In July 1941’s Operation Substance, Fleet Air Arm pilots Richard Cockburn and Alistair Kindersley bravely attacked overwhelming Italian air forces threatening a Malta convoy. Both were shot down after disrupting the attack. Cockburn survived and received the DSO, while Kindersley’s proposed posthumous Victoria Cross was controversially rejected, receiving only a Mention in Despatches.

Geoff Simpson’s article describes the creation and expansion of the Database of The Few, who are the Allied airmen of the Battle of Britain, detailing their biographies and service records. Originating from Kenneth G Wynn’s book, the work involved transferring rights and publication efforts with support from the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust. The Database offers detailed accounts for historians, authors, and researchers, and is maintained in cooperation with other memorial efforts, aiming to preserve the rich histories and stories of the individuals involved.

As tensions continue to disrupt global shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Dr Linda Parker argues that the present crisis cannot be fully understood — or resolved — without examining the centuries-long struggle for control of the Persian Gulf

With questions mounting over whether Britain is prepared to support the U.S in the Gulf and defend its own regional interests, Dr Linda Parker argues that the delay in sending HMS Dragon to Cyprus has revealed how far the Royal Navy has drifted from its long tradition of rapid global response

The Aleutians are remote, storm-lashed and often overlooked, but as Russia and China push harder into the Arctic and North Pacific, this chain of islands off Alaska may prove critical to U.S and NATO security, writes Dr Linda Parker

The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was deployed to France at the onset of WWII in September 1939. Commanded by General Lord Gort, it comprised regular and territorial divisions. Faced with logistical and training challenges, such as lack of adequate communication means and collective training, the BEF defended against the German advance in 1940. Despite setbacks, including outdated strategies reminiscent of WWI trench warfare, they notably facilitated the Dunkirk evacuation, rescuing over 338,000 troops. The campaign exposed troops to modern warfare’s complexities, demanding adaptability in mobility, defense tactics, and survival under heavy German offenses during the Blitzkrieg.

During WWII, several British individuals committed treason by collaborating with Nazi Germany. Notable figures include Oswald Mosley, who led the pro-Nazi British Union of Fascists, and John Amery, who recruited for the British Free Corps. Thomas Haller Cooper, influenced by his German heritage, also joined the Corps. Eddie Chapman, a double agent known as Agent Zigzag, feigned collaboration with Germany while secretly aiding Britain. Harold Cole, motivated by self-interest, betrayed many to the Nazis, resulting in multiple arrests and eventual death in a shoot-out. William Joyce, “Lord Haw Haw,” broadcast Nazi propaganda, was captured, and executed for treason..

The concept of airlifts began in the early 20th century, with the first operation executed by French forces during World War I to evacuate injured troops. Notable airlifts include the 1928 Kabul Airlift during the Afghan Civil War, the Spanish Army’s airlift in 1936, and the India-China Air Ferry from 1942 to 1945. A pivotal moment was the Berlin Airlift (1948-1949), where Allied forces supplied West Berlin amidst a Soviet blockade, demonstrating aviation’s burgeoning logistical capabilities. Since then, airlifts have continued, providing crucial support during conflicts in areas like the Congo, Biafra, and Afghanistan, underscoring their significance in humanitarian and military operations.

Autonomous and semi-autonomous platforms are reshaping modern force structure and accelerating debates about command, accountability and ethics, writes Dr Linda Parker

Greenland became a strategic prize during the Second World War, when the United States occupied the island to block Nazi advances, shield Atlantic convoys and gather the meteorological intelligence that helped time D-Day. It later formed the backbone of NATO’s Arctic early-warning system during the Cold War. Trump’s latest claim that America “has to have” Greenland has revived that history, alarmed Denmark and unsettled the alliance. Yet Greenland’s future remains a matter for Greenlanders, not Washington, writes historian Dr Linda Parker