The regiment at the center of the biggest loss of British life during the Falklands War has been cleared of any blame, according to recently declassified files. The Sir Galahad, carrying unarmed British troops to the Falklands, was hit by bombs from Argentine air force jets on 8 June 1982, killing 48 crew including 32 Welsh Guards. The unit was blamed by some for disobeying orders to leave the boat. Survivors said they had been “abandoned” then “betrayed”, however, the newly-exonerated regiment’s critics now admit that there was never an order to disembark.
The Royal Navy held a private inquiry in 1982 into the bombing of the Sir Galahad and its sister ship Sir Tristram, where a further eight people died. Excerpts of that confidential enquiry have been released over time, but newly declassified files seen exclusively by the BBC confirm that “no direct orders were issued” to the 352 Welsh Guards to leave.
The newly-released files demonstrate that troops on the Sir Galahad had no warning of the imminent attack, yet had not been ordered to leave, despite having no protection. The inquiry files also reveal that blame was elsewhere, possibly attributable to delays, missed opportunities to move them to safety and the vulnerability of the unarmed Sir Galahad.
Former Welsh Guards, their families, and Welsh MPs had campaigned for the remaining inquiry documents to be released to clear the regiment’s reputation. Andrew Murrison, the UK’s Defence Minister, states that “the Welsh Guards “were not to blame” for their part in the Sir Galahad disaster,” adding that the “service and sacrifice” of those on board Sir Galahad “will not be forgotten.
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