Not Mentioned in Despatches [Paperback]

Spencer Fitz-Gibbon (Author)

Book Description

Series: Cities of the Biblical World | Publication Date: April 27, 2006

A feat of arms and gallantry probably unsurpassed in the glorious history of the British Army' was the description by the Chief of Defence Staff of the decisive victory at Goose Green in 1982 during the Falklands War. How true a picture does this statement give? Spencer Fitz-Gibbon's detailed examination explodes some of the myths surrounding the battle and the part played in it by Colonel H. Jones, V.C. The book explains how the system of tactical command known as 'restrictive control' nearly led to defeat rather than victory, and that it was the death of Colonel Jones and the resulting switch to the alternative 'directive command' style that enabled the British to win the day. This fascinating and important book - required reading for anyone with a serious interest in warfare, organisation studies, and management generally, as well as those concerned about history becomes distorted - shows how important lessons have been ignored as a result of inaccurate reporting and unquestioning glorification of the British performance. The Author: Spencer Fitz-Gibbon's book grew out of his Ph.D. thesis 'Tactics, Command and Military Culture: A Study of 2 Para at Darwin-Goose Green'. He has published many articles on military theory and tactics.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"As a service to history, this is commendable" Major Ali Ahmed, USI Journal "His argument that Col. Jones leaned too heavily towards restrictive control is convincing ... a remarkably outspoken book." Soldier "Controversial and readable, explains clearly the two contradictory systems of tactical command under consideration at Goose Green. This is a fascinating book which looks at a very recent piece of our history from a new and disturbing angle." Forces News "Exhaustive research ... A masterly study of this confused action." Eastern Daily Press

About the Author

Spencer Fitz-Gibbon, has a PhD in Military Studies. He spent nine years in the Territorial Army including five years as an officer in 4th (Volunteer) Battalion The Parachute Regiment.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Lutterworth Press (April 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0718830164
• ISBN-13: 978-0718830168
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,426,170 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars great book, August 18, 2009

By 

Joolz (NJ) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Not Mentioned in Despatches (Paperback)

Fitz-Gibbons uses a resource which is a rarity in military historical reporting: courage. Courage to write a different kind of history: critical, unsparing. Too many writers of military affairs are mere hagiograhers, adding more worthless paper in the fawning admiration of famous men and amateurish (if any) research of the events. And so badly written history means wrong lessons learned, which tends to be a self-repeating process.

SFG blows apart the the idea that the British in this battle were competently led. Col H, for all his stature and personality, was in no way suited to the leadership of a combat unit in modern battle. His micromanaging, inability to accept the views and ideas of subordinates, and I daresay a poor tactical sense led to the attack stalling in the face of the enemy. Events occur too quickly on a modern battlefield for an infantry battalion colonel to manage in the proper time required to react to those events. Great leaders of history became great because they made the fullest use of their subordinates' initiative. It is the higher commander's role to provide fire support, logistic support, and reinforcements to the subordinate units as they create and react to battlespace events.

SFG shows in uncomfortable detail that Col H created his own problems, By having to see everything for himself meant that his situational awareness was tragically reduced to the company and platoon-level affairs directly in front of him. Two companies and the support company of the battalion languished in the rear, unable to move not by enemy fire but by H's irritated and often profane orders to wait while he was busy at the front line. 12 machine guns and other heavy weapons would have tipped the balance much more quickly and decisively.

Why do subordinates not proceed anyway? An army unit is like any other social organization, where people terrified for their job security will usually accept instructions which they know are worthless. In business, revenue is lost. In battle, men die and objectives fail.

Buy this book - it's lessons can be applied to any other battle in history, to business, to life in general. I cannot think of any situations that end in a better outcome when a leader ignores when the informed initiative of intelligent subordinates. And it should be a gift to anyone planning to be a historian. Nothing should be taken at face value, no heroes should be worshipped, no one is above criticism, a boisterous personality does not equal competence, and pride goes before the fall.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An exhaustive, critical, and carefully presented survey, February 10, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Not Mentioned in Despatches (Paperback)

Meticulously researched and deftly written by military expert and historian Spencer Fitz-Gibbon, Not Mentioned In Despatches...: The History And Mythology Of The Battle Of Goose Green is an informed and informative analysis of the decisive British victory at Goose Green over the Argentinean forces in the 1982 "Falklands War". Examining incorrect beliefs that have been distorted to the proportion of myth, as well as presenting the specific dynamics of the battle itself in minute detail as it actually unfolded, Not Mentioned In Despatches... is an exhaustive, critical, and carefully presented survey and analysis taking the reader beneath the surface of what has been said in previous military histories and commentaries, in order to better understand what really happened.