They don't make them like General Jacko any more, ex-Army chief says
General Sir Mike Jackson will be remembered as one of the most significant chiefs of the general staff since the Second World War, a former head of the Army has said.
General Lord Richard Dannatt, who succeeded General Sir Mike as British Army chief in 2006, praised him as a very strong leader who was much loved by his family and the soldiers who served beneath him.
"Frankly, they don't really make them like General Mike any more," Gen Lord Richard told BFBS Forces News when asked about the former CGS who died at the age of 80.
Gen Lord Richard added: "He was a towering character, huge personality, a very strong leader, much loved of course by his family, much loved by the soldiers over whom he had the privilege of leadership and over whom he exercised command.
"And I think he'll go down in the records as being one of the most significant chiefs of the general staff since the Second World War.
"I worked very closely with him."
Gen Sir Mike, known as 'Jacko', commissioned from Sandhurst in 1963 and went on to join the Parachute Regiment. He later led the British Army during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
In 1999, he famously refused to confront Russian forces at Pristina airport in Kosovo, despite being ordered to by his American superiors, potentially avoiding a conflict erupting between the West and Russia.
"The way he handled that situation, the way he handled the Serbs, first of all, and then the way that he handled General Wesley Clark when the Russians decided to make an intervention which led to the famous remark 'I'm not going to start World War three for you'," Gen Lord Richard recalled.
"He was a tremendous character, hugely respected, much loved by all those that knew him.
"I was commander of British Forces when we went into Kosovo, and it was always a pleasure to work with him.
"We didn't always see eye to eye, but things could usually be settled over a second glass of whisky.
"It was my great privilege and pleasure to succeed him as Chief of General Staff in August 2006."
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