks. At one point, having left my position to fire again, I felt something hit the rocks, then bounce in front of me, rolling down the slope to my front. It was a grenade, thrown from an area that I had been firing at. Shrapnel and frozen peat flew over my body.3
At approximately 08.18hrs (zt.) 45 Commando reports that their objective, Two Sisters, is secure.
Cpl Jimmy Morham
At some stage before first light I met up with CSgt Steve Knights who asked me what was happening up at the front. I told him, there’s a group of 6 Platoon blokes including Doc Murdoch and Mushrooms that are wounded, and we can’t get to them.
Pte Dave Roe
I remember watching as A Company moved through our position. Nobody was talking. We were all in shock, had all just been through the most harrowing experience of our lives. We were all mentally and physically exhausted, and it showed on our faces, the way A Company looked at us.
Cpl Jerry Phillips
The SF teams set up and began firing in A Company. I watched for a while as Cpl [Peter] Tomo Thompson began knocking out thousands of rounds; and then decided to go down the RAP for a brew.
At approximately 08.50hrs (zt), the Machine Platoon establishes a gunline containing four GPMGs set up on SF. Point gun is Cpl Peter Thompson, Gun No. 1 Cpl Johnny Cook, Gun No. 2 LCpl Vince Bramley, Gun No. 5 LCpl Tony Peers (gun numbers 3 and 4 did not fire due to limited space on the gunline). They are directed by CSM Thor Caithness and begin firing at roughly 09.00hrs (zt). At approximately 09.27hrs (zt), a 105mm recoilless rifle located at the western end of Wireless Ridge opens fire at the gunline, the round arcing high in the air. It passes through the gunline, plunging down the western slope and impacting among a Milan crew.
09.27hrs (zt): from C/S 0 to C/S 9B: ‘4 x casualties from 59, exact number not known.’
Pte Charlie Hardwick
I was having a brew with one of our Milan teams that were in the cover of an Argentine bunker. We were only 25 metres below the skyline of the main firebase and were waiting to be called forward. Suddenly there was a huge whoosh, followed by an enormous explosion. Immediately, there were cries of ‘Medic!’ We rushed over to where the explosion had happened. The area was a smouldering mess. There were low moans and groans. Pat Harley dived straight in, quickly checking Cpl McCarthy and Pte Phil West. He then ran up to CSM Thor Caithness, a short distance up the hill. There were a number of other people wounded: REME Craftsman Clive Sinclair received a very bad head wound; Signaller Garry Cripps received multiple shrapnel wounds to the legs, arms and body; Pte Chris Dexter had wounds to his legs; so it was a chaotic scene. In the darkness, we were unaware that Pete Hedicker had been killed.
Cpl Jimmy Morham
Pte Pat Harley came running up saying, ‘Sir, some of the blokes have been hit and I need help.’ I immediately made my way down. I came across Cpl McCarthy, who was lying there. He’d received devastating injuries. I began to give him mouth to mouth resuscitation, but his injuries were too severe and he died shortly after. I turned my attention to Pte Philip West but, sadly, he had also died. There was another member of the crew killed, but at this time we did not know who it was, as his injuries were extreme. I began treating LCpl Garry Cripps [Royal Corps of Signals signaller attached to 3 PARA], who had multiple shrapnel wounds to his legs. I propped him up against a bunker and dressed his wounds.
I made my way back up to Fly Half and 6 Platoon HQ. Just before dawn there was a huge creeping barrage of artillery. I stressed to Lt Shaw that we still had wounded to our front, and they must be careful because it was landing about 70 metres from us, and probably only 50 metres from the wounded. I relayed my concerns to the CO. Now that the SF machine guns were set up and firing, there was a noticeable reduction in Argentine incoming fire.
Pte Charlie Hardwick
What I do remember, when I think back now, is how little I knew of what was going on. No one seemed to know what was happening. I didn’t know anything about A Company being moved forward. I just noticed it had gone a lot quieter as the machine guns had stopped firing.
1.5 ‘At that moment, I felt extremely lucky to be alive’
First light approximately 10.00hrs (zt).
Lt Jonathan Shaw
It was time to go and collect our wounded. I said, ‘Right. Listen in; this is what we’re going to do. Half of the platoon will gather the wounded, and half will provide protection for them.’ Cpl Wilson’s group would provide cover while Cpl Steggles’ group would deal with the wounded.
Cpl Jimmy Morham
It was now daylight and a mist had come down covering the whole of the eastern slope. Out of the mist came a stretcher party carrying my friend Michael Bateman, who looked awful. He had a shell dressing on his throat and one on his shoulder; I ran over and redressed one of his wounds, and he gave me a thumbs up. I helped carry the stretcher down to the RAP.
Pte Phil Simpson
Lt Shaw told us we were going to evacuate the wounded. My role would be to provide protection for the stretcher-bearers. Sgt Pete Gray, who had been wounded in the early hours of the battle and had refused to leave his men, was now finally evacuated, but only after all of 6 Platoon’s wounded had been moved to the RAP.
Pte Morgan Slade
The wounded had been lying on the eastern slope in freezing conditions for the past ten hours with various gunshot wounds. To be honest, I thought they may well have died. At that moment, I felt extremely lucky to be alive. Now we had to go back onto the eastern slope: I can’t tell you how scared I was.
Lt Shaw threw a white phosphorus grenade to create a smokescreen, while the medics gathered the injured men. My heart was pumping all the time; it felt like an eternity waiting for the others to move back. As soon as the order came to move, we were off like whippets along with the stretchers. Mushrooms was just about alive, with congealed blood all over his throat. I said, ‘Don’t worry, Mushrooms, you’ll be all right now, mate.’ My words sounded hollow.
We had to get the wounded off the hill pretty quick, as we could hear the crump of Argentine artillery being fired from [Port] Stanley; the rounds were in the air as we moved off with the wounded. As I looked back to where we had just been, about 50 metres away, a load of dirt, explosions and general shit just lifted like a silent curtain. The Argentines realized they had lost the mountain and began a barrage that would last right up to the ceasefire.
Lt Jonathan Shaw
Just as we were leaving with the wounded, we could hear the whistle of incoming shells rushing towards where we had just been. We moved to the bottom of the western slope and found whatever protection we could in the enemy bunkers and whatever crevices we could find in among the rocks. Then a massive barrage began. Most of 6 Platoon attempted to get a brew going and to get some rest, or at least as best we could, as we had artillery dropping all around us.
Pte Simon Clark
After just over ten hours of lying out in freezing conditions, dawn was breaking. Pte Bryn Cowley from my section came out and picked me up. He put me over his shoulder in a fireman’s lift and ran back up to Fly Half. I thought, At any moment now I’m going to get shot again. We reached Fly Half then descended down the western slope, Bryn then placed me down by members of the Anti-Tank Platoon. Pte Tony [Stretch] Dunn and Sgt Graham Colbeck looked after me. Graham dressed my wound and put me in an Argentine sleeping bag, then gave me a cup of tea. It was the best cup of tea I have ever had. I remember that my emotions at that point were so intense that I shed a tear. There were shells dropping around us, but the warmth I felt in seeing other people is hard to describe. Shortly after, Pte Dave Roe, Pte Gareth Lewis and Pte Harry Gannon carried me down the hill, passing dead Argentines lying at odd angles with faces full of pain. I will never forget it.
Pte Dave Roe
Pte Gareth Lewis and I came across Simon Clark, who had been shot in the leg. Somebody told us to get him to the bottom of the western slope where the RAP had been established. We made a chair lift with a rifle, and tried to take him down that way. But it was very difficult due to the terrain. At this stage I was still unaware of what had happened to 4 and 5 Platoons.
Pte Kevin Eaton
I remember Lt Shaw, Cpl Steggles, Pte Kev Ames and others turning up. They had one stretcher which Mushrooms was loaded onto, and then some other blokes turned up with another stretcher. As I was placed on to it, I remember Kev Ames giving me a pair of Arctic Socks to put on my hands. I just felt so relieved, it was absolutely fantastic.
Full Back is now secure and Major Collett informs the CO, Hew Pike:
10.28hrs (zt): from C/S 1 to C/S 9: ‘Now on position, very extensive position with Sp Gun at end.’
[Sp Gun = Support Gun: 105mm recoilless rifle.]
Two minutes later 42 Commando on Mount Harriet confirm their objective is secure.
Cpl Jerry Phillips
Just after first light we started to receive quite heavy incoming, Argentine 155mm. They were landing really close to us, and I honestly felt that this was it. It was just so fucking loud. The ground was shaking and I don’t mind admitting I was shitting myself. I moved up towards First Bowl, where Sgt Johnny Pettinger said, ‘Right, Jerry, you’re back with me again.’ So now I was 2ic of his patrol. He took us back down the hill and we relocated to a lay-up position known as ‘Drunken Duck’, about 1 kilometre away. We got some scoff and got our heads down, while Longdon was still getting stonked with defensive fire.
Pte Dave Roe
I remember Nick Rose and myself walking back up a gully. We came across this Argentinian body lying face down, but we had to be cautious in case of booby traps. I lay on him and rolled him back, while Nick watched to see if he was clear. He was dead and had terrible facial injuries. I remember the Argentine was about the same age as me, 18.
