H.M.S. ARGONAUT WAS HIT BY TWO UNEXPLODED ARGENTINIAN BOMBS ON 21st MAY 1982
An excellent medal with its original named box of issue and several personal photos including a shot of one of the two Unexploded Argentinian Air Force 1000lb bombs that struck the ship. This bomb is seen resting in HMS Argonaut’s boiler room. The other bomb struck the SeaCat missile magazine and caused the detonation of two missiles which killed two crew members, Able Seaman Iain M. Boldy and Able Seaman Matthew J. Stuart.
On the 19th April, HMS Argonaut, along with HMS Ardent and two Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships Regent and Plumleaf headed for Ascension Island. On the 29th, the group finally arrived at Ascension, and on the 6th May the Argonaut Group departed the island for the Falklands. On the 16th, the Group joined the large Amphibious Group centred around HMS Fearless and HMS Intrepid, and on the 18th the Group met up with the Carrier Battle Group.
On the 21st May, Argonaut, along with other destroyers and frigates, provided close escort for the amphibious vessels during the successful landing at San Carlos Water.
On that day Argonaut was attacked twice by Argentinian aircraft. The first attack, by an Argentinian Navy Aermacchi MB-339, flown by Lieutenant Crippa, caused some damage, including to her Type 965 Radar, while the second attack was launched by five A-4 Skyhawks call sign Leo, which hit Argonaut with two bombs.
Neither exploded, although one killed two sailors, Able Seaman Iain M. Boldy and Able Seaman Matthew J. Stuart, when it entered the ship's Sea Cat missile magazine, detonating two missiles.
HMS Plymouth came to the assistance of the Argonaut and towed her away from immediate danger.
However, both bombs were still live, and it took a number of days to deactivate the and to get them off the ship. This was very risky work which proved fatal on the 24th May when HMS Antelope sank after an unexploded bomb which had struck her detonated while experts were attempting to deactivate it.
On original clip & pin and in its original named box of issue.
With an interesting research paper all about the bombing of the ship together with six unique photos taken by the recipient.
MINT STATE
£2550. With part-exchanges welcome