Secret death toll of SAS war in the Falklands
FIFTEEN Argentine soldiers died in gun battles with British Special Forces in Argentina during the Falklands campaign, a book endorsed by Prince Andrew claims.
The secret war has been covered up by both sides but the book’s author says he was contacted by Argentinian conscripts who were desperate to have their story told.
Special Forces helicopter pilot Colonel Richard Hutchings says: “They claim their war against the British enemy took place on the Argentinian mainland in Patagonia, where 3,000 conscripts operated alongside regulars to protect airfields and aviation fuel dumps at Rio Grande and Rio Gallegos air bases from covert sabotage operations by British Special Forces.
“These conscripts alleged they fought against the SAS and SBS on Argentina’s mainland and say their war service has never been recognised because the very existence of British Special Forces on Argentine soil has long been denied.”
Argentine military casualties resulting from these incidents number 15 dead. National security considerations prevent me from making further revelations at this time
Colonel Hutchings knows this secret war went on because he took part in Operation Plum Duff, aimed at knocking out enemy aircraft. His job was to fly elite troops into Argentina to carry out reconnaissance and set up a base for an attack on an air base.
His mission was aborted due to bad weather and the fact that he had not been warned that his flightpath took his Sea King helicopter over a well lit, well guarded Argentine oil field. He was forced to fly on to Chile, destroy the multi-million pound Sea King then go on the run with his troops until they were picked up by Chilean forces and sent back to Britain.
This operation was kept secret for 20 years but eventually Colonel Hutchings was allowed to give details in his book, Special Forces Pilot, A Flying Memoir Of The Falklands War. An updated version was released last week to include more details of what else was happening in Argentina at the time.
He says: “I have copies of official Argentine military records, including incident logs and have verified these and other accounts, including fights between Argentine and British Special Forces in a number of locations.
“Argentine military casualties resulting from these incidents number 15 dead. National security considerations prevent me from making further revelations at this time.” He gives no details of any British casualties.
In his foreword Prince Andrew, a former Sea King pilot, says: “I personally felt proud to have been on hand, as 820 squadron duty officer in HMS Invincible, to assist the Sea King crew as they made their one-way flight to Argentina.”
Special Forces Pilot, A Flying Memoir Of The Falklands War is published by Pen and Sword Aviation, £12.99.
