How General Sir Mike Jackson stopped WWIII (with some help from James Blunt): Late army chief refused to follow American superior's order – and saved thousands of lives

Legendary British military chief General Sir Mike Jackson stopped World War Three from breaking out after he refused to follow his American superior’s orders in Kosovo. 

Gen Sir Mike, the former head of the British Army, died at the age of 80 following an illustrious career that saw him command UK forces during the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003. 

But it was during the celebrated officer’s time in Kosovo in 1999 that he took a crucial decision which helped prevent the conflict from exploding into all-out war between Nato and Russia.

He famously refused an order from his US commander to intercept Russian forces when they entered Kosovo without Nato’s agreement – in a move credited with saving thousands of lives. 

‘I’m not going to start the Third World War for you,’ Sir Mike – dubbed a true ‘soldier’s soldier’ and the ‘Prince of Darkness’ – is reported to have told his American boss, General Wesley Clark.

Gen Sir Mike was backed by singer James Blunt, who was an army Captain at the time and under his command and later admitted he would have refused the command too, even if it meant facing a court martial. 

Gen Sir Mike’s service during the Kosovo campaign later led to him being awarded the Distinguished Service Order for leadership. 

The incident which almost pushed the world to the brink took place on June 12, 1999. 

A column of about 30 Russian armoured vehicles, carrying about 200 Kremlin troops, seized Pristina airport in a surprise occupation towards the end of the war.

The Russians, who had played a key role in persuading Yugoslav President Slobodan Milosevic to end the conflict, had expected to police their own sector of Kosovo, independent of Nato. 

However, when this failed to happen, the Russians felt double-crossed. 

A contingent of 200 troops was ordered to roll out from their base in Bosnia to seize the airport.

The surprise move was discovered as Nato’s K-For peacekeepers – led by Gen Sir Mike – prepared to enter the province on June 12, sparking a tense stand-off. 

American Gen Wesley Clark, Nato’s supreme commander, immediately ordered 500 British and French paratroopers to be put on standby to seize the airport.

‘I called the [Nato] Secretary General [Javier Solana] and told him what the circumstances were,’ Gen Clark told the BBC during a documentary on the war.

‘He talked about what the risks were and what might happen if the Russians got there first, and he said: ‘Of course you have to get to the airport’.

‘I said: ‘Do you consider I have the authority to do so?’ He said: ‘Of course you do, you have transfer of authority’.’

But the order was blocked by Gen Sir Mike, who feared it could ignite a devastating battle between Russia and Nato that would trigger World War Three. 

During a heated exchange, the tough-talking British general told his American boss: ‘I’m not going to start the Third World War for you.’ 

Speaking of the decision after the war, Gen Sir Mike told the BBC: ‘We were [looking at] a possibility….of confrontation with the Russian contingent which seemed to me probably not the right way to start off a relationship with Russians who were going to become part of my command.’

Gen Clark later planned to order British tanks and armoured vehicles to block the runways of the airport to prevent Russian transport planes from landing. 

Despite the US commander saying he believed it was an ‘an appropriate course of action”, the strategy was once again vetoed by British command.

Popstar James Blunt, who was a Captain in the Army under Gen Sir Mike’s command, supported his boss’s decision at the time. 

In an interview with BBC Radio 5 live in 2010, You’re Beautiful singer Blunt said: ‘I was given the direct command to overpower the 200 or so Russians who were there.

‘I was the lead officer with my troop of men behind us… The soldiers directly behind me were from the Parachute Regiment, so they’re obviously game for the fight.

‘The direct command [that] came in from Gen Wesley Clark was to overpower them. Various words were used that seemed unusual to us. Words such as “destroy” came down the radio.’

If Gen Sir Mike had not blocked the order from Gen Clark, Blunt later revealed he would still have refused to follow it, even at the risk of a court martial.

‘There are things that you do along the way that you know are right, and those that you absolutely feel are wrong, that I think it’s morally important to stand up against, and that sense of moral judgement is drilled into us as soldiers in the British Army,’ he added.

Gen Sir Mike’s leadership during the campaign – and courage to disobey an order in a bid to prevent war – was hailed as legendary by his troops, one veteran officer said.

Major Andrew Fox, a former company commander in the Parachute Regiment, told MailOnline: ‘Political backing and history show that Sir Mike was correct. 

‘Clark was removed from command two months early and Jackson’s career was crowned. 

‘This was entirely in character. He was opinionated and outspoken, but these outspoken opinions were backed by a fierce intellect and he was usually right.’

He added the General was famed for his ‘sharp tongue’ and ‘wicked wit’ and was a ‘soldier’s soldier’.  

‘His stand for better living conditions, pay and equipment for soldiers was in line with his drive to do the right thing, as in Kosovo.’ he added. 

‘No-one in the Parachute Regiment who spent an evening drinking whiskey with Sir Mike will ever forget it: his character and wit were of an even higher proof than the dram in their glass.’

Lt Col Edward Green, Britain’s defence attache to Kosovo, said he was a ‘legendary figure’ in the Army who will be ‘long remembered here in Kosovo’. 

Father-of-three Gen Sir Mike, was the Chief of the General Staff for three years, from 2003 and 2006.

Born on March 21, 1944, the General was well liked amongst military personnel for his fair and no-nonsense style of leadership.

After graduating from Sandhurst, he was commissioned into the Intelligence Corp in 1963 before later becoming part of the Parachute Regiment.

The dedicated Army man was dubbed ‘The Prince of Darkness’ for his hoarse voice and cool demeanour.

In the wake of his death, several high-ranking Army officials as well as the British Army themselves have released touching tributes to the veteran who dedicated nearly 45 years of his life to the forces.

British Army released a heartfelt statement to the General, who was also referred to as ‘Jacko’.

‘It is with great sadness that we have learnt of the death of Gen Sir Mike Jackson GCB, CBE, DSO, on Oct 15 surrounded by his family,’ the statement read.

‘General ‘Jacko’ served with distinction for over 40 years, finishing his career as Chief of the General Staff.’

‘He will be greatly missed, and long remembered. Utrinque Paratus.’

Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, who was previously a part of the Parachute Regiment, and was General Sir Jackson’s aide de camp called him a ‘soldier’s soldier’.

‘An outstanding, inspirational and charismatic leader and a true airborne legend,’ he added.

Last night, former head of the Army Lord Dannatt said: ‘I am devestated to hear of the death of Mike Jackson.

‘He was a huge character – an inspirational leader – and loved by all those who knew him.

‘In particular, the people of Kosovo will always be in his debt for the extraordinary operation he led to bring them their freedom from oppression and independence in 1999.

‘They don’t make them like Mike anymore. He will be hugely missed but must be hugely celebrated for his contribution to our national life.’