ANNOUNCEMENT:
For those that attended my talk today I am delighted to announce that my first book will be published in 2026!
This will be on Operation Margin (a.k.a "The Augsburg Raid") and the daylight raid on Augsburg in April 1942 by Avro Lancasters of 44 and 97 Squadrons
Nerd alert but I love it when productions go to the detail of getting the insignia and medals correct.
Lance Corporal Jack Jones' from Dad's Army is a case in point. They've gone through and created a whole backstory here with his medals.
As you all seemed to enjoy the last Richard Holmes video here he is again with a Lee Enfield and another favourite moment of mine.
From the BBC series War Walks Episode 3 Series 1 "Mons".
Today marks 79 years since the opening of Operation Overlord on 6th June 1944 (know as D-Day). There are so many incredible stories on this day, and I've read so many powerful memories and testimonies, but one that I want to share is Klaus Adam.π§΅1/14
Is this the finest moment on film for the Hurricane? "Repeat please!"
(Okay for the nerds amongst you, of which I include myself, I realise some of these Hurricanes are actually Buchons painted up as Hurricanes and dubbed "Hurrischmitts" but for the purposes of today we'll
Seeing as a few have mentioned/requested it...
From Piece of Cake (LWT, 1988) Moggy Cattermole (played by Neil Dudgeon) flies his Spitfire under a bridge (achieved in real life, yes real life, by the great Ray Hanna).
Enjoy!
Squadron Leader Rex briefs the fighter pilots of 'Hornet Squadron' before they fly to France.
From 'Piece of Cake' (LWT, 1988) and one of Tim Woodward's finest moments playing Rex. Followed by a suitable flypast of Spitfires.
RIP Tim Woodward (1953-2023). Thoughts with family
Seeing as a few have mentioned/requested it...
From Piece of Cake (LWT, 1988) Moggy Cattermole (played by Neil Dudgeon) flies his Spitfire under a bridge (achieved in real life, yes real life, by the great Ray Hanna).
Enjoy!
Tonight's tea time thread π something to think π€ about of course.
Plenty of great intros out there to choose from, I'm going with an 80s classic
The Cult she sells sanctuary .
@NewWaveAndPunk
Gf asked why I'm reading about Arnhem so much and what it was all about. Explained it and mentioned how I first found out about it as a teen watching "A Bridge Too Far". She now wants to watch it. I gave her a brief description but haven't said how long the film is...
"It seems like an impossible dream...did I really find myself in a front line fighter squadron within ten months of leaving school? Did I fly through and survive the Battle of Britain before I had reached the age of twenty? It appears I must have done.β
#OnThisDay
1944: Actor Richard Todd took part in Operation Tonga on what is now known as D-Day.
60 years on in 2004, he revisited his landing site in Normandy, returned to Pegasus Bridge and reflected on his experience of war.
I hold no apologies that my Twitter profile (it is still Twitter and always will be and none of this X rubbish) is filled with images/videos of this incredible aircraft.
Led by Squadron Leader Rex Hornet Squadron gets their first 'kill' followed by a stunning sequence of Spitfires beating up their airfield at ChΓ’teau Saint-Pierre (real location Charlton Park)
(From Piece of Cake, LWT , 1988. Before you ask, all episodes available on dvd or on
One of my all time favourite historical photographs is of Jackie Moggridge sitting in a Spitfire. How cool does she look too with the shades, thumbs up, and hair blowing in the wind as she's about to take off? If you don't know her story it's incredible and go find out!
This image reminds me of my grandparents talking about dogfights over London in 1940 and me hanging onto every word. Grandad once saw two Spitfires chasing a BF109 over his parents garden with guns blazing away. Both of their memories of the Blitz have stuck with me too.
Someone said this is "pure Britain". Well it's a British design yes but this aircraft is 100% Canadian built and a fine reminder/memorial to Canada's vital role in defeating fascism. This Brit thinks you guys rock and gives a massive thanks π¨π¦
Sticking my neck out here but with the Normandy landings I actually find the period after the landings themselves more interesting than D-Day (as remarkable an achievement as it is). The logistics, establishing the bridgehead, battles, Allied relations, etc... just grabs me more.
Her: so what are your hobbies?
Me: I read, like walks in the countryside, and, I like making airfix kits and I have a model railway. Not too nerdy I hope!
Her: that's so cool, what sort of models? You'll be easy to buy presents for!
Me (internally): marry me
Question for history peeps but was there a historian that really helped you develop a passion for the subject? For me, it's without doubt Prof. Richard Holmes. Not only incredibly knowleagble and insightful he added a human quality to speaking about history. Still an inpairation.
One of the many individuals was Sir Ken Adam OBE (Flight Sergeant retired) who was a Jewish refugee from Germany. My thoughts today are on him and those many other thousands of incredible individuals from all over the world who fought against Naziism and fascism. END π§΅
An update:
A position has now come up and I have accepted it so I WILL be returning to Essex as an assistant lecturer next year! I honestly couldn't be happier right now!
Looks like my days as an assistant lecturer at Essex uni is over. I just received the news I didn't get a position this year after 3 years lecturing there βΉοΈ
Too few positions and too many applicants apparently. Feel a bit down tbh βΉοΈ
Looks like I lost followers over saying Churchill wasn't the be all and end all in the eventual allied (clue there) victory over Nazi Germany and the Axis. I'm not saying he wasn't important but there's a dangerous lionising of him that has been allowed to run away with the
1/3 For
#PrideMonth
I want to give a shout out to Wing Commander Ian Gleed DSO DFC. One of "the few". Gleed was an incredibly brave RAF fighter pilot. The images used here and more information on his service can be found here:
His account for winning the Victoria Cross is a segment in the Thames Television/ITV documentary series "World at War" (Episode 12: Whirlwind) from 1973. When I first watched it (very young) I had no idea of the story or the VC and found it a very powerful segment.
Here it is:
80 years ago: 3rd November 1943. Victoria Cross action of Flt/Lt William Reid. Pilot of a 61 Squadron Lancaster tasked with bombing DΓΌsseldorf, Reidβs aircraft was attacked by a Bf110 night fighter soon after crossing the Dutch coast. The Perspex in the cockpit was shot away and
I hate to have to do this (are we still going over that narrative?) But the fight was over fervent nationalism and it wasn't just England. I'm equally proud of every nation that fought against fascism. Scot, Polish, French, Czech, etc... I'm very proud. Don't make something out
Exactly π well said
@James1940
And part of the reason I do what I do. Spitfire Elizabeth & her 411 Roaring Boys were known as the aggressive Canucks. Real fighting men with boundless courage & determination. Read their amazing true story
#spitfireelizabeth
#dday80
#rcaf
The better half has ranked the following war films in this order:
Dam Busters
Dunkirk (2017)
A Bridge Too Far
Battle of Britain
Yes I will introduce her to the John Mills film. What I find really interesting is the questions she asks me. "Wait the bomb bounced!?" or "Why didn't