Page 126 - Conflitti Militari e Popolazioni Civili - Tomo II

628 XXXIV Congresso della CommIssIone InternazIonale dI storIa mIlItare • CIHm

a direct attack on the town, in spite of the government’s efforts to calm them down”.
43
Although the announcements of British casualties had some soothing effect on the island-
ers given the uncertainty of the outcome, there were a few acts of sabotage and espionage
attributable to them. “Les Harris, a senior electrician and his colleague Bob Gilbert began
interfering with the Argentines’ power supply as much as possible. They replaced standard
fuses at the electricity transformers around Stanley with lower tolerance fuses, concentrat-
ing particularly on transformers serving the main concentrations of troops, the Government
Secretariat, Government House and the Town Hall”. 44
The increase of warlike activities within the capital caused concern in the Government
about a possible reaction of the population and about the effects of air and naval bombings,
so additional precautions had to be taken, as reported by “La Gaceta Argentina”, a newspaper
issued on the islands and destined for the soldiers. 45
At Puerto Argentino, the main concern of the Military Government and the kelpers’ com-
mission was to take an inventory of the houses of strongest construction, that is to say, those
built in stone, concrete or brickwork. The exercise had alarming results: there were only 15
houses made of building materials; the rest were made of wood and metal plates. The Stanley
Civil Defense Committee prepared and distributed a list of precautions to be taken into ac-
count in case of an air attack. 46

43 General Mario B. Menéndez, interview with the Author.
44 Bound, Graham, op.cit., page 194
45 “La Gaceta Argentina – Año 1 – Nro.4”, 17 May 1982 “MILITARY GOVERNMENT’S NOTICE: It is hereby
brought to the knowledge of all military personnel stationed in this territory that all buildings, vehicles,
consumer goods, etc., are the property of private persons and they are and must be protected by contracts
entered into with their respective owners, who are paid with resources of the Argentine National State, for
which reason there is not, and there must not be confiscation of any kind. Also paid with national funds are
any and all damages caused to private persons a great majority of whom were born in these islands and are
therefore our fellow countrymen.”
46 “Air-raid Precautions. It is most unlikely that the town of Stanley or its inhabitants Hill be affected by any
potential hostilities. Nevertheless it is common sense to be prudent in times like these and the following in-
formation is presented for your guidance in the event of an air-raid warning being sounded.. The information
in Appendix “A” is for those who wish to stay in their own homes. Those who would like to go to a place
of shelter other than their own homes are requested to give their names to the person delivering this leaflet.
When all names have been collected, shelter rations Hill be allocated. Further information is container in
“Appendix “B”. Appendix “A” – For those happy at home: a. If your house has a central lobby, use it as
your shelter. b. Move furniture to outside of shelter area. c. Stick heavy paper to windows and panel glass
using treacle/Syrup/jam. d. Cover doors with mattresses. e. Provide water container and simple high-energy
rations (glucose, chocolates, biscuits). f. If possible fill the window embrasures with sandbags. g. Provide
emergency toilet facilities (you may not be able to get to the WC) i.e. buckets, disinfectant, toilet paper. h.
Provide mattresses to lie on + blankets and/or cushions. i. Provide radio for local station and spare batteries.
j. Provide torch(es) and spare batteries and/or candles. k. Cut off any fuel supply to the house. l. Cut off water
supply, drain tank. m. Provide books/toys/cards as required. n. FIRST AID. There is no need for elaborate
first aid kits. In fact the most useful item to have at hand is a clean linen sheet which can be torn into strips if
required for compression pads and bandages. If cuts are sustained, bind a pad of linen to the area and secure
with plastic strips. Do not interfere with the wound or attempt to remove any material. Calm and reassure the
injured person and obtain qualified assistance as soon as possible. Do not administer alcohol, food or drink,
until medical advice has been taken. It should be understood that the above notes are not instructions, they are
simple notes for your guidance to be acted on if you see fit. Finally, if possible contact the hospital as soon as
you can alter assembly in your house to help them account for the population. APPENDIX “B” – Those going