The Rotary Club of Anstruther was delighted to welcome Commodore Ronald Sandford CBE, as guest speaker to its 19th August meeting.
Commodore Sandford gave an illustrated, engrossing and very personal account of the Falklands conflict, where he served as second in command on board HMS Antrim, a County Class guided missile destroyer. She was flagship during ‘Operation Paraquet’ - the recovery of South Georgia in April 1982 and precursor to the recovery of the Falklands. Her helicopter (known fondly as Humphrey!) was responsible for the rescue of 16 SAS men from the Fortuna Glacier after severe weather closed in and also played a key role in the detection and disabling of the Argentinian submarine Santa Fe.
It was whilst supporting the main landings on the Falkland Islands at San Carlos Water (bomb alley) that a 1,000 lb bomb hit Antrim, causing damage. But it did not explode and was successfully removed by members of the crew, albeit at considerable risk.
We heard a first-hand account of the difficulties of conducting military operations in such inhospitable territory and at such extreme range – some 8,000 miles from the UK. We heard too of the danger to the ships from air attack, often with radar efficiency impeded by the surrounding hills and enclosed waters. Perhaps less well known were the operational complexities arising from political pressures and the international peace-seeking initiatives that were being conducted.
Everyone in the audience had clear memories of radio, television and press reports, together with briefings from government spokespeople. It was revealing to hear how that all happened and of the care that was needed to avoid the inadvertent release of information that could imperil the UK forces.
As history records, the surrender of occupying forces was received on 14th June and by 29th June HMS Antrim headed home – a total of 121 days away from home, of which 110 were spent on a war footing. Success had been achieved through professionalism, leadership, determination and, without doubt, many acts of bravery and of heroism. But Ronald made the serious points in conclusion that it is very sobering to reflect on the nature and outcomes of such conflict; of the loss of life and of the trauma for those wounded and for families, friends and loved ones.
Following questions, a vote of thanks was proposed by club member and retired Royal Naval officer Allan Wood
