New Zoom Talk Booked – Berlin – Divided City

Richard’s talk will provide a detailed look at the Berlin Airlift, the disastrous superpower summits, the Berlin crises and the role of Berlin in the Cold War itself.

Berlin - Divided City

By Richard Gibbons

Richard’s talk will provide a detailed look at the Berlin Airlift, the disastrous superpower summits, the Berlin crises and the role of Berlin in the Cold War itself.

New Village Hall Talk Booked – The origins of the First World War

The First World War was one of the most shattering conflicts of the Twentieth Century.
This talk outlines the international developments that resulted in the First World War. It will cover the unification of both Italy and Germany, the domestic situations in the great powers and key European players, the impact of empire-building and the situation in the Balkans. The intricacies of international relations in the period are outlined to provide an understanding of why Europe was plunged into such a devastating war.

The war that no one wanted: the origins of the First World War

By Dr Stephen Goss

The First World War was one of the most shattering conflicts of the Twentieth Century.

This talk outlines the international developments that resulted in the First World War. It will cover the unification of both Italy and Germany, the domestic situations in the great powers and key European players, the impact of empire-building and the situation in the Balkans. The intricacies of international relations in the period are outlined to provide an understanding of why Europe was plunged into such a devastating war. Weaving these considerations together, it will put the First World War in context and explain why a dispute in south-eastern Europe was so quickly transformed into a fight to the death for the Continent’s great empires and powers.

BMMHS Talk Report: The Making of the Light Division by Tim Saunders

The Making of The Light Division

By Tim Saunders

The Peninsula War is probably a bit outside the BMMHS’ usual “comfort zone” of the 20th century and for many, myself definitely included, our knowledge doesn’t extend much beyond Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe. But that all changed this evening when Tim expertly examined what he reluctantly described as the “elite” of Wellington’s army. Tracing the roots of light infantry through to the beginning of the 19th century where the British raised the Rifle Corps, noting how the troops benefited from such unfashionable ideas such as fitness training, shooting practice and tactical lectures!

He then traced the now Light Division through its actions in Portugal and then, under the command of the impressive Robert Craufurd, the campaign in Spain. Balancing the big picture of major battles such as Vimiero and Salamanca with nuggets like Rifleman Plunket’s shot and the details of light troops uniforms and kit Tim held our attention for over an hour without ever appearing to look at any notes and then dealt with a range of questions with the same authority. I hope we see Tim at Woodcote again.

Andy Heiron

New Village Hall Talk Booked – The White Lady – The story of British Intelligence Networks Behind German Lines

Helen will talk about MI6 networks White Lady and Clarence Service in WWI and WWII, operating in German-occupied Belgium. Agents used innovative methods like knitting coded messages and invisible ink to gather intelligence, sending over 800 radio messages and 1000 reports to London. Learn about their bravery and contributions to Allied forces.

The White Lady - The story of British Intelligence Networks Behind German Lies

By Helen Fry

We are delighted to welcome Dr Helen Fry to talk to BMMHS once again.

This time Helen will speak about the two most important British Secret Service intelligence (MI6) networks behind the enemy lines in WWI and WWII.

At the heart of MI6’s operations were the White Lady (‘La Dame Blanche’) and Clarence Service which operated in German-occupied Belgium. This is a compelling account of the agents who risked their lives and found ingenious ways to smuggle intelligence out of occupied Belgium. The men and women in the networks operated as agents, spies, couriers and heads of intelligence sectors. From knitting coded messages into jumpers, to running entire sections behind the German lines, agent handling and traditional spycraft that included messages in invisible ink. Operators in the field sent over 800 radio messages to London and delivered more than a thousand reports, including groundbreaking information on Hitler’s secret weapon the V-1. From her ground-breaking research, Helen will reveal an astonishing espionage history from her extensive research in Brussels and London.

New Village Hall Talk Booked – Operation Chastise – The Dambusters Raid

The Dambusters’ Raid in 1943 showcased scientific innovation, skill, and bravery as RAF 617 Squadron successfully breached two German dams. Led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, the aircrews faced heavy fire and risks but achieved their objective, disrupting enemy infrastructure. Their heroism and sacrifice continue to inspire generations.

Operation Chastise - The Dambusters Raid

By Chris Leworthy

It is now over 80 years since the Dambusters’ Raid. It is a story of scientific genius coupled with supreme skill and bravery. The talk will cover the whole operation from concept to conclusion but will, in particular, focus on the raid itself, precisely what the aircrews achieved and what happened to them.

New Village Hall Talk Booked – Rudolf Hess – His Flight To England

On 10 May 1941, Hitler’s deputy Rudolf Hess flew solo to Scotland to try to broker peace with Britain. Hear more about this extraordinary incident nearly 80 years on, in a talk and Q&A by Dr Linda Parker.

Rudolf Hess; His Flight To England

By Dr Linda Parker

New Zoom Talk Booked – 1983 The World At The Brink

Following on from Taylor’s excellent Zoom talk on The Army That Never Was he has Kindly agreed to give another Zoom talk to BMMS next year on 1983 The World At The Brink.
Taylor’s talk is a chilling reminder of how close the world came to nuclear destruction during the tense days of the Cold War. The events of 1983 serve as a stark warning of the dangers of miscalculation, miscommunication, and brinkmanship in international relations. The story of Able Archer 83 serves as a cautionary tale of the potential consequences of escalating tensions and the importance of diplomacy and communication in preventing catastrophic conflict.

1983 The World At The Brink

By Taylor Downing

1983 was a supremely dangerous year – even more dangerous than 1962, the year of the Cuban Missile Crisis. In the US, President Reagan massively increased defence spending, described the Soviet Union as an ‘evil empire’ and announced his ‘Star Wars’ programme, calling for a shield in space to defend the US from incoming missiles.

Yuri Andropov, the paranoid Soviet leader, saw all this as signs of American aggression and convinced himself that the US really meant to attack the Soviet Union. He put the KGB on alert to look for signs of an imminent nuclear attack. When a Soviet fighter jet shot down Korean Air Lines flight KAL 007 after straying off course over a sensitive Soviet military area, President Reagan described it as a ‘terrorist act’ and ‘a crime against humanity’. The temperature was rising fast.

Then at the height of the tension, NATO began a war game called Able Archer 83. In this exercise, NATO requested permission to use the codes to launch nuclear weapons. The nervous Soviets convinced themselves this was no exercise but the real thing.

This is an extraordinary and largely unknown Cold War story of spies and double agents, of missiles being readied, of intelligence failures, misunderstandings and the panic of world leaders. With access to hundreds of extraordinary new documents just released in the US, Taylor Downing is able to tell for the first time the gripping but true story of how near the world came to the brink of nuclear war in 1983.

New Zoom Talk Booked – The US Eighth Air Force Over Europe

The VIII Fighter Command adapted to the challenges of the air war by prioritising bomber escort missions and implementing new tactics to combat German fighters. These adjustments were crucial in the success of the Combined Bomber Offensive, as they provided protection to bombers, disrupted enemy fighters, and established air superiority over western Europe.

The Eighth Air Force Over Europe

In this Zoom talk Dr John Curatola of the US National World War II Museum in New Orleans will explore 8^th Air Force Fighter Operations.

During the war, VIII Fighter Command was an essential part of the Combined Bomber Offensive. As with most military campaigns, the execution of combat operations adjusted and changed over time.

How and why did VIII Fighter Command adjust to the challenges of the emerging air war?
What were the consequences of these actions?

During this talk Dr Curatola will address the doctrinal, material, and leadership adjustments of the American fighter force over the skies of western Europe.

New Zoom Talk Booked – The German Occupation of the Channel Islands

Join speaker James Porter for a talk on the German occupation of the Channel Islands in WW2 – the only British territories occupied by the Germans during the war. What was life like for the locals, and how did they live alongside the German occupiers?

The German Occupation of the Channel Islands

In this talk James Porter will explore the events leading up to the German occupation of the Channel Islands in 1940 after the fall of France, and the soul-searching around the evacuation of part of the populations. Then he will describe the arrival of the German forces, their reception and their everyday life in the islands. James will examine the changing relations between occupying forces and island authorities and the massive construction programme of fortifications whereby the islands were incorporated into Hitler’s ‘Atlantic Wall’. He will look at the British commando raids and the life and privations of the civilian population as the War progressed and food became increasingly scarce for both islanders and occupiers.

BMMHS New Zoom Talk Booked – The Sinking of the Bismarck

More than a hundred British warships were involved in a desperate 5 day, 1,750 mile hunt for the mighty German battleship Bismarck, which disappeared for more than 24 hours and was almost within reach of safety before it was tracked down. David Bickerton’s father was a crewman aboard HMS Dorsetshire which was involved in the pursuit and sinking of the Bismarck.

BMMHS Zoom Talk - The Sinking of the Bismarck

More than a hundred British warships were involved in a desperate 5 day, 1,750 mile hunt for the mighty German battleship Bismarck, which disappeared for more than 24 hours and was almost within reach of safety before it was tracked down. David Bickerton’s father was a crewman aboard HMS Dorsetshire which was involved in the final showdown. David’s talk will focus on the pursuit and sinking of the Bismarck.

Category: BMMHS Events