Battle of Goose Green

Battle of Goose Green
Part of the Falklands War
Darwin schoolhouse on fire
Date 28–29 May 1982 (1982-05-28 – 1982-05-29) Location Goose Green; Darwin, Falkland Islands 51°49′43.8″S 58°58′9″W / 51.828833°S 58.96917°W / -51.828833; -58.96917 Result British victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	Argentina
Commanders and leaders
Herbert "H" Jones † Chris Keeble	Ítalo Ángel Piaggi   Wilson Pedrozo
Units involved
3 Commando Brigade 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment 29th Commando Regiment	12th Infantry Regiment [es] units of the 25th Infantry Regiment 601st AA Artillery 4th Airborne Artillery
Strength
690[1][2] 3 fighter aircraft 1 frigate	1,160+
Casualties and losses
18 killed[3] 64 wounded[4][5] 1 helicopter	45–55 killed[6] 112–145 wounded[7] 961 captured[8] 3 attack aircraft

5km
3miles

Darwin

H. Jones killed

Goose Green

  

Goose Green and Darwin on the isthmus connecting Lafonia (south) with Wickham Heights (north).

The Battle of Goose Green (Spanish: Batalla de Pradera del Ganso) was fought from 28 to 29 May 1982 by British and Argentine forces during the Falklands War. Located on East Falkland's central isthmus, the settlement of Goose Green was the site of a tactically vital airfield. Argentine forces were located in a well-defended position within striking distance of San Carlos Water, where the British task force had positioned themselves after their amphibious landing.

The main body of the British assault force was composed of the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment (2 Para), commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Herbert Jones. BBC Radio broadcast news of the imminent attack on Goose Green. Knowing that this had likely forewarned the Argentinian defenders, the broadcast resulted in immediate criticism from Jones and other British personnel.

After the attack began in the early hours of May 28th, the 2 Para advance was stalled by fixed trenches with interlocking fields of fire. Jones was killed during a solo charge on an enemy machine-gun post. The Argentinian garrison agreed to a ceasefire and formally surrendered the following morning. As a result of their actions, both Jones and his successor as commanding officer of the battalion, Major Chris Keeble, were awarded medals. Jones received a posthumous Victoria Cross, and Keeble received the Distinguished Service Order.