Gen. Frank Kitson arrived in Northern Ireland in September 1970, charged with leading a brigade of British paratroopers in Belfast. The 30-year struggle known as the Troubles, pitting loyalists, who wanted to stay part of Britain, against Republicans, who wanted to separate, was just beginning — and over the next two years, General Kitson would do much to shape the course of the conflict. By then, General Kitson was considered one of Britain’s leading warrior-intellectuals. General Kitson was short and stocky, with a ramrod posture and a high, nasal voice. He detested small talk and spoke rarely, but he had a martial charisma that won him widespread admiration among his ranks.

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Persons: Frank Kitson, Kitson, General Kitson, Mike Jackson, Kitson’s Organizations: British, Republicans, Oxford, Subversion, Peacekeeping Locations: Northern Ireland, Belfast, Britain, Africa, Asia