The Falklands Conflict was not a war. WHY??

Question

Is it somthing to with a declaration

Answer 1

the conflict nearly left the islands. For the British the most critical factor was the protection of naval forces- under threat from french-made EXOCET anti-shipping missiles. These could be launched from land, sea or air. Argentina chose the latter option and deployed her Super-Etendard bombers from mainland bases on the coast around Tierra del Fuego. This was unacceptable and if another sortie was flown operation 'Mikado' was in place. This was a mission to fly two SAS squadrons into the base where exocet was launched, by Hercules aircraft. Entering from Chile, the mission was deemed a suicide-job but if successful would assassinate the bomber crews and disable tthe airfield. Survivors would make for Chile and surrender as downed helicopter crews who had become lost. (In fact Chile's affable concern about British ops might explain the funniness concerning Pinochet's extradition). As it turned out the plan was shelved as too costly.
On the other hand British intelligence agencies were aware of a new order of Exocet by the Argies to the French. This turned into your classic 'greco-roman' [sic] French diplomatic wrestle as they denied it, then refused to stop it. Imagine the drama if a clever analyst had'nt calculated that the shipment- leaving the Med and heading South- probably would'nt have made Argentina before fighting ended. Why? British military divers had been tasked with mining the ships in port to be detonated en route to the South Atlantic.
It should also be said about our kind American allies in all things international. I think it was Reagan, but the President offered us use of a US aircraft-carrier, which unfortunately the Royal Navy could'nt crew (American servicemen could not be used- something about sh***ing on one's own doorstep). Instead, as it was apparently obvious that UK airpower was unfairly matched against the biggest air-force in the region, the magic of 'Sidewinder' air-to-air missiles was bestowed. A funny ditty I heard was by a Lt Cmdr in the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. After the taskforce had embarked their CO addressed the pilots' wives in the UK and informed them of the grim statistics facing their loved ones. Bill 'Sharkey' Ward expressed his dismay at the lack of faith his superiors had in the aircrews: "our wives were told that they should not expect most of us to come home as we were outnumbered 20 to 1. To them we were facing insurmountable odds, to us we were facing a target-rich environment!"
Finally, there were portions of the Argie force that were conscripts. These forces did'nt take part in the initial invasion. Argentine special forces posing as scrap-metal merchants did that. The 60-strong force of Royal Marines surrendered under orders from the islands governor Rex Hunt who, although substantial Argentine casualties were inflicted and the British Commandos were ready to go to the hills to continue the fray, feared civilian casualties.
Anyway what's the difference between an 18yr old Argentine and an 18yr old Brit if only the calibre of their leaders?

Answer 2

As I understand, neither Argentina nor the United Kingdom ever openly declared war on each other through acts of parliment.

Secondly, the conflict was very localized and limited. There was no attacks on either Argentinian or English home soil, no attacks on merchant shipping, or other components of open warfare.

Having said all of that, it may not have met the legal definition of war but I believe that those who fought there may feel like it was a war.

Answer 3

"War was not declared by either side. The initial invasion was considered by Argentina as reoccupation of its own territory, and by Britain as an invasion of a British dependency. It is the most recent invasion of British territory by a foreign power."

For more information, check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falklands_Conflict

Answer 4

Argentina stole some British islands, and the UK kicked them out.

Answer 5

Well, it depends what you mean as a war. Personally, I think that it just was a walk in the park for the British army, navy, air force, and marines. Legallly, it may not have been a war, but defacto, it was.

Answer 6

No it wasn't because the British ended it in a few weeks.

Answer 7

because Argentina sent a bunch of kids with no coats to freeze to death and all England had to do was go clear their frozen bodies away?