Attack on RFA Sir Galahad (L3005)

 military, place with historical importance, shipwreck

RFA Sir Galahad was a member of the Round Table Class of Logistics Landing Ships which served with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary during the Falklands War. She was unloading troops and supplies along with her sistership RFA Sir Tristram (L3505) on June 8th, 1982 when they were attacked by 2 waves of Argentine Air Force A-4s.

The two landing ships had arrived into Port Pleasant anticipating to offload members of the Welsh Guard and their support craft into Bluff Cove for a upcoming assualt into Stanley. Due to delays caused by hasty planning and poor communication led to offloading of material & troops much later in the day than planned, and without escort ships or a established anti-aircraft warning & defense system, the two ships were dangerously exposed to attack.

Shortly before midday, five Argentine A-4s attacked the ships as they began the unloading process. Sir Galahad was strafed and stuck with 3-500lb bombs which started massive fires in her cargo hold, which was full of munitions, fuel, and most importantly, a large contingent of Welsh Guards, 3 Troop and Royal Engineers. Flash fires and explosions killed 48, and injured and severely burned dozens of others. Hasty rescue efforts saved many injured and uninjured men aboard the ship, and became some of the most defining images of the war.

The Sir Galahad was abandoned and left burning at anchor until the fires went out. After being re-boarded and found to be beyond repair, she was towed to sea and sunk by HMS Onyx (S-21). Her wreck is considered a war grave and is under the Protection of Military Remains Act.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casualties_of_the_Battle_of_Bluff...