June 11–12, 1982 · East Falkland, Stanley perimeter Theater
June 11–12, 1982
The 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment attacked Mount Longdon — a craggy ridge of rocks and Argentine bunkers — in a night assault on June 11. The approach march was silent until a mine detonated and triggered intense Argentine fire. For hours, paratroopers fought bunker to bunker in brutal close-quarters combat under Argentine artillery and sniper fire. Sergeant Ian McKay was killed leading a charge against a machine-gun position threatening his platoon; he was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. By dawn on June 12, Mount Longdon was in British hands.
Commanders