Beyond Endurance: An Epic of Whitehall and the South Atlantic
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Icebergs
as navigational hazards, 15, 59
as source of fresh water, 12–13
survey of tabular, 15, 51–52, 110
Illustrious, HMS, 225
India, Endurance sold for scrap in, 243–44
Invincible, HMS, 68, 69, 218
Iris, CS, 204
Irizar, ARA, 104, 105–06, 110
Irving, Rear Admiral Sir Edmund, 109
Ives, Lt Cmdr David, Endurance
hydrographer, 32, 214
Jackson, Captain, QE2, 205
James Caird survey launch, 219
James Ross Island, xiv, 56, 57
James Turd replacement survey launch, 219
Jenkins, Simon, editor of Times, 239–40
Jenny Island, 130
John Biscoe (BAS ship), 47, 73, 74, 135, 152
Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC), 25, 123
Franks’ criticism of, 127, 233–34
indifference of, 126–27, 128
Joint Services Expedition, aboard
Endurance, 101–02, 130–31, 132
Katabatic winds, S. Georgia, 101–02, 103
Kelly, Ned, Attenborough team, 54, 88
Kelp, economic potential of, 14, 241
Kerr, Admiral Sir John, 65, 75, 238
King George Island, scientific bases at, 110–11
Kodak Gap, Le Maire Channel, 60
Krill, 52
potential exploitation of, 13–14, 241
Kristianson, Monica, Scott Institute explorer, 10, 53, 54, 110
La Nacion, Argentine newspaper, 152
La Prensa, Argentine newspaper, 76, 123, 153
Lacerda, Carlos, Deputy Governor of Madeira, 40–41
Lamb, Ronnie, Falklands police, 136
Lamidozo, Brigadier, member of Junta, 77, 78
Langley, Bob, Pebble Mill presenter, 55, 58, 90
‘Langley South’ film, 61, 90
Larsen Creek, Endurance hides in, 172
Laws, Dr Richard, Director of BAS, 10
Le Clarin, Argentine newspaper, 76, 152, 153
Leach, Admiral Sir Henry, First Sea
Lord, 3, 21, 70–71, 75, 239, 240
relations with John Nott, 89–90
Leach, Sgt Peter, RM, 169
Leith, S. Georgia
Buen Suceso at, 133–35
Davidoff’s landing at, 104–06
Endurance visit to, 103–04
recapture and surrender of, 193–96, 195, 203
Le Maire Channel, 60, 130
Lever of Manchester, Lord, 231, 232
Lewin, Admiral Lord, 71, 238
Lombardo, Admiral, Argentine Fleet Commander, 96, 97, 127, 128
Lord, Captain James, 38
Love, Colonel, Military Attache[‘],
Buenos Aires, 112, 127–28
Luce, Richard, FCO, 100, 126, 140, 236
Luxton, Bill, Cap Chartres, 163–64
Lycaon, MV, 206
Lyell Glacier, S. Georgia, BAS team on, 172, 198
Madeira, 40–41, 91–92
Mahoney, Bob, cameraman, 128–29, 174
Mar del Plata, 144
Endurance visits to, 62, 117–18
Marine Biological Association,
Plymouth, 101
Martin, Steve, S. Georgia base
commander, 134, 135, 139–40, 154–55, 167
Maynard, Hugh, Attenborough team, 54
Medway see Chatham
Mendes, Dr Costa
Argentine Foreign Minister, 108, 127, 150, 151, 240
Bout de Papier delivered, 123, 124
Merton Passage, S. Georgia, 156–58, 192
Meteor, German research ship, 60–61
Middlebrook, Martin, Fight for the Malvinas, 97
Mills, Lt Keith, RM, 139, 154–55, 165–69
Mineral resources, 12
hydrocarbons (oil), 12, 16, 80, 241
potential exploitation of, 16–17, 83
Mines, on S. Georgia, 193, 194, 196
Ministry of Defence see MOD
Mitchell, Julian, British Embassy, 95
MOD
and evictions from Leith, 137–41
final sale of Endurance, 243–44
intelligence from, 185–86, 187, 203
NB’s annoyance with, 228–29
preference for frigate over
Endurance, 66, 73, 74, 75
and proposed US presence, 151–52
view of strategic importance of Falklands, 18–19, 27, 68
see also Joint Intelligence Committee; Royal Navy
Montevideo, Uruguay, 47, 94–95, 107, 110
‘More British than the British’ film, 61
Morgan, Carol, Pebble Mill team, 55
Morris, Lord, 109
Mottistone, Lord, 74
Nadin, Leading Airman Bob, 102, 190
Nairne, Sir Patrick, 231
Napier, Sgt, RM, 211
NATO, and defence policy, 20–21
Naval Task Force, global role of, 5–6, 69, 70, 71
Neave, Ben, Naval Attaché, Buenos Aires, 44–45, 144–45
Nelson Island, 113
New York, British-Argentine talks in, 100, 108, 125–26
Nicholls, Nigel, MOD, 66, 71
Norland, MV, 204, 205
North, Tony, BAS staff, 173
Northwood see MOD
Norway, Antarctic sector, 16
Nott, John, Defence Secretary
criticisms of, 70, 232–33, 234, 235
defence cuts, 3, 4, 20–23, 69–70, 75, 89–90
and Mrs Thatcher’s contingency plans, 127
pressure on, 67, 86, 93–94, 98, 107
view of Naval Task Force rôle, 68–69, 71
Nunn, Captain Chris, RM, 107, 191–92, 200, 202
Nunn, Lt Richard, RM, 207
O’Connell, Lt David, MCD Officer, 203
Ogden, Eric, MP, 87, 99, 109
Oil see Mineral resources
Olmeda, RFA tanker, 210, 212
Operation Condor (1966), 25
Orheim, Olaf, glaciologist, 54
Outhwhaite, Captain Brian, 66–67
Owen, David, MP, 234
Palliser, Sir Michael, Head of FCO, 99, 236
Parker, Jim, letter to Times, 109
Parliament, 67, 230–32
House of Lords debate, 73–74
Parry, Chris, helicopter observer, 188–89
Parsons, Sir Anthony, Ambassador to UN, 159, 160
Pebble Mill documentary crew, 55, 56, 58
‘South Atlantic’ series, 58–59, 98
support for Endurance, 88, 90
Penguin News, The, 99
Penguins, 13, 50, 63
Pentreath, Captain David, Plymouth, 193–94, 196
Perkins, Roger, Operation Paraquat, 76–78, 153–55, 156–58
Permanent Negotiating Commission, 123, 125–26
Peron, General, 22
Peron, Isabelita, 76
Peters, Cpl, RM, 168
Picton Island, 113
Piedra Buena, Argentine destroyer, 152
Piloto Pardo Chilean polar ship, 115, 116
Plant, Miles, BAS staff, 173
Plymouth, HMS, frigate, 175, 177, 185, 186, 200
helicopters from, 190
recapture of S. Georgia, 192–94
Poland, Antarctic base, 32, 110–11
Polar Circle, MV, replacement for Endurance, 243
Ponsonby, Commander Francis, 2, 117, 120, 154, 170
Port Stanley, Endurance at, 46, 218
Power, Michael, MOD, 66, 71–72, 73, 108
Prat, Captain Arturo, Chilean Navy, 130
Price, Annie, 102, 103, 130, 131–32, 152
concern for safety of, 173, 175, 179, 198
Punta Arenas, Chile, 116
Punta Mendanos, Argentine Navy tanker, 2, 3, 145, 149, 160
QE2, RMS, 204–05
Radio hams, 2, 135, 161
RAF, 107, 210
Ranken, Commander Michael, 24
2–43
Redmond, Captain, Tidespring, 198
Rees, Merlyn, MP, 231, 232
Reffell, Admiral Sir Derek, 68, 75, 94
strained relations with NB, 65–66, 218–19, 220, 237–38
Regent, RFA tanker, 210, 212, 214, 218
Richards, Colonel ‘Brum’, 180
Ridley, Nicholas, FCO, 26–27, 97–98, 99
Rio de Janeiro, 41–42, 92–94
Ros, Enrico, Argentine delegate, 126
Ross Glacier, 102
Rothera Base, 63, 120, 129–30
Round the World Yacht Race, 96, 112–13, 117
Rowe, Rear Admiral Patrick, 71
Royal Bay, helicopter accident at, 101–04
Royal Marines, 42 Commando, M
Company, 177, 186, 191–92, 196–97, 200
relief of Southern Thule, 209, 210–12
Royal Marines (Endurance’s detachment), 31, 63, 192–93, 209
Royal Marines (Falklands 8901 Naval Party), 31, 54–55, 65, 82, 83
invasion and surrender, 158, 164–65
Royal Marines (from Endurance) on S.
Georgia, 2, 134, 154, 158
preparations for defence of, 165–68
returned to Endurance, 204
surrender, 168–69, 176
Royal Navy, 20–21, 29, 175–76
documentary film crew, 117, 128–29, 174, 177
Rucco, Jesus Iglesias, journalist, 123
Russia
Antarctic survey base, 32, 85, 110–12
interest in proceedings, 152, 184
Russo, Captain, Argentine Navy, 113–14
Salvageman, MT, North Sea tug, 202, 206
and relief of Southern Thule, 209–10, 212
and salvage of Santa Fe, 215–17
Salvesson salvage company, 105, 106, 137
Sanderson, Damian, BAS staff, 172
Santa Fe, Argentine submarine, 186, 188–91, 197–98
removal of, 197–98
salvage of, 214–17
Santiago del Estero, Argentine submarine, 203
Santissima Trinidad, Argentine ship, 152
SAS and SBS troops, for S. Georgia, 177, 178, 179, 180–84, 191
Saxonia, MV, 206
Scientific projects see British Antarctic Survey; Scott Polar Institute
Scott, Chief Petty Officer, 179
Scott, Bob, Chatham porter, 90–91
Scott, Sir Peter, letter to Times, 109
Scott Polar Institute (Cambridge), iceberg survey team, 32, 48, 51–53, 110–11
Scottish Eagle, MV, 212, 214
Seals, 13, 61
Seymour Island, Argentine Antarctic base, 60
Shackleton, Lord, 38–39, 228, 233
Falklands reports (1976 and 1992), 13, 15, 18, 19–20, 26
member of SWAG, 58, 242–43
support for Endurance, 3, 71, 73–74, 81, 90, 109
Shackleton, Sir Ernest, xiv, 10, 11, 48, 58, 105
Shackleton (research ship), Argentine attack (1976), 25, 29
Shersby, Michael, MP, 66–67, 87, 99, 109
Sheffield, HMS, destroyer, 186, 200, 206
Sheridan, Major Guy, RM, 178, 180, 184, 193
Signy, South Orkneys, BAS base, 53, 165
Smith, John, Pebble Mill producer, 10, 55, 58
Snaith, Lt, Endurance hydrographer, 32
South Africa, relations with, 96, 112
South Atlantic
economic potential of, 9, 64
importance of British military presence in, 64, 80–81, 82–83
magic of, 6–7, 9–10
navigation charts for, 15, 31–32
proposal for visiting frigate, 66, 73, 74, 75
see also Antarctic
South Atlantic Treaty Organization, proposed, 85
South Georgia, 48–49, 85, 102–05
Argentine invasion of, 165–69
Argentinian aircraft overflights, 133, 184, 185, 186, 187, 205
Endurance confronts Bahia Paraiso off, 140, 142–43, 145, 148–55
recapture of, 191–99
special forces landings on, 179, 180–83, 184
troop transfers off, 204–05
weather conditions, 101–02, 103, 180, 181–83, 214, 216
see also Grytviken; Leith; Santa Fe submarine
South Orkney Islands, 53–54
South Sandwich Islands, 13, 49, 52, 85
see also Southern Thule
South West Atlantic Group (SWAG), 10, 58, 87, 90, 242
Southampton, HMS, 37
Southern Thule
Argentine base on, 51, 67, 85, 197, 211–12
Argentine occupation of (1977), 25, 49–50
relief of, 208–12, [B]213[b]
Spectator, The, editorial, 232–33
Speed, Keith, Minister for Navy, 21, 70, 143
Squid fishing industry, 14, 15
Squire, Dr Vernon, Scott Institute, 110
Stanley, Lt Cmdr Ian, helicopter pilot, 181, 182, 183, 189
Stark, Peter, BAS staff, 152, 173, 179
Staveley, Admiral Sir William, 68, 239
Stena Seaspread, MV, 202
Stephens, W., xv
Stewart, Iain and Hulda, 134
Stockwell, Captain Alan, Salvageman, 202
Stromness, whaling station, 105
Stromness, RFA, 204, 205–06
Styki, Russian tug, 152
Submarines, Argentine, 144, 152, 171, 185–86, 188, 203
Salta, 204
Santa Fe, 186, 188–91, 197–98
Santiago del Estero, 203
Submarines, Royal Navy
Conqueror, 186, 188, 200–201
as deterrent, 234–35
Sunday Mirror, 150
Sunday Telegraph, 149–50
Sunday Times, 150
Sunderland, Endurance visits to, 40, 90
Swithinbank, Charles, BAS, 10
Thatcher, Margaret, 3–4, 26, 69, 125, 199, 228, 236
announces Franks Enquiry (8 July), 230–32
contingency plans, 127, 235
correspondence with Lord Buxton, 79–84
Thompson, Dr Mike, of BAS, 57
Thome, Major General David, 219
Tidd, Mike, Wessex pilot, 182
Tidespring, RFA tanker, 175, 185, 186, 200
helicopters on, 180–81, 182
and recapture of S. Georgia, 191, 196–97
Times, The, 140
letters to, 90, 93, 98, 109, 242
Tippey, John, Naval film team, 117, 128, 136, 174
Todhunter, Lt, Endurance hydrographer, 32, 164
Tourism, 15–16
Trefgarne, Lord, 74
Trombetta, Commodore Cesar,
Argentine Group Commander, 2, 95–96, 110, 143, 154
and landings at Leith, 104–06
NB suggests talking with, 148–49
Typhoon, MOD tug, 215
United Nations, 22, 23, 24, 25–26
United States
Antarctic survey base, 16, 18, 32, 59
Galtieri’s contacts in, 77
intelligence reports from, 152, 235
intervention proposed, 151–52
Ure, John, FCO, 29, 68, 99, 223, 236
on Argentine intentions, 97–98
Uruguay, 95, 144
see also Montevideo
Ushuaia, Argentina, 113–14
Venables, Stephen, 10
Videla, General George, head of Junta, 25, 76
Viola, General, head of Junta, 76–77, 123
Watkinson, Lord, 231
Wells, Lt David, RN, 169, 189–90
Wettern, Desmond, Daily Telegraph, 237
Whaling, 13, 48
Wheatley, Captain Anthony, Naval attache[‘], Brazil, 41, 93
White, ‘Knocker’, RN diver, 217
Whitty, Peter, 105–06, 133, 139
Wild, Commander Frank, with Ernest Shackleton, xiv, xv
Wilkinson Sword of Peace, for Endurance, 222–23
Williams, A
nthony, British
Ambassador to Argentina, 28–29, 43, 44–45, 117, 124
complacency of, 106, 145, 146–47, 148, 163
further career of, 222, 223
influence in FCO, 93, 99, 151
and Mendes, 109, 150
NB’s view of, 95, 144–45
Williams, Rear Admiral Charles, 117
Wills, Lt Cmdr Brian, 164, 204–05
Wilson, Harold, MP, 24
Wimpey Seahorse, MV, 206, 212
Woodard, Rob, 209
Woodfield, Captain Thomas, 109, 243
Woodhouse, CPO Ginger, 196
Woodward, Rear Admiral J.F. (Sandy), 40, 178, 199, 208, 239
Wyatt, Woodrow, 150
Yarmouth, HMS, frigate, 210, 211, 212
YBF (Argentine oil company), 18
Yorkshireman, MT, North Sea tug, 202, 206, 212, 217
Young, Captain Brian
Antrim, 178, 182, 184, 185, 186
and problem of Argentine submarine, 187–88
and recapture of S. Georgia, 193
Yu, Mr, dhobi man, 176
Zaratiegui, Admiral, Argentine Navy, 96, 113, 114
Zavodovski island, 50