THE SINKING OF THE GENERAL BELGRANO

______On April 2nd, 1982 the Argentines invaded the Falkland Islands, or as they liked to call them, the Malvinas. The Argentines claimed the islands, which are uncomfortably close to Antarctica, on the basis of some legal rights dating back to the 18th century. The British claim was established by its continuous occupation since 1833 and the fact that everyone on the island spoke English... except the sheep.

______Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher's response was immediate and decisive. Naval forces were immediately ordered into the area, the RAF conducted some long-range bombing, and preparations were made to retake the island.
______In response to the British build-up the Argentine Navy ship General Belgrano was sent out as a British carrier force approached the Falklands. The Royal Navy submarine H.M.S. Conquerer located the ship first, and deeming it a threat torpedoed it. Not only was this the first time a ship had been torpedoed in combat since World War II, it was the ONLY time that an enemy vessel has been destroyed by a nuclear submarine.

______The Falklands operation was pretty much done by the end of June, much to the embaressment of the Argentine junta. It would seem they underestimated Great Britain's "Iron Lady."

WHY WERE SOME U.S. AIRSHIPS EQUIPPED WITH TRAPEZES?

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