I would like to leave you with the links to a series of videos in YouTube that develop the attack on HMS Broadsword and HMS Coventry, with the result of the sinking of the later.
It is made over what Captain Hart- Dyke, of the Coventry wrote in his books 4 weeks of May.
At least two of the attacking pilots have seen this material so far. I really think we can talk about it. It is a very moving documentary, with the “story” told by Capt. Hart- Dyke himself and several other members of the crew.
Please do not botter in looking into the “comments” to the videos, some people that visits YouTube seem to have two brain cells in action only.
Not too bad a video, the ones I’ve watched so far.
I can’t understand most of the comments, but some comments are by losers who don’t know what they are talking about. You’ll find that when the smoke clears the combatents (ie the Argie pilots and the British sailors) would not make such comments or laugh about death, injury and destruction.
But that is the loss of those who make such comments. That they would/will never put themselves to the ultimate test. It often puzzles for a short time how former combatants can be so friendly years after the event. It is easy to understand however, as they have so much in common.
HMS Coventry, incidentaly, was the number one Argentine plane killer up until the point she was sunk.
What I find very distressing about seeing the common understanding and friendship between enemy combatants years after a war is the realisation that their dead comrades who can’t participate in it died for something that wouldn’t have occurred if politicians had managed a similar understanding of common interests between nations before launching their nations into war.
Thank you all for the comments on the videos passed to me by a friend.
With regards to the friendship among former combatants… I see it natural… the combatants, except the Argentine conscripts were proffesional soldiers…
One bit of the doc reacalled my atention to the comments made by my friend Keith when he said that “they cried over their brothers of the sea” when hearing on the siking of the Belgrano…on board Antelope. I was laughed about when said that, but apparently, not only Keith and his shipmates felt sorry for the destiny of the crew.
Profesional soldiers are also persons, and a mixture of “it can happen to me tomorrow” and genuine simpathy for the destiny of the crew of the sunk ship.
Every Argentine pilot regrets the death caused in the British ships, but itwas a battle and so things were.
One bit of the doc reacalled my atention to the comments made by my friend Keith when he said that “they cried over their brothers of the sea” when hearing on the siking of the Belgrano…on board Antelope. I was laughed about when said that, but apparently, not only Keith and his shipmates felt sorry for the destiny of the crew.
My good…that poetry again. :roll:
Every Argentine pilot regrets the death caused in the British ships, but itwas a battle and so things were.
I think that phrase is redundant.
Sorry but I dont agree there. Do you had talked with every argentine pilot to said that ?
Panzerknacker, nothing personnel but you’ve never served, and you’ve never been in a combat situation.
Whilst in some wars the two sides will never reconcile (Japanese V British and Austrailian in WW2 for example) some will.
Apologies, but you will not know what you are talking about from books and a thinking how you would feel. The terror and adrenaline, the smoke and the smells, the sights and scenes, the screams of wounded and crackle of fires, the feel of dust and grit on your person. It changes you.
Apologies, but you will not know what you are talking about from books and a thinking how you would feel. The terror and adrenaline, the smoke and the smells, the sights and scenes, the screams of wounded and crackle of fires, the feel of dust and grit on your person. It changes you.
Yea, yea, all that but I dont remember all argentines pilots saying they regret they actions.
I attend to a conference of Pablo Marcos Carballo one of the men who attacked the Royal Navy the 25th may and after nearly 2 hours of talking he said nothing about this matters, somebody asked him what he felt about the chileans actions in war and he told was very angry about the conduct of our neighbors but there was no hard feelings…that is it.
And in any case…why they should feel sorry aniway ?, they were just fullfilling his duty as the british did.
Isn’t it possible to perform one’s duty but regret what one had to do in performing it?
Isn’t that one of the great human and moral problems of war, that people do appalling things which are necessary according to their national or political loyalties but which may haunt them and the people to whom they did it, and their descendants, forever?
Would any of it happen if everyone subscribed to a higher duty than nationalism, such as a general commitment to humanitarian principles?
I could be wrong but I believe the usual missions in war consisted to destroy the enemy within the limits of the war laws.
We can do all the moral, ethical and psichological considerations we like ( and I dont like in this case) but in the cramped cockpit of an A-4C wich try desperately of not being wiped out by flak or the red lighted combat room of a missile destroyer who is about to be attacked there is no much space for that.
Panzon is trying to give a tears soaked image of the all the combattants in the Malvinas war wich only exist in his imagination.
Different people/different situations. Panzon is not claiming that a pilot dropping bombs on a ship is thinking of the ramifications.
A fighter jock requires a fair bit of aggression and nerve to carry out his job. So you are correct, whilst he is flying in and engaged he wont be having too many thoughts about it.
On the way back, they thoughts may creep in. And certainly after he has landed when he tries to sleep.
Same with the bayonet wielding soldier. In the assault there wont be pity. But come the aftermath, the eyes of the enemy combattent he kebabed will come back.
The crews on the boats going down South, on hearing about the Belgrano, would have had every sympathy. They may have been thinking about the same fate.
Servicemen and women are often very adept at putting such thoughts in to boxes when needed, like when in combat. The boxes can be opened again when the boredem returns.
Soldiers in wars often think of the other side. In 1982, many British would have been thinking of the others, because many soldiers going down there would have wondered what the fuss was about. They wouldn’t harbour the Argies any grudges.
For the Argentines, they would have been thinking would have been split. Some the same as the British, some would have been high on national fervour.
You seem to be under the delusion that your pilots (or any serviceman or woman) is some sort of cold killing machine, who calmly or exaltingly drops bombs on other people and hands out death and destruction.
Doesn’t happen mate.
All servicemen will be caught up with by their service, how they deal with it will mean the difference between them coming to terms with it, or putting a bullet in their heads.
I think you will find on both sides there are many who have chosen the latter.
Argie and Brit Vets have met each other since the Falklands, you will find this would not be possible if they were still giving out war whoops, about killing each other.
Which brings us to the point that those who take nations to war and those who still fly the national military flag aggressively long after the event are often those who have the least experience of war.
Their ignorance, or lack of humanity, allows them to have that enthusiasm.
sorry for the off-topic reply,.
but the following link,. really showed how the US pilot enjoying burning the Victor Charlie,. and it was fantastic view seeing them (VC) running in fire.
I guess not every combatants could felt the feel of their counterparts
I attend to a conference of Pablo Marcos Carballo one of the men who attacked the Royal Navy the 25th may and after nearly 2 hours of talking he said nothing about this matters, somebody asked him what he felt about the chileans actions in war and he told was very angry about the conduct of our neighbors but there was no hard feelings…that is it.
Helo Panzerknacker,
I do…happen to be a “pen pal” with the nowadays Commodore (R) FAA Pablo Marcos Carballo, I think he is the only Argentine alive with the medal of the Argentine Congress to “Heroic valour in combat”. He signs his letters to me as " Your friend Pablo"… So I think I know something about what he thinks of his then enemy.
He has visited Britain in several oportunities and whenever we “talk” about the war, he shows his deep respect for his adversaries and I am more than sure that he regrets the loss of life on both sides…
With respect of the “tear soaking type of war” that seems to inhabit my mind… I can tell you that Com. Carballo is also a Pen Pal of Keith and his “poetry” and he does not consider it “poetry” at all either… and he was a combat pilot, who went to “make war” one day yes, and one day no, from the 1st of May to practically the last day… remember he was the leader of the flight that attacked the landing in Pleasant Bay, at the end almost of the battle, having to go back due to “Scooter” malfunction leaving the then Lt. Cachón in comand with the legendary “Llevelos a la gloria” ( lead them into the glory).
He also was the flight leader of the HMS Coventry attack… The HMS Antelope… Commodore Carballo must have 7 lives at least…
Good example Com. Carballo, he is a sort of living enciclopaedia of the air war in 1982 South Atlantic… remember… one day yes, one day no…against the Task Force… he fought for his land with at least as much bravery as the British and allied pilots fought with the Luftwaffe when the “Battle for England” in WWII.
Many thanks for the answers to the post and I am glad you guys liked the videos and I am sorry for not coming back before, for some reason, the alerts to postings were not coming through so I neglected it for some time.
Cheers,
Pánzon.
PS: It may seem funny, but a few years ago, the then Commander of the whole RAF, Air Marshall Squire ( I seem to remember), visited Argentina and was lodged at the FAA “Hotel” in Buenos Aires… he visited the FAA and he was even invited to a flight on a two seater Mirage with a pilot that was one of his enemies more than 20 years past then…
Flying against each other at some time… having fun together in a combat plane more than 20 years later.
He has visited Britain in several oportunities and whenever we “talk” about the war, he shows his deep respect for his adversaries and I am more than sure that he regrets the loss of life on both sides…
I repeat I never heard him or read him saying that was sorry about the damage caused or that he cried ( that would be simply ridiculous) when hit a enemy warship.
The only that I know for sure give some kind of apologies was Cachon. He had a meeting with the HMS Sir Galahand survivors.
In the name of God almighty… where did I post that Commodore Carballo ever “cried”? Altough I am sure he did after every mission, when he had to face the loss of friends and “pupils” of him…
Those were the words of a survivor of the Antelope… from the hearth and not trying to pose as the valiant seaman at all… and in confidence… and his says were confirmed by a co-forumer of ours…
Pánzon.
PS: You have not “heard him” say nothing about remorses… It is plain by now that you do not know Com Carballo… he is the closest and more genuine person… a real gentleman… Only problem is he hates politicians… he did not tell me that, but I can read between lines. He is a soldier and they are not “killing machines”, they are people that excelled in their profession and suddendly, found themselves in a very difficult situation…
Whenever you talk to him, he reminds you that he is not a politician, but a soldier…
If you want, I can make available to you his last conference in audio file… he reffers to Keith´s history there.
And… why a bit “hostile” to me? My Argentine brother?
No soy hostil querido, simplemente no me gusta tu version endulzada de la guerra en las que todos se abrazan y besan con las armas humeantes en la mano. Ese es el panorama que hace rato estas intentando colocar, te apoye cuando te atacaron de forma gratuita pero ya esto es demasiado. ¿me entendes ahora ?
