Lot Essay
INDENTOn the evening of 1st. April, 1982 the Argentinians invaded the Falkland Islands. 800 Naval Air Squadron was brought to immediate notice to embark. H.M.S. Hermes with 12 aircraft of the Squadron left Portsmouth, 1600 hours the following day. H.M.S. Hermes was in position and the first cluster bomb was dropped on Port Stanley from a Sea Harrier, on 28th. April.
Three days later three aircraft of 800 NAS led by Lieutenant Commander Frederikson attacked the airstrip at Port Darwin; they cratered the field and destroyed or damaged five aircraft (May 1 ... Attack Darwin/Goose Green -- Log Book).
The squadron now reverted to fighter-bomber role, and flew continuous sorties during the ensuing weeks. British Land Forces landed on the Falkland Islands 21st. May, and the Squadron flew protective sorties over the whole area. The same day Lieutenant Commander Frederikson flew two sorties. On the first he chased off two Mirage fighters (May 21 ... Chase 2 Mirage DNCO! -- Log Book), and returned from the second at 1800 hours, with a "confirmed" A4 Skyhawk kill (May 21 ... Splash 1 x A4 Guns on 3 -- Log Book). At the end of this day the squadron had claimed five confirmed A4 kills with no loss.
The next day Frederikson and another pilot successfully straffed an Argentinian patrol boat the "Rio Lguazo", in Choisel Sound. The patrol boat was beached to avoid sinking (May 22 ... Strafe Rio Lguazo DCO! -- Log Book). 800 Squadron's tally for the May was nine Argentinian aircraft destroyed in the air and two helicopters and an unknown number of aircraft on the ground. The squadron had also damaged two airfields, sunk one and damaged three surface vessels, and prevented the attack upon many friendly ships.
At 0100 hours on 15th. June, the Argentinian forces on the Falkland Islands unconditionally surrendered. 800 Squadron continued to maintain a combat air patrol over the Islands, and on 5th. July H.M.S. Hermes headed for home.
Three days later three aircraft of 800 NAS led by Lieutenant Commander Frederikson attacked the airstrip at Port Darwin; they cratered the field and destroyed or damaged five aircraft (May 1 ... Attack Darwin/Goose Green -- Log Book).
The squadron now reverted to fighter-bomber role, and flew continuous sorties during the ensuing weeks. British Land Forces landed on the Falkland Islands 21st. May, and the Squadron flew protective sorties over the whole area. The same day Lieutenant Commander Frederikson flew two sorties. On the first he chased off two Mirage fighters (May 21 ... Chase 2 Mirage DNCO! -- Log Book), and returned from the second at 1800 hours, with a "confirmed" A4 Skyhawk kill (May 21 ... Splash 1 x A4 Guns on 3 -- Log Book). At the end of this day the squadron had claimed five confirmed A4 kills with no loss.
The next day Frederikson and another pilot successfully straffed an Argentinian patrol boat the "Rio Lguazo", in Choisel Sound. The patrol boat was beached to avoid sinking (May 22 ... Strafe Rio Lguazo DCO! -- Log Book). 800 Squadron's tally for the May was nine Argentinian aircraft destroyed in the air and two helicopters and an unknown number of aircraft on the ground. The squadron had also damaged two airfields, sunk one and damaged three surface vessels, and prevented the attack upon many friendly ships.
At 0100 hours on 15th. June, the Argentinian forces on the Falkland Islands unconditionally surrendered. 800 Squadron continued to maintain a combat air patrol over the Islands, and on 5th. July H.M.S. Hermes headed for home.