Meeting the Enemy: The Falklands War 30 Years
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- čas přidán 17. 01. 2012
- A British Falklands veteran embarks on an extraordinary journey to meet the Argentine pilot he thought he'd killed in the 1982 conflict.
Neil Wilkinson from Leeds was 22-years-old when, as an anti-aircraft gunner onboard HMS Intrepid, he shot down an enemy skyhawk fighter jet.
For decades he believed the pilot was dead.
But First Lieutenent Mariano Velasco had ejected from his burning aircraft and survived.
Now, three decades on, the two former enemies have come face to face for the first time.
Nicola Rees reports from the Falklands and Argentina for BBC Look North and BBC Inside Out in Yorkshire. Follow her on Twitter: @Nicola_Rees
"Next to a battle lost, the saddest sight is a battle won." The Duke of Wellington, 1815.
Nice phrase bro
I love the fact that these two men had the maturity and the honour of coming face to face and acting like they were never enemies! respect to both men!!
great to see the Argentine pilot a real gentleman . the type that flew in the battle of britain
Argentine pilots are Gentleman. They fought with no hate. They fought and died honoring the their promise they made when became fight pilote. They fought For the Fatherland.
czcams.com/video/K3JRSvQCjAc/video.html
Yes very brave men ,all of them ,let's try to stop this happening again eh ,
It shows the futility of war, and that it's leaders, not the soldiers on the ground, who decide who our "enemy" is and who to kill...my grandfather killed German soldiers in the second world war, lived with shrapnel and lost limbs, but told my granny he never hated Germans, "just soldiers doing our job", same for my great grandfather, who was permanently injured by mustard gas in the first war.
In the RAF there was a section of Argentines during WW2 and during the battle of britain
Hi Carlos I am British and I travelled to Argentina. I can tell you I was made very welcome and all the Argentine people were very friendly to me. Argentina is a wonderful country with wonderful people. Peace brother
My condolences to the British people who lost their loved ones on the war. I myself lost an uncle on the sinking of Ara General Belgrano.
Respect.
Politicians make war. Those serving in the military make the sacrifices. Maybe we should make the politicians do the fighting and sacrificing . Rest in peace ALL those who lost their lives .And may we look after the maimed and wounded survivors. I have read of the very high suicide rates among Argentine veterans and am shocked. I expect the same is true of British veterans. They deserve better. Stay safe BlueDragonscale in these strange times.
My condolences to both sides.
we forgive and respect, God bless you
@BlueDragonScale equally, condolences to those from Argentina who died in the conflict, like your uncle you mentioned. Politicians may sow the seeds of divide and rule for their own agenda, but I have little to no interest in their interest politically. The ones forgotten about when those at the top are taking the credit when it goes well, or blame when it goes wrong, are those who were actually involved in the fighting on their orders, like those who were either on the General Belgrano or the submarine that fired those fatal torpedoes. I hope that your family finds its own peace in the desperate sadness in the way your Uncle was lost.
On a personal level, Argentina is a country on my bucket list to visit at some point in my life, I may not be fluent in Spanish, but I always make an effort to at least try to speak the language locals speak, wherever I am that doesn't have English as a first language 🙏
Im an argentinian men that travel the wold meeting people from all over the world and I really think we have so much in common beetween the country .we should be good friends now and learn from that.
Tomas Muller the spread of sports like Football and Rugby in Argentina. Very close ties
Argentine people are so friendly and you have a beautiful nation
I wish more thought as you did. This world... would be a better place for it.
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👍 well said Sir.
@@jagdpanther1944 So do you, i've always wanted to visit british countryside, all these green fields and old towns are so beautiful to me
They are not enemies. War is not present. They are Brothers of LIFE:
I watch this video, very emotive of course and you realize that wars leads nowhere even for those who win them.I'm from Argentina and i was 15 yrs old in 1982 and i felt very sad for the human losses, both British and Argentiniens. People here in Argentina don't hate the English despite the scars left in the conflict, we hate the enemy within, those who are supussed to rule our country but they are only a bunch of corrupted or bent politicians. I hope you can understand my english
I'm from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Congratulations for this work! i like it so much!
Well said mate 💅
We should no forget that the people who fought in that war was that, people. Independent of his nationality. And that people had to fight an stupid war and see the horror to his face. Long live to the argentinian and british soldiers who fought and died honorably. War should not exist.
Qué bueno es saber que alguien tiene la cabeza bien puesta y entiende el mensaje del video, ¿es tan difícil entender que dos ex enemigos se alegraron de encontrarse después de 30 años de una absurda, cruel y horrible guerra? como todas las guerras. Gracias Mr Rockleyend por tu opinión. Las guerras subsisten porque las personas de todas las nacionalidades viven para odiarse.
im argentinian and I think the same love, they deserve respect regardless of nationality, everyone (argentinian or british soldiers) just did what they were told to do:)
Agreed!
We are all bothers in arms, even if we fought from different sides. The politicians are a bunch of assholes who would never ever understand duty and sacrifice. I can.bouch for that because at war, specially during malvina' s war prisioners of war were treated better than our own goverment.
¡¡¡ Amén !!!, saludos mi amigo
Well that made me cry.... My father and uncle were at the Falklands.
4:11 isn't it just amazing how two persons who once tried to kill each other, now share a hug like if they were been friends the whole life? this is the kind of things that make people realize that there's still hope for mankind.
A short but very brutal war. Mt. Longdon and Tumbledown especially. It must have been horrific, and truly terrifying for those involved.
Both the British and the Argentines fought very bravely - and with honour. Lots of respect from England!
I’m a 49 year old Mexican who has no side on this matter, but after seeing now two separate reunions of veterans of both sides as former enemies, I’m very emotional. This and all wars are senseless, killing each other for land, oil or anything like that is absolutely absurd.
Ordinary people do not start off by being enemies with one another. It's politicians that make them that way.
politicians and army general who becomes dictators, general knows nothing about building economy for the people, they just want to be honoured as top killing machines
The politicians represent the people.
@@oswaldoriginal5037 The dictatorships in Latin America were sponsored and imposed by the western bloc. The murderous dictators were addicted to the central countries.
@@kuchilos543 Yes but only once, Like Marcos of Philipines, the people voted him initially but then they had no fix system to remove him once he got corrupted
@@kuchilos543 Here you should explain what you mean by addicted, and who are the central countries.
This is really touching
The Argentine veteran is correct. They were just men doing their duty. It is the politicians that need to be held to account.
How true
Yup. No one wanted this war.
Two men who were enemys. They met as Brothers. Good luck to Both of them.
brillant both...true men
What a great,and inspiring story,that two former enemies can finally meet again after 30 years,in a very peaceful,and friendly reunion,without having to hate each other, and instead learn to have a mutual understanding,and respect for one another.Because in reality,that is what humanity is really all about,and much more.Truly amazing,and well done. God Bless them both.
The ultimate recognition one Soldier can give to another is to salute both these brave Men who for what they believed in.
SALUTE
From an injured British War Veteran
It's amazing how this two gentleman can somehow meet, talk and be friends after a battle in which they both took part and where ordered to kill each other (no personally of course).
And every time I watch a video on CZcams and/or a forum Argentines and British are at each other throats, This is a topic to talk, discuss and debate about but we must have nothing but respect for every single man that fought there. (I'm from Argentina, don't know if that's relevant or not but that's the case).
I remember when I used to be work in many hostels there I met lot of english people. The were so kind and gentleman. We argentinian dont hate them. Fanatics are wherever
BEAUTIFUL....WAR IS A TERRIBLE THING....
I know. Its too baf some terroristsd countries will never stop war and something could happen at any second.
No development or peace without war
Espero q este tipos de historias que abundan, nos reconcilien y se llegue a los N arreglo diplomático por Malvinas.
En general los británicos combatieron como caballeros y los argentinos como buenos gauchos. Ahora ellos no son enemigos.
Dios bendiga a TODOS los veteranos.
Saludos de ARGENTINA
Regarding this war i'm neutral, i am Romanian. But, as an history fanatic(not only because i am a history teacher), i hate when veterans are insulted and treated with disrespect. I agree, they are many unhealed wounds in the world, curse the politicians which are the same anywhere, not the soldiers! Obviously i am not referring to those who committed war crimes, genocides, etc. I have great respect for ALL the veterans, ANYWHERE...
...ANYTIME!
makes me cry because as an Iraq veteran I don't believe we will ever have the opportunity to do something like this
i do hope some day that your wish come true
You might. Look at all the reconciliation tours in Vietnam going on....
Thanks for uploading. These two men are inspirational!
that made me cry.
What kind of empty, sad souls are the 46 who gave a thumbs down to this heartwarming video? I feel sorry for them.
Just watched the whole report on BBC America- what a beautiful story, and what 2 amazing people these men are -- they should serve as role models for all.
Truly one of the best videos that exist
Veteranos. Pienso que sólo los que han estado en combate saben de qué se trata realmente la cosa.
Inspirational....brave men in reconciliation a fantastic thing to see.
These are two professionals of war they have done their job war for peace
Loved this.It made me cry like a bitch.
WHEN ENEMIES BECOME BROTHERS...
Hi there ! glad to hear you spent a nice time here. I want peace for everybody and life is too short to waste time insulting or killing the others. I have nice memories of good ol England !!! London, Herts, Bath, Falmouth, Truro. You have a nice country !!! my best and warmest regards to you and to your people
Made me cry.
Quite natural !
Ambos hicieron su tarea profecionalmente, un reencuentro de hermanos que estuvieron cara a cara, en un tiempo de reflexión...
What a lovely story.
No matter how hard brits and argies argue over the islands no one can deny Argentine fighter pilots were some of the bravest soilders in the war the type of soilder that fought in the battle of britian
Bloody hell!
This was wonderful to see two former war enemies meeting after 30 years - and embrace each other. That certainly got my tears flowing. Well done to both men 👏🏻
very touching video, respect
great film, thanks for posting.......
Un reencuentro de verdaderos profecionales, ayer enemigos, hoy amigos, muy emosionante reencuentro ❤️❤️❤️❤️
That's tragically beautiful.
Wars are fought by the rich elite. The underclass are the ones that take the toll. This is a beautiful video
Es muy difícil no soltar una lágrima al ver a estos dos hombres, grandes hombres, encontrandose despues de haber estado en distintos bandos de una guerra..
it`s so beautiful. sometimes I want just to put everything behind and been friends. but there are always someone who keep insulting and stuff like that.
Anybody else shed a tear ? . Why can't we just get on .
It's amazing how fate can gather two people from miles away one from the other, in a war, at the same moment at the same place and in a limit situation...
And then gather them again under so different circumstances.
Gracias por postear esto!
Beautiful words!
Bella storia, solo chi attraversa esperienze simili può capire l'importanza della riconciliazione tra ex nemici.
If there is no wars on earth, these brave men from both sides should be friends..
Love to Look North, Nicola Rees, Neil Wilkinson, Mariano Velasco and anyone else who helped to facilitate this.
great men,great vid
Awesome. heroes fight in war, and heroes win the peace..
I am glad that both Argentine and English soldiers always talk about their intention being to destroy the ship or aircraft, never to kill the soldiers on them.
Great vid.
Hell, this is touching, I am in tears
Great video, think as a whole we've all come a long way, I was in the British Army for 7 years, and I worked together with the Argentine army on 2 separate occasions, the first time I did, it was actually on the news as it was the first time the 2 army's had worked together, and some of the older people with us and with the Argentina army had fought in the Falklands. It's very heartwarming to see that people and even countries who were once enemy's can become friends
Yeah, but UK still holding a military embargo against Argentina, which has a 40 years-old democracy
@@SM-zm5xt mate I literally have worked with them argentine army loads to know that is not really the case, in modern times we have been allys, we have taken part in peace keeping operations together with the Argentine army
I find this very moving. Although we fight most of us do not want to kill. We don't like to be haunted of the fact that we have killed someone. This is human compassion.
Powerful stuff.. I’d also like to add a note for the female presenter. Nicola Rees. Very articulate, precise, elegant and presentable. I wish her well with her career.
"Lest We Forget"
God bless all those brave souls from both sides of this conflict and to those who never made it back to their loved ones. Brothers in arms 😔
Remembering the fallen from both sides.
Estos dos hombres deben ser tomados como ejemplo, ellos eran profesionales que cumplían con sus respectivas misiones, ellos servían a sus países, sin cuestionarse si estaba bien o mal, ellos cumplían ordenes pero no dejaron de ser seres humanos, el veterano británico sentía un enorme peso sobre sus espaldas pensando que había matado al piloto argentino, el reencuentro entre estos dos hombres, que años antes habían sido enemigos es algo tremendamente emotivo, aprendan de ellos ..
Beautiful.
Amazing encounter and very profesional
Hermosa historia! Cuando se le pone un rostro, un nombre, una historia a un "enemigo", autoàticamente deja de serlo...
thanks! i try to improve it day to day. My best wishes to you
Beautiful story. Time heals all, even the bitterness of war.
Viva la Argentina. Soy Ingles y tengo muchos amigos en Buenos Aires. Espero Día visitar la ciudad y ver la gran mezquita, soy musulman. Los argentinos son mis hermanos.
🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
@@keithlordofalbascotland3371 In case you did not understand what he wrote he says he is a British who lives in Buenos Aires and does not hate Argentines
@@keithlordofalbascotland3371 you shot yourself in the foot there mate 😂
You're not british, you're an arab
@Woosh Exactly, but being a foreigner born in another country doesn't make you a national. British are anglo-saxons, scots, welsh, irish, not middle easteners.
Bless them
That was nice he gave a hug instead of a handshake...lots of respect there
Makes me cry when I see enemy's reunite they both know that war is hell to
amazing ! 2 heroes
my marine buddy and i followed this conflict as it unfolded. we felt sorry for the guys placed in those situations. glad hen it ended.
Heartwarming story
Good video. Everyone currently rattling their sabres this time around should go watch this:-)
Awesome tale.
Two great men!!
im argentinian nad i respect all the countries. we are all friends in this world, the war dont solve anything just the war make more bigger the hate of the diferent countries
the best choise is make friends like Neil Wilkinson and mariano belazco :)
Why shake hands when you can give a big hug? Both of them a pair of great men.
Gorgeous. Love to both men. xx
Good Stuff!
Long Live Argentina!
Long Live Britannia!
Reminds me in WW2 a bomber was hit and was struggling to get back to England when a German Fighter Pilot pulled up beside the bomber and either lead them close or pointed them back to England. One of the Bombers survivors always wonder why the German helped them. Years later he found the man and learned why. The German was tired of all the fighting like many were. Also when he was being trained he was taught battlefield honor of the skies. Which was to never shoot down a wounded plane and if his commander ever found out you did that he would shot you himself.
The 2 men stayed friends until the day one of them passed away. True honor among war
Still wiping away the tears !
RIP Britain & Argentina
simply beautiful!!!! the best weapon is PEACE!!!!!!
Muy bello !! la mejor arma de todas es la PAZ!!!!
Estoy conmovido por esto / I'm moved by this. Muy buen trabajo / Very good job.
Wonderful story showing the best in us...
usted esta muy equivocado, la toma de las islas se hizo SIN derramar sangre de los isleños, esas eran las ordenes de las tropas argentinas, es mas, la unica muerte fue del capitan argentino Pedro Giachino. Y los unicos kelpers que murieron, fue por fuego de los propios ingleses. Deber informarse mejor. Saludos
Las caras de perdon y arrepentimiento, una fraternidad extraña la que se ve aca
Y que te parece a vos? ha de ser una situación rara ya que Velasco trató de hundir el barco en el que iba Wilkinson y éste lo derribó antes y no lo mató de milagro. Velasco unos días antes había sido uno de los pilotos que hundieron al HMS Coventry. El marino británico pensó que el piloto había muerto y vivía atormentado por esa idea, no ha de ser nada fácil vivir con eso en la cabeza salvo que seas un asesino y te de placer quitarle la vida a otro ser humano.
Respect to both men. This is the reality of war, no bravado, not a game and not a hollywood movie.
I joined the Royal Navy 2 years after the Falklands War. I met a lot of veterans.
Que casita Velasco!!!
creo que se la merece de sobra ¡¡¡¡
Se la ganó por derecha...
@@martinpaoletti6262 ya lo creo que si
Ambos paises fueron valientes! estoy orgulloso de los soldados de todas las armas que combatieron por nuestras islas Malvinas, lo dejaron todo y muchos hasta la vida misma!Todos los días trabajo duro, es mi granito de arena para tener una argentina linda! Los llevo en mi corazón muchachos! mil gracias por defender lo nuestro!Y me alegro por este video en donde se muestra respeto y también que no estamos llenos de rencores... que podemos dialogar!Señores, ustedes saben que son Argentinas!!!
I'm happy they worked it out.
Don't doubt it anymore then. I'm here after I watched the summary in the telly. I'm from Buenos aires. =)