11th MCM Squadron
| 11th Mine Countermeasures Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | April–August 1982 |
| Country |
 United Kingdom
|
| Branch |
 Royal Navy
|
| Role | Mine countermeasures |
| Ships | |
| Engagements | Falklands War |
| Commanders | |
| Commander | Lt-Cdr Martyn Holloway |
The 11th Mine Countermeasures Squadron was a unit of the British Royal Navy during the Falklands War of 1982.
On 2 April 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands. Intelligence from a submarine reported the laying of a defensive minefield off the approaches to Port Stanley (the capital of the islands). Great Britain had supplied Argentina with modern influence mines, both combination magnetic and pressure activated, and had recently actually serviced them for the Argentinian Navy. The Royal Navy's mine warfare capacity was purely coastal with 425-long-ton (432 t) Ton-class minesweepers with a range of around 2,300 nmi (2,600 mi; 4,300 km), totally unsuitable for either the distance or the conditions.
A plan existed from the Cold War years for the sweeping of Soviet minefields in the English Channel and North Sea, in the event of needing to reinforce Europe in time of war with Russia. It revolved around a number of deep sea trawlers (approx 1,450 long tons (1,470 t)) being earmarked and kept in "readiness" for conversion. Five ships were called to Rosyth dockyard where in three days they were stripped of their fishing equipment, their holds were emptied of frozen fish, and Extremely Deep Armed Team Sweep (EDATS) equipment was fitted. They were hastily commissioned, and crews, mainly from the Rosyth-based 1st MCM Squadron were assembled, bolstered by technical specialists from elsewhere. The group was designated the 11th MCM Squadron under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Martyn Holloway, the captain of HMS Cordella.
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