Argentine pilot describes attack

Press, 29 May 1982, Page 8

Argentine pilot describes attack

NZPA-Reuter Port San Carlos. Falkland Islands An Argentine pilot whose plane was shot down during an attack on the British beachhead at Port San Carlos said half his squadron failed to return from missions over the Falklands in the last six days.

Lieutenant Richardo Lucero, aged 26, was speaking to reporters in a field hospital near the port where he was being treated for knee injuries suffered as he ejected from his Skyhawk fighter-bomber. Speaking through an interpreter, he described the raid in which his plane was downed by a Blowpipe handlaunched missile:

"I was shot down on my fourth attempt to attack the beachhead. Three previous attempts were aborted when the Harriers intercepted us over the sea. We dropped our weapon loads into the water and turned for home." Lieutenant Lucero, whose squadron was based at Santa Cruz, said he was surprised on the fourth raid to find a barrage of missile and gunfire rising to meet him when he penetrated the target area.

“We were told to expect the minimum in the way of anti-aircraft fire over the beaches," he said.

“My engines failed as I came'in at low level to bomb your ships, possibly because of a hit, and I ejected just as a missile impacted with my aircraft," he told British reporters.

"It was a lucky escape. I came down in the water not knowing what to expect and was surprised that I even survived the low-level ejection without serious injury. “I was picked up by Marines and taken to a warship which we were told had already been sunk. Later they took me ashore for medical treatment.” The lieutenant said he was anxious that his wife and family should know he was alive and in good health. In the same makeshift ward with him at the field hospital were survivors from the British destroyer Coventry. sunk by Argentine Skyhawk bombers on the same day Lieutenant Lucero was shot down.

Commander Geoffrey Lane. the Coventry's weapons engineering officer, told reporters that his ship lost all power and began to list very soon after it was hit.

The British Government has said 21 men were lost and at least 23 injured from the Coventry’s crew of about 280.