HMS Collingwood Sailors in Falklands yomp
2 Mar 07
Sailors from HMS Collingwood recently recreated the famous Falklands "yomp" that saw Royal Marines and paratroopers fight their way from San Carlos to Stanley during the Falklands Conflict 25 years ago.
Lieutenant Chris 'Nobby' Hall polishes a memorial to the fallen of 45 Commando who took Two Sisters Mountain during the Falklands conflict 25 years ago
[Picture: Royal Navy]
The original arduous journey from the San Carlos beachhead to the capital, Stanley, took place in May 1982. Royal Marines and members of the Parachute Regiment carried 120lb packs on their backs fighting battle after battle across the frozen peat marshes of East Falkland before Stanley was retaken on 14 June following the Argentine surrender.
Organiser, Lieutenant Chris 'Nobby' Hall and his six man team carrying full packs set off on 14 February 2007 accompanied by Clinton Rogers a BBC News reporter and they revisited the sites of the key battles along the way. The aim was to bring to life the extraordinary feat of courage and physical endurance of the troops in 1982 and ensure it's never forgotten:
"The 25th Anniversary of the conflict is coming up and I wanted to do something to mark it," said Lieutenant Hall. "We are planning to follow the exact yomp route taken in 1982, stopping at battlefield sites to refurbish the memorial plaques. A remembrance service will be held at Stanley where we'll lay a wreath to the troops who lost their lives."
HMS Collingwood Sailors from right to left, Captain James Birt, CPO Ollie Twist, Lieutenant Nobby Hall, Lieutenant Commander Alistar Graham, CPO Tim Lett and Lieutenant Paddy Carbury stand together during their tribute yomp commemorating the original yomp during the Falklands confict
[Picture: Royal Navy]
Lieutenant Hall added that the team camped in bivouacs and ate Arctic rations over their five day journey covering almost 12 miles a day across difficult terrain:
"We just had the terrain and the weather to contend with. They had enemy shooting at them."
Among the 2007 yomping team was a still-serving Falklands conflict veteran Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Mark 'Ollie' Twist who was embarked with MV Atlantic Conveyor when it was hit and sunk by an Exocet missile on 25 May 1982. His first return since the Conflict, he was emotionally charged as he stood by the war memorial in Stanley commemorating those who had lost their lives.
The other team members were Lieutenant Commander Alistar Graham, Chief Petty Officer Tim Lett, Lieutenant Steve 'Paddy' Carbery and Royal Marines Reserve Captain Jim Birt.
Chief Petty Officer Lett a qualified mountain leader obtained detailed maps of the route including marked minefields.
The team started their journey when they flew into Mount Pleasant Airfield on 14 February from there they began their remarkable yomp arriving in Stanley five days later.