Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry
Surviving members of D Patrol, Pettinger (Centre), ‘Jock’ Wilson (left), ‘Zip’ Hunt (right)
Additionally, it included some time spent on Ascension Island where the Bn practised beach landings from Landing Craft Utility (LSU) and we were able to test fire and check zero our weapons, including the Battalion support weapons and sniper rifles.
The Company order of battle (ORBAT) was organised and my Patrol consisted of myself, Lance Corporal Mark (Zip) Hunt as radio operator, Private Yanto Evans as gunner and Private Richard (Dickie) Absolon MM (posthumous) as lead scout and sniper.
During the afternoon of the 19th of May, the Bn “crossed decks” by LCU from SS Canberra onto HMS Intrepid. There was very little
room on a fully complimented ship to carry a further Bn of Paratroopers and all of their kit and equipment. Later that day, a Sea King helicopter ditched astern of HMS Intrepid just before landing. Carrying members of 22 SAS, it had lost power and control. An incredibly sad night when we lost twenty-two men, including a couple of personal friends, before we had engaged the enemy.
Two days later, during the early hours of 21st of May, 3 Para prepared to move in the darkness from HMS Intrepid by LCU to land on the beaches around Port San Carlos. Instead, 2 Para were to utilise the LCU’s first for their landing which delayed our progress until daylight. The beaches were not marked for our landings and the LCU Skippers were extremely careful not to hit any rocks on the seabed. After searching for a suitable drop off point (DOP) we eventually deployed a little short from land and I stepped off into waist deep, freezing water.
The Patrol Coy undertook various tasks around the settlement, including putting an early warning protective screen around the Bn whilst the Bridgehead was being prepared. My task was to get as far north as possible to give the earliest warning of any Argentinian aircraft approaching at low-level, using the valleys to avoid radar. I found a location approximately 12 miles north of San Carlos, on the high ground between Foul Bay and Concordia Bay. This proved a very difficult night move due to the trackless terrain, the possibility of enemy activity and the weight we carried; each man had approximately 140lbs (approx. 64kg) of kit and equipment.
The weight in our four Bergans, (rucksacks), included three radios, spare batteries, a hand generator, a change of clothes, seven days striped down GS rations, (tins), sleeping bag and poncho, extra GPMG ammunition and all of the ancillary bits required. Our webbing equipment with ammunition, bayonet, grenades and water, and we also had our various weapons.
Over the next few days, from this location, we activated several 'Air Warning Red' by radio allowing the Bn to take cover from possible air attacks. We were also able to listen to the BBC World Service on our HF radio.
On the 27th of May, the Bn along with Patrol Coy HQ and other patrols received orders to move east, cross country and towards Teal Inlet, thirty miles (45km) away. I was informed via radio and had hoped to link up with the Bn at Port San Carlos and move with them, however, by the time we arrived they had already left some hours beforehand, leaving us to catch up. We managed to jump onto a Chinook helicopter for part of the way and re-joined the Bn the next day, where they had dug in a defensive position around Teal Inlet. When we arrived, the Patrols were redeployed to place a security screen around the location. At this point, we had been on the move for two days and this night became particularly difficult due to tiredness, and the heavy snow that fell through the night.
On the 29th On 30th May, we received the news that 2 Para had attacked and secured Goose Green although several soldiers had been killed
and many more injured including the Commanding Officer (CO), Lt Col H Jones who was killed. He was later awarded the Victoria Cross. The next morning was bright and sunny, and we had the chance to re-organise and rest for a few hours at Teal Inlet.
May, the Battalion started the move further east towards Estancia House, another twenty miles (30k) away. Here again, the
terrain was extremely difficult underfoot while the weather changeable with biting winds, heavy rain and blizzard conditions. The Bn was moving in light order (webbing and any day sacks), whereas the Patrols carried their Bergans as tasking was unknown and therefore all kit and equipment could be required.
Just before last light, the Bn stopped in a layup area where several Patrols received orders to continue onto Estancia House and the surrounding areas to check for enemy and secure the location. My Patrol tasking was to escort four men from 9 Squadron Royal Engineers (9 Sqn) onto the western slopes of Mount Estancia, past and NE of the settlement where a a local man had reported a mine field. This included crossing the tidal River Estancia and enduring atrocious sleet and blizzard conditions. No mines were found.
The Bn moved into the area by the 1st of June, and the companies established in defensive positions in the mountains surrounding Estancia where the Bn HQ made their base. That day, I lead my patrol on a clearance patrol and reconnaissance (recce), further over Mount Estancia and onto Mount Vernet. We almost stumbled into an Argentinian position so stopped short to watch and listen before approaching very carefully, ready to attack it. Fortunately, it appeared to possibly be an Argentinian radio-relay station which had recently been abandoned in haste. A lot of equipment had been left, including radio logs, maps, vehicle batteries, tents, sleeping bags, clothing and much more. We gathered all of the paperwork together and returned it to the Bn HQ for crucial intelligence, and I debriefed on the patrol work. A couple of days later, I noticed that some of that equipment (tents etc) had been gathered and used around the Bn.
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