Battle of Two Sisters

Battle of Two Sisters. The Battle of Two Sisters was a pivotal land engagement fought between British Armed Forces and the Argentine Armed Forces during the Falklands War. Occurring on the nights of 11–12 June 1982, the assault was part of the larger British offensive to break the defensive ring around Port Stanley. The hard-fought victory for 3 Commando Brigade secured a crucial mountain ridge, directly enabling subsequent attacks on Mount Longdon and Mount Tumbledown.

Background

The conflict originated in the long-standing dispute over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands, known as the Malvinas in Argentina. Following the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands in April 1982, the United Kingdom dispatched a British naval task force to the South Atlantic. After securing a bridgehead at San Carlos Water in the Landing at San Carlos, British forces began a grueling advance across East Falkland towards the Argentine stronghold at Port Stanley. The Argentine defense, commanded by General Ernesto Crespo, was centered on a series of fortified mountain positions, including the peaks known as Two Sisters.

Prelude

By early June, 3 Commando Brigade, under Brigadier Julian Thompson, was poised to launch a major night assault on the outer defenses of Port Stanley. The Two Sisters objective, comprising two prominent peaks, was held by elements of the Argentine 4th Infantry Regiment (Argentina) and Marine Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Omar Parada. The British plan assigned the attack to Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Whitehead's 42 Commando, supported by naval gunfire from HMS Glamorgan and artillery from the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery. Reconnaissance by the Special Air Service and Mountain and Arctic Warfare Cadre had provided critical intelligence on Argentine positions and minefields.

Battle

The assault commenced after nightfall on 11 June under harsh winter conditions. 42 Commando advanced in multiple prongs, with K Company attacking the western peak and L Company the eastern peak, while J Company provided a frontal diversion. They faced intense machine-gun and mortar fire from entrenched Argentine positions. The fighting was fierce and often at close quarters, with British troops employing Milan anti-tank missiles and 81mm mortar to suppress bunkers. A critical moment occurred when HMS Glamorgan provided devastating naval gunfire support, despite being struck by an Exocet missile earlier that day. After several hours of combat, British forces secured both peaks by the early hours of 12 June, though Argentine forces conducted a disciplined fighting withdrawal towards Mount Tumbledown.

Aftermath

The victory cost the British eight killed, including Captain Ian Gardiner, and approximately thirty wounded. Argentine casualties were estimated at over twenty killed, with around fifty taken prisoner. The capture of the ridge provided a vital forward artillery position for the 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, allowing them to shell subsequent Argentine positions. It also secured the western flank for the impending British assault on Mount Longdon by the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment. The loss significantly weakened the defensive perimeter of Port Stanley and demoralized the Argentine garrison, contributing directly to the collapse of their position following the battles for Mount Harriet and Wireless Ridge.

Legacy

The Battle of Two Sisters is remembered as a classic example of a well-executed night attack by Royal Marines in extreme conditions. It features prominently in histories of the Falklands War, such as those by Max Hastings and Martin Middlebrook. The battle demonstrated the effectiveness of combined arms coordination between infantry, artillery, and naval support. In the United Kingdom, it is commemorated as a key step in the liberation of the islands, while in Argentina, it is studied for its tactical lessons. The site remains a location for battlefield tours, and the conflict's legacy continues to influence British–Argentine relations and discussions on the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands.

Category:Falklands War Category:Battles of the Falklands War Category:1982 in the Falkland Islands