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Falklands War admiral Sandy Woodward dies aged 81 Falklands War admiral Sandy Woodward dies aged 81
(35 minutes later)
An admiral who led Britain's task force in the 1982 Falklands War has died after a long illness, aged 81, his daughter has told the BBC.An admiral who led Britain's task force in the 1982 Falklands War has died after a long illness, aged 81, his daughter has told the BBC.
Adm Sir Sandy Woodward was commander of the carrier force sent by PM Margaret Thatcher to retake the Falklands.Adm Sir Sandy Woodward was commander of the carrier force sent by PM Margaret Thatcher to retake the Falklands.
He served as deputy chief of the defence staff from 1985 and was made admiral in 1987.He served as deputy chief of the defence staff from 1985 and was made admiral in 1987.
Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said Adm Woodward would be remembered as the "Fighting Admiral".Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said Adm Woodward would be remembered as the "Fighting Admiral".
First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas said he would be remembered for his "powerful and clear command" of the Royal Navy Task Force.First Sea Lord Admiral Sir George Zambellas said he would be remembered for his "powerful and clear command" of the Royal Navy Task Force.
'Fighting Admiral' 'Widely respected'
"Undaunted by the challenge of fighting a capable enemy over 8,000 miles from the UK, in the most demanding and extreme of weather conditions, and against uncertain odds, Admiral Woodward's inspirational leadership and tactical acumen - meshing the realities of the higher political command at home with the raw and violent fight at sea - was a major factor in shaping the success of the British forces in the South Atlantic," he said."Undaunted by the challenge of fighting a capable enemy over 8,000 miles from the UK, in the most demanding and extreme of weather conditions, and against uncertain odds, Admiral Woodward's inspirational leadership and tactical acumen - meshing the realities of the higher political command at home with the raw and violent fight at sea - was a major factor in shaping the success of the British forces in the South Atlantic," he said.
"Highly regarded and widely respected within the military, he will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.""Highly regarded and widely respected within the military, he will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time."
Mr Hammond said: "I am saddened by the news that Admiral Sir John 'Sandy' Woodward, has died and my thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.Mr Hammond said: "I am saddened by the news that Admiral Sir John 'Sandy' Woodward, has died and my thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.
"Admiral Woodward served his country with distinction throughout his career, but he will be best remembered by many as the Navy's Fighting Admiral after he led the Royal Navy Task Force, sent by Margaret Thatcher, to retake the Falkland Islands in 1982.""Admiral Woodward served his country with distinction throughout his career, but he will be best remembered by many as the Navy's Fighting Admiral after he led the Royal Navy Task Force, sent by Margaret Thatcher, to retake the Falkland Islands in 1982."
Sukey Cameron, the Falkland Islands' government representative in the UK, tweeted: "Sad to learn of the death of Admiral Sir Sandy Woodward; remembering with gratitude the important part he played in #Falklands Liberation."
Adm Woodward was born John Woodward in Penzance, Cornwall, on 1 May 1932, according to the Who's Who database.Adm Woodward was born John Woodward in Penzance, Cornwall, on 1 May 1932, according to the Who's Who database.
He trained at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, and joined the navy in 1946. He trained at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, joining the navy in 1946 at the age of 13, and quickly rising through the ranks to command submarines.
When Argentina invaded the British overseas territory of the Falkland Islands on 2 April 1982, he was a newly appointed rear admiral and acted as commander of the Carrier Battle Group from HMS Hermes. When Argentina invaded the British overseas territory of the Falkland Islands on 2 April 1982, he was a newly appointed rear admiral and acted as commander of the Carrier Battle Group from the flagship HMS Hermes.
Three days later the first British task force ships left Britain, and by 14 June, following a number of key battles, the British had liberated the capital, Port Stanley.Three days later the first British task force ships left Britain, and by 14 June, following a number of key battles, the British had liberated the capital, Port Stanley.
During the conflict, an estimated 600 Argentines were killed along with 255 UK servicemen and three Falklands civilians.During the conflict, an estimated 600 Argentines were killed along with 255 UK servicemen and three Falklands civilians.
KnighthoodKnighthood
Adm Woodward, who also went on to be the Flag Aide-de Camp to the Queen, was knighted for his services in the Falklands campaign in 1983.Adm Woodward, who also went on to be the Flag Aide-de Camp to the Queen, was knighted for his services in the Falklands campaign in 1983.
He retired in 1989 and later described his experiences of the campaign to take back the Falklands in a book titled One Hundred Days.He retired in 1989 and later described his experiences of the campaign to take back the Falklands in a book titled One Hundred Days.
Robert Fox, defence editor of the London Evening Standard, said Adm Woodward had to take "some of the biggest risks of any commander in modern British history".
"He knew how to take risks... the lack of air cover, the way the whole thing was conducted against the unknown - it would simply be deemed as unacceptable at Westminster today," he said.
Writing for the Daily Telegraph earlier this year, Adm Woodward described working with Mrs Thatcher between 1985 and 1987, when he was the head of defence staff operations and would attend cabinet meetings.Writing for the Daily Telegraph earlier this year, Adm Woodward described working with Mrs Thatcher between 1985 and 1987, when he was the head of defence staff operations and would attend cabinet meetings.
He said their relationship was one of mutual respect, describing Mrs Thatcher as "the best top executive I'd ever met".He said their relationship was one of mutual respect, describing Mrs Thatcher as "the best top executive I'd ever met".
In June 2011 Adm Woodward told a newspaper he feared the islands were "now perilously close to being indefensible".In June 2011 Adm Woodward told a newspaper he feared the islands were "now perilously close to being indefensible".
He told the Daily Mail: "Twenty-nine years ago today, we re-claimed the Falklands for Britain in one of the most remarkable campaigns since the World War II. He told the Daily Mail: "Twenty-nine years ago today, we reclaimed the Falklands for Britain in one of the most remarkable campaigns since the World War II.
"The simple truth is without aircraft carriers and without the Americans, we would not have any hope of doing the same again today.""The simple truth is without aircraft carriers and without the Americans, we would not have any hope of doing the same again today."
And in written evidence to the Commons Defence Committee in May of this year, he warned Britain would be unable to defend itself if cuts to the navy continued to be made.And in written evidence to the Commons Defence Committee in May of this year, he warned Britain would be unable to defend itself if cuts to the navy continued to be made.