- Operation Sutton
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Operation Sutton 
British Paratroopers at a deployment zone near Port San CarlosDate 21–23 May 1982 Location San Carlos Water, Falkland Islands Result British victory Belligerents 
United Kingdom
ArgentinaCommanders and leaders Sandy Woodward
Jeremy Moore
Michael Clapp Lt. General Ernesto Horacio Crespo (air)
Lt. Esteban (ground)Strength 2 destroyers
6 frigates
Amphibious Task Force
Sea Harrier CAPs50-60 fighters
62 ground troopsCasualties and losses 29 servicemen killed
1 pilot captured
2 frigates sunk
4 destroyers/frigates damaged
3 helicopters
1 RAF Harrier GR36 pilots killed
8 soldiers captured
12 aircraftFalklands War campaignArgentine Invasion – South Georgia – Occupation – Paraquet – Black Buck – Belgrano – Sobral – Sheffield – Pebble Island – Mikado – Sutton – San Carlos – Ardent – Seal Cove – Antelope – Atlantic Conveyor – Coventry – Goose Green – Mount Kent – Top Malo House – Bluff Cove – Many Branch Point – Mount Harriet – Two Sisters – Glamorgan – Mount Longdon – Wireless Ridge – Mount Tumbledown – Port StanleyDuring the 1982 Falklands War, Operation Sutton was the British landings on the shores of San Carlos Water, at Ajax Bay and Port San Carlos, near the San Carlos on East Falkland. During the night 3 Commando Brigade along with attached units of the Parachute Regiment were landed from the liner SS Canberra and the LPD HMS Fearless. There was very limited enemy resistance on the ground. However, an Argentinean Army platoon managed to shoot down two British Army Gazelle helicopters near Fanning Head before retreating north. As a result three Royal marines were killed in action. At least eight members of another platoon who fled the scene were left behind and captured by the British. Argentine commandos of the 601 Commando Company shot down a GR3 Harrier on a reconnaissance mission on Port Howard. The pilot, Flight Lieutenant Jerry Glover, bailed out and was taken prisoner. Six Argentine pilots were killed in the operation.[1]
The invasion, part of the overall Operation Corporate, sparked a strong reply from the Argentine Air Force and the Argentine Naval Aviation which lead to the Battle of San Carlos.
References
- ^ British Aircraft Lost 22nd April - 12th June 1982 Naval-History.net
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