HMS AMBUSCADE FALKLANDS WAR DIARY 1982 contributed
by Dave Rowlands
| 9th
April 1982 |
Depart Devonport with large amount of ammunition for Gibraltar |
| 3rd
May |
Depart Gibraltar for Ascension Island |
| 9th
May |
Cross the equator into the southern hemisphere |
| 10th
May |
Start defence watches (50% of ships company on duty at any one time) |
| 11th
May |
Arrive at Ascension Island |
| 13th
May |
Depart Ascension Island in company with HMS Antelope |
| 16th
May |
R/V with tanker British Esk but unable to refuel as she developed
a problem with her rig after refuelling Antelope. Forced to hang around
whilst she sorts the problem so Antelope goes on alone - this will
be the last time we she her afloat. |
| 17th
May |
Finally refuel at 13:00 and again head south |
| 21st
May |
Arrive with task force |
| 23rd
May |
Slight collision with RFA Tidepool after she manoeuvred across in
front of us as we prepared to refuel |
| 24th
May |
Went to actions stations at 0250 hrs for a suspected torpedo attack |
| 25th
May |
Stationed in our usual early warning picket on the outside edge of
the task force and as a result was involved in the exocet
attack that ended up hitting Atlantic Conveyor Link to citation |
| 30th
May |
First Naval Gunfire Support (NGS) mission. Fired 58 rounds in the
area of Port Stanley airfield |
| 7th
June |
In company with HMS Arrow on NGS mission (104 rounds fired) |
| 9th
June |
To tug repair area to
sort out engine problems |
| 14th
June |
NGS mission (228 rounds fired) in company with HMS Active (220
rounds fired) HMS Yarmouth (100 rounds fired) and HMS Avenger (100
rounds fired) |
| 15th
June |
Argentina forces surrender |
| 3rd
July |
Fall out form defence watches after 52 days |
| 4th
July |
Embark Scots Guards at Port Stanley and sail for South Georgia |
| 7th
July |
Arrive at Grytviken, South Georgia disembark Scots Guards and
embark M Company 42 Commando 25 of whom are billeted in seaman's mess
(73 people in a space for 48). Sail at 1400 hrs and for the first
time since 9th April set course to the north and home. |
| 15th
July |
Arrive at Ascension Island and disembark 42 Commando |
| 17th
July |
Pass back over the equator for the first time since 9th May |
| 18th
July |
Divert to Senegal, West Africa to disembark 2 crew members (one
with appendicitis and one with a family issue) |
| 23rd
July |
2230 hrs anchor in Plymouth Sound |
| 24th
July |
Finally tie up alongside in Devonport dockyard to a fantastic welcome. |
