Falklands 40: Myth and Memory

Join Caroline Wyatt in conversation with leading historians from the three Service Museums as they discuss the Falklands conflict 40 years on.

From April to June 1982, British forces fought a successful campaign to re-take the Falkland Islands, which had been captured by the Argentine military. The war lasted 74 days and involved a task force of almost 26,000 Armed Forces personnel and 3,000 civilians.

To mark the 40th anniversary, Dr Peter Johnston (RAF Museum), Dr Glyn Prysor (National Army Museum) and George Malcomson (National Museum of the Royal Navy) will come together to discuss the political positioning, cultural memory and media portrayal of the conflict.

The panel will consider some of the myths that have emerged over the last four decades and consider how they have shaped our understanding of the war.

Follow the National Army Museum on:

[MrCardinal]

Great discussion and well balanced too.

Points to agree upon are that war should not be treated with cartoonish gung ho depictions (as I’ve seen in a number of museums). Behind those who lost their lives, mobility or sanity in this conflict, there were also families and former lives that were changed forever. This aspect of war must also be included.

It was great to see all 3 services represented and their full and vital contributions to the successful outcome of the conflict fully acknowledged, well done.

Finally, the one sided nature of the conflict reporting and historiography does everyone a disservice. I’ve had to translate a number of Spanish accounts of the war to allow my own historical research a sense of balance and perspective.

Great presentation

[newellgirl]

Another so called "expert panel" with a sub-par presentation A couple of "know it all"blokes who weren't even around at the time There are several of these 40th anniversary forums who have miserably failed .. I want to hear from veterans and i want to hear a discussion strictly about the Falklands Not about current world affairs or tut tutting about "colonialism" with 21st century mores I switched off too at 7 minutes FAIL

[FortyTwox]

timestamp 25:04 it took weeks for news to be released. The BBC reported on Goose Green before the lads went in

[RickDeckard]

If the Warsaw Pact had decided to attack during the Falklands conflict, would the NATO forces in Europe have been seriously compromised due to the withdrawal of UK troops and equipment to the South Atlantic?

[bobdinwiddy]

@49:00 we do fail to understand aspects the Falklands "Conflict" : the Argentine is ethnic Italian : the tug-of-war Pope John-Paul endured and his eventual historical "Pastoral" visit to the UK whilst Port Stanley was being bombed and YET negotiations to effect an Argentine blockade in Europe was blocked by Italy and Common Agricultural Policy was forced through DESPITE a UK veto : the Pope also visited Argentina in the following weeks : President Reagan spoke to both houses in the Palace of Westminster about trade and Berlin and fighting for freedom whilst Israeli forces attacked Arafat's PLO in Lebanon risking war with Syria : President Reagan also visited the Pope

[GeordieExpat]

Typical so called intellectuals who think that because they look after some artifacts in a museum they are therefore qualified to grant us their wise opinion. Wrong.

[graemebowyer]

Extremly dissapointing, turned it off after 7 minutes

[Englishman-Abroad]

As a vertebrate, I agree with this show. its shameful the British won. I for one hope the UK is invaded soon, because being proud of your own country is appalling. Unless you are not the UK in which case its admirable.