Schl. am Mount Longdon

Map of East Falkland showing mountains and settlements in the Mount Longdon area.

The position has been constructed against a rocky crag using local rock to build a wall front and sides, and steel rails that are likely to have come from the narrow gauge railway between Camber Point fuel depot and Moody Brook radio station. Corrugated iron sheet nearby suggests this was also used to weatherproof the shelter. I have called this a command post because of the large size and both the effort and materials that have been used to construct it. It could also have served as an observation post due to the commanding views over the ground to its front.

Position 2 Three HMG positions are clustered around the east end of Mount Longdon. In the high mount they are likely to have been intended as light anti-aircraft defences against helicopters and low-flying jets, but they would also have been very capable against ground targets.

The position has been constructed against a rocky crag using local rock to build a wall front and sides, and steel rails that are likely to have come from the narrow gauge railway between Camber Point fuel depot and Moody Brook radio station. Corrugated iron sheet nearby suggests this was also used to weatherproof the shelter. I have called this a command post because of the large size and both the effort and materials that have been used to construct it. It could also have served as an observation post due to the commanding views over the ground to its front.

The position has been constructed against a rocky crag using local rock to build a wall front and sides, and steel rails that are likely to have come from the narrow gauge railway between Camber Point fuel depot and Moody Brook radio station. Corrugated iron sheet nearby suggests this was also used to weatherproof the shelter. I have called this a command post because of the large size and both the effort and materials that have been used to construct it. It could also have served as an observation post due to the commanding views over the ground to its front.

The west slopes of Mount Longdon were heavily defended. Even 40 years on, there are multiple defensive positions with clear fields of fire protecting the westerly slope; the likely direction of British advance. A minefield had also been laid to the base of the mountain.

The west slopes of Mount Longdon were heavily defended. Even 40 years on, there are multiple defensive positions with clear fields of fire protecting the westerly slope; the likely direction of British advance. A minefield had also been laid to the base of the mountain.

The west slopes of Mount Longdon were heavily defended. Even 40 years on, there are multiple defensive positions with clear fields of fire protecting the westerly slope; the likely direction of British advance. A minefield had also been laid to the base of the mountain.

Position1 Three HMG positions are clustered around the east end of Mount Longdon. In the high mount they are likely to have been intended as light anti-aircraft defences against helicopters and low-flying jets, but they would also have been very capable against ground targets.

Position1 Three HMG positions are clustered around the east end of Mount Longdon. In the high mount they are likely to have been intended as light anti-aircraft defences against helicopters and low-flying jets, but they would also have been very capable against ground targets.

Position 3 Three HMG positions are clustered around the east end of Mount Longdon. In the high mount they are likely to have been intended as light anti-aircraft defences against helicopters and low-flying jets, but they would also have been very capable against ground targets.

Position 2 Three HMG positions are clustered around the east end of Mount Longdon. In the high mount they are likely to have been intended as light anti-aircraft defences against helicopters and low-flying jets, but they would also have been very capable against ground targets.

Position1 Three HMG positions are clustered around the east end of Mount Longdon. In the high mount they are likely to have been intended as light anti-aircraft defences against helicopters and low-flying jets, but they would also have been very capable against ground targets.

On the north slopes of Mount Longdon, near the summit is a stone position I have taken to be an observation post.

On the north slopes of Mount Longdon, near the summit is a stone position I have taken to be an observation post.

In the shadow of Mount Longdon, I have called this a sniper position for a number of reasons: 1. It is very well concealed and could only likely protect a single man. 2. The arc of fire from the rear opening does not appear to cover anywhere of tactical importance. 3. A small opening to the front, or closed end) is in the direction of Wireless Ridge and Moody Brook, and the open ground. The iconic image of Marines walking along the track flying the Union Flag was taken in that valley, just over 1km away. They would have been vulnerable to fire from this position.

In the shadow of Mount Longdon, I have called this a sniper position for a number of reasons: 1. It is very well concealed and could only likely protect a single man. 2. The arc of fire from the rear opening does not appear to cover anywhere of tactical importance. 3. A small opening to the front, or closed end) is in the direction of Wireless Ridge and Moody Brook, and the open ground. The iconic image of Marines walking along the track flying the Union Flag was taken in that valley, just over 1km away. They would have been vulnerable to fire from this position.

In the shadow of Mount Longdon, I have called this a sniper position for a number of reasons: 1. It is very well concealed and could only likely protect a single man. 2. The arc of fire from the rear opening does not appear to cover anywhere of tactical importance. 3. A small opening to the front, or closed end) is in the direction of Wireless Ridge and Moody Brook, and the open ground. The iconic image of Marines walking along the track flying the Union Flag was taken in that valley, just over 1km away. They would have been vulnerable to fire from this position.

Mount Longdon - Mount Tumbledown in the distance. An abandoned Argentine 105mm recoilless gun. This was one of the larger support weapons deployed by the Argentine forces in defence of the Falklands and Port Stanley. It had a range of 1,800m (direct) and 9,600m (indirect) firing an 11kg high explosive (HE) round or a 15kg anti-armour round (HEAT). They were deployed on a two wheel trailer and could either be fired from the carriage or dismounted and fired from a fixed ground position, as in this example.

Mount Longdon - Mount Harriet and Two Sisters in the distance. An abandoned Argentine 105mm recoilless gun. This was one of the larger support weapons deployed by the Argentine forces in defence of the Falklands and Port Stanley. It had a range of 1,800m (direct) and 9,600m (indirect) firing an 11kg high explosive (HE) round or a 15kg anti-armour round (HEAT). They were deployed on a two wheel trailer and could either be fired from the carriage or dismounted and fired from a fixed ground position, as in this example.

Mount Longdon - Mount Tumbledown in the distance. An abandoned Argentine 105mm recoilless gun. This was one of the larger support weapons deployed by the Argentine forces in defence of the Falklands and Port Stanley. It had a range of 1,800m (direct) and 9,600m (indirect) firing an 11kg high explosive (HE) round or a 15kg anti-armour round (HEAT). They were deployed on a two wheel trailer and could either be fired from the carriage or dismounted and fired from a fixed ground position, as in this example.

Wireless Ridge - with Mount Longdon in the background An abandoned Argentine 105mm recoilless gun. This was one of the larger support weapons deployed by the Argentine forces in defence of the Falklands and Port Stanley. It had a range of 1,800m (direct) and 9,600m (indirect) firing an 11kg high explosive (HE) round or a 15kg anti-armour round (HEAT). They were deployed on a two wheel trailer and could either be fired from the carriage or dismounted and fired from a fixed ground position, as in this example.

Mount Longdon - looking towards the summit. An abandoned Argentine 105mm recoilless gun. This was one of the larger support weapons deployed by the Argentine forces in defence of the Falklands and Port Stanley. It had a range of 1,800m (direct) and 9,600m (indirect) firing an 11kg high explosive (HE) round or a 15kg anti-armour round (HEAT). They were deployed on a two wheel trailer and could either be fired from the carriage or dismounted and fired from a fixed ground position, as in this example.

Marcelo Daniel Barrabin, ex combatiente de la Guerra de Malvinas, Hereo de la Nación Argentina. Lucho en el último enfrentamiento cuerpo a cuerpo registrado en una guerra, en la historia del mundial. Perteneció al regimiento 7 de infantería mecanizada que mantuvo la mas sangrienta batalla de la guerra de Malvinas en Monte Longdon.

Taken by author 13 June 1982 at the temporary field hospital Ajax Bay. The picture shows the single grave of Corporal Stephen Hope, 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment, killed in action Mount Longdon. Also Corporal Laurence Watts of 42 Commando Royal Marines, killed in action Mount Harriet. Both servicemen's bodies were flown to Ajax Bay, San Carlos where they were interred temporarily together. Written in Biro pen on the wooden cross (left) is 'CPL HOPE' and on the right is 'CPL WATTS'.