Mercian Military History (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Mercian Military History

10:00am Saturday 30th June 2012 in W-Z

At the meeting on Wednesday, June 6, members observed one minute’s silence for British soldiers killed in Afghanistan since May meeting.

The historical anniversary was DDay, on June 6, 1944, when 7,000 Allied ships arrived off Normandy and landed 150,000 soldiers to liberate Europe.

Members Xenia and Bill Barnes gave an insight into the 1982 Argentine invasion of the Falklands.

Xenia, a young nurse at the time, and Bill, a farmer’s son, described the apprehension and fear prior to the landings, then shock as Argentine armour and troops poured on to ‘their’ streets.

Then there was the chilling sight of Royal Marines as prisoners, being deported with Governor Sir Rex Hunt.

Feeling abandoned, they became used to seeing Argentines on the streets, but they never got used to constant house patrols and Argentine faces at the window peering in.

They described regular house searches looking for weapons, radios and members of the local Defence Force, who had gone to ground.

Key islanders were rounded up and sent as far away from Port Stanley as possible.

Argentine special forces were replaced by young conscripts, who were generally badly treated and often begged islanders for food.

When South Georgia was retaken, they knew they were not abandoned and the Task Force was on the way.

Their next talk will cover the British landings and liberation.

The meeting on Wednesday, July 4, will be about ‘’Bombers over Europe, a family history by two of our members.

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30 start, and the normal £3 door charge applies.

The society’s programme is on the Mercian MHS page online at thequeensownhussars.co.uk/to or contact Ron Gallivan on 01527 545450, e-mail ronnieg33b@hotmail.

co.uk for full details.