The Untold Story of a Fighting Ship

Book excerpt: This book is an enthralling account of the role played by the destroyer ARA Bouchard in the Falklands/Malvinas War. Over forty years after its construction, with obsolete technology, scarce maintenance and many out-of-service machineries, it was still present during the whole campaign with a prominent role that, for several reasons, remained hidden until today. During the Falklands/Malvinas conflict, it patrolled the north of the archipelago to allow the recapture of the islands. It was noteworthy together with the Cruiser and another destroyer in the attack on the British fleet, without being able to find it. On its return, it was hit by the third torpedo launched by the submarine Conqueror aimed at the cruiser ARA General Belgrano. It suffered damage and, although it could still sail, was forced to dry dock to change a part of its hull. For two consecutive nights, it stopped British commandos from making an incursion into the Río Grande airport, in order to destroy the Navies Super Etendard attack aircraft and assassinate its pilots. With its main gun battery, it fired with combat ammunition on enemy targets and was the only main battery to have the opportunity to do so. It was irradiated and used for missile target practice; they were unable to sink it during the firing practice. Later, it was decommissioned and scrapped.