The Falklands War Ends: 35 Years On

Today we mark the 35th anniversary of the end of the Falklands War.

Over 250 British servicemen lost their lives in the 1982 conflict, which lasted 10 weeks.

War Begins

The conflict started when Argentine forces invaded the Falkland Islands on April 2.

They seized the airfield, marine barracks and the government house. By 8.30 am the islands were no longer under British control.

Argentina hoped to reclaim sovereignty of the islands, which the UK had ruled for 150 years - and quickly chose to defend.

Britain Responds

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said the Falkland Islanders were 'of British tradition and stock'.

Three days after the invasion, on April 5, the UK dispatched a naval task force to reclaim the islands.

More than 100 ships set sail on a journey of more than 8,000 miles.

They arrived on April 30 - at a 200-mile exclusion zone surrounding the Falklands.

Fighting Begins

The first major loss of life came on May 2, when Royal Navy submarine HMS Conquerer sank an Argentine cruiser with the loss of over 300 crew. 

Two days later, British destroyer HMS Sheffield was hit by an Exocet missile, with 20 crew lost.

British forces landed on the islands seven weeks after the Argentines invaded, on May 21.

They began the battle for Stanley, the islands' capital, on June 11.

Argentina Surrenders

And on June 14, 35 years ago, the Argentines surrendered.

It was a brief but bitter war.

A conflict which lasted 74 days and saw 633 Argentine and 255 British servicemen lose their lives, along with three Falkland Islanders and 16 Argentine civilian sailors.