When Argentine forces descended on the Falkland Islands in April 1982, Britain’s Nato commitment left only limited military and naval resources available for deployment to the South Atlantic.

Facing a daunting challenge - operating 8,000 miles from home over difficult, roadless terrain in an ever-changing and unforgiving climate against a numerically superior, entrenched enemy - British forces also struggled against time. With a southern hemisphere winter approaching, circumstances demanded swift and decisive action.

Many contemporary observers believed the success of such an undertaking speculative at best and impossible at worst. So how and why did British forces prevail against such formidable odds?

In this exciting talk, Dr Gregory Fremont-Barnes will focus on the operations conducted by the Army and Royal Marines, including the six main engagements which began with the Battle of Goose Green. He will explore key elements of the campaign including strategy, weaponry, leadership, morale, as well as the physical challenges posed by operating in an inhospitable environment.

Dr Gregory Fremont-Barnes is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of War Studies at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He has written extensively on a range of subjects covering military affairs since the 18th century.

In addition to teaching cadets, he travels widely for the Ministry of Defence, running courses for foreign military and intelligence officers. He has conducted several battlefield studies in the Falklands for officers and senior NCOs of the British Army.

British Ground Operations in the Falklands War