Skirmish at Many Branch Point facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Skirmish at Many Branch Point
Part of Falklands War
Date 10 June 1982 Location Packes Ridge North of Port Howard, West Falkland Result Argentine victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom	Argentina
Commanders and leaders
Cap. Gavin Hamilton  †	Lt. José Martiniano Duarte
Units involved
Special Air Service	601 Commando Company
Strength
4 SAS troopers (2 engaged)	4 commandos
Casualties and losses
1 killed 1 captured	none

On June 10, 1982, near the end of the Falklands War, a small fight happened at Many Branch Point. This was a ridge close to Port Howard on West Falkland island. It was a clash between soldiers from Argentina and the United Kingdom. The battle ended when Captain Gavin Hamilton, a British commander, was killed. This was the only ground battle between British and Argentine forces on West Falkland during the war.

Why This Battle Happened

During the Falklands War, the main fighting was on East Falkland island. Argentine forces there had strong anti-aircraft guns. These guns forced British planes to fly very high when attacking. But on West Falkland, the Argentine troops only had heavy machine guns. This made them an easier target for low-flying British planes.

To make their defenses stronger on West Falkland, Argentina sent the 601 Commando Company. These commandos brought Blowpipe missile systems. These missiles could shoot down aircraft. After a long trip, they arrived at Port Howard.

A few days later, on May 21, 1982, the British landed at San Carlos Bay on East Falkland. At the same time, the 601 Commando Company shot down a British Harrier jet over Port Howard. The pilot, Flt. Lt. Jeffrey Glover, ejected and was captured.

The Argentine forces on West Falkland were becoming cut off from the main fighting. So, the 601 Commando Company was told to gather information. They needed to find out what the British were doing on East Falkland, across the Falkland Sound.

Meanwhile, British Special Air Service (SAS) soldiers were also active. They were watching Argentine positions on West Falkland. On June 5, 1982, a four-man SAS team led by Captain Hamilton set up a hidden spot. They were on a ridge called Many Branch Point. From there, they could watch the Argentine forces at Port Howard. Their goal was to collect information.

On the morning of June 9, 1982, an Argentine patrol also moved onto Many Branch Point. This patrol was from the 601 Commando Company. It was led by First Lieutenant José Martiniano Duarte. They wanted to set up a new observation post there. From this high spot, they could see across the Falkland Sound. The Argentine patrol had nine men at first. But later that day, five men returned to Port Howard. Lieutenant Duarte stayed on the ridge with three other soldiers. From their new spot, they saw that the British had built an airfield near San Carlos.

The Fight at the Observation Post

Late in the morning of June 10, 1982, Lieutenant Duarte was still watching across the Falkland Sound. He thought he heard voices carried by the wind. The voices seemed to come from further along the ridge. He gathered his patrol and moved quietly. He kept hearing bits of conversation.

They came to a group of rocks that looked like caves. Duarte thought a British military group might be hiding there. Or maybe it was a shelter for local shepherds. As they got closer, a man suddenly walked out from the rocks. He had dark skin and a large mustache. This was Corporal Roy Fonseka, a British soldier. He was wearing a camouflage uniform and a green balaclava. He didn't see the Argentine soldiers at first.

The Argentinians hesitated because the balaclava looked like ones their own soldiers wore. Lieutenant Duarte shouted, "Argentinos o Ingleses?" (Argentine or English?). Fonseka turned and stared, looking surprised. He didn't answer. After a short silence, Duarte yelled in English, "Hands up, hands up!"

Fonseka suddenly dropped to the ground. He pulled out a weapon and fired at Duarte. The bullets hit the rocks in front of Duarte, briefly blinding him with dust. As the Argentine soldiers quickly found cover, Fonseka jumped up. He ran back into the rocks where he had been hiding.

A gunfight then started between the four Argentine soldiers and the two British soldiers. The British were in their hidden observation post. During the fight, Sergeant Eusebio Moreno threw two grenades at the British position. The British fired back with a 40mm grenade. It exploded a few yards behind the Argentinians. Captain Hamilton, who was firing from the post with Fonseka, was shot in the arm.

Under heavy fire, the two British soldiers tried to leave their position. They wanted to move up the ridge to higher ground. Captain Hamilton told Fonseka to fall back first. Hamilton would cover him with automatic fire. But as Fonseka was moving up the slope, Hamilton was shot again by Lieutenant Duarte. Captain Hamilton was killed as he was leaving the post. Fonseka surrendered shortly after and was taken as a prisoner of war.

Captain Hamilton did not wear any rank badges. This is common for SAS soldiers. But he was identified by his dog tag. In the captured observation post, the Argentinians found a radio, two rifles, a beacon, maps, and a code book.

Two other soldiers who were part of Captain Hamilton's patrol were not at the post when it was attacked. They managed to get away. Later, British forces rescued them.

What Happened Next

The night after the battle, British Royal Navy ships fired shells at Port Howard. The shelling was not very accurate. Some Argentinians thought that Captain Hamilton's job was to guide these naval gun attacks.

A later medical check showed that Captain Hamilton died from a 7.62mm bullet in his back. Another bullet had hit his arm. His body was buried at Port Howard. Today, you can see Hamilton's grave from the Many Branch Point ridge.

After the Argentine forces on the Falklands surrendered, the British questioned Colonel Juan Ramon Mabragaña. He was the commanding officer at Port Howard. He told the British that Captain Hamilton should receive an award for his bravery during the fight. Hamilton was later given the Military Cross after his death.

In 2002, Lieutenant Duarte met Captain Hamilton's wife, Vicky. They met at the Argentine Embassy in London. Duarte said he was sorry for what happened. He also praised Captain Hamilton's courage.