Posted on 29 May 2012 at 14:45:44 GMT Having rewad the book, have to disagree. V interesting last few pages. Basically, because of the raid, the Argies kept back a large portion of their air force capability to defend their country's cities and air bases. Without the threat of the Vulcan these planes (Mirages I think) would have been available to them. Given we only had two small carriers worth of Harriers (16?), the fact the Mirages were kept back swung the air combat in our favour. On a similar vein did the sinking of the Belgrano achieve anything militarily? Well because of the fear of it being sunk by a British submarine, the Argentine carrier was kept in port, so keeping its air wing out of the combat. Sometimes its not just what is achieved on the ground that counts, but the doubt it puts into the minds of your enemy. So miliarily, the raid was a success as substantial forces were diverted/kept elsewhere. The book cites the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo as a similar event. I would also say similar to the Commando raids on Normay in WW2. Ensured Hitler kept forces there that would have been used more effectively by the Nazis in different theatres instead of defending against an invasion that would never come. |