Buenos Aires, April 1 (NA) – On April 1, 1982, hours before the Argentine landing on the Falkland Islands, Rear Admiral Carlos Alberto Büsser gathered the troops aboard the landing ship ARA Cabo San Antonio and delivered a speech that became one of the most remembered at the beginning of the operation to reclaim the islands. Until that moment, the operation was kept under strict operational secrecy. "This is what we are going to do," he said. According to the Argentine News Agency, from the deck of the ship, the head of the Landing Force also left a central message about the historical significance of the operation. "That moment has come." "Humiliated England," the cover of a French magazine echoing the Argentine landing on the Falkland Islands. The closing of the speech was recorded as one of the most remembered phrases of that early morning before the landing: "Tomorrow we will show the world a brave Argentine force in war and generous in victory." In a few hours, the Argentine forces managed to secure key positions and consolidate control over the city. After clashes in the area of the British governor's residence, where Captain Pedro Edgardo Giachino was killed, Governor Rex Hunt negotiated the surrender around 09:30 on April 2. Argentine soldiers in Port Stanley after the landing and capture of British personnel. Key data of the operation: Task Forces 40 and 20 departed from Puerto Belgrano on March 28 under Büsser's command. The initial landing was carried out on April 2 at Green Beach and in the vicinity of the governor's house. At 06:15 on April 2, the airport was secured, allowing C-130 Hercules aircraft to land. The capital of the archipelago was under Argentine control in a few hours through a coordinated amphibious operation. The initial objective was to reclaim sovereignty and open a subsequent negotiation instance with the United Kingdom. In that context, he stated: "Fate has wanted it to be us who are in charge of repairing these almost 150 years of usurpation," referring to the British occupation that began in 1833. One of the highlights of the speech was the precise instruction on the treatment of the civilian population. There he ordered: "They are inhabitants of Argentine territory and, therefore, must be treated as all those who live in Argentina," and added that private property and the integrity of persons must be strictly respected. In that same message, Büsser reinforced the disciplinary nature of the operation by warning: "You will respect women, children, the elderly, and men," and was even more forceful in stating that "if anyone commits rape, theft, or plunder, I will immediately apply the maximum penalty." He also highlighted the previous level of preparation of the troops and the training carried out for years for that moment. The confirmation came when Büsser himself clearly explained the mission: "Our mission is to land on the Falkland Islands and oust the military forces and British authorities that are in them. Now say it with me: Long live the Fatherland!". How the Argentine landing in the Falklands took place: Operation Rosario began during the night of April 1, 1982, with the deployment of amphibious commandos at different strategic points near the capital of the archipelago. "God protect you." In that segment he held: "For a long time we have been training our muscles and preparing our minds and hearts for the supreme moment of facing the enemy. Although the personnel knew they would participate in a real mission, most assumed the destination would be the Beagle Channel area."
