John Sadler’s *The Heavy Water War* recounts the Allied campaign to stop Nazi Germany acquiring heavy water for atomic research. Drawing on extensive sources, it vividly describes SOE operations Grouse, Freshman and Gunnerside, highlighting extraordinary bravery, hardship and sabotage efforts that helped prevent Hitler from developing an atomic bomb.
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.
Steps To Glory Book Launch. Volume 1 covering 1660 to July 1914 is being launched at a talk and reception ‘An Evening in Conversation’ on 22 July 2026 in the Indian Army Memorial Room in Old College, Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Camberley, Surrey.
Click to see the full details The cost of the evening ticket can be deducted from the purchase price of the book at the event. Booking in is via Eventbrite
Peter Brooker, an RAF officer, served in pivotal WWII roles including the Battle of Britain, Singapore’s defense, and post-D-Day operations. Awarded the DFC and DSO, he vanished without a trace on April 16, 1945. His mysterious disappearance and valor are explored in a detailed biography.
The 1970 Firebase Ripcord campaign, the last major American offensive in the Vietnam War, failed due to strong enemy resistance, resource scarcity, and command issues. Despite multiple attempts and a weak American position, the North Vietnamese intensified attacks. The ineffective command rotations and inexperienced leaders compounded the campaign’s challenges.
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
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.
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