We slept in the restaurants on the lower decks during our time in San Carlos Bay. We worried that this area presented the largest radar cross section for an exocet missile. The sinking of HMS Sheffield had shaken us all. We slept under the tables, our cabins below the bridge were too exposed. The naval Commander kept us informed of the current state of readiness using the ships PA system. Yellow Alert meant enemy aircraft were in the vicinity. Red Alert meant we were under attack. (See Standing Orders)
Frequently the PA sounded "RED ALERT - TAKE COVER" and we dived to the floor and covered our heads as we had been told. One missile was to close for comfort. The next call was issued ... "RED ALERT - TAKE CO......" then silence. We were sure the bridge had been hit but the CO had hit the deck as well. The missile was within 300 metres of the ship before a surface to air missile from HMS Fearless destroyed it.
Laying under the tables whilst the ship shook from near misses, Norman Pound the 1st Engineering Officer asked Jack nervously "What kind of bombs do you think they are throwing at us now ?" Jack replied "I Don't know "First" - bloody big ones."
After being told the night before that it was unlikely the ship would survive the day intact, many of the engineers had the fatalistic attitude of "If it happens I'll worry about it then". We knew we wouldn't survive long if we went in the water. The temperature was just above freezing. Engineers coming off watch tried to photograph some of the air battles ignoring the danger. The naval personnel obviously better trained took cover where ever they could.
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Canberra
under attack |
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Click on the link above to see a colour movie clip of the Canberra under air attack.
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A Chinook Takes Off From SS Canberra
