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“It was absolutely not a war crime. It was an act of war, lamentably legal.” The above was said by the Belgrano’s captain, Hector Bonzo, in an interview two years before his death in 2009. Since that fateful afternoon on May 2, 1982, the sinking of the Argentinian cruiser Belgrano by the British nuclear-powered submarine Conqueror has been regarded as one of the most controversial events of the Falklands War. Many British critics of the action, which resulted in the deaths of 323 Argentinian sailors, see the sinking as a war crime. In their eyes, the action was a disgraceful act of provocation by Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher designed to escalate the conflict. However, it doesn’t quite work that way. The Belgrano was sunk outside the 200-nautical-mile total exclusion zone around the Falklands. Exclusion zones are historically declared for the benefit of neutral vessels; during war, under international law, the heading and location of a belligerent naval vessel has no bearing on its status. In addition, the captain of the Belgrano, Héctor Bonzo, has testified that the attack was legitimate as did the Argentine government in 1994. Though the ship was outside the 200-mile exclusion zone, both sides understood that this was no longer the limit of British action. On 23 April a message was passed via the Swiss Embassy in Buenos Aires to the Argentine government, it read: “In announcing the establishment of a Maritime Exclusion Zone around the Falkland Islands, Her Majesty’s Government made it clear that this measure was without prejudice to the right of the United Kingdom to take whatever additional measures may be needed in the exercise of its right of self-defence under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter. In this connection Her Majesty’s Government now wishes to make clear that any approach on the part of Argentine warships, including submarines, naval auxiliaries or military aircraft, which could amount to a threat to interfere with the mission of British Forces in the South Atlantic will encounter the appropriate response. All Argentine aircraft, including civil aircraft engaged in surveillance of these British forces, will be regarded as hostile and are liable to be dealt with accordingly.” Interviews conducted by Martin Middlebrook for his book, The Fight For The Malvinas, indicated that Argentine Naval officers understood the intent of the message was to indicate that any ships operating near the exclusion zone could be attacked. Argentine Rear Admiral Allara, who was in charge of the task force that the Belgrano was part of, said “After that message of 23 April, the entire South Atlantic was an operational theatre for both sides. We, as professionals, said it was just too bad that we lost the Belgrano“. The modified rules of engagement permitted the engagement of Belgrano outside the exclusion zone before the sinking. In his book, One Hundred Days, Admiral Woodward makes it clear that he regarded the Belgrano as part of the southern part of a pincer movement aimed at the task force, and had to be sunk quickly “The speed and direction of an enemy ship can be irrelevant, because both can change quickly. What counts is his position, his capability and what I believe to be his intention.” Admiral Enrique Molina Pico, head of the Argentine Navy in the 1990s, wrote in a letter to La Nación, published in the 2 May 2005 edition, that the Belgrano was part of an operation that posed a real threat to the British task force, that it was holding off for tactical reasons, and that being outside of the exclusion zone was unimportant as it was a warship on tactical mission. This is the official position of the Argentine Navy. HMS Conqueror returns home. It was commanded by 36-year-old Commander Christopher Wreford-Brown. Built in 1971, it carried a crew of more than 100 HMS CONQUEROR Churchill-class Nuclear Powered Fleet Submarine

The "Belgrano" was said to be moving in the opposite direction when the attack came, away from the "Zone", which can be said to be an attempted withdrawal possibly due to an unfavourable situation. Apart from the ship's artillery, an old capital ship was much too vulnerable in a such a situation at that time and of little use, where opposing submarines, aircraft and armed helicopters were involved.

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alright guys. Just back froma wee trip to York and the surrounding areas. We visited Eden POW camp and took some pictures if anyone is interested 1.my 3 kids with some sort of naval gun 2.V1 rocket.I didn't realise how big these things were until i seen it in the flesh 3.An SDKFZ 251,although i was wondering if it was a Czek convert 4. A side on view 5.a German artillery piece. 6.A Soviet 150mm cannon

16. 17.Harrier JUmp Jet . As you can see the weather wasn't the best. 18.Lightning? 19.Spitfire.Unfortunatly just a static model version of the plane. 20.a wileys jeep 21.Check out the basic interior to this 22.this is a great looking wee truck

Wow that place seems really good and intresting

more 8.a side view of the Halifax bombers cockpit 9.Mid turret 10.ME 109.This is a static model.Looks good though 11. 12.Dakota.I didn't realise how steep the climb was inside one of these things umtil i went into this one. I really don't know how the guys who jumped from these things managed to get up the inside with all the gear they had to carry. 13.the cockpit of the Dakota.Damm that's cramped. 14. 15.

it sure is.A fantastic tank.The only thing that i regret is that they have a Cromwell tank at the entrence,but i didn't manage to get a picture of it as i seen it in passing on the way out. Here are some pictures taken at the Yorkshire Air museum.Now planes are not my strongpoint,so any help on identifying the planes is welcome. 1. 2. 3.ok so not a plane,but a weird looking helicopter 4. 5. 6.this one i do know.A Halifax Bomber.Jesus this thing is huge! 7.Close up of the nose .This was taken from below

The T-34 is great, if I am correct the turret is an early model which is rare (single piece construction and radio mast on top)

It is a great place Kenny. It follows the war through from the rise of the Nazi party through to the end. It is set up in the same type of huts that used to house the POW's. I missed getting a picture of a DAF standard flag because i did not have the camera with me at the time. The kids loved it and it has a bit of interaction as well for them,along with a decent cafe,which served decent sized portions at a decent price. i also have pictures that i took at the Yorkshire air museum that i will up load tomorrow.

Excellent pictures Dave I really like the 251, must pay a visit to that place it looks awesome

and more 1.A bren carrier.A tiny small thing in real life! 2.my son in front of a APC. 3.A side on view of the APC 4.Russian T-34. 5.a close up of the writing. 6.my son sitting on the front mudguard 7.One for Gee.A vc grouping that was inside a fantastic display room inside the tea room. 8. and another one.They had a fantastic collection of medal groups of men who had served with the Yorkshire regiments