2 Para return to Goose Green

May 31, 2012 by BritishForcesNews

This week was the thirtieth anniversary of the Battle of Goose Green in the Falkland Islands.

The Argentines surrendered following two days of fierce fighting, which cost 2 Para seventeen lives including their Commanding Officer, Col H Jones.

Falkland Islanders marked the day with a ceremony at the scene of the battle.

Islanders gathered to pay their respects to those who fell at the Battle of Darwin Hill and Goose Green.

Veterans and serving members of the Armed Forces currently based on the Islands joined to remember the lives lost.

Just 600 Paras assaulted more than 1400 well dug-in Argentines in what was some of the fiercest fighting of the conflict.

Bad weather prevented Harriers flying, or the 105 mm light guns firing.

In one of the bravest acts of the war, Commanding Officer Col H Jones was killed. He died after being shot from behind while assaulting a trench; he fell just a few feet from the position he was about to attack.

Also attending the memorial service were many of the one hundred and twelve civilians who were locked up by the Argentines in the community hall at Goose Green.

They were liberated by 2 Para when the Argentines surrendered.