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 Despite setbacks, including outdated strategies reminiscent of WWI trench warfare, they notably facilitated the Dunkirk evacuation, rescuing over 338,000 troops.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.
How can a war–labeled a police action yet costing millions of lives, traumatizing countless other individuals, and razing cities and villages–be forgotten?
Despite its widespread effects, the Korean War received less media attention than World War II with its global scope and the Vietnam War with its stormy protests and inglorious conclusion. Ryan Walkowski took on a mission to ensure this war–in which his grandfather and great-uncle fought–would be remembered. Taking overnight drives across the United States, he interviewed Korean War veterans who recounted the most terrifying times of their lives. Walkowski and author Ed Gruber–a Navy and Korean War veteran–sought to present these stories of battles in frigid and monsoon conditions, of fierce warfare in rugged mountains and muddy paddies, of bugle-blaring enemies attacking in waves. Blunt, profane, hesitant, and tearful, these firsthand accounts of vicious hand-to-hand fighting and other harrowing experiences provide a stark reminder of the immense devastation that was the Korean War.
In the late afternoon of 24 June 1944, eighteen aircraft from 617 Squadron, led to fame by Wing Commander Guy Gibson during the attack on the dams raid in May 1943, took off from their base at Woodhall Spa. Their target was the vast V2 rocket site at Wizernes in the Pas de Calais. Known today as La Coupole, this bunker complex had been built to serve as a reinforced launch site for the V2s that Hitler hoped would terrorise the British population.
BMMHS Events – Update The talk by Guy Walters originally scheduled for 15th July 2026 in Woodcote has been changed to a Zoom talk in June 2027. This is because Guy has moved to Prague. In addition Guy has recently published a new book…. Also see his latest TV series.
The British Soldier: Training for War explores how WWII British infantry, commandos, and paratroopers were trained in the British Isles. Utilising diverse historical sources, it reveals their preparation through drills, weapon skills, battle schools, and exercises, ultimately building their combat skills, endurance, and confidence for global conflict.
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..
This afternoon talk took place on Tuesday 23rd June. Jerry Cockeram opened with an update on BMMHS during the lockdown and also the progress of Operation Bookworm.
Then Linda Parker gave an interesting talk on Airborne Padres in the Second World War which was well received by the audience of 27 people. It was nice to see some familiar faces and some new ones too and there was also an interesting Q&A session at the end. The talk went well with only a few minor technical glitches, which we are working to overcome. Feedback from members on the “Zoom” was enthusiastic and appreciative, with most people willing to make a donation or contribution towards the cost of future Zoom talks.
Ice Stations to Action Stations by Linda Parker.
This talk tells the story of the “curious little war” that took place on the Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard 1941-1945. The island of Spitsbergen was the site of confrontation between the allies and Germany as the weather stations both sides attempted to maintain there were strategically important for the course of the war in Europe, Including D day.
The men involved on both sides had been prominent polar explorers in the interwar years, and Alexander ‘Sandy’ Glen in particular used the skills he had acquired in his pre-war exploration of the archipelago in the game of cat and mouse that took place as each side sought to obtain the advantage of obtaining regular weather forecasts and knowledge of Atlantic and Arctic conditions.
The BMMHS had a successful visit yesterday to the Battle of Britain Bunker the former underground operations room used by No 11 Group Fighter Command RAF during WW2. Fighter aircraft operations were controlled from here throughout the war but most noteably during the Battle of Britain and on D-Day. There is also a new visitors centre opened in March 2018. The tour guide Chris Leworthy was excellent and the day was enjoyed by all. A highly recommended place to visit.
The Main Hall, will be redecorated at the time of this April talk by Gary Sheffield. Gary’s talk will go ahead in the next door Function Room. However this has halved our capacity to 50 people for this one talk and all seats have now been reserved. Apologies to those who had hoped to attend. Normal service in the refurbished Main Hall will resume in May for all future talks.
BMMHS is pleased to announce that we have appointed Linda Parker as our Schools Liaison Officer. Linda’s role now includes a focus on establishing links with local schools and colleges with a view to broadening our audiences into a younger generation.
Please if you can provide us with contacts and advice in this area then contact us via [email protected]
Our previous talks have been sold out but thanks to the help from both Jenny & the Yoga team, we are now moving into the Larger Main Hall, in Woodcote Village Hall.
In order to secure a seat for future events, please contact us on [email protected] and we will confirm availability.
On Monday 14th October 2019, Wantage held Two Services of Remembrance commemorating the first casualties of the Second World War from the town .
Watch this space!
An excellent talk followed by a book signing by naval author, Philip K Allan, author of the Alexander Clay series. Following a lifetime’s love of the wooden warships of the Napoleonic era, Philip took a packed house through a fascinating presentation of what it was like to live and work in the navies of the day.
Last night saw the first event of the BMMHS, with a fascinating talk by local historian Bill King, assisted by his wife Flora, on how Britain intended to repel a German invasion in 1940 through the use of ‘underground’ resistance fighters.
Click on Unit Badge for meeting details
Thank you to Barbara Taylor of The Western Front Association for kindly announcing the formation of the British Modern Military History Society to members at the Thames Valley Branch meeting on Thursday 28th March 2019.
Copyright © 2026 bmmhs.org – All Rights Reserved
