7. Both adversaries declared the area around the Falklands a war zone
Argentina and Great Britain declared the area around the disputed islands a war zone, but neither declared that a state of war existed between their respective countries. As the British task force moved down the Atlantic it was observed by Argentine Air Force long-range Boeing 707 reconnaissance planes. The aircraft were greeted by Sea Harriers from the task force but not attacked, since they were outside the war zone and a diplomatic solution was still being sought. British plans were to recapture the island of South Georgia first, using Special Forces and commandos landing ahead of a force of Royal Marines. The first were landed on April 21, but inclement weather and the loss of two helicopters forced them to be withdrawn.
Special Forces were landed again on April 25. During the operation, an Argentine submarine was sighted by helicopters of the Royal Navy and attacked while on the surface. The attacks, launched by several British helicopters from ships of the task force, damaged the submarine to the point it was abandoned by its crew near King Edward Point on South Georgia. Other Navy ships bombarded the Argentine garrison on the island as the Special Forces gathered to assault their defenses. After the bombardment, the Argentine force, which included the crew of the abandoned submarine, surrendered without further resistance.