As May 1982 gets under way it becomes clear HMS Hermes is the number target for Argentinian aircraft. Two are shot down on May 10 and a third crashes trying to get away.

The details are recorded in this latest instalment of CPO Michael Debenham's unauthorised diary of the Falklands War written 40 years ago as he served aboard the flagship.

Two days later inter-ship rivalry shows when he mentions the first bombing raid by HMS Invincible's aircraft, which he thinks is a waste of time.

On May 13 the SAS sneak onto Pebble Island and destroy 11 aircraft and an ammunitions dump. CPO Debenham's matter-of-fact notes give only a hint of the drama and danger of the situation. "All returned safe, only two minor injuries, nothing to worry about. The island is to the north, well within mainland range. Rough seas and 70kt winds, water was coming into the hangar,"he writes.

May 14: "More bombing raids by 800. 826 continue to operate around the clock as always. I feel tired. The SAS returned at 10.00 this morning after last night's fun and games."

May 17: "Lost another Sea King today. All the crew escaped, no injuries at all. Aircraft sank and the weapons exploded under water."

May 18: "Today we received RAF Harrier a/c from the container ship, plus some more Sea Harriers belonging to 809 Sqn. They are all painted grey. Most unusual looking aircraft."

More British lives are lost on May 19 when another Sea King is lost because of a bird strike. The next day he writes: "It looks like 21 were killed in the a/c ditching. Shame about it all."

May 21 is a huge day for the task force. "The landing of troops on the Falklands has taken place at 06.00 this morning. A bridgehead has been established."

But it has not come without significant cost. "The fleet took some punishment. Ardent is badly hit as is Antrim. Argonaut, Broadsword and Brilliant have also sustained damage. Three dead, 28 wounded, three a/c lost.

"We have destroyed seven Mirages, eight Skyhawks, three helos and two Pucaras. Not a bad day's work. Still expensive. Many Argies now prisoners. Our aircraft have done extremely well."