South Georgia and Operation Paraquet

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.

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.

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

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.

Keeps command after Guerrico is damaged by British small-arms and anti-tank fire during the Grytviken action.

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.

The South Georgia operation begins

The first landings of SAS troops took place, the weather is so bad that their landings and others made the next day are all withdrawn after several helicopters crash into the Fortuna glacier

SAS landings on Fortuna Glacier are abandoned in bad weather.

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.

Leads a five-man diving team clearing explosives and hazardous material from the damaged Argentine submarine ARA Santa Fe.

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.

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

Spends several weeks supervising hazardous diving and explosive-clearance work aboard and around ARA Santa Fe.

Helps make ARA Santa Fe safe enough to be refloated and moved from the harbour.

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

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