Argentine Invasion of the Falkland Islands

The Argentine Joint Armed Forces committee beings planning military invasion of Islands

The Juntas plans to capture Islands are revealed in a series of articles in La Prensa newspaper

Thatcher in a private letter to a Conservative Party activist makes clear that she regards the Royal Marine presence in Stanley as sufficient to prevent an Argentine invasion

Thatcher confirms the retirement of HMS Endurance

MP Julian Amery asks if all necessary steps are in hand to ensure the protection of the Islands against unexpected attack but receives an evasive reply

MP Julian Amery asks if all necessary steps are in hand to ensure the protection of the Islands against unexpected attack but receives an evasive reply

Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington refuses to send a submarine to patrol off the Islands and South Georgia

Hercules aircraft operated by Argentine military airline LADE,on a mail run to an Antarctic base, lands at Stanley Airport, falsely claiming a fuel leak, and carrying senior Argentine officers who survey Stanley

Hercules aircraft operated by Argentine military airline LADE,on a mail run to an Antarctic base, lands at Stanley Airport, falsely claiming a fuel leak, and carrying senior Argentine officers who survey Stanley

Thatcher asks the Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence for contingency plans in case of an Argentine blockade or invasion of the Islands

Davidoff sends 40 workmen on naval vessel Bahia Buen Suceso to dismantle Leith whaling station, the workmen fail to ask permission to land from the British Antarctic Survey base at Grytviken and hoist the Argentine flag

Carrington says a diplomatic solution is being pursued

During a crisis meeting headed by the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Henry Leach, advised them that "Britain could and should send a task force if the islands are invaded"

British Foreign Secretary Carrington asks US Secretary of State Alexander Haig to intercede with the Argentine junta in an attempt to avoid military action

Britain begins contingency planning for the sending of a task force to the Islands

British Foreign Secretaty Carrington asks US Secretary of State Alexander Haig to intercede with the Argentine junta in an attempt to avoid military action

The Joint Intelligence Committee reports an invasion seems imminent, Thatcher orders 3 nuclear submarines south to the Islands

Governor Rex Hunt is informed Britain believes Argentina is planning a submarine landing on the Islands as a means of increasing pressure over South Georgia

Chief of Navy Staff Admiral Sir Henry Leach advises a crisis meeting headed by Thatcher that Britain could and should send a task force if the islands are invaded;

Chief of Navy Staff Admiral Sir Henry Leach advises a crisis meeting headed by Thatcher that Britain could and should send a task force if the islands are invaded

Violent anti-Government riots occur across Argentina. The Junta takes final decision to invade the Islands on 2 April

Operation Corporate is the codename given to the British military operations in the Falklands War, the commander of task force operations is Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse

The invasion met a nominal defence organised by the Falkland Islands Governor Sir Rex Hunt, giving command to Major Mike Norman of the Royal Marines

BBC journalist Laurie Margolis was able to speak with an islander at Goose Green via amateur radio, who confirmed the presence of a large Argentine fleet and that Argentine forces had taken control of the island

The invasion met a nominal defence organised by the Falkland Islands Governor Sir Rex Hunt, giving command to Major Mike Norman of the Royal Marines

Governor Hunt is informed at 3.30pm FI time that Britain now believes a full invasion is planned and summons an immediate meeting of Government heads of department.

Admiral Leach orders ships on exercise in the Mediterranean to prepare to sail south

Leads his patrol toward Government House with orders to compel the British governor to surrender before the main force enters Stanley.

Galtieri hails the "recovery" of the Malvinas, saying Argentina had been left no option other than military action, while Carrington tells Parliament "Port Stanley is now occupied by Argentine military forces"

Commodore Mike Clapp is in charge of the amphibious ships

In overall command is Commander in Chief Fleet, Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse at his headquarters at Northwood near London

Governor Hunt orders the surrender at 9.15am - by now the whole town other than Government House is under Argentine control.

Galtieri hails the "recovery" of the Malvinas, saying Argentina had been left no option other than military action, while Carrington tells Parliament "Port Stanley is now occupied by Argentine military forces"

Galtieri hails the "recovery" of the Malvinas, saying Argentina had been left no option other than military action, while Carrington tells Parliament "Port Stanley is now occupied by Argentine military forces".

MPs are recalled for an emergency Saturday sitting after the invasion.

Destroyers and frigates exercising off Gibraltar under Rear Admiral Sandy Woodward were ordered south. They were joined by the carriers Hermes and Invincible, loaded with Sea Harrier fighters as well as amphibious ships and merchant ships

Provides medical support within Giachino's assault patrol during the fighting around Government House.

Commands Royal Marines resisting the Argentine landing.

Is evacuated for treatment after being wounded in the Government House action.

Dies from wounds received at Government House, becoming the first Argentine combat fatality of the Falklands conflict.

Is seriously wounded while serving with Giachino's patrol during the attempt to take Government House.

Is mortally wounded during the firefight around Government House while attempting to obtain the governor's surrender.

Argentina puts Operation Rosario into action by bringing ships into position off the Falkland Islands

Argentine special forces land at Mullet Creek at 4.30am, more troops land at York Bay at 5.30am, and by 6am are engaged in battle with the Royal Marines - 3 Argentines are killed.

Brigadier General Mario Menendez is appointed Governor of Islas Malvinas and Dependencies.

Galtieri hails the "recovery" of the Malvinas, saying Argentina had been left no option other than military action, while Carrington tells Parliament "Port Stanley is now occupied by Argentine military forces". Forces the garrison of 18 Royal Marines to surrender.

Governor Hunt orders the surrender at 9.15am - by now the whole town other than Government House is under Argentine control.

Brigadier General Mario Menendez is appointed Governor of Islas Malvinas and Dependencies

1st day of the Falklands War when the Argentines capture the Falklands

Finds the Royal Marines barracks abandoned after British defenders move toward Government House.

Redirects commandos from Moody Brook toward Stanley as fighting develops around Government House.

Is wounded during the Government House firefight while accompanying the Argentine special-force patrol.

UN Security Council passes Resolution 502 by 10 votes to 1 (with 4 abstentions) demanding immediate Argentine withdrawal from the Islands - Argentina refuses to comply

UN Security Council passes Resolution 502 by 10 votes to 1 (with 4 abstentions) demanding immediate Argentine withdrawal from the Islands - Argentina refuses to comply

British Government announces it will impose a 200-mile exclusion zone around the Islands on 26 April

Aircraft carriers Hermes and Invincible set sail from Portsmouth

A task force is sent by Britain to recapture the Falkland Islands from Argentina

The Argentine fleet leaves Puerto Belgrano

Reagan terminates Haig's peace mission, declares US support for Britain, imposes economic sanctions on Argentina, and offers Britain materiel and other aid. British destroyer group takes up holding position in mid-Atlantic

The main task force sails south from Ascension Island. Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse chairs conference at Ascension Island with Admiral Sandy Woodward and 3 Commando Brigade which sets out detailed plans for the retaking of the Islands by force

Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse chairs conference at Ascension Island with Admiral Sandy Woodward and 3 Commando Brigade which sets out detailed plans for the retaking of the Islands by force

Admiral Sir John Fieldhouse chairs conference at Ascension Island with Admiral Sandy Woodward and 3 Commando Brigade which sets out detailed plans for the retaking of the Islands by force

British War Cabinet orders repossession of Islands

British task force arrives in Falklands waters

Britain warns Argentina that any military or civilian ship or aircraft representing a threat to the task force will be destroyed

Britain warns Argentina that any military or civilian ship or aircraft representing a threat to the task force will be destroyed

Organisation of American States supports Argentina's sovereignty claim but calls for peaceful negotiations

QE2 leaves Southampton with 5 Infantry Brigade comprising Scots Guards, Welsh Guards and Gurkhas

War cabinet gives Admiral Woodward the go ahead for landing plan

Thatcher accuses Argentina of obduracy and delay, deception and bad faith, tells Commons of collapse of peace process, and orders task force into battle

Peter Blaker, Minister of State for Defence, announces that the official count of British military and civilian war dead is 255, with approximately 300 wounded

Peter Blaker, Minister of State for Defence, announces that the official count of British military and civilian war dead is 255, with approximately 300 wounded

British forces land on Southern Thule (South Sandwich Islands) - Argentines surrender without a fight. Britain formally declares an end to hostilities

Governor Rex Hunt returns to Stanley as Civil Commissioner

Thatcher appoints an official commission headed by Lord Franks to examine the causes of Britain's failure to prevent Argentine capture of the Islands

Argentine war toll set at 645 dead and missing