Falklands War

Press, 21 May 1987, Page 20

Falklands War

Sir,—M. T. Moore (May 13) describes the Falklands as barren, windswept rocks. They are, in fact, nearly seven times the size of Stewart Island and in a latitude not much farther south, are mostly suitable for pasture and situated in fish-abundant seas. For generations they have had a small British indigenous population loyal to the Crown and Britain, rightly, protected them. If the Argentinians used raw conscripts, were they not still the aggressors? Surely their generals had assessed the risks,

or did they expect Britain, in a thoroughly sporting way, to field her “C” team for a battle 8000 miles from base near the onset of winter? Incidentally, I doubt if there was much raw about the Argentinian airmen in their Skyhawks and Exocet-launching Super Etendards. M. T. Moore knows little of Mrs Thatcher if he thinks she is subservient to anyone on Earth. Rumour has it that Mr Reagan is terrified of her. — Yours, etc., D. P. K. RENNICK. May 16, 1987.