Thursday, May 3, 2012

Argentine War Hero: Do Penance and Go to Mass

Commander Carbello and Aviation Student
The conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom irrupted in 1982 on April 2nd.  It's been 10 years since a British task force arrived to retake those remote islands.   The most significant opponents this task force faced was the Argentinian Air Force whose attacks cost them dearly and may have made their efforts untenable at last.

One Air Commander Pablo Carballo, former A-4B pilot (Argentinian Air Force) who flew the mission which destroyed HMS Coventry [Thanks to reader for correction]  with Commander Carlos Rinke on May 4th in 1982, was one of those threats.

This accomplishment, whatever one's national sympathies are, is a tribute to the professionalism and dedication of Argentine aviators and ground crew.  It is especially a tribute to  those who flew those dangerous missions in the face of death.  Yet what is most impressive about the man who dealt the British task force a terrible blow, Commander Carballo, who is something of a war hero in Argentina, is his dedication to the Catholic Faith.

What does he say to the young men who look up to him?

Man, you want to truly honour me? Go to a church, look for a priest, confess your sins, and attend Mass
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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousMay 3, 2012 at 1:01 PM

    According to Wikipedia, Carballo and Rinke were not involved in the sinking of Sheffield, but rather the action of 25 May, which resulted in the sinking of HMS Coventry. They attacked and damaged HMS Broadsword, allowing the other pair of Argentine Skyhawks in the sortie to sink Coventry.

    Carballo had also been involved in the action of 21 May which sank HMS Ardent. His role in that action is somewhat disputed. Argentine and British sources agree that he made a solo bombing run which constituted the first wave of attack, but disagree as to his success (Argentine sources say he dropped one bomb which struck the ship in the stern and exploded, but the British Admiralty inquiry concluded that he dropped two bombs which straddled the ship and landed harmlessly in the water). Two days later (23 May), he led the flight that sank HMS Antelope, though his plane was hit by a SAM, and he had to break off his own attack prematurely.

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  2. DanMay 4, 2012 at 12:57 PM

    Anon's comments were very helpful and interesting. The only possible proviso I would add is that Wikipedia is not necessarily known for its strict accuracy.

    Examples of that abound.

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