Royal Marines’ heroic defence of the Falklands against Argentine invaders erased from history
The 60 defenders killed 100 enemy soldiers before being ordered to surrender
ROYAL Marines staged a valiant defence as Argentine forces invaded the Falkland Islands — only to see it erased from history for propaganda.
Both the Argentine and British Governments said the Falklands fell to the South Americans after a brief skirmish in April 1982.
The Argentines wanted to claim a stunning victory, while PM Margaret Thatcher hoped to curry favour with allies by claiming it was a surprise attack.
But a new book — based on witness accounts from both sides — reveals a band of 60 Marines fought a three-hour battle, killing up to 100 Argies without a single casualty.
They fired 6,462 rounds before Governor Rex Hunt demanded a ceasefire to save islanders.
The Marines surrendered, but British forces claimed victory that June.
Sgt Mark Gibbs of Portsmouth — just 22 at the time — said: “What we did was swept under the carpet. I’ve never been an emotional person, but it’s nice the truth is coming out.”
Author Ricky D Phillips uncovered the secret as he researched his book The First Casualty, the battle for Port Stanley.
He said: “When a brave man says with tears in his eyes you’ve given him his dignity back, you know you’ve done the right thing.”