How General Sir Mike Jackson stopped World War III: Army chief refused to follow order from US superior and saved thousands of lives

Legendary British military chief General Sir Mike Jackson prevented the outbreak of World War III after he refused to follow orders from his American superior in Kosovo.

General Sir Mike, the former head of the British army, has died aged 80 after an illustrious career which saw him command UK forces during the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003

But it was during the famous officer’s time in Kosovo in 1999 that he made a crucial decision to prevent the conflict from erupting into an all-out war between NATO and Russia.

He refused an order from his American commander to intercept Russian forces when they entered Kosovo without NATO agreement, in a move credited with saving thousands of lives.

“I’m not going to start World War III for you,” Sir Mike, dubbed a true “soldier’s soldier” and the “prince of darkness,” told his American boss, General Wesley Clark.

General Sir Mike Jackson has died aged 80. He refused an order from his American boss in Kosovo to intercept Russian troops.

A column of about 30 Russian armored vehicles, with about 200 Kremlin troops, seized Prestina Airport, with US General Wesley Clark ordering General Sir Mike’s force to intercept them.

But General Sir Mike (right) disobeyed orders from his superior, General Clark (left), to intercept Russian troops heading into Kosovo, as he feared it would trigger World War III.

General Sir Mike’s time during the Kosovo campaign later saw him awarded the Distinguished Service Order for leadership.

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

A column of about 30 Russian armored vehicles, with about 200 Kremlin troops, seized Prestina 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 hoped to police their own sector of Kosovo, independent of NATO.

However, when this did not happen, the Russians felt betrayed.

A contingent of 200 soldiers was ordered to leave their base in Bosnia to seize the airport.

The surprise move was discovered as NATO’s K-For peacekeepers – led by General Sir Mike – were preparing to enter the province on June 12, sparking a tense standoff.

US General Wesley Clark, Supreme Commander of NATO, immediately ordered 500 British and French paratroopers to be on standby to seize the airport.

Russian paratroopers are pictured before boarding an IL-76 transport aircraft in Ryazan bound for Pristina Airport in Kosovo

Later, British soldiers with a Russian paratrooper (centre) were seen guarding the airport

General Sir Michael (seen centre) is pictured with British Defense Secretary Baroness Symons (left) as they walk alongside Russian soldiers at Pristina Airport in September 2000.

“I called the (NATO) secretary general (Javier Solana) and told him what the circumstances were,” General Clark told the BBC during a documentary on the war.

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

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

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

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

Speaking about the decision after the war, General Sir Mike told the BBC: “We were (looking at) a possibility … of confrontation with the Russian contingent which I probably didn’t think was the right way to start a relationship with the Russians who were going to be part of my command.

Later, General Clark planned to order British tanks and armored vehicles to block the airport’s runways to prevent Russian transport planes from landing.

Although the American commander said he believed it was a “an appropriate course of action”, the strategy was again vetoed by the British command.

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

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

“Clark was removed from command two months earlier and Jackson’s career was crowned.

In the wake of his death, a number of senior military officials, as well as the British Army itself, have released moving tributes to the veteran (pictured with former US President Bill Clinton)

Born on March 21, 1944, the general (pictured with Tony Blair) was well-loved among military personnel for his fair and no-nonsense leadership style.

“That was completely in character. He was opinionated and outspoken, but those outspoken opinions were backed by a fierce intellect and he was usually right.”

He added that the general was famous for his “sharp tongue” and “wicked wit” and was a “soldier’s soldier”.

“His commitment to better living conditions, pay and equipment for soldiers was in line with his desire to do the right thing, as in Kosovo.” he added.

“No one in the Parachute Regiment who spent a night drinking whiskey with Sir Mike will ever forget it: his character and wit were of even greater proof than the glass in his glass.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Green, British Defense Attaché in Kosovo, said he was a “legendary figure” in the army who will be “remembered for a long time here in Kosovo”.

General Sir Mike, a father of three, was chief of staff for three years, from 2003 to 2006.

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

After graduating from Sandhurst, he was commissioned into the Intelligence Corp in 1963 before joining the Parachute Regiment.

The dedicated army man was dubbed “The Prince of Darkness” for his husky voice and cool demeanor.

In the wake of his death, several senior military officers, as well as the British Army itself, have released moving tributes to the veteran who dedicated almost 45 years of his life to the forces.

The British Army issued a heartfelt statement to the general, who was also known as “Jacko”.

The British Army issued a heartfelt statement to the general, who was also known as “Jacko”.

Russian troops guard the airport in Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, on June 28, 1999

“It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of General Sir Mike Jackson GCB, CBE, DSO, on 15 October surrounded by his family,” the statement said.

“General ‘Jacko’ served with distinction for over 40 years, ending his career as Chief of Staff.”

“He will be greatly missed and greatly remembered. Utrinque Paratus.’

Security Minister Dan Jarvis, formerly of the Parachute Regiment, and 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 army chief Lord Dannatt said: “I am heartbroken to hear of Mike Jackson’s death.

“He was a huge character, an inspirational leader, and loved by all who knew him.

“In particular, the people of Kosovo will always be indebted to the extraordinary operation he led to bring them freedom from oppression and independence in 1999.

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