The Argentinean Defenders--three Argentinian figures from the Falklands War
$149.00
Item Number: TF014
The Argentinean Defenders
A 3-man squad of Argentinean soldiers open fire on advancing British Paras.
Both armies in this conflict used almost the same assault rifle... the British SLR (Self Loading Rifle) and the Argentinean FAL, both derived from the original Belgian designed FN Assault Rifle that fired an identical 7.62mm round. The only major difference was that the enemy rifles had the ability to fire 'Full Auto' while the British believed in 'every round an aimed round', i.e., that is to say, single shot automatic. At the end of the day, what really mattered was the quality of the soldier behind the weapon, not the weapon itself.
Our trio of enemy soldiers are bravely putting up a defence as best they can in a difficult situation. All are dressed in standard Argentine Cold weather 'Parka' jackets originally designed for and by the Israeli Defence Forces. The helmets are standard U.S. M1 steel pots with camouflage covers. On the helmets themselves each soldier has a pair of protective goggles. Each soldier has the standard black leather fighting order and ammunition pouches alongside a water bottle and entrenching tool, plus a rifle bayonet and scabbard. Completing the dress of each soldier are a pair of olive drab trousers in a similar shade to the 'Parka' with a patch pocket on each side of the trousers. On their feet are standard issue black leather combat boots. Of special note is a small Argentinean flag patch on the upper left arm of each soldier. As seen here, all three soldiers are in various shooting positions and will look great in any trench, on the ground, or even behind a rock 'sangar' defence work.
DEFENDING ISLAS MALVINAS
The Falklands War lasted just 74 days and ended with an Argentine surrender on 14 June 1982, returning the Islands once more to British control.
During the ten-week conflict the opposing land forces took part in a number of violent confrontations from large, full scale battles to small individual firefights and skirmishes.
Throughout the land campaign, the majority of infantry weapons utilized were broadly similar on both sides. What made the major difference between the opposing forces was the overall quality of the soldiers involved.
On the British side, all of their troops were professional regulars with many years of practical battlefield experience and used to fighting in all kinds of conditions and situations.
By contrast, most of the Argentinean troops were ill-trained conscripts, poorly motivated and badly-led by their officers and NCOs.
A few regular units of specialized Argentinean troops did fight well in the Falklands and put up a determined and dangerous defence to attacking British forces causing quite a number of dead and wounded.
Overall, the Argentinean ground forces performed badly, with some notable exceptions.
Released in NOVEMBER 2024.
