Falkland War Files Released

Falklands Invasion 'Surprised' Thatcher -- BBC

The 1982 invasion of the Falkland Islands by Argentina caught Margaret Thatcher by surprise, newly released government papers have shown.

The then-prime minister only saw it was likely after getting "raw intelligence" two days before the Argentines landed.

Papers released under the 30-year rule show Mrs Thatcher was acutely worried about retaking the islands.

One historian said the documents were among the "most powerful material" declassified in the last three decades.

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More News On The Release of The Falkland War Files

Thatcher papers: 'worst moment' of her life -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
Falklands telegrams reveal UK response to invasion -- BBC
Thatcher was ready for Falkland Islands deal, National Archives papers show -- The Guardian
Secret UK files lift lid on Thatcher-Reagan Falklands contacts -- Reuters
Britain's approach on the Falklands: neglect and hope for the best -- The Guardian
Documents reveal US-UK split over South Georgia landing -- ITV
Reagan pleaded with Thatcher not to retake Falklands -- Financial Times
Haig Wanted to Tell Argentina U.K.’s Falklands Plans -- Bloomberg Businessweek
How US nearly betrayed us to the enemy: Secretary of State threatened to tell Argentina British troops were landing on South Georgia -- Daily Mail
Maggie's war with treacherous Mitterrand over Exocet missile: Archive files reveal relationship with France was stretched to breaking point -- Daily Mail
Thatcher urged to steal French-made Exocet missiles during Falklands war -- The Guardian
British government considered pulling out of 1982 World Cup as Falklands war broke out, archive files reveal -- Daily Mail

My Comment: When the Falklands War broke out I asked my father and his war buddies (my father and his buddies were World War II vets who fought on the Soviet side) who did they think was going to win. Their answer was immediate and unanimous and their rational was the following .... the British military is a military force that has been fighting wars for centuries, while the Argentinians had zero experience on how to fight against a professional military. They gave the Argentinians two to three months before they would capitulate. They were right .... the war lasted 74 days.