Quote:
Originally Posted by dave lukins
One one hand we have a SAS Officer being scolded for leading from the front..and on the other hand, a Colonel H Jones given a VC(Posthumously)for doing just so  |
I understand what you are saying but that isnt technically true.
In the analysis that followed the Falklands war Colonel Jones has been repeatedly critized for his actions, brave though they were, because it jeoparized the entire attack and left the unit without an effective command structure. That is the official position of the British army historical unit at Sandhurst.
However, during the immediate post war period the jubliation led to him recieving the Victoria Cross. Did he deserve it? For bravery yes. But for doing the right thing the official british army position is now no.
The British army does not need lots of Colonel H Jones getting stuck in. It needs Colonels who recognise their tactical days are effectively over and to use their experience to guide less junior troops to victory. There will be extreme circumstances when colonels have to take tactical maneovres but any commander taking them every other mission simply can not be doing a good job commanding operations.