I’d like to have two armies: one for display with lovely guns, tanks, little soldiers, staffs, distinguished and doddering Generals, and dear little regimental officers who would be deeply concerned over their General’s bowel movements or their Colonel’s piles, an army that would be shown for a modest fee on every fairground in the country.

 

The other would be the real one, composed entirely of young enthusiasts in camouflage uniforms, who would not be put on display, but from whom impossible efforts would be demanded and to whom all sorts of tricks would be taught. That’s the army in which I should like to fight.

The Centurions by Jean Paul Lartéguy,
translated by Xan Fielding, 1968

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This book is dedicated to the people who have assisted me in my journey as a ‘Pilgrim’ following Odin, the God of War.

At the top of the list is my dearest wife, Cecilia, who died in September 2007. She was my guide and my ‘rock’ who came with me on the journey, raising our children, Juliette and Andrew, while I confronted the demons of war.

I also dedicate this book to all the centurions who fought alongside me – Kiwis, Parachute Regiment ‘Toms’, SAS ‘blades’, South African Parabats and Omani Jebalis as well as my colleagues in the cut-throat world of commerce.

This book is also dedicated to Nannette who helped pick up the pieces.

My father was a warrior, I was a warrior and my son is a warrior – this is my story.