Origins of the Falklands War

An unauthorised landing on South Georgia by Argentine scrap-metal merchant Constantino Davidoff

An unauthorised landing on South Georgia by Argentine scrap-metal merchant Constantino Davidoff

His workers land at Leith without proper permission.

The British Ambassador of Argentina lodges a formal protest against the unauthorised landing on South Georgia on 20 December 1981 by Argentine scrap-metal merchant Constantino Davidoff

The British Ambassador of Argentina lodges a formal protest against the unauthorised landing on South Georgia on 20 December 1981 by Argentine scrap-metal merchant shipshant Constantino Davidoff

The British Ambassador of Argentina lodges a formal protest against the unauthorised landing on South Georgia on 20 December 1981 by Argentine scrap-metal merchant Constantino Davidoff

Britain renews its formal protest at Davidoff's unauthorised landing in South Georgia

Britain renews its formal protest at Davidoff's unauthorised landing in South Georgia

Britain renews its formal protest at Davidoff's unauthorised landing in South Georgia

Britain renews its formal protest at Davidoff's unauthorised landing in South Georgia

Renews protest over Davidoff activity on South Georgia.

Deputy Foreign Minister Richard Luce begins sovereignty talks with his Argentine counterpart Ernesto Ros in New York

Deputy Foreign Minister Richard Luce begins sovereignty talks with his Argentine counterpart Ernesto Ros in New York

Opens sovereignty talks with Argentine representatives.

British and Argentine deputy Foreign Ministers issue a joint communique praising the cordial and positive spirit of sovereignty discussions held in New York

British and Argentine deputy Foreign Minister's issue a joint communique praising the cordial and positive spirit of sovereignty discussions held in New York

The Argentine Foreign Minister says that Argentina reserves the right to employ other means if Britain keeps refusing to cede sovereignty

The Argentine Foreign Minister says that Argentina reserves the right to employ other means if Britain keeps refusing to cede sovereignty

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

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

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

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

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

Argentine workers land at Leith and raise an Argentine flag.

Leads a small Argentine military detachment accompanying the scrap-metal party at Leith Harbour.

Carrington says a diplomatic solution is being pursued

States that Britain is pursuing a diplomatic settlement.

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

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

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

Thatcher telegraphs American President Ronald Reagan asking him to warn the Argentines off

Reagan warns Argentine junta leader General Galtieri not to take military action

Reagan warns Argentine junta leader General Galtieri not to take military action

UN Security Council meets at Britain's request and calls for restraint and avoidance of force

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

MPs are recalled for a special Saturday sitting of the House of Commons (first since Suez)

Directs Guerrico during a close-range engagement with Royal Marines defending South Georgia.

Leads marine troops ashore during the Argentine occupation of South Georgia.

Commands an Argentine marine detachment sent to reinforce the operation against the British position at Grytviken.

Commands ARA Guerrico as the corvette supports Argentine operations to seize Grytviken.

Reagan approves Haig peace mission

Reagan approves the Haig peace mission

The Haig peace mission arrives in London

The Haig peace mission arrives in Buenos Aires

The Haig peace mission arrives in London, 2nd time

Returns to London to brief President Reagan

Argentina rejects Haig's 5 point peace plan and London is informed

The Haig peace mission arrives in Buenos Aires, 2nd time

Presents the Junta with a 5 point peace plan

Argentina rejects Haigs plan unless Britain agrees to transfer sovereignty by 31 December 1982 and allow Argentine nationals to settle in the Islands. Argentina rejects Haigs 5 point peace plan & London is informed

Argentina rejects Haigs 5 point peace plan & London is informed

Argentina rejects Haigs plan unless Britain agrees to transfer sovereignty by 31 December 1982 and allow Argentine nationals to settle in the Islands

Argentina rejects Haigs plan unless Britain agrees to transfer sovereignty by 31 December 1982 and allow Argentine nationals to settle in the Islands

Argentina rejects Haig's plan unless Britain agrees to transfer sovereignty by 31 December 1982 and allow Argentine nationals to settle in the Islands

Sent to Washington with Britain's response to Haig's peace plan

The South Georgia operation begins

Pym visits Washington with the British response to Haig's proposals

A submarine alert is sounded and operations are halted, with the Tidespring being withdrawn to deeper water to avoid interception

Serves in the Wessex crew whose depth-charge attack severely damages the Argentine submarine ARA Santa Fe.

Pilots the Wessex during the attack that helps disable ARA Santa Fe near South Georgia.

Announces the recovery of South Georgia.

South Georgia recaptured by Royal Marines - Thatcher tells Britain to "rejoice"

After a short forced march by the British force ordered by Sheridan, the Argentine forces surrendered without resistance, Prime Minister Thatcher breaks the news to the media, telling them to "Just rejoice at that news!"

Leads British forces as South Georgia is retaken.

Continues helicopter operations supporting British forces during the recapture of South Georgia.

Surrenders the Argentine detachment at Leith Harbour after British forces retake South Georgia.

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

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

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

Argentina rejects Haig proposals

Reagan terminates Haigs peace mission, declares US support for Britain, imposes economic sanctions on Argentina, and offers Britain materiel and other aid

Reagan terminates Haigs peace mission, declares US support for Britain, imposes economic sanctions on Argentina, and offers Britain materiel and other aid

Reagan terminates Haig's peace mission, declares US support for Britain, imposes economic sanctions on Argentina, and offers Britain materiel and other aid

Commands the Argentine detachment remaining at Leith Harbour during the South Georgia crisis.

Serves throughout the opening South Georgia phase aboard HMS Antrim's Wessex HAS.3 helicopter Humphrey.

Remains involved in Argentine garrison operations on South Georgia after the initial fighting.

Participates in HMS Antrim's Wessex operations during the campaign to recover South Georgia.

Commands D Squadron, 22 SAS, during special-forces operations connected with the recapture of South Georgia.

Returns from Washington with the US an an ally

Peruvian President Belaunde Terry presents a peace proposal to Galtieri who gives preliminary acceptance with some modifications

Pym meets United Nations Secretary General Perez de Cuellar in New York. Has discussions with Perez de Cuellar

Peruvian President Belaunde Terry presents a peace proposal to Galtieri who gives preliminary acceptance with some modifications

Rejects the Peruvian peace plan, cites the sinking of the Belgrano. Galtieri rejects Peruvian peace plan, citing General Belgrano

Emergency meeting of full British cabinet approves Peruvian peace plan

Full cabinet approval of the Peruvian peace plan

The Junta rejects the Peruvian peace plan for a 2nd time. Argentine junta rejects Peruvian peace plan

Argentine junta rejects Peruvian peace plan

Argentina declares the entire South Atlantic a war zone

Haig sends his deputy General Vernon Walters to Buenos Aires

Haig sends his deputy General Vernon Walters to Buenos Aires

The Junta concedes that "sovereignty not a precondition". Argentine junta concedes that sovereignty of the Islands isn't a precondition to the United Nations peace plan

Argentine junta concedes that sovereignty of the Islands is not a precondition to the United Nations peace plan

Britain's United Nations ambassador Sir Anthony Parsons sent back to New York with British peace proposals

British peace proposals transmitted to Argentina

The Junta rejects the British proposals. Argentine junta rejects British peace proposals

Argentine junta rejects British peace proposals

The Junta rejects the British proposals

Tells Parliament of the collapse of the peace process

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

UN Security Council Resolution 505 instructs de Cuellar to seek negotiated settlement

Organisation of American States condemns Britain's military action and calls on the US to stop helping Britain - only the US, Chile, Colombia and Trinidad & Tobago abstain

Organization of American States condemns Britain's military action and calls on the US to stop helping Britain - only the US, Chile, Colombia and Trinidad and Tobago abstain

Commands HMS Plymouth through operations from South Georgia to San Carlos and the later Falklands campaign.

Continues diplomacy as British forces advance.

Is appointed MBE for mine-clearance and explosive-disposal work associated with ARA Santa Fe.

The United Nations General Assembly passes a resolution calling for a peaceful solution to the sovereignty dispute

Rejects pressure for sovereignty negotiations after the war.

The South Georgia force, Operation Paraquat, under command of Major Guy Sheridan, consists of Marines from 42 Commando, a troop of the Special Air Service (SAS) and Special Boat Service (SBS), reconnaissance forces for an invasion