Mount Longdon

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Mount Longdon
FM Model 1968 105mm recoilless gun (51066493502).jpg
Highest point
Elevation 186 m (610 ft) [1] [2]
Prominence 97 m (318 ft) [3]
Isolation 2 km (1 mi) [4]
Coordinates 51°40′15″S57°58′55″W / 51.67083°S 57.98194°W / -51.67083; -57.98194
Geography

Mount Longdon is a hill located in the east of East Falkland island forming part of the Falkland Islands Archipelago. [5] [6] It has an elevation of 186 metres (610 ft) above sea level. It is the highest land in any direction for 2 kilometres (1 miles). [7] [lower-alpha 1] Mount Longdon is named after Lt Col Richard Longdon, who was the commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment (2 Para) of the British Army during the Falklands War. [8] It is best known[ citation needed ] as the site of the Battle of Mount Longdon, and overlooks Stanley, the capital of the Falkland Islands.[ citation needed ]

Contents

Geography

Mount Longdon, along with other hills in the local vicinity West.to.Stanley.svg
Mount Longdon, along with other hills in the local vicinity

Mount Longdon forms part of a hilly area in the East of the East Falkland Island. [9]




Geology

Mount Longdon and the surrounding area primarily consists of sedimentary rocks with formations of sandstones, quartzites, and shales, which date back to the Paleozoic era. [10]

Climate

Koppen-Geiger Map FLK present.svg

The Climate for Mount Longdon is extremely similar to Stanley and RAF Mount Pleasant due to its proximity. Mount Longdon has a maritime climate in the polar, tundra zones, Köppen classification ET. [11] The climate is very much influenced by the cool South Atlantic ocean and its northerly Patagonian current. The oceanic climatic type is characterised by both low seasonal and diurnal temperature ranges and no marked wet and dry season while in the sub-arctic zone the average monthly maximum temperature exceeds 10 °C (50 °F) for no more than four months of the year and the average monthly minimum does not drop below −3 °C (27 °F). Mount Longdon's elevation, maritime location and topography frequently lead to cool conditions.[ citation needed ]

Climate data for Stanley, Falkland Islands, 2m asl, 1929–1970
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)24.4
(75.9)		23.3
(73.9)		21.1
(70.0)		17.2
(63.0)		14.1
(57.4)		10.6
(51.1)		10.0
(50.0)		11.1
(52.0)		15.0
(59.0)		17.8
(64.0)		21.7
(71.1)		21.7
(71.1)		24.4
(75.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)13.3
(55.9)		12.8
(55.0)		11.7
(53.1)		9.4
(48.9)		6.7
(44.1)		5.0
(41.0)		4.4
(39.9)		5.0
(41.0)		7.2
(45.0)		8.9
(48.0)		11.1
(52.0)		12.2
(54.0)		9.0
(48.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)9.5
(49.1)		8.9
(48.0)		8.1
(46.6)		6.1
(43.0)		3.9
(39.0)		2.2
(36.0)		1.9
(35.4)		2.2
(36.0)		3.9
(39.0)		5.3
(41.5)		7.0
(44.6)		8.1
(46.6)		5.6
(42.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)5.6
(42.1)		5.0
(41.0)		4.4
(39.9)		2.8
(37.0)		1.1
(34.0)		0.0
(32.0)		−0.6
(30.9)		−0.6
(30.9)		0.6
(33.1)		1.7
(35.1)		2.8
(37.0)		3.9
(39.0)		2.2
(36.0)
Record low °C (°F)−1.1
(30.0)		−1.1
(30.0)		−2.8
(27.0)		−6.1
(21.0)		−6.7
(19.9)		−11.1
(12.0)		−8.9
(16.0)		−11.1
(12.0)		−10.6
(12.9)		−5.6
(21.9)		−3.3
(26.1)		−1.7
(28.9)		−11.1
(12.0)
Average precipitation mm (inches)71
(2.8)		58
(2.3)		64
(2.5)		66
(2.6)		66
(2.6)		53
(2.1)		51
(2.0)		51
(2.0)		38
(1.5)		41
(1.6)		51
(2.0)		71
(2.8)		681
(26.8)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm)151210111311129971014133
Average relative humidity (%)78798286888989878480757783
Mean monthly sunshine hours 198161169115775769901281892001981,651
Source 1: Globalbioclimatics/Salvador Rivas-Martínez [12]
Source 2: DMI/Danish Meteorology Institute (sun, humidity, and precipitation days 1931–1960) [13]
Climate data for Mount Pleasant EGYP, East Falkland, 74m asl, 1999–2019
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)26.0
(78.8)		26.8
(80.2)		25.5
(77.9)		26.1
(79.0)		17.8
(64.0)		15.7
(60.3)		12.3
(54.1)		15.11
(59.20)		22.2
(72.0)		17.8
(64.0)		21.7
(71.1)		25.3
(77.5)		26.8
(80.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)16.8
(62.2)		15.9
(60.6)		14.6
(58.3)		10.9
(51.6)		8.1
(46.6)		5.9
(42.6)		5.4
(41.7)		6.6
(43.9)		8.8
(47.8)		11.7
(53.1)		13.5
(56.3)		15.4
(59.7)		11.1
(52.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)6.2
(43.2)		6.1
(43.0)		5.1
(41.2)		3.3
(37.9)		1.6
(34.9)		0.4
(32.7)		−0.3
(31.5)		0.3
(32.5)		1.0
(33.8)		2.2
(36.0)		3.4
(38.1)		5.0
(41.0)		2.9
(37.2)
Record low °C (°F)−0.1
(31.8)		−0.8
(30.6)		−0.6
(30.9)		−2.8
(27.0)		−6.1
(21.0)		−10.1
(13.8)		−10.3
(13.5)		−6.5
(20.3)		−9.8
(14.4)		−3.1
(26.4)		−5.5
(22.1)		−1.5
(29.3)		−10.1
(13.8)
Source: NCDC [14]

History

The Battle of Mount Longdon was fought between the British 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment and elements of the Argentine 7th Infantry Regiment on 11–12 June 1982, towards the end of the Falklands War. [15] [16] It was one of three engagements in a Brigade-size operation that night, along with the Battle of Mount Harriet and the Battle of Two Sisters. A mixture of hand-to-hand fighting and ranged combat resulted in the British occupying this key position around the Argentine garrison at Port Stanley. [17] The battle ended in a British victory.[ citation needed ]

Summit

At the summit of the hill now lies a memorial which today attracts some tourism to the area. [18]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ This is the distance to the mountain Tumbledown south of Mount Longdon.


Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falklands War</span> Undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982

The Falklands War was a ten-week undeclared war between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982 over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic: the Falkland Islands and its territorial dependency, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The conflict began on 2 April 1982, when Argentina invaded and occupied the Falkland Islands, followed by the invasion of South Georgia the next day. On 5 April, the British government dispatched a naval task force to engage the Argentine Navy and Air Force before making an amphibious assault on the islands. The conflict lasted 74 days and ended with an Argentine surrender on 14 June, returning the islands to British control. In total, 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British military personnel, and three Falkland Islanders were killed during the hostilities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Mount Harriet</span> Engagement of the Falklands War in June 1982

The Battle of Mount Harriet was an engagement of the Falklands War, which took place on the night of 11/12 June 1982 between British and Argentine forces. It was one of three battles in a Brigade-size operation all on the same night, the other two being the Battle of Mount Longdon and the Battle of Two Sisters.

The Battle of Two Sisters was an engagement of the Falklands War during the British advance towards the capital, Port Stanley. It took place from 11 to 12 June 1982 and was one of three battles in a Brigade-size operation all on the same night, the other two being the Battle of Mount Longdon and the Battle of Mount Harriet. It was fought mainly between an assaulting British force consisting of Royal Marines of 45 Commando and an Argentine Company drawn from 4th Infantry Regiment.

The Battle of Wireless Ridge was an engagement of the Falklands War which took place on the night from 13 to 14 June 1982, between British and Argentine forces during the advance towards the Argentine-occupied capital of the Falkland Islands, Port Stanley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Mount Longdon</span> 1982 Falklands War conflict

The Battle of Mount Longdon was fought between the British 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment and elements of the Argentine 7th Infantry Regiment on 11–12 June 1982, towards the end of the Falklands War. It was one of three engagements in a Brigade-size operation that night, along with the Battle of Mount Harriet and the Battle of Two Sisters. A mixture of hand-to-hand fighting and ranged combat resulted in the British occupying this key position around the Argentine garrison at Port Stanley. The battle ended in a British victory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Mount Tumbledown</span> 1982 Falklands War

The Battle of Mount Tumbledown was an engagement during the Falklands War. The engagement was an attack by the British Army and the Royal Marines on the heights overlooking Stanley, the Falkland Islands capital. Mount Tumbledown, Mount William and Sapper Hill lie west of the capital. Due to their proximity to the capital, they were of strategic importance during the 1982 War. They were held by the Argentine 5th Naval Infantry Battalion, a reinforced, cold weather trained and equipped Marine battalion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">5th Marine Battalion (Argentina)</span> Argentine military unit

The 5th Marine Battalion is a battalion of the Argentine Marines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">East Falkland</span> Island in Falkland Islands, Atlantic Ocean

East Falkland is the largest island of the Falklands in the South Atlantic, having an area of 6,605 km2 or 54% of the total area of the Falklands. The island consists of two main land masses, of which the more southerly is known as Lafonia; it is joined by a narrow isthmus where the settlement of Goose Green is located, and it was the scene of the Battle of Goose Green during the Falklands War.

This is a list of British ground forces in the Falklands War. For a list of ground forces from Argentina, see Argentine ground forces in the Falklands War

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ian McKay</span> British soldier (1953–1982)

Ian John McKay, VC was a British Army soldier and a posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

This is a list of the ground forces from Argentina that took part in the Falklands War. For a list of ground forces from the United Kingdom, see British ground forces in the Falklands War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Falkland Islands Defence Force</span> Home defence unit of the Falkland Islands

The Falkland Islands Defence Force (FIDF) is the locally maintained volunteer defence unit in the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory. The FIDF works alongside the military units supplied by the United Kingdom to ensure the security of the islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">7th Infantry Regiment (Argentina)</span> Argentine military unit

The 7th Infantry Regiment is a unit of the Argentine Army based at Arana, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina. The unit's full official name is 7th "Coronel Conde" Mechanized Infantry Regiment, and it is part of the 1st Armored Brigade, 3rd Army Division.

Terence John Peck was a member of the Falkland Islands Defence Force who during the 1982 Falklands War became a war hero by spying on the Argentine invaders, subsequently escaping to British lines, acting as a scout for 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, and taking part in the fighting for Mount Longdon. A fiercely patriotic Islander, he vehemently opposed Argentina's claim to the Islands. He later met and befriended an Argentine conscript who served during the war.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment</span> Military unit

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Occupation of the Falkland Islands</span> Argentine administration during the Falklands War, formally dissolved 1985

The occupation of the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands was the short-lived Argentine occupation of a group of British islands in the South Atlantic whose sovereignty has long been disputed by Argentina. Until their invasion on 2 April 1982 by the Argentine military junta, they had been governed by the United Kingdom since it re-established control over them in 1833.

The Battle of Mount Kent was a series of engagements during the Falklands War, primarily between British and Argentine special forces.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Pettinger</span>

Captain John Stuart Pettinger DCM is a former officer of the Parachute Regiment in the British Army and a veteran of the Falklands War during which he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for bravery. This was a field award for other ranks of the British Army and was the oldest British award for gallantry, at that time ranking second only to the Victoria Cross. His DCM was one of only eight awarded during the conflict, five of which were awarded to the Parachute Regiment. Pettinger was invested with his Distinguished Conduct Medal by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 1982.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Faulkner (British Army soldier)</span> Former soldier of the Parachute Regiment in the British Army

Brian Faulkner DCM is a former soldier of the Parachute Regiment in the British Army and a veteran of the Falklands War during which he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for bravery. This was a field award for other ranks of the British Army and was the oldest British award for gallantry, at that time ranking second only to the Victoria Cross. His DCM was one of only eight awarded during the conflict, five of which were awarded to the Parachute Regiment. Faulkner is a member of The Gallantry Medallists' League of the United Kingdom. He received his medal from Queen Elizabeth II during an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 1982.

References

Notes
  1. ↑ "ACME mapper". ACME mapper. 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  2. ↑ Servicio de Hidrografía Naval, ed. (1969). Carta H-411, Isla Soledad (esc. 1:200.000 - 76 cm x 110 cm) (Mapa con toponimia en castellano). Buenos Aires: Depositado por la Argentina en la Organización de las Naciones Unidas.
  3. ↑ "Peak Visor". Peak Visor. 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  4. ↑ https://wikimapia.org/8487348/Mount-Longdon
  5. ↑ Alan Edwin Day (1996). The Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. Clio Press. p. 232.
  6. ↑ Toponymic information is based on the Geographic Names Database, containing official standard names approved by the United States Board on Geographic Names and maintained by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. More information is available at the Resources link at www.nga.mil. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency name, initials, and seal are protected by 10 United States Code § Section 425.
  7. ↑ "Isolation for Mount Longdon - ACME mapper".
  8. ↑ "Mount Longdon". Paradata. 2024. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
  9. ↑ Middlebrook, Martin. The Falklands War. London: Penguin Books, 1989
  10. ↑ Stone, P., and Aldiss, D.T. The Geology of the Falkland Islands. British Geological Survey, Keyworth, Nottingham, 2002.
  11. ↑ "Climate Zones: South America" (PDF). New York: Socioeconomic Data and Applications (SEDAC), Earth Institute, Columbia University. 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2012.
  12. ↑ "Temp/Rain 1929–70" (PDF). Globalbioclimatics. April 2012. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  13. ↑ Cappelen, John; Jensen, Jens. "FALKLANDSØERNE–Stanley" (PDF). Climate Data for Selected Stations (1931-1960) (in Danish). Danish Meteorological Institute. p. 87. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 April 2013. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  14. ↑ "Temp/max/min/records". NOAA. December 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  15. ↑ Christian Jennings and Adrian Weale, Green-Eyed Boys: 3 Para and the Battle for Mount Longdon, p. 142, HarperCollins, 1996
  16. ↑ Jon Cooksey, 3 PARA Mount Longdon: The Bloodiest Battle, p. 98, Pen & Sword Books Ltd
  17. ↑ Batallón 5: El Batallón de Infantería de Marina No. 5 en la Guerra de las Malvinas, Emilio Villarino, Aller Atucha, 1992
  18. ↑ "Mount Longdon Memorial". Falklands Islands Tourist Board. 2024. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
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