Sep 16, 2022·edited Sep 16, 2022Liked by Dr Robert Lyman MBE
"The Phantom Major" was also the first book I read on the Special Forces (also as an 11 year old or similar). My frustration was that I couldn't find a decent book on the LRDG (I couldn't track down Kennedy Shaw's book) where I was in New Zealand. I found the LRDG to be more interesting and possibly a more sophisticated and focussed organisation with a clear modus operandi. Even when Swinson's "Desert Raiders" came out, it still focussed heavily on Stirling and the SAS. The appearance of David Lloyd Owen's "Providence their Guide: A Personal Account of the Long Range Desert Group 1940-45" gave a better description of the LRDG's activities in North African and after. Purnell's History of the Second World War did give them a little more coverage based on Kennedy Shaw's book.
It is interesting to look at Mortimer's latest interpretation of Stirling and now looking back to reading "The Phantom Major". It is clearer now that a lot of the raids that Stirling thought up were complete stuff ups or a waste of time. I too fell a little bit miffed that I invested some hero worship in Stirling. I wonder if there is a book on Bill Stirling in the works? I was always puzzled as to why Stirling wasn't called on to form the Malayan Scouts rather than Mike Calvert, though the latter's jungle experience, and that he was still serving may have had a part to play in the choice.
R.A. Bagnold who set up the LRDG didn't have the same cachet, or hagiography, but had a more meticulous and scientific approach to his efforts. What he established became a reliable, professional and effective source of intelligence for 8th Army. He is of course known more widely in the geomorphological community for his book "The Physics of Blown Sand and Desert Dunes", which remains a classic in its field of science to this day.
Fascinating interview with Gavin on Dan Snow's podcast. It was news to me and I think Dan was shocked. Looking forward to reading the book and I agree, historians need to test the resilience of sacred cows. Love the blog Robert.
sure Stirling self mythologised but so did so many military heroes and leaders of the SWW from Monty, MacArthur, Guderian etc. likewise many great men would have been listless were it not for their exploits during the war. doesn't take away his central role in the SAS's foundation and more importantly being able to sell the concept to the higher-ups. as for the existence of a 'Stirling cult' I'm not sure there is one. yeah he has a statue in Scotland but doesn't have the recognition others have, and among the general public his name is hardly synonymous with the SAS in the way everyone could tell you Baden Powell founded the Scouts.
"The Phantom Major" was also the first book I read on the Special Forces (also as an 11 year old or similar). My frustration was that I couldn't find a decent book on the LRDG (I couldn't track down Kennedy Shaw's book) where I was in New Zealand. I found the LRDG to be more interesting and possibly a more sophisticated and focussed organisation with a clear modus operandi. Even when Swinson's "Desert Raiders" came out, it still focussed heavily on Stirling and the SAS. The appearance of David Lloyd Owen's "Providence their Guide: A Personal Account of the Long Range Desert Group 1940-45" gave a better description of the LRDG's activities in North African and after. Purnell's History of the Second World War did give them a little more coverage based on Kennedy Shaw's book.
It is interesting to look at Mortimer's latest interpretation of Stirling and now looking back to reading "The Phantom Major". It is clearer now that a lot of the raids that Stirling thought up were complete stuff ups or a waste of time. I too fell a little bit miffed that I invested some hero worship in Stirling. I wonder if there is a book on Bill Stirling in the works? I was always puzzled as to why Stirling wasn't called on to form the Malayan Scouts rather than Mike Calvert, though the latter's jungle experience, and that he was still serving may have had a part to play in the choice.
R.A. Bagnold who set up the LRDG didn't have the same cachet, or hagiography, but had a more meticulous and scientific approach to his efforts. What he established became a reliable, professional and effective source of intelligence for 8th Army. He is of course known more widely in the geomorphological community for his book "The Physics of Blown Sand and Desert Dunes", which remains a classic in its field of science to this day.
Thanks for the review. Convinced me to buy the book, for the reasons you mention...
I nearly bought this today. I just wasn’t very sure about it. Pop it on the wish list
Interesting. Thanks Robert.
Fascinating interview with Gavin on Dan Snow's podcast. It was news to me and I think Dan was shocked. Looking forward to reading the book and I agree, historians need to test the resilience of sacred cows. Love the blog Robert.
sure Stirling self mythologised but so did so many military heroes and leaders of the SWW from Monty, MacArthur, Guderian etc. likewise many great men would have been listless were it not for their exploits during the war. doesn't take away his central role in the SAS's foundation and more importantly being able to sell the concept to the higher-ups. as for the existence of a 'Stirling cult' I'm not sure there is one. yeah he has a statue in Scotland but doesn't have the recognition others have, and among the general public his name is hardly synonymous with the SAS in the way everyone could tell you Baden Powell founded the Scouts.