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Last Updated: Tuesday, 27 March 2007, 12:20 GMT 13:20 UK

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Falklands war timeline

2 April, 1982

Argentina invades Falkland Islands.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The first Argentine troops land by helicopter at 0430 local time three miles to the southwest of the Falkland Islands capital Stanley. The main force of 1000 troops land two hours later. The 80man garrison of Royal Marines is vastly outnumbered and by 0930 the Argentines LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0are firmly in control.

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3 April, 1982

UN Security Council demands immediate withdrawal of Argentine forces.

5 April, 1982

First task force ships leave Portsmouth.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The decision to send a task force to the Falklands is announced in a news conference by Foreign Secretary Lord Carrington on 2 April. Three nuclear submarines have already been dispatched but preparing a fleet of warships and support vessels takes longer to organise. The fleet of more than 100 ships will take nearly three weeks to sail the 8000 miles to the South Atlantic. The day before it sails Lord Carrington resigns and is replaced by Francis Pym.

7 April, 1982

Britain announces its intention to impose 200mile exclusion zone around Falklands.

19 April, 1982

Argentina rejects US Secretary of State Alexander Haigs peace proposals.

25 April, 1982

South Georgia retaken by Royal Marines.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0British destroyer HMS Antrim arrives off South Georgia on 21 April. After a couple of neardisastrous reconnaissance missions in appalling weather conditions the British troops easily take control of the small Argentine garrison. Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher tells the nation to "rejoice" at the news of South Georgia's recapture. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0

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1 May, 1982

British bomb Stanley airfield.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Two Vulcan bombers launch an air assault on Stanley airfield. The mission is a logistical nightmare involving several tanker aircraft to refuel the bombers during the 8000 mile round trip from Ascension Island. Three Argentine aircraft are shot down. There is only one direct hit on Stanley runway. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0

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2 May, 1982

Argentine cruiser General Belgrano sinks with loss of 368 crew.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The sinking of the veteran cruiser Belgrano causes the first major loss of life in the Falklands war. Three hundred and sixtyeight Argentines are killed 700 survive. News of the sinking causes shock among the task force and the British public. The ship becomes a cause celebre for antiwar campaigners. They claim it was outside the exclusion zone and sailing away from the conflict. British officials say the task force has the right to defend itself against any hostile vessel. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0

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4 May, 1982

British destroyer HMS Sheffield is sunk by missile with loss of 20 crew.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0HMS Sheffield is hit by an Exocet missile which starts a fire in the control room. The crew is forced to abandon ship but 20 men die. It is the first British warship to be sunk in the conflict. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0

15 May, 1982

SAS launch attack against Argentines on Pebble Island an outpost which could have given early warning of the British fleet.

18 May, 1982

Argentine junta rejects British peace proposals.

20 May, 1982

UN peace talks fail ending any hope of a diplomatic solution to the crisis.

21 May, 1982

British troops land at San Carlos Water on East Falkland.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Three thousand troops and 1000 tons of supplies are landed at San Carlos Water with a view to establishing a beachhead for attacks on Goose Green and Stanley. But only two warships survive unscathed. HMS Ardent is sunk with the loss of 22 crew. HMS Argonaut and Antrim are hit by bombs which fail to explode two die. Thirteen Argentine aircraft are reported shot down.

23 May, 1982

British frigate Antelope hit and later sinks.

25 May, 1982

British destroyer HMS Coventry bombed with 20 deaths. Container ship Atlantic Conveyor hit with loss of 12 crew.

28 May, 1982

Battle for Darwin and Goose Green.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0Two hundred and fifty Argentine soldiers are killed and 17 British troops die in a fierce battle which lasts a day and a night. The British troops are vastly outnumbered and take more than 1000 prisoners of war. Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel H Jones is killed leading an assault on an Argentine command post and posthumously awarded the VC.

31 May, 1982

Argentine positions of Mount Kent and Mount Challenger taken.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0With victory over the Argentines at Darwin and Goose Green the British forces at San Carlos are clear to begin their advance east towards Stanley. Marching with heavy packs on their backs across the peat bogs of East Falkland in poor weather conditions their progress is slow but they succeed in taking the Argentine positions of Mount Kent and Mount Challenger.

3 June, 1982

Bluff Cove and Fitzroy occupied by British troops.

8 June, 1982

British landing craft Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram bombed 51 troops killed.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0British troops are ferried from San Carlos to Bluff Cove and Fitzroy ready for the southern offensive on Stanley. But the operation does not go smoothly and delays in unloading mean 51 Welsh Guards are killed by Argentine aircraft as they wait to disembark. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0

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11 June, 1982

Mount Longdon Two Sisters and Mount Harriet taken. Three islanders killed during naval bombardment of Stanley.

12 June, 1982

British destroyer HMS Glamorgan hit by shorelaunched Exocet missile 13 die.

13 June, 1982

Final Argentine positions Mount William Wireless Ridge and Mount Tumbledown taken.

14 June, 1982

British forces liberate Stanley.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0After taking the heavilydefended high ground surrounding Stanley British forces march into Stanley almost unopposed. The Argentines lay down their weapons and surrender. The ceasefire is announced at 1530 local time. LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0 LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0

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20 June, 1982

British forces declare end to hostilities.
LETTERSPACING0 KERNING0The 200mile exclusion zone is replaced by a Falklands Protection Zone of 150 miles. Two days later the head of the Argentine military junta General Leopold Galtieri resigns to be replaced by retired army General Reynaldo Bignone.