Search

Search

Showing items 1 - 50 of 85.

Info only 82 Apr 3 Sa Chronology Key [Chronology] Falklands: Parliament met to debate the crisis; UN SCR 502 demanding Argentine withdrawal
Text 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Minor Archive (Thatcher MSS) MT Engagement Diary
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (Thatcher MSS) Falklands: MT notes for speech to House of Commons (0100Z?) ("Events This Week") ["The Government has now decided that the fleet will sail as soon as all preparations are complete"] [released 2013]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: New Zealand PM Muldoon message to MT (0110Z) (Argentine invasion) ["we stand ready to help in whatever way may be appropriate"; statement condemning "armed aggression"] [declassified Dec 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (Thatcher MSS) Falklands: New Zealand PM Muldoon message to MT (0110Z) (Argentine invasion) ["we stand ready to help in whatever way may be appropriate"; statement condemning "armed aggression" - MT copy] [released 2013]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: UKE Washington telegram 1104 to FCO (0200Z) ("Falkland Islands") [use of Ascension - State Department "will be glad to cooperate over use of Wideawake Air Force Base and over supply of fuel etc"] [declassified Dec 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: HMS Endurance signal to CINCFLEET (0230Z) (extracts of overheard conversations between Falkland Islanders) [accounts of troop movements] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (Argentine Archivo General de la Nación) Argentine Junta: Argentine Presidency record of Galtieri-Belaunde phone conversation (0330Z) (Spanish original) [notifies President of Peru] [declassified 2013; this copy 2015]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO record of conversations (0400Z - 0850Z) ("Note for the File: Marines at Grytviken") [MT "inclined to favour surrender [of Marine detatchment] in order to prevent pointless loss of life", but persuaded by Nott and Carrington to order resistance with "minimum force"] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: Defence Staff (DS5) record of conversations (overnight) ("Instructions to Base Commander Grytviken") [ROEs for BAS and marines on South Georgia - discussions between Chiefs, No.10, Nott and FCO] [declassified Jun 2017]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO record of conversation (0730Z) (Carrington-French FM Cheysson phone call) [Cheysson offers help; Japanese being difficult at UN; Soviets talking with Argentina] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: Cabinet Office record of conversation (0730Z) ("Argentinian Invasion of the Falkland Islands: Action in the financial and economic fields") [review of progress] [declassified Dec 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: Defence Intelligence minute (0800Z) ("Falkland Islands as at 030800") ["Critical Intelligence since 021600" - at least one or two Argentinians killed during invasion, no British losses] [declassified Feb 2018]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: MOD briefing ("Operation Corporate Force Tote Sitrep at 030800Z") [ships assigned to Task Force with ETA] [declassified Jun 2017]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: MOD note ("OPDEF State") [maintenance issues regarding Task Force ships] [declassified Jun 2017]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Cabinet: Armstrong minute for No.10 (formation of Falklands sub-committee of OD committee) ["we ought to get the decision-making process on a more orderly footing"] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Intelligence) briefing for Nott PS ("Argentina's capacity to defend the islands") [notes used by Glover to brief COS this morning, Nott "may find them of value"] [declassified Oct 2017]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Intelligence) briefing for Nott PS ("Argentina's capacity to defend the islands") [notes used by Glover to brief COS this morning, Nott "may find them of value" - Lewin's copy] [declassified Oct 2017]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: MOD briefing for Nott (Commons Saturday session) [figures on defence expenditure showing increase on conventional navy since May 1979] [declassified Oct 2017]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: MOD minute for Nott ("Requisitioning of Canberra") [Chiefs of Staff recommend requisition following CINCFLEET decision to use HMS Hermes in ASW role] [declassified Jun 2017]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: MOD briefing for Nott (planned requisition of Canberra and Norsea) [Q&A; draft Order in Council] [declassified Oct 2017]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: MOD briefing notes ("Journeyman 1977") [1977-78 RN deployment to Falklands] [declassified Jun 2017]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Minor Archive (TNA) Falklands: Nott PS letter to Cabinet Office ("Military Notetaker for Operational Decisions") ["a useful safeguard that Minister's decisions are most rapidly translated into operational orders"] [declassified Dec 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO Economic Relations Department minute ("Economic and financial measures against Argentinia") ["very much a first attempt"] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: Chancellor of the Exchequer minute to MT (freezing of Argentine financial assets) ["unavoidable risk" of reputational damage to City, but will "in present circumstances be widely understood"] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: FCO United Nations Department minute ("Falkland Islands: reference to the International Court of Justice") [difficulties] [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: Australian PM Fraser letter to MT (Argentine invasion) ["Australia's firm and unequivocal support"] [declassified Dec 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (Thatcher MSS) Falklands: Prime Minister Fraser of Australia letter to MT (Argentine invasion of the Falklands) ["I agree with you completely as to the gravity of this use of armed force"] [released 2013]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: MOD minutes of Chiefs of Staff Committee - COS 3rd Meeting/82 (0830Z) (Intelligence Update, Own Forces, Disclosure of Information, Decisions Required) [full text, including list of attendees] [declassified Aug 2017]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: Minutes of MOD Chiefs of Staff Committee - COS 3rd Meeting/82 (0830Z) (Intelligence Update, Own Forces, Disclosure of Information, Decisions Required) [declassified 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Minor Archive (TNA) Falklands: Order Paper of the House of Commons ("No.92, Saturday 3rd April 1982, 2135") [Notice of Motion, "That this House do now adjourn"; MT, Foot opening, Silkin, Nott winding up] [this copy declassified Dec 2012]
Audio 82 Apr 3 Sa Multimedia Key Margaret Thatcher HC S: (1019Z) [Falkland Islands] [audio]
Text 82 Apr 3 Sa Speeches, interviews, etc. Key Margaret Thatcher HC S: (1019Z) [Falkland Islands]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Minor Archive (TNA) Falklands: Votes & Proceedings of the House of Commons ("No.92, Saturday 3rd April 1982, 483") [House met at 11, adjourned at 2] [this copy declassified Dec 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (Ingham MSS) Press Office: Lobby Briefing (1100Z) (Falklands) ["We refused to play the head-hunting game or to indulge in speculation along the lines that the Falklands would be impossible to recapture and so we were talking about a naval blockade"] [released 2013]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (Argentine Archivo General de la Nación) Argentine Junta: Argentine Mission New York telegram 727 to MFA (1100Z) ("Consejo Seguridad - Cuestion Malvinas") (Spanish original) [Soviet, Chinese, Panamian and Ugandan delegations without instructions on British draft resolution] [declassified 2015]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: UKE Rome telegram 144 to FCO (1230Z) ("Falkland Islands") ["The Italians moved rapidly"; Argentine charge d'affaires summoned by Colombo] [declassified Dec 2012]
Audio 82 Apr 3 Sa Multimedia Key John Nott HC S: (1245Z) [Falkland Islands] [audio]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (State Department) Falklands: USE London telegram to State Department (1249Z) ("The Falklands crisis: HMG under pressure") ["their toughest crisis since coming to power"] [declassified 2001]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: UKE Amman telegram 129 to FCO (1255Z) ("Falkland Islands") [King said he "would ensure that matters were followed through with close attention"] [declassified Dec 2012]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (Argentine Archivo General de la Nación) Argentine Junta: Argentine Embassy London telegram 835 to MFA (1300Z) (Commons Saturday Session) (Spanish original) [MT speech announcing despatch of Task Force] [declassified 2015]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (State Department) Falklands: USE London telegram to State Department (1324Z) ("British Military Steps in the Falkland Dispute") [published 2015]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Key Archive (Thatcher MSS) Falklands: Gow notes (1310Z?) (1922 Committee Meeting: The invasion of the Falkland Islands) [released 2013]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Key Archive (Thatcher MSS) Falklands: Gow notes (1310Z?) (1922 Committee Meeting: The invasion of the Falkland Islands) [transcript of Gow's notes] [released 2013]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (CIA) Falklands: CIA Directorate of Intelligence memorandum (1430Z) ("Falkland Islands Situation Report #2") [British will be 'hard-pressed' to oust a large Argentine garrison; GOA telling US of Soviet presence] [declassified 2008]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: Assisant Chief of Naval Staff record of satellite phone conversation (1430Z) (Captain Barker of Endurance-ACNS(O)-DNOT) ["South Georgia" - sitrep; agreed that Endurance should conceal itself "in one of the many fjiords in South Georgia"] [declassified Feb 2018]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: Ministry of Defence note for Nott (conversation between Captain Barker of Endurance-ACNS(O)-DNOT) [FCO concern at instructions that Endurance should conceal itself "in one of the many fjiords in South Georgia", Luce concerned to avoid its detection or sinking; MOD believed concealment safest] [declassified Feb 2018]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (Ingham MSS) Press Office: Lobby Briefing (1500Z) (Falklands) ["a task force was going to sail subject to orders"] [released 2013]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (Argentine Archivo General de la Nación) Argentine Junta: Argentine MFA telegram 43 to all posts (?1500Z) (Commons Saturday Session) (Spanish original) [MT speech announcing despatch of Task Force] [declassified 2015]
PDF 82 Apr 3 Sa Declassified documents Major Archive (TNA) Falklands: No.10 record of conversation (1500Z) (Pattison-Fall; Carrington, MT and others) ["Security Council" - Parsons recommends pressing UNSCR to a vote today; PM and ministers agreed] [declassified Dec 2012]

Documents lie at the core of this website, each one dated and sorted chronologically (by default) in search results. Most are images in PDF format of original paper documents scanned or filmed for the site. There also transcripts of speeches and interviews, press articles, photos, videos, and more. The document database contains tens of thousands of items and permits complex searching.

Files are multi-page PDFs from which most of the documents on the site are selected. All of Mrs Thatcher’s official files from No.10 are available in full on this site (paper copies are stored at the National Archives in the series PREM19), as well as most of those of Geoffrey Howe and Nigel Lawson as Chancellor (stored at TNA as series T639 and T640).

Guides are articles about key events and topics. Many were written to accompany annual releases of Mrs Thatcher’s private and party papers at the Churchill Archive Centre in Cambridge.

Legend

  • Full Text Full text on site
  • PDF PDF
  • Photo Photo
  • Video Video
  • Audio Audio
  • Info Only Info only (no text available)
  • CD Only Text on CD only