Sandy Gall, an acclaimed journalist and author of Napoleon of Afghanistan, passed away at 97. His comprehensive reporting on Afghanistan earned him accolades. Sandy Gall, the acclaimed British war reporter who covered the war in Afghanistan extensively, passed away on Sunday, July 30, at 97.
Gall was renowned for his fearless reporting of the Middle East, Vietnam and the capture of Saigon. He reported from crisis zones throughout the globe for most of his career. He was a familiar figure in war journalism due to his courage and sharp critique.
Gall formed a close relationship with Afghanistan in the 1980s after becoming fascinated by Ahmad Shah Massoud’s fight. He travelled to the country several times and created several major books and documentaries about the region.
War Against the Taliban, which is one of his most well-known books, blamed the West’s failure in Afghanistan mainly on Pakistan’s policy. Gall was dedicated to humanitarian causes as well as being a writer.
He founded the Sandy Gall Foundation for Afghanistan, an organisation which works to assist victims of landmines. Gall was awarded the 2011 SMG (Special Merit for Afghanistan) for his services towards the people of Afghanistan.
Gall was born in Malaya (now Malaysia), studied in Scotland, and worked in the Royal Air Force before beginning a career in the media. Before joining ITN, he worked at Reuters.
Gall wrote Napoleon of Afghanistan in 2021, a biography of the iconic Afghanistan leader Ahmad Shah Massoud, which showed his devotion to the nation for a lifetime. With Gall’s passing, a chapter of combat reporting closes.
Future generations of journalists will continue to be inspired by his legacy, since his pioneering work in Afghanistan and other war areas helped shape the world’s understanding of these areas.
Sandy Gall has made incalculable contributions to humanitarianism and journalism. He made a lasting impression, especially in Afghanistan, where his influence is still felt today.
In 1983, having produced his first television documentary concerning the resistance of the Afghan people to the Russian invasion of the previous year, he also established Sandy Gall’s Afghanistan Appeal.
For services to the people of Afghanistan, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 1987 Birthday Honours and a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in the 2011 New Year Honours.
His family revealed that he died on Sunday at his home in Kent. His family paid tribute to him by saying:
“His was a great life, generously and courageously lived.”