[2] From 1964 to 1966, A Squadron was deployed to Borneo for the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation. The Gulf war put this new world to its first test. In the battle to drive the Iraqi army out of The commander of British forces in the 1991 Gulf war yesterday revealed he had suffered flu after receiving injections before the conflict. [3], De la Billière was educated at St Peter's Court School, in the coastal town of Broadstairs in Kent,[4] and Harrow School at Harrow on the Hill in Middlesex. [3] During his early career as an officer he served in Japan, Korea and Egypt with the regiment's 1st Battalion. AbeBooks.com: Storm command: a personal account of the Gulf War (9780002551380) by DE LA BILLIERE, Peter and a great selection of similar New, Used … Please try your request again later. Peter de la Billière 2 followers General Sir Peter Edgar de la Cour de la Billière, KCB, KBE, DSO, MC & Bar is a former British soldier, who was Director of the United Kingdom Special Forces during the Iranian Embassy Siege and Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in the 1990 Gulf War. He is often known by the acronym DLB. [2] For his actions during this period he was awarded a bar to the Military Cross. [8], After this tour, de la Billière re-attended Staff College, and, this time, passed. On 22 May 1941, his father was killed when his ship, HMS Fiji, was sunk by German bombersin an attack southwest of Crete. [2], In 1956, he attended and passed Selection for the Special Air Service. [2] During his early career as an officer he served in Japan, Korea and Egypt. The Gulf War (2 August 1990-28 February 1991) was a war waged by a United Nations coalition of 34 nations against Ba'athist Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait in August 1990. SAS veterans of the siege have published several first-hand accounts. [11] He was General Officer Commanding South East District from 1988. ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S) He was born as Peter Edgar Delacour to Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Denis de la Billiere and his wife Kitty Lawley. A “Peter de la Billière” is mentioned as pupil evacuee of St. Pet… It will enhance any encyclopedic page you visit with the magic of the WIKI 2 technology. In this role he was largely responsible for persuading Schwarzkopf (who was initially sceptical) to allow the use of SAS and other special forces in significant roles in the conflict. [9], De la Billière then served from 1977 in a number of administrative posts assuming command of the British Army Training Team in Sudan before returning to the regiment as Director SAS in 1979. SAS from World War II to the Gulf War An A-Z of Battles, Weapons, Operations, Organizations, People and Places By Peter Darman (Author) Price $29.95. IWM Friends Evening talk given by Sir Peter de la Billiere, 11/1/1994 Speech | Imperial War Museums We use cookies and similar technologies to optimise your experience when using this site and to help tailor our digital advertising on third party sites. [8] It was during this period that the SAS shot to public fame as a consequence of their storming of the Iranian Embassy in 1980. The UN forces, predominantly consisting of soldiers from the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Saudi Arabia, routed Iraqi forces in Kuwait using new technology such as smart … A world in which freedom and respect for human rights find a home among all nations. He is currently a patron of the UK based international development charity, FARM-Africa having served on the board since 1992 and as chairman from 1998 to 2001. He's not going to sit there like a bewildered rabbit and be picked up. [15], He has written or co-authored 18 books, including an autobiography, a personal account of the Gulf War and a number of works about the SAS.[16]. [16] In 1993, he received Saudi Arabia's Order of King Abdulaziz, 2nd Class,[17] and was made a Commander of the United States' Legion of Merit. I use WIKI 2 every day and almost forgot how the original Wikipedia looks like. It will enhance any encyclopedic page you visit with the magic of the WIKI 2 technology. On 22 May 1941 his father, who had been educated at Monkton Combe School near Bath, Somerset, was killed when his ship, HMS Fiji, was sunk by German bombers in an attack south-west of Crete. He was educated at Wellesley House School, Broadstairsand Harrow. The British army contingent expanded 14,000 from early in November 1990 to more than 45,000 through to completion of the engagement and cessation of hostilities in February 1991. You could also do it yourself at any point in time. Nor is it mentioned in General (then Brigadier) Sir Peter de la Billière’s memoirs. [3] He retired in June 1992. Sort by Filter ... Storm Command: A Personal Account of the Gulf War. In 1990-1991, as general, he c… In order to allow him to receive the pension benefits of full general he was given the newly created sinecurist (honorarium) post of Middle East Advisor to the Secretary of State for Defence. [10], Despite being due for retirement de la Billière was appointed on 6 October 1990 as Commander-in-Chief of British Forces in Operation Granby (the Gulf War), in effect the second-in-command of the multinational military coalition headed by US General Norman Schwarzkopf, Jr. His past experience of fighting in the area, knowledge of the people and possession of some fluency in Arabic overrode concerns about his age. [17], De la Billière has written or co-authored 18 books, including an autobiography, a personal account of the Gulf War and a number of works about the SAS.[18]. [12], After the SAS, de la Billière was appointed Military Commissioner and Commander of British Forces in the Falkland Islands from 1984 and General Officer Commanding Wales District from 1985. Results for Wars, Battles & Campaigns. [2], He was educated at Wellesley House School, Broadstairs[3] and Harrow. A world where the United Nations, freed from cold war stalemate, is poised to fulfill the historic vision of its founders. He was born as Peter Edgar Delacour to Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Denis de la Billiere and his wife Kitty Lawley. General De La Billiere asked for and was picked for the Gulf War command. Would you like Wikipedia to always look as professional and up-to-date? Format Paperback. Battles/wars: Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation Jebel Akhdar campaigns: Awards: Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire ... Peter de la Billière: Last edited on 23 September 2019, at 23:05. Directed by Richard Pearson. The following background is from a Sri Lankan Sunday Times article on Tim Spicerand the mercenary business : 1. We have created a browser extension. Congratulations on this excellent venture⦠what a great idea! In 1978, Peter de la Billiere, then a brigadier, became director of the U.K. Special Forces. And my fellow Americans, we passed that test. [2] He retired in 1992. It was during this period that the Special Air Service Regiment became publicly known as a consequence of their storming of the Iranian Embassy in 1980. Interview with Lieutenant General Sir Peter de la Billiere, Senior British Commander But we weren't going to get Saddam Hussein. General Sir Peter Edgar de la Cour de la Billière, KCB, KBE, DSO, MC & Bar (born 29 April 1934) is a former British Army officer who was Director SAS during the Iranian Embassy siege, and Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in Operation Granby (the Gulf War). He was also responsible during the Falklands War for planning Operation Mikado. [3], In August 1991, de la Billière received Canada's Meritorious Service Cross. During his first SAS tour, he served in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency and Oman, where he was mentioned in despatches and won the Military Cross in 1959. In 1978, Peter de la Billiere, then a brigadier, became director of the U.K. Special Forces. [13] In 1987 he was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB). [2], In August 1991, he received Canada's Meritorious Service Cross. [3] From 1964 to 1966, A Squadron 22 SAS was deployed to Borneo where he was second-in-command of the regiment for the Indonesia-Malaysia confrontation. -- Lieut. X ... David Stirling, the Regiment’s founder, and Sir Peter de la Billière, who commanded British forces during the First Gulf War. He is often known by the acronym DLB. Peter de la Billière 2 followers General Sir Peter Edgar de la Cour de la Billière, KCB, KBE, DSO, MC & Bar is a former British soldier, who was Director of the United Kingdom Special Forces during the Iranian Embassy Siege and Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in the 1990 Gulf War. He then served a tour as second-in-command of 22 SAS, of which he was Commanding Officer from 1972 to 1974. He was also responsible during the Falklands War for planning Operation Mikado. Menu. [4][5] After his initial tour with 22 SAS, he returned to the Durham Light Infantry to run recruit training, before taking up the post of Adjutant of 21 SAS – the London based Territorial Army (reserve) SAS regiment. To install click the Add extension button. Peter visited Mirbat after the battle, to see the scene of the SAS battle, and to put it in perspective, the casualties had been miraculously light, but it could have been a disaster. His past experience of fighting in the area, knowledge of the people and some fluency in the language overrode concerns about his age. After Staff College he was posted as G2 (intelligence) Special Forces at Army Strategic Command. [10] He was succeeded by Brigadier Morgan Llewellyn on 1 December 1987. 29 April 1934) is a former British soldier, who was Director of the United Kingdom Special Forces during the Iranian Embassy Siege and Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in the 1990 Gulf War. [12] In 1991, he was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE). [6], After this tour, he re-attended Staff College, and, this time, passed. Storm command: a personal account of the Gulf War - General Sir Peter de la Billiere - Signed‘My primary aim in writing this book is to demonstrate the importance of individual human beings in modern warfare. General Sir Peter de la Billière, Special Forces, Iranian Embassy Siege: SAS-police co-operation, Iranian Embassy Siege: SAS role in domestic counter-terrorism, Special Forces: Making the Cut - Parachute Training, Special Forces: Making the Cut - Hills Phase. On 22 May 1941, his father was killed when his ship, HMS Fiji, was sunk by German bombers in an attack southwest of Crete. by Gen. Sir Peter de la Billiere ISBN 13: 9780006387497. In order to allow him to receive the pension benefits of full general he was given the newly created sinecurist (honorarium) post of Middle East Advisor to the Secretary of State for Defence. Buy Used and New Wars, Battles & Campaigns Books . Having read Colin Powell's autobiography and Schwartzkopf's also, this provided a new angle on the war. [13], Despite being due for retirement he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of British Forces in the 1990 Gulf War – in effect the second in command of the multinational military coalition headed by US General Norman Schwarzkopf. He then served a tour as second-in-command of 22 SAS, of which he was Commanding Officer from 1972 to 1974. [3], In 1956, de la Billière attended and passed Selection for the Special Air Service. Pete "Snapper" Warne/Winner/Wignall - Author, Soldier I and Battle of Mirbat participent; Peter Bray; Sir Peter de la Billière - Commander-in-Chief British Forces in the Gulf War; Peter Davis (1SAS - WW2) Peter McAleese - Former Mercenary and Author; Peter Ratcliffe DCM MID - Author; Peter Weaver (1SAS - WW2) Phil Stant - Professional Footballer General Sir Peter Edgar de la Couer de la Billière KCB, KBE, DSO, MC & Bar (b. [3] For his actions during this period he was awarded a bar to his Military Cross. De la Billiere was responsible for overseeing the SAS's most famous operations of the decade, among them the recovery of hostages from the Iranian Embassy siege in 1980, and for commanding Special Forces operations in the 1982 war with Argentina to recover the Falkland Islands. [2] In 1962, he was attached to the Federal Army in Aden. General Sir Peter Edgar de la Cour de la Billière, [1] KCB, KBE, DSO, MC & Bar (born 29 April 1934) is a former British Army officer who was Director SAS during the Iranian Embassy Siege and Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in the 1990 Gulf War. None of them mention an attempt to remove bricks from walls to gain an additional entry point. [10], After the SAS he was appointed Military Commissioner and Commander of British Forces in the Falkland Islands from 1984 and General Officer Commanding Wales District from 1985. [2] For service in Oman, he was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1976. That's it. [3] He was later commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Durham Light Infantry. Sir Peter De la Billière + Follow Similar authors to follow + + + See more recommendations Something went wrong. Peter de la Billière was born in Plymouth, Devon, the son of Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Denis de la Billière and his wife Kitty Lawley. [14] In 1993, he received Saudi Arabia's Order of King Abdul Aziz, 2nd Class and was made a Commander of the United States' Legion of Merit. [5] The book states "during the night of 23 January 1945 the building caught fire, and pupils and staff alike, trapped on balconies, were forced to abseil down makeshift ropes â¦"[5], De la Billière originally enlisted as a private in the King's Shropshire Light Infantry in 1952. Although the name is often seen without the accent, it is spelt with the accent in, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, Companions of the Distinguished Service Order, King's Shropshire Light Infantry soldiers, Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath, Knights Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Recipients of the Meritorious Service Decoration, British Army personnel of the Malayan Emergency, British Army personnel of the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation, Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Grand Officer of the Order of Abdulaziz al Saud, http://www.britains-smallwars.com/gulf/Billiere.html, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/41692/page/, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/41798/page/, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/43990/page/, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/46808/page/, "SAS 'suicide mission' to wipe out Exocets", http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/argentina/1387091/SAS-suicide-mission-to-wipe-out-Exocets.html, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/49212/page/, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/51136/page/, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/51171/page/, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/52588/page/, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/53326/page/, "Amazon.co.uk: Peter De La Billiere: Books", http://www.amazon.co.uk/s?ie=UTF8&search-type=ss&index=books-uk&field-author=Peter%20De%20La%20Billiere, https://military.wikia.org/wiki/Peter_de_la_Billière?oldid=5276441, Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). During his first SAS tour, he served in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency, as well as Oman where he was mentioned in despatches and was awarded the Military Cross in 1959 for leading a troop in the assault on Jebel Akdar. [3] In 1962, he was attached to the Federal Army in Aden. De la Billiere was responsible for overseeing the SAS's most famous operations of the decade, among them the recovery of hostages from the Iranian Embassy siege in 1980, and for commanding Special Forces operations in the 1982 war with Argentina to recover the Falkland Islands. Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath, Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, "SAS 'suicide mission' to wipe out Exocets", "Amazon.co.uk: Peter De La Billière: Books". ... (TV Movie documentary) Self - Director, SAS 1978-1982 / British Commander-in-Chief, Gulf War 1990-1991 (as General Sir Peter de la Billière) 2004 Great SAS Missions (TV Mini-Series documentary) Self - Commander, British Forces, Desert Storm Peter de la Billière was born in Plymouth, Devon, the son of Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Claude Denis Delacour de Labillière and his wife, Kitty Lawley. [3] In 1964, he failed Staff College but was appointed Officer Commanding A Squadron 22 SAS. The British didn't have as much too lose, didn't have as much stuff to bring, and didn't have much money to … General Sir Peter de la Billiere, British commander in Saudi Arabia, describing a potential war with Iraq "History tells us there can be no antiseptic war, and history is right." His father was of Huguenotdescent. [15], By the end of his career de la Billière had risen to the rank of general, and became a special adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence on Middle East military matters. [3] A "Peter de la Billière" is mentioned as pupil evacuee of St Peter's Court, Kent sent to Crediton, Devon in Our Land at War by Duff Hart-Davis. [3] For service in Oman, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1976 for his actions in the battles at Musandam and Dhofar. [9] In 1982, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). -- … [2], By the end of his career he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant General. In January 1972, at the age of 37, Peter de la Billiere took over as Commanding Officer of 22nd SAS. Peter De La Billiere, Self: This Week. The following background is from a Sri Lankan Sunday Times article on Tim Spicerand the mercenary business : 1. He is often known by the acronym DLB. In 1990-1991, as general, he c… The air war began on 17th January, and Scuds were flying before the day was out. General Sir Peter Edgar de la Cour de la Billière,[1] KCB, KBE, DSO, MC & Bar (born 29 April 1934) is a former British Army officer who was Director SAS during the Iranian Embassy Siege and Commander-in-Chief of the British forces in the 1990 Gulf War. Jeremey Clarkson examines the history of the Victoria Cross, and follows the story of one of the 1,354 men who were awarded it - Major Robert Henry Cain. Peter de la Billière was born in Plymouth, Devon, the son of Surgeon Lieutenant Commander Claude Denis Delacour de Labillière and his wife, Kitty Lawley. [10] For the next four years he commanded SAS Group with overall responsibility for military command.