What happened when Argentine troops landed at Stanley on April 2, 1982?

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Map showing the Falkland Islands War of 1982, with the left inset displaying southern South America, highlighting Argentina, the Falkland Islands, Argentine air force and naval bases, and the British 200-mile war zone. The main map details West and East Falkland, marking Argentine troop concentrations, areas of conflict, and the path of the British advance toward Stanley, along with key settlements and landing sites. — Falkland Islands War The Falkland Islands War zone (left) and route of British landing forces (right).

On April 2, 1982, Argentine troops invaded the Falkland Islands and rapidly overcame the small garrison of British marines stationed at the capital, Stanley.1

During the operation, the Argentine forces followed specific orders to avoid inflicting any British casualties, despite sustaining losses within their own units during the engagement. This invasion marked the beginning of the Falkland Islands War, a conflict initiated by the Argentine military junta in an attempt to assert sovereignty over the territory.12