When A-4 Skyhawks Sank the British

It’s the 25th of May, 1982, and two pairs of Argentinian jets roar low over the Falklands Islands, on their way to what could be a one-way mission. They are led by Captain Pablo Carballo, and he and his men are flying old and poorly equipped A-4 Skyhawk jets loaded with bombs. Their mission is to destroy the British Ships HMS Coventry and HMS Broadsword. The Argentinians have captured the Falkland Islands or the Malvinas as they call them. And they need to destroy the ships if they are to hold on to them. The Argentinians know that 2 ships have moved closer to the islands to cover ground troops. Islands that give them the chance to approach undetected by British Radar… "Entering their range, don't climb for any reason." The Skyhawks fly as low as they dare, hugging the contours of the island as they reach the enemy's radar range. The two ships are equipped with advanced anti-air missiles and powerful radars, which have been devastating to the Argentinian planes. The only way to evade detection is to stay low. Onboard HMS Coventry Captain David Hart-Dyke has his men on high alert. British special forces have warned him that the Argentinians have recently launched on a mission, but he is unaware that this time his ship is the target. Four detections on their radar screen confirms his worst fears. “Four contacts bearing 225 range 30! ” Captain Hart-Dyke immediately orders the crew to action stations and alarms blare on both ships and swiftly the mighty Sea Dart surface-to-air missiles turn to bear. The Skyhawks at the same time approach Pebble Island and hug its contours. "Isla de Borbon ahead. Keep low and follow me." With expert flying, the Argentinians become invisible to the British radar and on the Coventry, the contacts disappear. “Contacts lost over Pebble Island.” It's precisely what Captain Hart-Dyke feared. Pebble Island is too close, the Sea Darts have a minimum range, so now they will only be able to fire once if they are lucky. Hart-Dyke gets on the radio to Broadsword. “Broadsword, what is your status? ” HMS Broadsword is equipped with shorter range Sea Wolf missiles better suited for a close-range fight. On the Skyhawks, Carballo brings his men as close to the ships as he can under cover of the land. His planes have no radar and no warning systems, but at 10 nautical miles distance they can see the British ships!