Battle of Wireless Ridge

Battle of Wireless Ridge
Part of Falklands War
Date 13 - 14 June 1982 Location Wireless Ridge, Falkland Islands Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	Argentina
Commanders and leaders
Lt. Col. David Chaundler	Lt. Col. Omar Giménez
Units involved
3 Commando Brigade 2nd Battalion (2 Para) 29th Commando Regiment Blues and Royals Royal Navy	7th Infantry Regiment 10th Cavalry Squadron
Strength
600 2 Scorpion light tanks 2 Scimitar light tanks 12 light guns 1 frigate	500
Casualties and losses
3 killed 11 wounded	25 killed 125 wounded 37 captured

The Battle of Wireless Ridge was an engagement of the Falklands War which took place on the night from 13 to 14 June 1982, between British and Argentine forces during the advance towards the Argentine-occupied capital of the Falkland Islands, Port Stanley.

Wireless Ridge was one of seven strategic hills within five miles of Stanley at 51°40′14″S 57°55′55″W / 51.67056°S 57.93194°W / -51.67056; -57.93194 (Wireless Ridge) that had to be taken in order for the Island's capital to be approached. The attack was successful, and the entire Argentine force on the Islands surrendered later that day.

The British force consisted of 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (2 Para), a troop of the Blues & Royals, with two FV101 Scorpion and two FV107 Scimitar light tanks, as well as artillery support from two batteries of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery and naval gunfire support provided by HMS Ambuscade's 4.5-in gun.

The Argentine force consisted of the 7th Infantry Regiment as well as detachments from other units. The first Argentine unit to arrive in the sector was the 10th Brigade Headquarters Company commanded by Major José Rodolfo Banetta that took up residence inside the Moody Brook Barracks,^[1] but this unit had to evacuate the area on 11 June when British Harriers struck the building, killing three Argentine soldiers (Privates Mario Gustavo Rodríguez, Carlos Gustavo Mosto and Ignacio María Indino^[2]) and wounding their company commander. At first, the 7th Regiment on Wireless Ridge was relatively comfortable, shooting sheep and roasting them on old bed frames the soldiers had found nearby.^[3]The soldiers of the supporting 10th Armoured Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, according to Private Sergio Díaz, also had a fairly comfortable time at first, enjoying a huge barbecue and cans of beers while commemorating Argentine Army Cavalry Day on 23 April.^[4]Private Guillermo Vélez from the 7th Regiment's Headquarters & Support Company maintains that he personally shot and killed 50 sheep during his time on Wireless Ridge.^[5]