The formation composed of the huge cruiser General Belgrano and two Sumner-class destroyers was still sailing quietly at the southern end of the Malvinas Islands, bathed in the darkening sky.
The "General Belgrano" was originally the Brooklyn-class "Phoenix" light cruiser used by the U.S. Navy during World War II. The Argentine government purchased the "Phoenix" cruiser at a low price of US$1.22 million.
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It was originally called the "October Victory" and was soon renamed the "General Belgrano". The cost of repairing and refitting a 10,000-ton warship was only a mere five million. The General Belgrano was really good value for money.
After two modifications, the old seaplane facilities were changed to helicopter equipment, new sea/air search radars were installed, and modern point defense ship-to-air missiles were added.
Although many parts would malfunction from time to time, the Argentinians carefully cared for this old ship, but it did not help. The battleship paddled hard, and the entourage of two destroyers kept guarding her on the right side.
Guard against potential British carrier-based aircraft.
As for the other pride of the Argentine Navy, the aircraft carrier May 25, was sold to Argentina by Britain. Alan Wilson was a low-key person at that time, but even if he already had the right to speak, he might not stop it. After the war, Britain
The navy's desire to give it away for free is not understandable to ordinary people.
If you think about the difficulties that Britain faced after the war due to its huge debt, and if you look at how it is still able to organize an expeditionary force to fight thousands of miles away today, you will know that Wushang Authority is absolutely worthy of this country.
But now the pride of the Argentine Navy is in another direction, relying on Argentina's own geographical advantages to go to Tierra del Fuego to block the task force in the South Pacific from entering the Atlantic Ocean. I don't think much, Tierra del Fuego is Argentina's inherent territory, but
It is separated from the mainland by a strait and can receive support from the mainland at any time.
The only problem is that the British task force in the Pacific is still far away and has not yet appeared in the sight of the Argentines.
After a day of vigilance, the people on the cruiser were too exhausted to sing and laugh, but they were also secretly recuperating.
Although the United Kingdom has turned the Falkland Islands into a restricted area, the Argentine Navy did not enter the war zone designated by the United Kingdom at this time, and South Georgia is a thousand kilometers away. The Queen Victoria-class aircraft carrier battle group is in
The waters off South Georgia Island are beyond the reach of the Argentine Navy.
Ordinary naval officers did not even know that South Georgia Island had been recaptured by the British, and thought that the islands affiliated with this archipelago were still in the hands of Argentina. For the vast majority of current Argentine soldiers, the war is too unfamiliar, far more so than the British.
Soldiers are still unfamiliar with war.
Although the British surface fleet has not officially moved south, and only a squadron participated in the operation to recapture South Georgia Island, it definitely means that there is calm under the sea.
The nuclear submarines of the main fleet have already left Ascension Island and arrived in the waters surrounding the Falkland Islands to build a blockade against Argentina.
On South Georgia Island, the British officers and soldiers who had regained control at this time were unloading the supplies delivered by the ocean-going fleet, and the airport on the island also welcomed Vulcan bombers, which was normal.
If the main islands of the Falkland Islands are recaptured, the British Expeditionary Force will suddenly find that there are more than one battlefield airport that can be used. They were all built with money saved by the supreme authority. As long as they are leveled after landing, they will be able to
When put into use, not only fighter jets can take off, but transport aircraft can also take off.
At that time, it was established under the guise of establishing an airport for immigrants from the Falkland Islands. However, since there were only more than a thousand immigrants from the Falkland Islands, the commercial value was almost nonexistent and the air route was not opened. However, the airport remained.
The wartime cabinet at the London base camp received two reports at this time, whether to bomb the defenders of the Falkland Islands, and the discovery of the Argentine task force with the cruiser General Belgrano as the core. The task force was outside the blockade and was about to attack.
Don't take offense?
Defense Secretary John Nott and Prime Minister Thatcher discussed these two issues, but in Alan Wilson's view, there was nothing to discuss, "Of course it is to send that second-hand American cruiser into the sea. But the Falkland
The islands are our territory, and there is no point in bombing them. It is better to leave some precious ammunition for more valuable targets."
"I also think what Sir said is reasonable." After hearing this, Mrs. Thatcher directly sided with the Cabinet Secretary-General.
"Well, the Prime Minister is right." John Nott hesitated and finally did not continue. He always felt that after the war started, the Prime Minister's reliance on Whitehall had greatly increased, and it was as if he was being manipulated.
, hope this is an illusion.
In fact, if you think about it carefully, who has always stood firmly behind the Prime Minister to provide support, and who has unswervingly implemented the privatization reform? Isn't the answer obvious?
If in two years the richest woman kicks out the Cabinet Secretary again, he can live directly in No. 10 Downing Street.
Since the beginning of the war, the Prime Minister has been under tremendous pressure. He is constantly being PUAed by the Secretary-General of the Cabinet without knowing it. His understanding of the war with Argentina has become more and more similar.
The frontline commander and commander of the submarine force, General Woodward, requested to sink the Argentine Navy flagship, but he directly received the approval of the war cabinet, allowing the other party to boldly do it.
If left alone, once the British fleet begins landing operations, Argentina's three naval fleets will definitely stab the British army from behind, leaving the British army vulnerable to enemies from both sides. At the least, it will force the British to divide their forces to support the defenders of the Falklands, and at worst, the British will be attacked.
The fleet was in danger of being annihilated under attack from two sides.
London's approval decided the fate of the Argentine Navy Pride, so it was better to kill it than to kill another Argentine Navy Pride. That was an aircraft carrier sold by the UK. It would be embarrassing for the UK if it was sunk.
The nuclear submarine Conqueror, hidden in waiting in the Bardaud Sea Mountains in the south of the Falkland Islands, quietly approached the General Belgrano and began to seize the position. At this time, on the General Belgrano, the Afghan army believed that it was between two
Outside the 100-nautical-mile blockade, most of the personnel were taking a nap, and there were not even surveillance posts equipped!
Now the "Conqueror" only needs to wait for the prey to fall into the trap. Its reactor core is stable, the temperature is normal, the torpedo room has been loaded with ammunition, and everything is ready.
An hour later, following the target, the Conqueror, already in an excellent launching position, was able to decide the fate of the cruisers within range. There is no doubt that the cruiser General Belgrano should use its talents
Brought to the icy bottom of the South Atlantic Ocean.
The captain, Lieutenant Colonel Rift Brown, had already made a decision in his mind. Instead of using the latest "Tigerfish" wire-guided torpedo, he would use the old unguided MK-8 torpedo to launch the attack.
Famous British dramas have said that new torpedoes cannot be used, but torpedoes designed and built during World War II can be used.
The MK-8 torpedo is a traditional weapon of the British submarine force. It has been used for decades. The British submarine force used MK-8 to achieve an outstanding record of sinking the Japanese heavy cruiser Ashigara. Now it will show its consistent reliability.
Sending this American-made cruiser to the bottom of the sea highlights the special relationship between Britain and the United States.
"Launch!" A minute later, with Lieutenant Colonel Rift Brown's powerful command, three MK8s roared out and flew straight towards the General Belgrano.
One hundred and twenty seconds later, the first torpedo launched by the Server hit the rear port side of the General Belgrano's hull, tearing open the hull of the No. 1 engine room. There was a muffled thunder, and the ship's internal lighting system was suddenly interrupted.
The relaxed Argentine navy officers and soldiers were shaken by a huge force and fell to the ground. Most of the officers and soldiers had bewilderment written on their faces, but some people speculated that they had been attacked by the British.
God did not give the Argentines too much time to think about it. Sixty seconds later, the second torpedo hit the large cruiser between the bow anchor chain cabin and the forward ammunition magazine. The violent explosion blew up the General Belgrano.
The keel of the cruiser was broken, and the front deck was bent downward.
The Argentine sailors on the ship just woke up from a dream, rushed out of the cabin and rushed to the fighting position. The captain, Captain Bonzo, ordered an inventory of the damage and tried to conduct damage control rescue, but the Belgrano, which was more than 10,000 tons, had begun to tilt violently.
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The first torpedo was quite fatal. This torpedo hit the No. 1 main engine room. The violent vibration immediately caused all four main engines of the ship to stop, the power system inside the ship interrupted communications, and the damage control system was paralyzed!
The second torpedo hit the bow of the cruiser, right between the No. 1 turret and the anchor chain. This is the end of the cruiser's side armor belt. Without armor protection, the torpedo's damage was particularly serious, blowing up the ship's bow keel.
break.
The communication was interrupted and the damage tube was paralyzed. There was nothing on the screen, only the echo of the waves. The astonished sonar operator was busy, and there was only the noise of the ocean. The captain's instructions could only be transmitted to each cabin through the original microphone and messenger, and then the responsible person
The sailors spread the message separately.
The General Belgrano began to tilt sharply to the left. Captain Bonzo was still trying his best to save the warship at first. After struggling in vain for half an hour, the tilt had reached 30 degrees. The helpless Captain Bonzo ordered to abandon the ship, and the Argentine sailors sang
Boarding the lifeboat while singing the national anthem.
The Atlantic Ocean's nickname has always been well-deserved, not to mention the fact that it is close to Antarctica. The sea conditions at this time are very unfriendly to rescue. The most important thing is that there is no one to rescue.
After the General Belgrano was attacked, the other two destroyers were panicked because they lost their command. Instead of conducting anti-submarine attacks, they quickly fled the battlefield in one direction south and one north, leaving the fate of their comrades in the cold water.