The War That Shouldn't Have Happened

The Falklands War of 1982 is back in the news because of Bill O’Reilly and his claims to have reported from a war zone. This post is not about him, but the war itself.

The Falklands war should never have happened. 967 people died because of misinterpretation and bureaucracy.

Here's how the war began.

There was a 39-year-old scrap dealer by the name of Constantine Davidoff, an Argentinean, who wishes today he could take back an innocent action.

Davidoff heard about three abandoned whaling stations on the British owned Georgia islands. It was a chance to make some salvage money with scrap parts. In December of 81, Davidoff, and seven crewmen got permission from the British to inspect the stations. In March he started salvage operations. His men, either as a joke or excitement or pride or what have you raised a blue and white Argentine flag over the salvage operations.

The flag was spotted by a group of British researchers camped about 5 miles away. They got on their radio and called London.

Word spread in Great Britain and in the Falklands. 

The British Government protested that the Davidoff crew landed illegally. They didn't and had permission, but distance and time and inter-department bureaucracy didn't get permits to the right people at the right time.

Argentina said the Davidoff Salvage crew had a right to be there. Britain responded by sending in an Ice Patrol Boat. Argentina then sent a navy ship to protect the crew from forcible removal. More meetings were held between the British and Argentina. Words became angry. Ownership rights were stated and demanded and days later the Argentineans invaded and the Falkland’s war began. 

You know the rest.