The Malvinas Islands: history. Conflict in the Malvinas Islands

The Malvinas Islands are a small archipelago located in the southern part of the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of 2 large and many small pieces of land, the number of which is approximately 776. The area of all the plots together is 12 thousand km ² . Falklands are the second and more common name, which is called the Malvinas Islands. The coordinates of the archipelago are 51.75 ° S. W. 59 ° W. Etc. The history of this paradisiacal corner is clouded by the struggle of two states, which are trying to secure the territory behind them.

History of the origin of the conflict

The 16th century was marked by the discovery of many previously unexplored territories. The Malvinas Islands were no exception. The dispute over their pioneer continues to this day. Argentina insists that the first European, whose foot stepped on this stretch of land, was the Spanish seaman Esteban Gomez, and it happened in 1520. But the UK claims that it was opened only in 1592 by the British John D. Davis. History tells us that for more than 200 years, the Spanish garrison was located on the territory of the archipelago. That is, the Malvinas Islands were part of Spain. But in 1810, Argentina proclaimed independence, and the military swam away from these lands to their homeland. Such active events in Argentina led to the fact that the Falklands archipelago was simply forgotten. And only after ten years, Captain Dzhuetom with a detachment of paratroopers arrived here and announced the rights of his state to this territory.

This distribution of power lasted 12 years. But the naval expedition of the British arrived on the islands and made a coup by subjugating the Malvinas Islands of Great Britain. Argentina at that time was still quite a young state and could not give a proper rebuff to the invaders. But it was also not going to hand over submissively part of its land to another country. Thus, the conflict over the Malvinas Islands was born because of the seizure of foreign territory by England.

The period of search for a peaceful solution

As you know, Great Britain was one of the largest colonial countries in the world. But in the 60-ies of the twentieth century, this system was wrecked. Argentina, taking advantage of the situation, tried to regain power over the Falklands with the help of diplomacy. So, during this period, an airfield and a telephone connection appeared on the island. Most UN members supported such an initiative. But England did not want to give up territory on any terms. After all, it was not just a piece of land that is located quite far from the main part of the state. Interested in the British were in deposits of natural resources, such as gas and oil. Another factor was that England was almost a monopolist in catching a sea krill, krill, and she did not intend to share it with someone.

Then in power in Britain stood the well-known Iron Lady Margaret Thatcher. Having started military operations against Argentina, she strengthened her positions in power. The Malvinas (Falkland) Islands were given a separate place in its policy of returning England to the status of a great state.

Military advantage of Argentina

The dispute between England and Argentina over the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) was beneficial not only to the first of them. In 1981, Argentina experienced a military coup and the power was seized by dictator Leopoldo Galtieri. He simply needed to enlist the support of ordinary citizens, and victory in a quick little war had to fulfill its mission. After all, if the Malvinas Islands returned, Argentina would show the whole world that it is a strong and independent state.

The War Begins

General Galtieri began to carefully prepare the operation to return the archipelago. It was decided to name it in honor of the ship of Captain Dzhuet - "Rosario". The beginning was to be May 25, 1982. This date was not chosen by chance, since on that day Argentina celebrated its national holiday, which was later to be proclaimed as the Day of the Malvinas Islands. But a traitor crept into the ranks of the Argentines, and British intelligence got all the information about this plan. The response to such actions from England was the submarine Spartan, which was sent to patrol the waters of the South Atlantic. Upon learning of this, Gal'tieri suffered a start on April 2, 1982, and on that day the landing of Argentina landed on the Malvins and easily coped with a small group of British.

England took a tough stance, because she believed that her national interests were offended. And she waited for support from all countries of the European continent. Latin America, on the contrary, was on the side of Argentina, because the Malvinas (Falklands) islands, in their opinion, have long been time to recognize the power of their real homeland. But France did not take an unequivocal position in this conflict, because it was unprofitable for her to turn away from Argentina. This country bought French combat aircraft. In addition, the Republic of Peru, as an ally of Argentina, bought anti-ship missiles from the French.

A look at the war between the US and the USSR

In this war the USSR was ready to support Argentina with its military equipment for lowering prices for food products. But at that time the Soviet Union was itself in a state of unresolved military conflict (the war in Afghanistan). Therefore, all the support that Argentina received was expressed in long speeches at the UN meetings. On the active activities of speech did not even come. Even the opposite happened: the USSR simply washed its hands and completely withdrew from the Anglo-Argentine conflict.

On the contrary, the United States did not withdraw to the ranks. At that time, the US president was R. Reagan, who after the persuasions of the Minister of Defense K. Weinberg fully supported Britain. The United States immediately imposed sanctions against Argentina. And at the UN Security Council, the United States, along with Britain, vetoed a resolution on the Falkland conflict. These two states even conspired about possible pressure on the USSR if he decides to intervene.

Active Hostilities

After seizing control over the archipelago, the United Kingdom immediately sent a large naval unit to ensure that this territory was returned to the power of the English crown. On April 12, 1982, the British government took the Malvinas Islands to blockade. The war was already in full swing. The British Minister of Defense stated that if Argentine ships were seen within a radius of 200 miles from this territory, they would be immediately sunk. The response of Argentina was the ban on the use of English banks for its citizens.

The Argentine aircraft also could not take active part in hostilities, especially in maintaining the garrison and supplying it with everything necessary. This was due to the fact that jet combat aircraft could not sit on the strip that was on the island, because it was too short.

Thanks to US support, Britain was able to use their military base on Ascension Island. This facilitated access to a remote area. On April 25, the British seized the island of South Georgia, which formerly was under the rule of Argentina. The military surrendered without a fight and gave up their position without resistance. Then the new phase of the war began.

The phase of sea and air actions

Since May 1, 1982, the Falklands area was completely engulfed in the war. British aircraft raided Port Stanley, and Argentina in response sent aircraft to attack British ships. The next day, there was an event that became the most difficult for Argentina in the entire war. The submarine of England sank the enemy cruiser, which killed 323 people. This was the reason that the Argentine fleet was recalled back to the shores of his native country. He did not take any more part in the hostilities.

Argentina found itself in a difficult situation, and she only hoped for aviation. At the same time, the obsolete free-falling bombs dropped on the British fleet, which in most cases did not even burst.

But the British side also had losses that shocked the whole country. On May 4, an anti-ship missile, delivered from France, was hit heavily by one of the destroyers of Great Britain. This was the reason for its flooding. But such a rocket at that time, Argentina had only five, which led to the rapid depletion of this stock.

The calm before the storm

Such a military breakthrough in Argentina led to two weeks of relative calm. Of course, the skirmishes continued, but there were not many of them. These include the British military operation to destroy 11 Argentine aircraft on Pebble Island. At the same time, the UN tried to persuade the parties to stop the war and reach an agreement by peaceful means. But no one wanted to surrender. Argentina, in turn, decided to respond to the sanctions of other countries against it. She banned flying their citizens to countries that had adopted anti-Argentine sanctions.

Land War

England pre-prepared their marines for landing on the islands. This happened on the night of May 21-22. The landing occurred in the bay of San Carlos, where this was not expected at all. Resistance of the Argentines was weak, but the situation changed in the morning. The Argentine Air Force raided ships that were moored in a bay.

On May 25, one of the planes was hit by a British ship carrying helicopters. A few days later it sank. And the British land group has already taken a strong position on the island itself. On May 28, a garrison of Argentines was attacked in the vicinity of Guz Nreen and Darwin settlements, which resulted in a retreat after a very difficult battle.

June 12, with great losses, the British troops occupied the previously controlled Argentinean heights of the Tu-Sisterz, Mount Harriet and Munit-Longdon. June 14 and all the other heights were subordinated to the troops of England.

The British troops also took the Argentine city of Port Stanley in a blockade. The command understood that no one would come to their aid, so on June 14 they gave up the fight and capitulated. The Falkland Islands were again brought back under British control. The official date for the end of the war is June 20. On this day the British occupied the South Sandwich Islands.

Britain for some time did not release 600 Argentinians from captivity, trying thus to manipulate their homeland for signing a more favorable peace treaty.

Losses of the parties

During the 74-day military conflict, Argentina lost 649 people, one cruiser, one submarine, one patrol boat, four transport vessels, one fishing trawler, 22 stormtroopers, 11 fighters, about 100 aircraft and helicopters. In captivity were taken 11 thousand people. In addition, the resonance was that after the end of the war, another 3 soldiers were killed, captured by England.

The United Kingdom lost 258 people in this war, two frigates, two destroyers, one container ship, one landing ship, one landing craft, 34 helicopters and airplanes.

The current stage of the conflict

At the end of the war, the warring countries never signed an official agreement. Only in 1990 the diplomatic relations were established again. In recent years, the conflict has again gained momentum. The reason for this was the receipt of one of the British companies permission to extract oil near the Malvinas Islands. Argentina opposed this state of affairs, because it will actually be extracted near the shores of this state.

The response of Argentina was also the law of 16 February 2010, which states that only those ships that have been authorized to swim for a distance of 500 km from the coast are eligible. But this did not stop the British, and the platform for oil production was established on February 21.

In 2013, the public once again drew attention to the Malvinas Islands. The referendum, which would determine the country's ownership, was to be held on 10 and 11 March. Residents had the opportunity to choose which state they would like to belong to. When the results were calculated, it turned out that 91% of the inhabitants of the islands came to the polls. With an undeniable result of 99.8%, Britain won, leaving no chance for Argentina to object.

Thus, in the last century there was a short war for the Falkland, or Malvinas, islands. The Shantar Islands, located in the Sea of Okhotsk, somehow resemble this archipelago. After all, this is also a small piece of territory outside the mainland. But if two states decide to fight for him, many people will die. The history of the Falkland Islands (Malvinas) proves that the winner is the more informed, purposeful and well-planned opponent.

The history of previous wars did not yet know such as this. It is a unique phenomenon. Although it was very short, the rivals fought furiously, using for this purpose all the latest achievements of the technical process. And for Great Britain, it was also a war at a great distance. The main goal was not the territory itself, but the resources that it could give to the winner country.