Description
Book SynopsisThis book is an enthralling account of the role played by the destroyer ARA Bouchard in the Falklands/Malvinas War. Over forty years after its construction, with obsolete technology, scarce maintenance and many out-of-service machineries, it was still present during the whole campaign with a prominent role that, for several reasons, remained hidden until today.
During the Falklands/Malvinas conflict, it patrolled the north of the archipelago to allow the recapture of the islands. It was noteworthy together with the Cruiser and another destroyer in the attack on the British fleet, without being able to find it. On its return, it was hit by the third torpedo launched by the submarine Conqueror aimed at the cruiser ARA General Belgrano. It suffered damage and, although it could still sail, was forced to dry dock to change a part of its hull. For two consecutive nights, it stopped British commandos from making an incursion into the Río Grande airport, in order to destroy the Navies Super Etendard attack aircraft and assassinate its pilots. With its main gun battery, it fired with combat ammunition on enemy targets and was the only main battery to have the opportunity to do so. It was irradiated and used for missile target practice; they were unable to sink it during the firing practice. Later, it was decommissioned and scrapped.
Table of ContentsChapter 1: Characterics Of The Destroyer Ara Bouchard.
Generalities
Machinery
Elements For Deck Operations
Other Elements
Artillery
Anti-Submarine Weapons
Chapter 2: Borie Ii
Campaign In The Pacific Ocean
Iwo Jima
Okinawa
Kamikaze Actions
The Fight Continues In The Pacific
Roosevelt Passes Away
The Forces Go For Tokyo
The End Of The War In The Pacific
Borie Ii In The Korean War
Vietnam War
Beginning Of The Conflict
Borie Ii´S Participation
Borie Ii In The Mediterranean (July To December, 1956)
Miscellaneous, Other Minor Actions
Chapter 3: Hipólito Bouchard: His Origins And Arrival In The Country
The First Action: San Nicolás De Los Arroyos
Bouchars: Grenadier
Return To Sea
War As A Privateer
Argentina In The World (1817-1819)
Ending Of The Campaign And Return To Valparaiso
A Tragic End
Chapter 4: Condition Of The Destroyer Ara Bouchard.
Crew And Materials
Bouchard´S Tactical Procedures
Intelligence
Chapter 5: Background And Outbreak Of The Falkland/ Malvinas War.
Pertinent Historical Background
The Davidoff Incident
Chapter 6: The Days Before The War
The Domestic And International Context And The Hostilities
February 3, 1982: First Voyage Of The Year
February 16: Destination, Ushuaia
March 4 And 5: The Basic Drills
March 17 To 19: The Drills Continue
March 20 To 25: “Operation Cimarrón Vii” With The Uruguayan Navy
And Aircraft Carrier Exercises
From March 29 To April 7: To War, Unawares
Chapter 7: We´Re At War
The Domestic And International Context And The Hostilities
From April 16 To 27
Chapter 8: Operation Algeciras
Chapter 9: From Puerto Deseado To The Sinking Of General Belgrano
The Domestic And International Context And The Hostilities.
In The Ara Bouchard
Chapter 10: General Belgrano Was Sunk !
The Domestic And International Context And The Hostilities
In The Ara Bouchard
Distribution Of The Rescue Of The Belgrano´S Survivors (Table)
Chapter 11: Rebuffing The Attacks Attempted By Commandos (From May 14 To 19,
1982)
The Domestic And International Contex And The Hostilities
In The Ara Bouchard
May 14
May 15
May 16
Night From May 17 To May 18, Day Of The Argentine Navy
The British Continental Operations: The Perspective Of The Parties
Involved
Meanwhile, The Commandos…
Operation Mikado
Operation Mikado As Described By A British “Historian”
Epilogue
Chapter 12: The Patrol Continues (From May 23 To May 27)
The Domestic And International Context And The Hostilities
In The Ara Bouchard
Chapter 13: The Last Patrol (From May 31 To June 6)
The Domestic And International Context And The Hostilities
In The Ara Bouchard
Chapter 14: The Return To Puerto Belgrano After The Defeat
Epilogue: An Undeserved End
