Joe D'souza

HMS YARMOUTH

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Joe D'souza

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It doesn't matter much now, but I was air crewman on HMS Yarmouth and we had been on NGS (gunfire support) over several nights without consequence. On each occasion while exiting back to the fleet for refuel/ammo, we were made aware of a suspected Exocet rig in the vicinity of Port Stanley airport. So much so that on 2 nights we flew the Wasp trailing a sonar buoy to try and attract missiles.

On that night, after receiving news from shore side of how well our gunfire had helped the advancing troops, we were ordered by Glamorgan captain to steam aline astern, on a track 20 missile inside the danger zone. Our captain refused to obey and we kept out of danger. I think it was less than 30 minutes when action stations were sounded and the awful news broke about your hit. We despatched our LMA and stretchers/BA gear etc. and I had to lower them by winch onto the flight deck due to the smoke and mess everywhere.

Of the many <expletive deleted> that were experienced, yours was one of the most unnecessary, and was borne from the pratish rivalry of officers reluctance to accept advice from those less senior. I was so fortunate to have served under a captain (cmdr) who took advice from people better placed, and made sound judgements instead of the overwhelming <expletive deleted>who were in charge. Sorry about the language - I am still incensed by it all.

I was on Yarmouth and saw quite a bit of action. Firstly we went alongside Sheffield straight after the hit - the 2nd Exocet went past us at 400 yds. Took those poor bastards off until Seakings arrived and then we broke away to attack a sub that was prowling around us, with a dozen mortars and a torpedo - didn't get it. They think it was a Russian Alpha. We then were tasked to tow her to S.Africa, the awful sight of that burnt hull was horrible. You know how a ship sort of lives? we'll the death of her made you go cold. Anyway that night under tow the sea got up and she slowly filled through the hole in her side and had to be cut free. The next morning was calm but misty and all that was left were a few 20 man life rafts that had inflated as she sank.