MOUNT LONGDON |
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When RFA Sir Galahad anchored off Fitzroy on 8 June 1982, she came under sustained air attack by Argentinean Skyhawks. Three 500lb bombs triggered an explosion followed by a terrible fire and eventually the ship had to be abandoned. As well as Merchant and Royal Navy crew, this landing craft was carrying troops from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. Of the 50 men who lost their lives that day, 32 were from this Battalion. |
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Casualty list from the Welsh Guards Memorial showing the names of all men from this Regiment who lost their lives in this conflict ©Martin Dunkin |
The Welsh Guards Memorial
©Martin Dunkin |
The taking of Mount Longdon was a vital objective in the push to liberate Port Stanley in June 1982. During the night of 11/12 June, 3 Para attacked. The enemy had anticipated this and was well - prepared; in the end, the position was secured only after 10 hours heavy fighting. The 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment (always referred to as 3 Para) continued to hold the position under heavy fire for a further 48 hours. The price they paid was high - a total of 22 men were killed during those 3 brief days. Today, individual memorials are scattered over the rocky hillside, marking the place where each man fell. |
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| ©Martin Dunkin | ©Martin Dunkin |
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| ©Martin Dunkin |
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Under the Platoon Commander, on the night of 11/12 June 1982, a small group of men including Sergeant McKay, set out to reconnoitre enemy positions on Mount Longdon. Within in minutes the Platoon Commander was seriously wounded. Sergeant McKay decided to convert this reconnaissance into an attack in order to eliminate the enemy positions which were preventing 4 and 5 Platoons from moving forward. He took the Corporal and two men with him and broke cover. Their assault met determined resistance. The Corporal was seriously wounded, one Private was killed and the other wounded. Alone, Sergeant McKay charged the position and destroyed it, with its occupants, an action which allowed 4 and 5 Platoons to redeploy in safety. Ian McKay was killed at the very moment of victory, his body falling on the bunker he had just immobilised. |
©Martin Dunkin Ian John McKay was Platoon Sergeant of 4 Platoon, B Company, 3 Para. |
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© M.E. Brine. This page last updated
31 July, 2009
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