McClement, Timothy Pentreath (Oral history)

British officer served aboard submarine HMS Conqueror during Falklands War, 1982

REEL 1 Recollections of operations as officer aboard submarine HMS Conqueror during Falklands War, 1982: question of role of submariners prior to conflict; hearing of invasion of Falkland Islands; preparations for sailing, 4/4/1982; saying goodbye to family; preparation of crew for war; awareness of situation and opinion on board about it; intelligence received on Argentinean naval forces; character of crew and morale; impressions of Colin Way; discovery of General Belgrano and escorts; how Argentinean ships were operating on a war footing; change in mood aboard submarine; shadowing Argentinean ships; source of orders and command chain; change in rules of engagement; damage to submarine’s communication mast; interference in signals; role of Admiral Sandy Woodward in informing superiors of need to sink General Belgrano; receiving signal to attack General Belgrano. REEL 2 Continues: closing to make attack on General Belgrano; discussions with captain on which type of torpedo to use; expectation of being attacked by escorts after attack; reaction to General Belgrano leaving one side unguarded; description of torpedo attack on General Belgrano; technique for firing torpedoes at target; method of ascertaining speed and course of target; firing torpedoes at General Belgrano; captain’s reporting hits on General Belgrano; initial reaction of crew to hits; taking evasive action against depth charge attack from Argentinean destroyers; return to site twenty four hours later; atmosphere on board after attack; attitude towards Argentinean’s destroyers actions; question of number of Argentinean casualties; move to west of Falkland Islands; reaction to torpedo attack from Argentinean aircraft; reduction in rations; reaction to reception on return to Faslane; how wife couldn’t understand need to return to submarine after reception. REEL 3 Continues: reiteration of reaction to reception on return to Faslane; reiteration of how wife couldn’t understand need to return to submarine after reception; attitude towards sinking of General Belgrano; attitude towards politicians and Argentineans view of sinking; importance of sinking of General Belgrano; role as second in command during torpedo attack; reaction of crew to depth charging; actions of submarine on being depth charged.