British Fleet Located
Commands naval reconnaissance activity that locates the British force before the Super Etendard attack on HMS Sheffield.
Falklands War · permanent subject timeline
The missile attack that demonstrated the danger to the British fleet. This page combines historical context with 18 matching records drawn directly from the World History Database Falklands War archive.
Historical context
On 4 May 1982 the Type 42 destroyer HMS Sheffield was struck by an Exocet missile launched by Argentine Super Étendard aircraft. The ship was badly damaged and later sank while under tow.
The attack demonstrated the vulnerability of modern warships to sea-skimming anti-ship missiles and had an immediate impact on British air-defense tactics, damage-control awareness and fleet operations.
World History Database records
The records below are selected from the 481-record Falklands War archive using this page's subject criteria and are ordered chronologically.
British Fleet Located
Commands naval reconnaissance activity that locates the British force before the Super Etendard attack on HMS Sheffield.
Exocet Attack on Sheffield
Launches an AM39 Exocet during the mission that fatally damages HMS Sheffield.
Exocet Mission Refuelling
Completes aerial refuelling with Bedacarratz before the pair continue at low level toward the British task force.
First Argentine Naval Air Strike
Participates in the Argentine Navy's first wartime Super Etendard and Exocet attack against the British fleet.
Loss of HMS Sheffield
HMS Sheffield is hit by an Exocet missile.
Loss of HMS Sheffield
Loses HMS Sheffield to Argentine air attack.
Naval Losses
The British lose the Type 42 destroyer HMS Sheffield to fire following an Exocet missile strike - 20 die
Neptune Contact Maintained
Uses a Neptune patrol aircraft to maintain contact information on the British force for the Sheffield strike.
Return from Sheffield Strike
Returns to Rio Grande after the attack that leaves HMS Sheffield fatally damaged.
Sheffield Strike Launch
Takes off in a Super Etendard with Armando Mayora for an Exocet strike against the British task force.
Sheffield Strike Wingman
Flies as the second Super Etendard pilot in the Exocet mission against HMS Sheffield.
Atlantic Conveyor Exocet Launch
Launches his Exocet with Curilovic during the coordinated strike on the British formation.
Atlantic Conveyor Exocet Launch
Launches an AM39 Exocet during the attack that sets Atlantic Conveyor ablaze and causes its eventual loss.
Atlantic Conveyor Strike Launch
Takes off from Rio Grande with Julio Barraza for a second major Exocet strike against the British task force.
Loss of Atlantic Conveyor
Atlantic Conveyor is hit by Exocet missiles.
Naval Losses
British destroyer Coventry sunk by air attack - 20 die. British container ship Atlantic Conveyor is abandoned with 3 vital chinook helicopters aboard after an exocet missile hit sets the ship ablaze - 12 die
Return from Atlantic Conveyor Strike
Returns safely after the Exocet attack that destroys Atlantic Conveyor and its helicopter cargo.
Exocet Hit on Glamorgan
Commands Glamorgan when a shore-launched Exocet strikes the destroyer, killing members of the ship's company.
Editorial provenance
Compiled and edited by World History Database
Historical context is editorial material; the chronology is generated from the World History Database Falklands War records.
Last reviewed: September 2026.
Reference points: Imperial War Museums · National Army Museum · The National Archives
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