Editing Operation Keyhole (section)

==Operation==
After the Argentine surrender on the Falkland Islands on 14 June 1982, a task force composed of frigate {{HMS|Yarmouth|F101|6}}, patrol ship {{HMS|Endurance|1967|6}}, tanker [[RFA Olmeda|RFA ''Olmeda'']] and tug ''Salvageman'' sailed to the South Sandwich Islands with instructions to end the Argentine presence there.<ref name="Roberts, 2009"/>

[[Reconnaissance]] parties from ''Endurance'' and [[42 Commando]] [[Royal Marines]] were landed on [[Thule Island]] covertly to observe Argentine activities. They encountered harsh conditions on the island with an air temperature of minus 20 degrees Celsius and a gale gusting to {{cvt|60|mph}}, the chill factor caused an effective drop to minus 52 degrees. ''Yarmouth'' demonstrated her intention by firing her gun and several helicopters flew around the base. Under the threat of the Royal Marines party and the ships cruising in front of the base, the Argentinians raised a white flag. Royal Marines who were forced to lower the Union Flag on [[South Georgia]] on 3 April, now hoisted the Union Flag on Thule Island. The final surrender of the war was signed in the wardroom of ''Endurance'' with all commanders present.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://issuu.com/navynews/docs/198208|title=The race to regain Thule|newspaper=Navy News p.21|date=August 1982}}</ref>

Ten prisoners (one civilian and nine military personnel) were evacuated to the tanker ''Olmeda'', accompanied by ''Yarmouth'' and they departed for South Georgia. The Argentine base "Corbeta Uruguay" was closed and the buildings sealed to make them weatherproof. The other ships ''Endurance'' and MS ''Salvageman'' followed and were back at Cumberland East Bay, [[South Georgia]], by 24 June 1982. No deaths or injuries were suffered on either side.