Sandy Gall, a distinguished war correspondent for Britain's Independent Television News (ITN), has passed away at 97 in his home in Penshurst, Kent, as confirmed by his daughter, Carlotta Gall, a reporter for The New York Times. Gall dedicated nearly five decades to bringing the world’s most significant conflicts into the homes of British viewers, serving first as a reporter and then as a beloved presenter on ITV’s “News at Ten.”
His face became a familiar sight during critical historical moments—from the aftermath of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas to the civil rights movements led by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma. Gall was a firsthand witness to the Vietnam War, capturing harrowing footage of North Vietnamese tanks entering Saigon in 1975. His experience in conflict zones spanned Vietnam, Africa, and the Middle East, and his calm demeanor made him a respected figure in journalism.
In his later career, Gall focused on Afghanistan, where he covered the anti-Soviet mujahedeen, writing about their struggles against Soviet rule in the 1980s. He authored six books on the country and founded a charity aimed at helping disabled Afghans. His work deeply reflected his admiration for Afghanistan’s resilient people and its dramatic landscapes, often comparing them to his native Scotland.
Gall’s literary contributions continued well into his nineties, with his final book, a biography of the revered mujahedeen leader Ahmad Shah Massoud, published when he was 93. His legacy in war coverage and journalism will endure through his extensive reporting and impactful writings.
