Mike Jackson as a general
(top) when he was the Chief of General Staff (CGS), and below as a captain of
the Parachute Regiment while he was on duty in Northern Ireland in the early
1970s.
Known to many under his
command as "Darth Vadar" and "The Prince of Darkness",
General Sir Mike Jackson the British Army officer who rose to the position of
the Chief of the General Staff (CGS) has died aged 80.
Jackson's eventful career took him to theatres such as Northern Ireland, Kosovo
and Iraq.
Reviled by republican militants during "The
Troubles" in Northern Ireland, Jackson is famous for disobeying an order
from U.S. General Wesley Clark, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR),
during the Kosovo War in 1999.
Fearing that Clark's order would result in clashes with Russian peacekeeping
troops, the then Lieutenant General Jackson reputedly told Clark:
"Sir, I'm not going to start the Third World War for you".
Clark was later removed from his position by President Bill Clinton.
General Mike Jackson speaking
about the role of the MRF, the covert British Army counter-insurgency force, in
the BBC Panorama programme titled “Britain’s Secret Terror Force” which was
broadcast in November 2013:
Posing with Steve Mulindwa,
the Ugandan presenter of Omega TV UK's "Africa Speaks", at the
Satellite Television Launch held at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre, Tottenham
Green, London on Saturday, September 21st, 2024.
War
poster of Italian Fascist leader Mussolini (circa 1930). Printer: Cesare
Capello.
October 2nd, 1935, Rome, Italy.
"Blackshirts of
revolution, men and women of all Italy, Italians all over the world, beyond the
mountains, beyond the seas, listen. A solemn hour is about to strike in the
history of the country. Twenty million Italians are at this moment gathered in
the squares of all Italy. It is the greatest demonstration that human history
records. Twenty millions, one heart alone, one will alone, one decision.
This manifestation signIfies
that the tie between Italy and fascism is perfect, absolute, unalterable. Only
brains softened by puerile illusions, by sheer ignorance, can think
differently, because they do not know what exactly is the Fascist Italy of 1935.
For many months the wheel of
destiny and of the impulse of our calm determination moves toward the goal. In
these last hours the rhythm has increased and nothing can stop it now.
It is not only an army
marching towards its goal, but it is forty-four million Italians marching in
unity behind this army. Because the blackest of injustices is being attempted
against them, that of taking from them their place in the sun. When in 1915 Italy
threw in her fate with that of the Allies, how many cries of admiration, how
many promises were heard? But after the common victory, which cost Italy six
hundred thousand dead, four hundred thousand lost, one million wounded, when
peace was being discussed around the table only the crumbs of a rich colonial
booty were left for us to pick up. For thirteen years we have been patient
while the circle tightened around us at the hands of those who wish to
suffocate us.
We have been patient with
Ethiopia for forty years. It is enough now.
The League of Nations,
instead of recognizing the rights of Italy, dares talk of sanctions, but until
there is proof of the contrary, I refuse to believe that the authentic people
of France will join in supporting sanctions against Italy. Six hundred thousand
dead whose devotion was so heroic that the enemy commander justly admired
them—those fallen would now turn in their graves.
And until there is proof to
the contrary, I refuse to believe that the authentic people of Britain will
want to spill blood and send Europe into a catastrophe for the sake of a
barbarian country, unworthy of ranking among civilized nations. Nevertheless,
we cannot afford to overlook the possible developments of tomorrow.
To economic sanctions, we
shall answer with our discipline, our spirit of sacrifice, our obedience. To
military sanctions, we shall answer with military measures. To acts of war, we
shall answer with acts of war.
A people worthy of their past
and their name cannot and never will take a different stand. Let me repeat, in
the most categorical manner, that the sacred pledge which I make at this
moment, before all the Italians gathered together today, is that I shall do
everything in my power to prevent a colonial conflict from taking on the aspect
and weight of a European war.
This conflict may be
attractive to certain minds which hope to avenge their disintegrated temples
through this new catastrophe. Never, as at this historical hour, have the
people of Italy revealed such force of character, and it is against this people
to which mankind owes its greatest conquest, this people of heroes, of poets
and saints, of navigators, of colonizers, that the world dares threaten
sanctions.
Italy! Italy! Entirely and
universally Fascist! The Italy of the blackshirt revolution, rise to your feet;
let the cry of your determination rise to the skies and reach our soldiers in
East Africa. Let it be a comfort to those who are about to fight. Let it be an
encouragement to our friends and a warning to our enemies. It is the cry of
Italy which goes beyond the mountains and the seas out into the great world. It
is the cry of justice and of victory."
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