HMS Illustrious: Falklands Deployment - August 2nd 1982

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2nd August 1982: Cannot find a relevant news bulletin for this day so instead here is a clip of HMS Illustrious during her acceptance, commissioning and first deployment to the Falklands where she would replace HMS Invincible. #Falklands82 twitter.com/FAB87F/status/1671254066285121536?s=20

2nd August 1982: HMS Illustrious leaves the UK and sails for the Falklands to relieve her sister ship Invincible in providing air cover as part of Operation Monkey. Guarding the Falklands against post war Argentine incursions will go on for a long time to come... #Falklands82

2nd August 1982: A reminder that the work to repair and extend the runway at Port Stanley. About 1000 Royal Engineers has arrived just a few days before and they were working against the clock to make the runway ready. #Falklands82 twitter.com/FAB87F/status/1672254301291307014?s=20

2nd August 1982: RFA Brambleleaf departs Devonport bound for Ascension. Though the war is over, the task of guarding the Falklands and supporting the forces goes on. #Falklands82

2nd August 1982: RFA Pearleaf arrives at Gibraltar from the Falklands. The Leaf Class RFAs performed an incredible service throughout the war. A good friend of mine sailed on this ship on exercise a few years before the war and left a wonderful diary and photos. #Falklands82

2nd August 1982: In relation to the intelligence that Israel had sold Mirage aircraft to Argentina the Prime Minister asked when Israel had purchased the Mirage aircraft which are now considered to be surplus. #Falklands82

2nd August 1982: Flash message from Port Stanley to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office confirming that the Royal Navy had detected four Polish in the vicinity of the Falklands territorial waters. These 'Polish' fishing vessels were clearly Soviet spy vessels. #Falklands82

2nd August 1982: In the "Penguin News" it is reported that there is a severe shortage of peat stocks due to the occupation and the danger of peat cutting due to land mines. At least eight families are already without peat. #Falklands82

2nd August 1982: Again from the "Penguin News" is an article on the history of the Queen's Own Highlanders, which is written by Major Willie Coupar. #Falklands82

2nd August 1982: Finally from the "Penguin News" there is an acknowledgement that a large number of men born in the Falklands, served and may still be serving in the Task Force. #Falklands82