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Irish Times
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Military Maverick: a British war hero who later aided the IRA
Military Maverick: Selected letters and war diary of 'Chink' Dorman-Smith Author : Lavinia Greacen ISBN-13 : 978-1036102272 Publisher : Pen and Sword Books Guideline Price : £ 29.99 This book of letters and diaries has won for its Dublin-based editor Lavinia Greacen the distinction of being shortlisted for the Templer Prize, the equivalent for military historians of the Booker. It builds on a path-breaking biography she wrote of Eric Dorman-Smith, known as Chink because with his narrow head and pointed ears he resembled his regiment's mascot, a chinkara antelope. He was chief of staff and strategic adviser to Gen Claude Auchinleck when, in July 1942, Auchinleck stopped in his tracks Germany's ace general Erwin Rommel, who had been sweeping all before him, advancing into Egypt. This was not enough for British prime minister Winston Churchill, who was pressing for an immediate counter-offensive, which would have been disastrous. He sacked Auchinleck and Dorman-Smith. Bernard Montgomery, who then took charge and refused to be hurried, got all the credit when he routed Rommel's army at Alamein some months later. Only postwar, when Rommel's letters were published, revealing that his hopes of victory had been blighted when checked by Auchinleck, was it realised how much of the credit for the ultimate British victory belonged to him and Dorman-Smith. READ MORE Meanwhile, embittered by his experience, Dorman-Smith had retired to his stately home in Cootehill, changed his name to Dorman O'Gowan, campaigned against Partition and even facilitated and advised IRA activists raiding the North in the 1950s. He made to sue Churchill for libel for a reference in his war memoirs, forcing Churchill to insert a footnote exculpating Dorman O'Gowan from blame for the reverses that preceded his dismissal. Chink's occasional diaries and letters, many written to the woman who was to become his second wife in 1949, contain perceptive, if somewhat partisan, observations on important historical events and those involved. They are linked together by commentaries written by Greacen and military historian John Lee. The end product gives an insight into Chink's personality, his intellectual arrogance and social insecurity spawning a contempt he did not conceal for what he called 'blue bloods', who dominated the top ranks of the British army. This, and a lack of interpersonal skills, marginalised him and ultimately ruined his career. The book also contains Chink's correspondence with his close friend Ernest Hemingway, who idolised him and used him as a model for several characters in his novels. Cantwell in Across the River and into the Trees is said to be based on Chink and his fate. The earlier In our Time was dedicated to Dorman-Smith.
Belfast Telegraph
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Garry Jennings celebrates victory at May Day Rally
Jennings was fastest on all but one of the event's five stages aboard his Ford Fiesta Rally2, his streak interrupted by the Volkswagen Polo GTi R5 of eventual runner-up, Aaron McLaughlin. Based entirely within the confines of a sun-drenched Saint Angelo Airport on the outskirts of Enniskillen, Jennings' cushion at the end of 24.4 competitive miles was 9.6 seconds. The charge of eight-time Northern Ireland Rally Champion Derek McGarrity in another Volkswagen Polo GTi R5 was halted on stages four and six when he found his path blocked by back markers. He conceded the unfortunate – and time consuming – incidents had 'just ruined the job for us' and he had to settle for third with Derrick Jobb. In the two-wheel-drive battle, Cootehill duo Andrew McIntyre and Andrew Wedlock were clear winners in their Toyota Starlet from the Ford Escort Mk2 of John and David Bonner. Meanwhile, Callum Devine has moved to within one victory of drawing level with the five-in-a-row the late Bertie Fisher recorded at the Rally of the Lakes between 1990 and 1994. Devine made a slow-start to the third round of the Irish Tarmac Rally Championship on Saturday, but set-up tweaks allowed him to find the sweet spot with his Skoda Fabia RS Rally2 and he shot to the top of the leaderboard on the first two stages of the Sunday leg. He hammered home his advantage alongside Noel O'Sullivan on the afternoon loop and went on to finish it 14 seconds clear of Meirion Evans and Ger Conway's Toyota GR Yaris Rally2, and a further 4.3 seconds to the good over the Hyundai i20 N Rally2 being campaigned this season by triple British Rally champion, Matt Edwards. 'To go and do this four times in a row is not something I had really thought of beforehand but yeah, it is pretty special. I owe a big thanks to Noel – he was absolutely fantastic over the two days and, with him being a Killarney man, this is extra special,' reflected Devine. 'It was a tough weekend, we started off a bit slow but all the guys I work with helped to get me back on track and up to speed with the other boys, so yeah, I am really pleased
