John Waters criticizes deceased Brigadier Tony Wilson in controversial documentary

In the United Kingdom, General Sir John Waters, who served as the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander for NATO forces in Europe, became a notable figure in the discussion surrounding the Falklands War after a documentary aired in 2022. Although Waters had maintained a low profile throughout his career, his comments in the Channel 4 documentary 'The Falklands War: The Untold Story' drew significant attention. In this documentary, he made critical remarks about Brigadier Sir Tony Wilson, who commanded the 5th Infantry Brigade during the conflict and had passed away in 2019. Waters's statements were contentious; they prompted mixed reactions, with some viewers seeing his critique as inappropriate and others appreciating his candidness. Notably, General Sir Michael Rose, who commanded 22 SAS in the Falklands, supported Waters's view by describing the operation to recapture the islands as marred by poor command and control. This acknowledgment from a fellow military officer highlighted the ongoing debate about the effectiveness of the military leadership during the Falklands conflict. The fallout from Waters's comments suggested a rekindled examination of the strategies employed during the war, which may not have been sufficiently scrutinized in the past, thus marking a shift towards greater honesty and transparency in reflecting on historical military decisions.