ABSTRACT
In April 1982, as the British government assembled its Task Force in readiness for the assault on the Falklands, it soon became clear that the real casualty of the war was the credibility of any opposition to it. National consciousness, as well as the fleet, was mobilized in support of Tory High Command. Within days, unthinkable acts and unspeakable attitudes were commonplace; the early sense of amazement, high-risk politics and the imminent fall of the Prime Minister quickly dissolved into pub talk about military tactics, the gallantry of 2 Para, biffing the Argies and the impact of Exocets on aluminium superstructures.
