QE2 and the Falklands War

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

A lot of injured personnel were transferred off the Uganda for the voyage north due to QE2's superior speed. According to the Beyondships site QE2 did indeed make a call at Ascension Island on the northbound with the intention of returning to the War Zone, but the Admiralty released her as the campaign in the Falklands was drawing successfully to a close.

http://www.beyondships.com/QE2-Falklands-2.html

Thank you very much for this additional information, Graham -- once again, QE2's superior speed made all the difference!

[Twynkle]

There is a very well deserved tribute to Jacqui Hodgson in the latest Cunarder.

[June Ingram]

Thank you very much, Rosie, for pointing this out to us.  June   

[June Ingram]

Starting this thread as a repository for this article, and the probability of many memories and more articles :

http://www.falklandnews.com/public/story.cfm?get=5297&source=3

I'd also be interested to read what you may be thinking about this rather different period of QE2's life...

On this day in 1982, our QE2 followed in the footsteps of Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth and became a troopship during the Falklands conflict. 

She has served Cunard and her country well.

If only Cunard and The National Maritime Trust could work together and bring QE2 back to England and be placed in a position of honor which she (QE2) so richly deserves.

[Alan Snelson]

I have just come across this article from September 1982 which is quite a good read and contains some interesting historical information.

http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20083024,00.html

Note: page not found

[June Ingram]

Thank you, Alan, for posting the link to this very interesting and fact filled article.  It does indeed provide much information not always found in other articles.  Especially noteworthy was Capt. Jackson expecting our QE2 to be half way through her life based on the life expectancy of most liners.  Our QE2, though, has surpassed all others in many ways including her service life and all she has accomplished and witnessed during her career.  To the QE2 !!

[Clydebuilt1971]

I have just come across this article from September 1982 which is quite a good read and contains some interesting historical information.

http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20083024,00.html

Oh that one had a lump in my throat right enough!!

Interesting to note that (as most of would've concurred at the time) the Capt reckoned we would never see a ship of that type or size made again. Now we have QM2 which, despite what some people would like you to think, is QE2's successor as Queen of the Atlantic run. How things change.....

Thanks for finding and posting the link Alan.

Gav

[Rob Lightbody]

Q E 2 LEAVES FOR FALKLAND ISLANDS - NO SOUND - COLOUR

"Liner Queen Elizabeth 2 moored by dock (x 2) MS Helicopter pad over Swimming Pool MCU Welder working on Helicopter pad GV Soldiers and Army Vehicles on deck (x 2) MCU Men working on Helicopter Pad GV Stores swung across by crane (x 3) GV Liner & cranes VARIOUS ANGLES Gurkhas with kit boarding Liner (x MS Officers boarding CU LORD MATHEWS (Victor - Chairman of Cunard) pull back GV & MCU Soldiers lining ships rail GV Families line roof of Ocean Terminal MCU Soldiers with Banners leaning over rail GV Families waving GV Soldiers on upper deck GV Stern of liner & tug MS Line cast-off GV Tugs MCU Ropes coast "

[June Ingram]

Rob, this video has marvelous footage of our war heroine with many, many close up views of her.  When looking at her head on, she appears to be listing a bit to port - any wonder with all of those aboard her ?  And can one even imagine what all of the family and friends seeing her off must have been feeling at that time ?

[cunardqueen]

This pic does show some of the cut away parts..

[pete cain]

I hope I'm not duplicating a previous post here, have looked around & cannot see anything , however as always apologies 

 http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x327qj0_qe2-in-the-falklands-war_autohttp://
 I'm always looking at alternatives to youtube so it might already be here on the forum

[June Ingram]

Thanks, Pete, for posting the link to this video.  I, myself, have never seen it before and it is awe inspiring. 

[June Ingram]

Slides - QE2 -The Falklands war troop ship

Comment 'Nice and fast,only ship we could have done it with....Escorts could not live with her....28-29knots,sustained.'
Thanks to NAIAD for making the video

Bringing forward Rosie's post and marvelous slideshow video honoring QE2 as on this day in 1982, she was making her way to The Falklands.

[Rob Lightbody]

 ‘It was quite an experience’: heading to war on the QE2

http://gu.com/p/4ttnk?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard

[pete cain]

Scared of infringing copyright of 'The Guardian', but deceided to go for it anyway, if mods pull it I'm sure that it'll be saved as part of the story somewhere in TQS vaults, for future. Internet link here :

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2016/may/13/qe2-heading-to-falkland-islands-ian-fletcher-1982-photograph