Support Tanker RFA Plumleaf served in the Falklands Conflict under the command of Captain R.W.M. Wallace. During the period before, after and including the Falklands Conflict Plumleaf spent 85 days, issued 20,000 tons of fuel in 55 operations, received 11,000 tons of fuel herself (from BP tankers) and steamed 26,000 miles .
The following pictures depict the taskforce and the war through her eyes.
Above: RFA Plumleaf (A78) anchored off Ascension July 1982. Thanks to George Mortimore for providing this picture
...........
Above: The County Class DLG (Guided Missile Destroyer) HMS Glamorgan (D19). She was the final casualty of the Falklands Conflict and the only vessel to survive an exocet attack. Thanks to George Mortimore for providing this picture.
Above: With the exception of HMS Amazon (F169) herself, the entire Amazon Class participated in the Falklands Conflict. Two- Antelope and Ardent- didn't return. Seen here is HMS Arrow (F173). Thanks to George Mortimore for providing this picture.
Above: HMS Argonaut (F56) was one of four Leander Class Type 12 Frigates to participate in the Falklands Conflict, the other three being HM Ships Minerva, Andromeda and Penelope. Notice the absence of her pennant number. Thanks to George Mortimore for providing this picture.
...........
Above: (Left) The large passenger ferry Rangatira was converted by Vospers at Southampton towards the end of the campaign. (Right) The British Petroleum (BP) tanker British Tamar. Thanks to George Mortimore for providing these pictures.
Above: The British Telecom (BT) cable laying ship CS Iris served as a dispatch vessel during the conflict under the command of Captain G. Fulton.. Thanks to George Mortimore for providing this picture.
Above: SS Canberra Replenishment-at-Sea (RAS) May 2nd 1982. Thanks to George Mortimore for providing these pictures.
...........
Above: (left and right) SS Canberra Replenishment-at-Sea (RAS) May 2nd 1982. Thanks to George Mortimore for providing these pictures.
...........
Above: (Left) Helicopter landing pads had been constructed on Canberra before she sailed from Southampton.(Right) A stern view of SS Canberra seen from RFA Plumleaf (A78). April 30th 1982. Thanks to George Mortimore for providing these pictures.
Above: HMS Argonaut's Lynx helicopter tansferrs personnel to RFA Plumleaf, April 1982. Thanks to George Mortimore for providing this picture.
...........
Above: (Left) RFA Plumleaf (A78) encounters heavy South Atlantic seas. (Right) A Wasp helicopter hovers over RFA Pearleaf (A77) .The silhouette of an Landing Ship Logistic (LSL) can be seen in the background. Thanks to George Mortimore for providing these pictures.
Above: RFA Pearleaf (A77) joins RFA Sir Tristram (L3505). All six Landing Ship Logistics (LSLs) participated in the Falklands Conflict. Sir Tristram and Sir Galahad (L3005) were later crippled in a fierce air attack. Thanks to George Mortimore for providing this picture.
...........
Above: (Left) The midsection of tanker RFA Pearleaf (A77) and the bow of Landing Ship Logistic RFA Sir Tristram (L3505). (Right) A close up of the midsection superstructure of RFA Pearleaf (A77) taken from RFA Plumleaf (A78) during pumpover May 1982. Thanks to George Mortimore for providing these pictures
Above: The flight deck of the Amphibious Assault Ship HMS Fearless (L10) in July 1982. One of the three helicopters was captured from the Argentines. Thanks to George Mortimore for providing this picture.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
© Written and researched by Jeremy Olver. First uploaded 30th November 2000. Disclaimer.