1940: British armour inflicted the first reverse suffered by the Germans in their invasion of Western Europe, when they launched a counter-attack against Rommel's 7th Panzer Division at Arras. The British Matilda I and Matilda II tanks were no better armed than their German opponents, but boasted armour protection impervious to German anti-tank weapons. The counter-attack was halted only by the ex tempore use of heavy calibre 88mm anti-aircraft guns in the anti-tank role; a role in which the 88mm gun was to become notorious later in the war. The British tanks had to break off the engagement, but it delayed the German advance for about four days.

Lance Corporal Nicholls of the Grenadier Guards was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallant leadership of a section, attacking at great odds until ammunition ran out and he was captured.

Company Sergeant Major Gristock of the Royal Norfolk Regiment was awarded a posthumous VC for destroying an enemy machine-gun position despite having been wounded very badly in both legs. He then dragged himself back to the British lines but died of his injuries the following day.

1982: British forces landed at San Carlos in East Falkland. HMS Ardent was sunk during by Argentine aircraft during intensive air raids on the landing force.

Fifteen Argentine aircraft were destroyed

Splash One Dagger by D R Hardstaff

This painting depicts an instant during the ‘Battle of Bomb Alley’ when the power of the Seawolf GWS 25 missile system was demonstrated to maximum effect, and witnessed by the crew of a Wessex 5 casualty evacuation helicopter that had been forced to land and shut down nearby. The aircraft’s passenger, Surg Cdr Rick Jolly of 3 Commando Brigade RM, can be seen looking down on the bomb-damaged and disabled HMS ARGONAUT lying to anchor beneath Fanning Head. In the middle distance is HMS BROADSWORD linked by a missile exhaust plume to the Argentine Air Force Dagger jet that had just bracketed HMS PLYMOUTH with its bombs. In the far distance, HMS ANTRIM struggles to control the damage inflicted on her by another Dagger attack. For Flt Lt Pedro Bean there was to be no escape as he headed for home: the missile impacted from astern, and his aircraft disintegrated in a ball of flame

Other actions this day included:

An Argentine Air Force Boeing 707 on a reconnaissance mission avoided being hit by HMS Coventry's Sea Dart as a flash-door failed safe, preventing missile loading on the launcher.

A second 707 approached the Bristol Group later in the morning. Tidespring had reported the aircraft's presence and HMS Cardiff dropped back from the group. When the 707 came within her range, Cardiff fired a Sea Dart salvo. One missile was seen to burst close to the target which broke away.

HMS Broadsword joined Coventry on the missile trap station off Pebble Island, having watched Ardent's fires spread during the night. Half an hour later Ardent sank.

HMS Brilliant returned to San Carlos Water.

HMS Yarmouth guarded the entrance to San Carlos Water along with HMS Argonaut.

HMS Plymouth and Brilliant were positioned inside.

A strong CAP was maintained, with sixty sorties flying from the carriers.

Bad weather on the mainland prevented the Argentine Air Force launching any strikes.

Coast Guard patrol boat Rio Iguazu was strafed by an 801 Squadron CAP in Choiseul Sound. The boat was driven ashore among the kelp.

Goose Green was attacked by four Harrier GR3s, causing damage to the fuel dump with cluster bombs.

Later in the day HMS Coventry and HMS Broadsword parted company. Coventry returned to San Carlos Water and Broadsword headed to rejoin the Carrier Battle Group.

HMS Exeter arrived and took her place on the picket line.

HMS Brillant and Yarmouth transited south. Shortly before midnight a Lynx was flown to investigate a radar contact made in Lively Sound. The vessel was identified as the coaster Monsunnen. The crew ran the ship aground among the kelp and escaped over the rocks.

Field Hospital established at Ajax Bay.