Alexander Clarke, Principal Researcher of the Phoenix Think Tank did a series of interviews and panels about the Falklands War. With Sea Control 51, he begins the series with an interview with Ian Gardiner, who commanded a rifle company in 45 Commando Royal Marines in the Falklands War. Before this mission, he fought in the Dhofar War in Oman from 1973 to 1975, where he was decorated with the Omani Distinguished Service Medal for Gallantry. Later, Gardiner commanded 40 Commando Royal Marines, which included his fourth operational tour in Northern Ireland from 1994 to 1996. He has also been the Royal Marines Equerry to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and, in 1997, graduated from the Royal College of Defence Studies. His final appointment was Secretary to the Military Committee at NATO Headquarters in Brussels where he was involved in the political and strategic direction of the Kosovo War. He left the Royal Marines in 2001 in the rank of brigadier.
This is a very interesting interview, especially for anybody, who is interested in military history and military leadership.
Published books by Ian Gardiner
- “In the Service of the Sultan“: a first hand account of the Dhofar Insurgency, published in 2006;
- “The Flatpack Bombers: The Royal Navy and the Zeppelin Menace“: telling the story of the first strategic bombing raids in history in 1914, published in 2009;
- “The Yompers: With 45 Commando in the Falklands War“: describes a fighting Royal Marine’s perspective of the Falklands War, published in 2012.
Listen to episode #51 immediately
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