HMS Conqueror stalks the Belgrano, but Britain’s Rules of Engagement prohibit an attack. Margaret Thatcher makes a decision and Lieutenant Sethia and the Conqueror crew get ready to fire.
This is episode two of The Belgrano Diary, a new six-part podcast series hosted by Andrew O’Hagan. It investigates the bloodiest and most controversial military action of the Falklands War: a story of government cover-ups and conspiracies; of whistleblowers, crusading politicians and journalists fighting for the story. And caught in the middle of it all, a young officer whose account of what happened contradicted Thatcher’s in every crucial detail. Listen here, or wherever you get podcasts at lrb.me/belgrano
Episode 3 will be released on 11 April. If you’d prefer not to wait, you can listen to the whole series NOW, as well as exclusive interviews and other bonus material, all for a one-off payment of just £4.99 at: lrb.supportingcast.fm
We’ve brought a selection of relevant writing from the LRB archive – including pieces by Tam Dalyell, who plays an important part in the story – in front of the paywall for the duration of the series, links below.
Archive: ‘Admiral Woodward on Argentine Air Threat in the Falklands War’/Sal Viscuso, ‘War in the Falklands’/History Channel/ITN Factual, ‘The City of London’s Salute to the Task Force’/BBC, Parliamentary Recording Unit
