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A Carrier At Risk - Argentinean Carrier Operations 1982 - Helion & Company via Casemate UK


Julien

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A Carrier At Risk

Argentinean Carrier Operations 1982 - Latin America @ War No.14

ISBN : 9781911628705

Helion & Company via Casemate UK

 

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Convention would have it that the Argentinean Carrier ARA 25 de Mayo remained in port following the sinking of The General Belgrano by HMS Conqueror and did not contribute much to the conflict.  However that would not seem to be completely true. It seems the carrier did conduct anti submarine operations in the South Atlantic which have gone largely unnoticed until now.  The history of this carrier though goes back a long way before the Falklands campaign and to the other-side at that.  The carrier was built by Cammell Laird shipbuilder in Birkenhead during WWII as a Colossus Class Carrier. Named HMS Venerable she only manged 3 years service in the Royal Navy. After this she was sold to the Royal Netherlands Navy and renamed the HNLMS Karel Doorman.  Following a fire the Carrier was sold to the Argentine Navy as they already operated the ex ARA Independencia another  Colossus Class Carrier the ex HMS Warrior. The ARA 25 de Mayo was commissioned in 1968, through out her life she was refitted many times. Despite fitting new steam catapults and arrestor gear the vessel it was found that these were not enough to operate the Super Etendard and the carrier was limited to A-4 Skyhawks for strike aircraft. S-2 Trackers were also carried for anti-submarine and observation duties.

 

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With the Argentinean invasion of the Falkland Islands in May 1982 the carrier supported the initial landings on the Islands.  The carrier was then deployed to the North of the Islands. The carrier did attempt to launch an attack on the task force after her trackers found the fleet but light winds prevented the loaded Skyhawks from taking off. HMS Splendid as Swiftsure class Nuclear submarine was to patrol the area North of the Island and tasked with finding the carrier, and to sink her if necessary. The book looks at this time where the British were searching for the carrier, and it in turn was searching for the searchers. 

 

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Conclusion

This book will give the reader an understanding of Argentinean carrier operations in the South Atlantic. With over 100 photos, colour maps and profiles; combined with first hand accounts from both sides the book is highly recommended. 

 

 

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Review sample courtesy of

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5 hours ago, Lomcevak said:

Interesting! Thanks for sharing

 

Cheers,

Jorge

Thanks.

 

I have read a fair ammount about the Falklands war over the years and this was both new and interesting,

 

Though to be honest all the Latin America @ War books have been great so far.

 

Julien

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