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‘We don‘t need food, just ammunition - and tons of it‘
(Filed: 24/03/2002)
GEN Andrew Whitehead was the man who led 45 Commando into their last action: an incredible 80-mile yomp to victory on Two Sisters Hill in the Falklands. He talks to Olga Craig
On the back of a cigarette packet Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Whitehead, commander of 45 Commando, scribbled these words: "Men have died, been wounded, lost their friends.
"Young boys have grown up. Our confidence has blossomed. Our pride has swelled justifiably. We have fought and won three victories: over the enemy, the appalling terrain and weather - and our own logistical inadequacies.
"What sustained me was the pride of commanding and belonging to an elite organisation. 45 Commando, made up of young men mainly under 21, were outstanding. They were tough, brave and skilful. Anyone who asks what is wrong with the youth of today should come and look at us."
The date was June 14, 1982 - the day of the Argentinian surrender to the British in the Falklands. As the commander and his communications team posed for a photograph on top of the island‘s Sapper Hill, moments after the white flags were raised, Whitehead knew his men had endured and fought with distinction.
Whitehead, now a retired Major-General, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his bravery during the unit‘s successful battle for Two Sisters Hill. It was a strategic, Argentinian-held position and Whitehead‘s plan was classic set-piece action.
His Marines divided into three units, one advanced upon the western "Sister" while the other two attacked the eastern "Sister" from the northwest. Astonishingly, Whitehead and his men were able to get within 480 yards of the enemy before being spotted.
A fierce firefight ensued but 45 Commando were victorious. It was only later that Whitehead realised how heavily outnumbered his men were; that the accolade as perhaps the world‘s most elite fighting force was, on that day, well deserved.
In military circles, it is acknowledged that no other unit in the world could successfully have "yomped" 80 miles across the bleak hills of East Falkland, burdened by 100lb of kit in the bitter South Atlantic winter, confronted a well-entrenched enemy on what was recognised as a nigh on impregnable position and vanquished them.
Now, a decade after his retirement, Whitehead will watch from afar as 45 Commando once again go into battle. This time the terrain will, as in the Falklands Islands, be as brutal a foe as al-Qa‘eda.
This time too, the weather and high altitude will make the unit‘s task all the more demanding. There will, however, be one vital difference: their adversaries possess a tenacity that the Argentine conscripts did not.
"This time 45 Commando are up against skilful mountain fighters who are not just tough and rugged but are also fanatics. There were no mass surrenders in the face of the bombings. These are people who are committed to their cause, who have no qualms about dying for it.
"That said," says Whitehead, 61, "there is no doubt that the Royal Marine commandos are probably the most skilful mountain and arctic-trained troops in the world. There are no troops better equipped or better organised to seek and flush out these terrorists."
It is just such training that has, most likely, prompted the US to request help from the Marines. Although Whitehead, with the diplomacy of a seasoned military commander, will not decry the skills of America‘s Mountain Division, saying only that "from a political point of view a multinational force is preferable", he does make the point that differences exist in approaches to training.
"We train 60 men at a time, ensuring that there is time for individual evaluation," he says. "Basic training lasts 26 weeks on top of which there is a six-week commando course. In America, boot camp lasts just 13 weeks and, with 250 men on each course, it is easier to fall behind without being noticed."
The lessons learned from the Falklands campaign, says Whitehead, were invaluable. "We ended up humping so much kit because our helicopters were destroyed. In Afghanistan it is doubtful that the men will be so encumbered.
"The most vital lesson, believe it or not, was in terms of what constitutes essential equipment. Forget the food, the clothes: you need ammunition and tons of it. It was firepower that captured Two Sisters. Fresh socks were a luxury. Something to keep you dry and a good sleeping bag are essential.
"After that it is about carrying as much weaponry as you can. That is what makes the difference in this type of warfare."
(Filed: 24/03/2002)
GEN Andrew Whitehead was the man who led 45 Commando into their last action: an incredible 80-mile yomp to victory on Two Sisters Hill in the Falklands. He talks to Olga Craig
On the back of a cigarette packet Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Whitehead, commander of 45 Commando, scribbled these words: "Men have died, been wounded, lost their friends.
"Young boys have grown up. Our confidence has blossomed. Our pride has swelled justifiably. We have fought and won three victories: over the enemy, the appalling terrain and weather - and our own logistical inadequacies.
"What sustained me was the pride of commanding and belonging to an elite organisation. 45 Commando, made up of young men mainly under 21, were outstanding. They were tough, brave and skilful. Anyone who asks what is wrong with the youth of today should come and look at us."
The date was June 14, 1982 - the day of the Argentinian surrender to the British in the Falklands. As the commander and his communications team posed for a photograph on top of the island‘s Sapper Hill, moments after the white flags were raised, Whitehead knew his men had endured and fought with distinction.
Whitehead, now a retired Major-General, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his bravery during the unit‘s successful battle for Two Sisters Hill. It was a strategic, Argentinian-held position and Whitehead‘s plan was classic set-piece action.
His Marines divided into three units, one advanced upon the western "Sister" while the other two attacked the eastern "Sister" from the northwest. Astonishingly, Whitehead and his men were able to get within 480 yards of the enemy before being spotted.
A fierce firefight ensued but 45 Commando were victorious. It was only later that Whitehead realised how heavily outnumbered his men were; that the accolade as perhaps the world‘s most elite fighting force was, on that day, well deserved.
In military circles, it is acknowledged that no other unit in the world could successfully have "yomped" 80 miles across the bleak hills of East Falkland, burdened by 100lb of kit in the bitter South Atlantic winter, confronted a well-entrenched enemy on what was recognised as a nigh on impregnable position and vanquished them.
Now, a decade after his retirement, Whitehead will watch from afar as 45 Commando once again go into battle. This time the terrain will, as in the Falklands Islands, be as brutal a foe as al-Qa‘eda.
This time too, the weather and high altitude will make the unit‘s task all the more demanding. There will, however, be one vital difference: their adversaries possess a tenacity that the Argentine conscripts did not.
"This time 45 Commando are up against skilful mountain fighters who are not just tough and rugged but are also fanatics. There were no mass surrenders in the face of the bombings. These are people who are committed to their cause, who have no qualms about dying for it.
"That said," says Whitehead, 61, "there is no doubt that the Royal Marine commandos are probably the most skilful mountain and arctic-trained troops in the world. There are no troops better equipped or better organised to seek and flush out these terrorists."
It is just such training that has, most likely, prompted the US to request help from the Marines. Although Whitehead, with the diplomacy of a seasoned military commander, will not decry the skills of America‘s Mountain Division, saying only that "from a political point of view a multinational force is preferable", he does make the point that differences exist in approaches to training.
"We train 60 men at a time, ensuring that there is time for individual evaluation," he says. "Basic training lasts 26 weeks on top of which there is a six-week commando course. In America, boot camp lasts just 13 weeks and, with 250 men on each course, it is easier to fall behind without being noticed."
The lessons learned from the Falklands campaign, says Whitehead, were invaluable. "We ended up humping so much kit because our helicopters were destroyed. In Afghanistan it is doubtful that the men will be so encumbered.
"The most vital lesson, believe it or not, was in terms of what constitutes essential equipment. Forget the food, the clothes: you need ammunition and tons of it. It was firepower that captured Two Sisters. Fresh socks were a luxury. Something to keep you dry and a good sleeping bag are essential.
"After that it is about carrying as much weaponry as you can. That is what makes the difference in this type of warfare."
