Falklands Logistics Have We Learnt the Lessons and Could We Do it Again TodaY?

摘要

Twenty-five years ago, my Regiment, the Commando Logistics Regiment Royal Marines, was responsible for the Logistics of the land battle in support of both 3 Commando Brigade and 5 Infantry Brigade. It was a short conflict lasting only two and a half months from the start of the out loading in the UK on 2 April 1982 until the surrender on 14 June. However, from a logistic point of view it was the ultimate challenge: would we be able to support a reinforced Brigade 8000 miles away from home with only a sea line of communication, as there was no available airfield in the Falklands to provide an air bridge? To add to the challenge we knew that there were no roads across the Falklands, so helicopters and landing craft would have to be used as the primary means of re-supply. The other constraint was that the out-load and mobilization had to be done at great speed and because of the distance involved we had to ensure that we took everything we needed with us. Although the campaign was both a military and logistical success, we also learnt many lessons and important logistic recommendations were made.