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P&O built the Canberra to serve the Orient Line between the United Kingdom and Australia. However, the arrival of the jet airliner, reduction in emmigration to Australia, and wars forcing the closure of the Suez Canal saw the route becoming unprofitable. However a refit in 1974 saw the Canberra reclassed as a cruise liner.
After the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands in 1982 which initiated the Falklands WarThe Falklands War or the Malvinas War ( Spanish: Guerra de las Malvinas , was an armed conflict between Argentina and the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands (Spanish: Islas Malvinas between March and June 1982. Though surprised by an Argentine attac, the Ministry of DefenceThis articles deals with the British ministry, see defence minister for other countries. Whitehall, Westminster, London The Ministry of Defence MoD is the United Kingdom government department charged with managing the military. Ministers as of 22 August, requisitioned the Canberra as use as a troopship. Nicknamed the White Whale, the Canberra proved vital in transporting the Parachute Regiment and Royal MarinesThe Royal Marines are the United Kingdom's amphibious forces and a core component of their Rapid Reaction Force. They are lightly equipped, able to operate independently in all terrains, and highly trained as a commando force. History The first unit of En to the islands more than 9,000 miles (14,000 km) from the UK.
Canberra anchored in San Carlos Waters on May 23May 23 is the 143rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (144th in leap years). There are 222 days remaining. Events 1430 Joan of Arc is captured by the Burgundians while leading an army to relieve Compiegne 1498 Girolamo Savonarola is executed on th as part of the landings by British forces to retake the islands. Although her size and white colour made her an unmissable target for the Argentine Air ForceHistory Organization Aircraft Order of Battle 1st Air Brigade (El Palomar Military Air Base, Buenos Aires Province) # 1st Air Transport Squadron (C-130 Hercules) # 2nd Air Transport Squadron (Fokker F-28) # 5th Air Transport Squadron (Boeing 707) 2nd Air, the Canberra if sunk would not be completly submerged in the shallow waters at San Carlos. However, the liner was not badly hit during the landings as the Argentine pilots tended to attack the Royal NavyThe Royal Navy is the navy of the United Kingdom. It operates a number of aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, fifteen nuclear submarines, and various other ships, as well as aircraft and Britain's amphibious forces, the Royal Marines. The Royal Navy frigates and destroyers instead of the supply and troop ships. After the war, Argentine pilots claimed they were told not to hit the Canberra.
When the war ended, Canberra was used to repatriate the Argentine Army, before returning to PortsmouthThis article is about the English city of Portsmouth. For other places with the same name, please see Portsmouth (disambiguation). Portsmouth is a city of about 186,000 located in the county of Hampshire on the southern coast of England. A significant nav to a raptorous welcome. After a lengthy refit, Canberra returned to civilian service as a cruise ship. She was eventually decommissioned in 1997.