16. British commanders complained the BBC aided the Argentines in combat
Several of the ships which were severely damaged, and at least one which was sunk, were struck with Argentine bombs which did not explode. The bombs were released with detonation deliberately retarded, set so that the aircraft which released them at low level were not damaged by the explosion. Bombs caused damage by force of impact even when they did not explode. The information was not released by the British military at the time. They feared the public learning of the failure of British military systems and equipment, would lead to the loss of public support for the war. At least two of the ships lost to Argentine attack were damaged by bombs which did heavy damage to onboard systems despite failing to explode.
The BBC learned of the situation and reported on it in detail, including a description of the workings of retarded fuses on bombs. The Royal Navy and others within the conservative government accused the broadcast agency of aiding the enemy. Similar accusations were heard when the agency described the preparations for the ground campaign, including the apparent change in strategy to attack the Argentine forces at Goose Green and Darwin. Lt. Colonel Herbert Jones, who planned the attack of the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment at Goose Green heard BBC broadcasts describing the pending attack – and the units which were to take part in it – while still in the planning stages.