World History Database · Warfare collection
Falklands War Timeline 1982
Explore 481 Falklands War records covering the Argentine invasion, British Task Force, diplomacy, South Georgia, naval and air warfare, San Carlos, Goose Green, the battles around Stanley and the surrender of 14 June 1982. Search the archive below or begin with the illustrated history and permanent subject timelines.
Brief history · 1982
A brief history of the Falklands War
The Falklands War was a 74-day conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands and associated South Atlantic territories. The war began with Argentine occupation in April 1982 and ended with the surrender at Stanley on 14 June.
Sovereignty dispute and the road to war
Britain and Argentina had disputed sovereignty over the Falkland Islands for generations. By the early 1980s negotiations had failed to produce an agreed settlement. The Argentine military government faced severe domestic economic and political problems, while events involving Argentine scrap-metal workers on South Georgia increased tension in March 1982.
On 2 April Argentine forces landed on the Falklands and overcame the small Royal Marines detachment defending the islands. Governor Rex Hunt surrendered and was expelled. Argentina installed a military administration and renamed Stanley as Puerto Argentino.
The British Task Force
The British government under Margaret Thatcher decided to send a naval task force to the South Atlantic. The carriers HMS Hermes and HMS Invincible formed the core of the force, supported by destroyers, frigates, submarines, amphibious ships, merchant vessels and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships.
The campaign required exceptionally long supply lines. Ascension Island became a critical staging base, while naval aviation and aerial refuelling allowed Britain to project military power thousands of miles from home.
Diplomacy, South Georgia and the war at sea
The United Nations Security Council called for Argentine withdrawal, and U.S. Secretary of State Alexander Haig conducted intensive shuttle diplomacy. Negotiations continued even as both sides prepared for combat, but no formula acceptable to London and Buenos Aires was found.
British forces recaptured South Georgia on 25 April. At sea, the nuclear submarine HMS Conqueror sank the Argentine cruiser ARA General Belgrano on 2 May. Two days later an Argentine Exocet missile struck HMS Sheffield, demonstrating the serious threat facing the fleet.
San Carlos and the land campaign
British troops landed around San Carlos Water on 21 May during Operation Sutton. Argentine aircraft repeatedly attacked ships in and around the landing area, while British forces built up supplies and prepared to move across East Falkland.
The first major land battle followed at Goose Green on 28–29 May. British forces then advanced toward Stanley, while special forces, artillery, helicopters and naval gunfire supported the campaign across difficult terrain and severe weather.
The battles for the heights around Stanley
In June British forces attacked the ring of high ground defending Stanley. Fighting at Mount Longdon, Two Sisters, Mount Harriet, Wireless Ridge and Mount Tumbledown broke the principal Argentine defensive positions.
The battles were often fought at night in cold and exposed conditions. Once the outer defenses collapsed, British forces were positioned to enter Stanley and Argentine commanders faced the prospect of further heavy casualties with little chance of reversing the military situation.
Surrender and consequences
Argentine commander General Mario Menéndez surrendered to Major General Jeremy Moore on 14 June 1982. British administration was restored and organized fighting on the islands ended, although South Sandwich Island positions were dealt with shortly afterward.
The outcome strengthened Thatcher's government in Britain and badly damaged Argentina's military junta, helping accelerate the return to democracy. The sovereignty dispute itself was not resolved and remains politically significant in relations between Britain and Argentina.
Historical images and maps
The Falklands War in photographs and maps
Freely reusable historical images illustrating the task force, a major land battle, political leadership and naval warfare.
Permanent subject pages
Explore the Falklands War by battle, operation, person and political issue
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Sources and editorial review
Sources and further reading
Compiled and edited by World History Database
The historical overview supplies editorial context for the site's 481 structured Falklands War records. The chronology below preserves the database's stored event wording, people, places and dates.
Last reviewed: September 2026.