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The Falklands War
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The sinking of the Belgrano
The sinking of the Belgrano
Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Terence Lewin, had stopped at Fleet Headquarters at Northwood in London for an up to date report on the war on his way to a Cabinet meeting at Chequers on 2 May. Whilst there, a sighting report of the Belgrano was received from Conqueror. A special meeting of the Inner War Cabinet, which directed the Falklands' campaign, took place at Chequers. They agreed to change the naval rules of engagement to allow an attack on the Belgrano, despite its position outside the 200 mile Total Exclusion Zone surrounding the Falklands. Conqueror launched the attack, hitting the ship with three Mk 8 torpedoes. The cruiser quickly sank, resulting in the deaths of 368 out of her 1000 crew members.
The incident warned Argentine vessels trying to reach the British fleet. This resulted in the withdrawal of the rest of the Argentinian naval fleet, meaning that it played little further part in the war. The action also demonstrated how the speed and stealth of nuclear submarines enabled them to exercise ‘command of the sea' thousands of mile from base.
