| Francis Richard Dannatt | |
|---|---|
| 23 December 1950 - | |
.jpg) General Sir Richard Dannatt KCB, CBE, MC |
|
| Place of birth | Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1971 – |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Green Howards 4th Armoured Brigade 3rd (UK) Division Allied Rapid Reaction Corps Land Command |
| Battles/wars | Kosovo Iraq War |
| Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Military Cross Mentioned in Despatches |
General Sir Francis Richard Dannatt KCB, CBE, MC (born 23 December 1950) is the Chief of the General Staff, the professional head of the British Army. Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Chelmsford is the county town of Essex, England and the principal settlement of the borough of Chelmsford. Essex is a county in the East of England. The County town is Chelmsford, and the highest point of the county is Chrishall Common The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. Year 1971 ( MCMLXXI) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar of the 1971 Gregorian calendar. General is currently the highest peace-time rank in the British Army and Royal Marines. The Green Howards (Alexandra Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment was an Infantry Regiment of the British Army, part of the King's Division The 4th Mechanized Brigade is a British Army brigade formed during the Second World War, it is currently based in Osnabrück, Germany. The British 3rd Infantry Division, known at various times as the Iron Division, 3rd (Iron Division or as Iron Sides, was originally formed in 1809 The Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, ( HQ ARRC or ARRC) was created in 1992 in Bielefeld based on the former British I Corps Land Command (or 'HQ Land' is a military command and part of the structure of the modern British Army. The Iraq War, also known as the Second Gulf War, the Occupation of Iraq, or the War in Iraq, is an ongoing Military campaign The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath) is a British Order of chivalry founded by George The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British Order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Military Cross ( MC) is the third level Military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993 other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to Mentioned in Despatches (MID is a Military award for gallantry or otherwise commendable service The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (formerly The Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath) is a British Order of chivalry founded by George The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British Order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by King George V. The Military Cross ( MC) is the third level Military decoration awarded to officers and (since 1993 other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to Events 962 - Byzantine-Arab Wars: Under the future Emperor Nicephorus Phocas, Byzantine troops stormed the city Year 1950 ( MCML) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Chief of the General Staff ( CGS) has been the title of the professional head of the British Army since 1964. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces.
Contents |
Early life
The son of an architect, he was born in Chelmsford in Essex on 23 December 1950. An architect is a licensed individual who leads a design team in the Planning and Design of buildings and participates in oversight of Building Construction Chelmsford is the county town of Essex, England and the principal settlement of the borough of Chelmsford. Essex is a county in the East of England. The County town is Chelmsford, and the highest point of the county is Chrishall Common He was educated at Felsted School and St. Lawrence College, Ramsgate. Felsted School is a public school situated in the beautiful village of Felsted, England. St Lawrence College is a public school situated in the town of Ramsgate in Kent, in the south-east of England. He also attended Hatfield College, Durham University, where he was elected president of the Durham Union Society, graduating with a BA in Economic History. For Hatfield Technical College please see University of Hertfordshire Hatfield College is a college of the University of Durham Durham University is a University in Durham, England. It was founded as the University of Durham (which remains its official and legal name History The Union was founded in 1842 The purpose of the Union was and remains a counterbalance to the collegiate system allowing students from the University's different colleges
Army career
Dannatt was commissioned into The Green Howards regiment in 1971. An officer is a member of an armed force who holds a position of authority The Green Howards (Alexandra Princess of Wales's Own Yorkshire Regiment was an Infantry Regiment of the British Army, part of the King's Division A regiment is a Military unit, composed of a variable number of Battalions – commanded by a Colonel. He has served with the 1st Battalion in Northern Ireland (where he won the MC) Cyprus and Germany and commanded the Battalion in the Airmobile role from 1989 to 1991. Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Cyprus (Κύπρος transliterated: Kýpros,; Kıbrıs officially the Republic of Cyprus (Κυπριακή Δημοκρατία Kypriakī́ Dīmokratía Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. An Air Assault is a Tactical or Operational manoeuvre of an Infantry unit Airlifted by Helicopters usually to fulfil an Aerial From 1994 to 1996 he commanded 4th Armoured Brigade in Germany and Bosnia. The Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, ( HQ ARRC or ARRC) was created in 1992 in Bielefeld based on the former British I Corps Bosnia and Herzegovina ( Latin script: Bosna i Hercegovina, Cyrillic script: Босна и Херцеговина is a country on the Balkan He took command of the 3rd (United Kingdom) Division in January 1999, and also served in Kosovo that year as Commander British Forces. The British 3rd Infantry Division, known at various times as the Iron Division, 3rd (Iron Division or as Iron Sides, was originally formed in 1809
In 2000 he returned to Bosnia as the Deputy Commander Operations of the Stabilisation Force (SFOR). The Stabilisation Force (SFOR was a NATO -led multinational force in Bosnia and Herzegovina which was tasked with upholding the Dayton Agreement. From 2001 to 2002 he was the Assistant Chief of the General Staff in the Ministry of Defence before taking command of NATO's Allied Rapid Reaction Corps (ARRC). The Ministry of Defence ( MoD) is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters The North Atlantic Treaty The Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, ( HQ ARRC or ARRC) was created in 1992 in Bielefeld based on the former British I Corps In March 2005 he took over as Commander-in-Chief, Land Command, and assumed the appointment of Chief of the General Staff in August 2006, replacing General Sir Mike Jackson. Commander-in-Chief Land Command (CINCLAND formerly Commander-in-Chief Land Forces is a senior officer in the British Army. Chief of the General Staff ( CGS) has been the title of the professional head of the British Army since 1964. General Sir Michael David "Mike" Jackson GCB, CBE, DSO, DL, (born 21 March 1944) is a British
Daily Mail interview, October 2006
Comments on the British Army in Iraq
Based on an interview published October 13, 2006 in the Daily Mail,[1] [2][3] some political activists have claimed that General Dannatt publicly called for the withdrawal of British forces from Iraq, stating that their presence "exacerbates the security problems" for the United Kingdom worldwide. Events 54 - Nero ascends to the Roman throne 409 - Vandals and Alans crossed the Pyrenees Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Daily Mail is a British newspaper currently published in a tabloid format Following extensive publicity about the Daily Mail interview he gave an interview on BBC radio and stated that when he talked about pulling out of Iraq "sometime soon", he meant that "when the mission is substantially done we should leave". [3] He explained: "We don't want to be there another two, three, four, five years. We've got to think about this in terms of a reasonable length of time. " He also qualified the "exacerbate" comment by saying that the problem was "not right across the country", but in only parts of it. 10 Downing Street's spokesman stated that General Dannatt was "actually saying what government policy is: we don't want to be there any longer than we have to, but ultimately that is a decision for the Iraqi government. " The White House issued a similar statement. See also Executive Office of the President of the United States The White House, formerly known as the Executive Mansion, is the Official residence Kamran Karadahi, spokesman for Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, called for the troops to stay: "They are still needed very much to help Iraq. Jalal Talabani ( Kurdish: جه لال تاله بانی / Celal Talebanî / Jelal Talebaní جلال طالباني) (born November 12, 1933 The British troops in the south have done a very good job and are still doing so. "[3]
In the Daily Mail interview General Dannatt also questioned the political aims of the Iraq mission: "I think history will show that the planning for what happened after the initial successful war fighting phase was poor, probably based more on optimism than sound planning. " He added: "The original intention was that we put in place a liberal democracy that was an exemplar for the region, was pro West and might have a beneficial effect on the balance within the Middle East. " He speculated: "That was the hope, whether that was a sensible or naïve hope history will judge. I don’t think we are going to do that. I think we should aim for a lower ambition. "
"Christian values" and "the Islamist threat" in Britain
An evangelical[4] Anglican,[5] Gen. Evangelicalism is a theological movement tradition and system of beliefs most closely associated with Protestant Christianity, which identifies with the Gospel Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs Dannatt called for a return to traditional Judeo-Christian values in order to counter "the Islamist threat" within British society. Judeo-Christian (or Judaeo-Christian, sometimes written as Judæo-Christian) is a term used to describe the body of concepts and values which are thought to be held [6] In the same Daily Mail interview, he said: "When I see the Islamist threat in this country I hope it doesn't make undue progress because there is a moral and spiritual vacuum in this country. "
"Our society has always been embedded in Christian values; once you have pulled the anchor up there is a danger that our society moves with the prevailing wind. "
"There is an element of the moral compass spinning. I think it is up to society to realise that is the situation we are in. "
"We can't wish the Islamist challenge to our society away and I believe that the army both in Iraq and Afghanistan and probably wherever we go next, is fighting the foreign dimension of the challenge to our accepted way of life. "
"We need to face up to the Islamist threat, to those who act in the name of Islam and in a perverted way try to impose Islam by force on societies that do not wish it. "
"It is said that we live in a post Christian society. I think that is a great shame. The broader Judeo-Christian tradition has underpinned British society. It underpins the British Army. "
Overall reaction
Gen. Dannatt's comments have received a measure of support in the British Army and amongst retired generals, including former Chief of the Defence Staff, Field Marshal the Lord Bramall. The Chief of the Defence Staff ( CDS) is the professional head of the British Armed Forces. Field Marshal Edwin Noel Westby Bramall Baron Bramall KG, GCB, OBE, MC, JP (born 18 December 1923 [7]
The former Home Secretary David Blunkett has also criticised Gen. The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the United Kingdom Home Office David Blunkett (born 6 June 1947 is a British Labour Party Politician and has been Member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside Dannatt for "interfering" in politics, saying it was a "constitutional" issue. [8]
An ICM opinion poll for the 15 October 2006 edition of the Sunday Express showed that 71 per cent of the British people believed Gen. ICM is a Public opinion researcher based in the UK. It conducts surveys for in particular The Guardian, the News of the World The Daily Express is a conservative Middle-market British Tabloid Newspaper. Dannatt was right to say that the British presence in Iraq was exacerbating the security situation there. 74 per cent agreed that British soldiers should leave Iraq "some time soon", 57 per cent agreed with Gen. Dannatt's view that "Islamists" were exploiting a "moral vacuum" in British society, and 44 per cent also wanted to see the British Army play a greater role in fighting "Islamic extremism" in Britain. [9]
Prince Harry and Iraq
On 16 May 2007, Dannatt made the decision to restrict Prince Harry from being deployed to Iraq with the rest of his Blues and Royals squadron. Events 1204 - Baldwin IX Count of Flanders is crowned as the first Emperor of the Latin Empire. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. For actual Princes of Wales called Henry see Henry Prince of Wales. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iraq topics. The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons (RHG/D is a cavalry regiment of the British Army, part of the Household Cavalry. He said that during his prior week of visiting to Iraq he had experienced the threats that would occur in Iraq for the Prince, he decided to reassess whether or not to deploy Harry. He said 'there was too great a risk, not only to himself but the people with him'. He therefore came to the conclusion, subsequently, not to let Prince Harry go on his tour of Iraq with the rest of his troops.
Comments on the Iraqi Resistance/Insurgency
In September 2007, during a speech to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, Dannatt made remarks that, once again, seemed to put him at odds with his political masters:
The militants (and I use the word deliberately because not all are insurgents, or terrorists, or criminals; they are a mixture of them all) are well armed – probably with outside help, and probably from Iran. By motivation, essentially, and with the exception of the Al Qaeda in Iraq element who have endeavoured to exploit the situation for their own ends, our opponents are Iraqi Nationalists, and are most concerned with their own needs – jobs, money, security – and the majority are not bad people. [10]
Private life
Dannatt married in 1977 and has three sons and one daughter. His recreations are tennis, cricket, rugby football, skiing, fishing, shooting and reading. Tennis is a sport played between two players ( singles) or between two teams of two players each ( doubles) Cricket is a bat-and-ball team Sport that originated in England and is now played in more than 100 countries Rugby football (usually just " rugby " may refer to a number of sports through history descended from a common form of Football developed at Rugby School Snow skiing is a group of sports utilizing Skis as primary equipment For the computer security term see Phishing. Fishing is the activity of catching Fish. Shooting is the act or process of firing Rifles Shotguns or other projectile Weapons such as bows or Crossbows Even the firing of [11]
References
- ^ Sands, Sarah. "Sir Richard Dannatt : A very honest General", Daily Mail, October 12, 2006. Retrieved October 13, 2006.
- ^ General seeks UK Iraq withdrawal", BBC News, October 12, 2006. Retrieved October 13, 2006.
- ^ a b c Army chief defends Iraq comments", BBC News, October 13, 2006. Retrieved October 13, 2006.
- ^ Moore, Charles. "Backward, Christian soldier – you're in the political crossfire", The Daily Telegraph, 14/10/2006. Retrieved October 14, 2006.
- ^ Smith, Graham. "Remembrance Sunday Sermon - 12 November 2006", Norwich Cathedral, 14/10/2006. Retrieved 17 March 2007. Events 45 BC - In his last victory Julius Caesar defeats the Pompeian forces of Titus Labienus and Pompey the Younger Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
- ^ British army chief in spotlight, BBC News, October 14, 2006. Retrieved October 14, 2006.
- ^ Harding, Thomas. "Honesty of 'a soldier's soldier' will lift morale, say Army officers", The Daily Telegraph, 14/10/2006. Retrieved October 15, 2006.
- ^ Blunkett raps 'interfering' army chief, ITV News, October 15, 2006. ITV News is the name given to news broadcasts on the British television network ITV. Retrieved October 15, 2006.
- ^ Buchanan, Kirsty. "You got it right General", Sunday Express, 15/10/06. Retrieved October 15, 2006.
- ^ Address to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. UK Ministry of Defence (2007-09-21). The Ministry of Defence ( MoD) is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1217 - The Estonian tribal leader Lembitu of Lehola was killed in a battle against Teutonic Knights.
- ^ The Times, 13 October 2006. The Times is a daily national Newspaper published in the United Kingdom since 1785 when it was known as The Daily Universal Register.
External links
- Christian Science Monitor: British general's remarks spur Iraq debate
- Profile on MOD site
- Profile on NATO site
- BBC Radio 4 Today Programme interview with General Dannatt, October 13, 2006
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Timothy Granville-Chapman |
Commander-in-Chief, Land Command 2005–2006 |
Succeeded by Sir Redmond Watt |
| Preceded by Sir Mike Jackson |
Chief of the General Staff 2006– |
Incumbent |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Dannatt, Richard |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Dannatt, Francis Richard (full name) |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Chief of the British General Staff |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 23 December 1950 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Chelmsford, Essex, England |
| DATE OF DEATH | living |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
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