Tara officer died in cowardly attack’

Press, 3 June 1982, Page 8

Tara officer died in cowardly attack’

NZPA London Argentinian soldiers waved the while flag . after the battle of Goose Green - then opened fire on British troops according to a British Army officer interviewed by a television reporter. At least one British officer was killed in the cowardly attack, said Major Chris Keeble. |j' ; Major Keeble. who took command of the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment when Lieutenant Colonel "H" .Jones was killed wasiqudted in a dispatch from an Independent Television News reporter. Jeremy Hands. He told Hands hours after Goose Green was taken that the Argentinians' action ‘•sickened" him.

Major Keeble said the Argentinians did novi give in

easilv. but the paratroopers were used to fighting against heavy odds.

"They fought until they realised ' they were beaten. Then they showed the white flag. Then they, fought a bit further." he said. "That's what sickened me. particularly when you look into the loss of one particular officer's life. "Their artillery was quite clever: They had three guns we could never find and they harrassed us all the way down the operation." Major Keeble also paid tribute to ■ Colonel Jones. "This was his battalion, he trained it and he planned the operation.

"He died when success was almost al hand. All you see around you and all he had achieved was to' his credit.

We are just reflected in his glory." Major Keeble agreed that the straight fight between two battalions - one in set position - was possibly contrary to usual military tactics. He added: "I don't know what the history books will say about these events, but they (the paratroopers) displayed the same courage as at ’ Arnhem and in other operations. "When Paras go into battle, they are always faced by three to one. or tour to one."

He said lhe light for the Falklands was "very worth while" after first thinking the conflict was only for principle. "But now I realise we are fighting for people and their homeland, and I'm glad we came."