PRIME MINISTER:
…the many stories of bravery that we have just seen of people who died here; the number of VCs — I think there were nine VC in this particular landing — colossal bravery and courage on both sides; and the other thing, that it was in a way the first amphibious operation and that, quite different from these days, the only thing they had to defend from the landward side was rifle fire. That, of course, would not penetrate boats, so 1500 people just stayed in the “Clyde” , which was not a warship but an ordinary craft, and had lunch and then landed at night.
There are so many remarkable stories that the enduring memory is of the greatest possible bravery.
[end p1]QUESTION
What did you think of the veterans that you met?
PRIME MINISTER:
Absolutely wonderful! I said to them: “Look! Do you now remember?” and they said yes, they remember, they could almost remember everything that happened in the battle and precisely where they were. They may not have thought of it very much since then because they were young at the time and I think things, when you are young, you remember them for ever. And they are so pleased to be here, so pleased they can get here.
The other thing is — I do not know whether you saw around the British memorial — that people have brought their families. There were a lot of young people and some children and it is going to stay with them for the rest of their lives and be a lesson. We, I hope, have learned how to keep the peace with freedom and justice now.
QUESTION:
One of the interesting points from this campaign, Mrs. Thatcher, is that the lessons learned in it actually helped in the winning of the Falklands War!
[end p2]PRIME MINISTER:
There was one particular thing: they established, as you know, two major bridgeheads on this land but they were not able to break out to take the whole peninsula and complete the operation and when we established bridgeheads on the Falklands, they were very much aware that you have not got to stay in the bridgehead and think: “Well now! We will wait and see what next!” You have got to push on — and they did! They remembered Gallipoli!
You will find a number of occasions in military history where they have come and made a landing and when sometimes where they could have pushed through without too much opposition at that time, they did not and got the opposition later.
QUESTION:
Nevertheless, a terrible waste of life!
PRIME MINISTER:
A terrible waste of life, yes, and do not forget that later, six million people were murdered in concentration camps. Someone had to fight for liberty!