Has this chap Mallinson confessed as to what his shortcomings were that precluded him making it to Major General rank, or even a real Brigadier ?
Anybody know one or two of his former superiors at the higher level, a general perhaps who could be persuaded to comment here on the chap's annual appraisal reports which 'doomed his further promotion prospects ? Someone MUST have identified that AM had clearly reached his ceiling in the competence stakes and written him up accordingly, otherwise he would have 'stars' on a red plate on his Fiat Punto or whatever he drives.
Something is seriously affecting his thought process, has he PTSD perhaps after his exursions in NI or Balkans ?
Someone once said that a Defence Attache job was for those 'not quite up to the mark' for demanding real military assignments, and it was a last chance to redeem themselves before going off to tend roses. Permanently!
Perhaps we should feel sorry for the dear fellow ?