Scimitar into Stanley: One Soldier’s Falklands War

A British staff officer and armored vehicle commander vividly recounts his experience on the frontlines of the Falklands War. In May 1982, Captain Roger Field of the Blues and Royals, attached to HQ Fifth Infantry Brigade, sailed on the Queen Elizabeth 2 as part of the second wave to liberate the Falkland Islands. His journey took him to Fitzroy in time to witness the Argentineans bomb the landing ships Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram. Later, a chance meeting led to him joining the Commanding Officer of 2 Para for the Battle of Wireless Ridge. When the Paras lost a Scimitar commander, Roger took command of the armored vehicle and fought the rest of the battle from the turret. The next day, his Scimitar was the tip of the spear as 2 Para and The Blues and Royals led the victorious charge into Port Stanley.