1st MAY: ALACRITY, ARROW and GLAMORGAN close with Puerto Argentino for the first daylight Naval Gunfire Support (NGS) action. ALACRITY'S Lynx helicopter is sent on spotting role but is fired upon by the Argentine Naval patrol craft, Islas Malvinas (GC82), near Kidney Island. The Lynx returned fire and silenced that from the patrol craft but was hit by machine gun fire from an armed fishing vessel that accompanied the Islas Malvinas. The Lynx continued with the intent of conducting the spotting mission and landed to check on damage. Machine gun fire had holed the long range fuel tank and fuel was draining at a rapid rate. The aircraft returned to ALACRITY for an emergency landing. As the Lynx approached the NGS group all on board were impressed by the sight of three proud warships, on the gunline, with bright battle ensigns standing out from the dull grey of the sea. The final damage to the Lynx was extensive including holes in an engine, fuselage and fuel tank. Most alarming was the fact that a bullet had sliced through the tail rotor drive shaft leaving very little metal intact. Pilot, Lt. Rob Sleeman, surely had the closest escape when a bullet went through the windscreen- it would have hit him had he not instinctively turned his head to check he was clear to turn away from the gunfire. The Islas Malvinas was later captured by CARDIFF and renamed HMS TIGER BAY. ALACRITY, ARROW and GLAMORGAN shelled Stanley airfield to follow up on the bombing by the RAF Vulcan and Sea Harriers. Argentine Mirage V 'Daggers' bounced the trio catching the three ships by surprise. 1,000 Ib bombs narrowly missed ALACRITY, exploding in her wake and GLAMORGAN was hit by canon fire.
