We must never forget the heroes of Mount Harriet

In one of the least known battles of the Falklands War, 43 years ago today, Royal Marines, Welsh Guards and Gurkhas were preparing for conflict against well dug-in Argentine troops, writes a leading author whose new thriller is inspired by their brotherhood

- By Neil Lancaster

THE terrain is harsh, it’s pitch black and the weather is brutal. The Royal Marines are pinned down by heavy and accurate enemy fire. They are 8,000 miles from home, soaking wet, exhausted, outnumbered and about to assault a steep, unforgiving mountain.

This was the early stages of the Battle of Mount Harriet, which took place over June 11-12, 1982, amid the Falklands War but is today less well known than other key clashes in the 74-day conflict against Argentina.

Yet while it is perhaps less renowned, the accounts of bravery from the battle remain awe-inspiring and it played a huge part in the final liberation of the islands.

In one instance, Corporal Stephen Newland’s troop was pinned down by a sniper and unable to advance, so he decided to do something about it. Newland and a fellow Marine crawled forward to flank the sniper. As they moved, incoming fire crashed into the rocks above them. Newland had good cover so he kept going.

His mate had no such protection and was forced to lie prone.

Newland advanced stealthily towards the sniper, but soon realised that this was no lone sniper. There was a whole squad of Argentines — 10 men with automatic rifles and a machine gun. One of them would shoot sporadically, clearly trying to draw his platoon into an ambush. Alone, and unsupported, Cpl Newland knew he had to act.

With a mix of grenades, and sustained fire with his rifle, he took on the whole party — undoubtedly saving many British lives and suffering severe gunshot wounds to the legs during the process. For this, Cpl Newland was awarded the Military Medal.

Yet this encounter was just one instance of extreme bravery that took place during the Battle of Mount Harriet 43 years ago today on the remote archipelago.