American diplomacy under Trump. What happens when you let sport brats loose on important matters.

TACO Trump makes another threat to punish Russia. That’s another 50 days of doing nothing followed by forgetting he ever made the threat.

Academia.com emails me to say they have created an AI review of my PhD Read with interest and does not really say much. I would love to see how many of the statements made in the review appear in other AI reviews. I think I know the answer.

Interesting talk last night by historian Bob Burnham. Did you know Spanish were recruited to serve in Wellingtons famous Light Division? I didn’t

**Operation Spiders Web** I resisted a hot take. So, on sober reflection… Op Spiderweb was one of the most impressive, and strategic attacks ever. Short thread 🧵 #russia #Ukraine

Just finishing a chapter on Wellington’s siege of Badajoz in 1812. This was not one of his finest operations. Should be out in book form in 2026 (Helion)

TACO Trump has such a nice ring to it.

Has anyone done fag packet estimates of which would be cheaper in US. A foreign made iPhone with 25% tariff or a US made one using US labour rates?

Our next talk is on 27 May 2025. Dr Graeme Callister will be speaking about his research on the men who made up Napoleon's Grande Army. The talk starts at 7pm UK time. Please register by emailing Ian Brewer on [email protected] A link for the talk will issued nearer the event. NB See new talk.

Napoleonic naval people. In Jan 1812, Wellington asked Admiral Berkeley to supply 9 feet long 24 pounder cannon. I thought Royal Navy cannon were all shorter (6 or 6.5 feet) so they could be handled easier on-board ships. Anybody got an opinion? @dockyardtalk.bsky.social, @kejamieson.bsky.social

You may be interested in this podcast I did Recently for 'Generals and Napoleon'. It is on the Lines of Torres Vedras. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/g...

Is my contempt for AI weakening? ChatGPT created this from this. Lots of details wrong, but I am impressed.

On the same thought, it seems that for the first time ever, the first topic when British people meet is no longer the weather, but what that maniac across the Atlantic has done - even people you don’t know.

I have to say that I am finding it hard to comment on my historical interests during this period of uncertainty on the planet. When will ‘normal’ return?

2/2. 5. Planed purchase of Apple computer on indefinite hold. 6. Loss to USA from my Actions about £1000. If 1% of the people in affected countries did the same the impact in USA would be many $billions. 7. You as an individual can have a say in what is happening.

I should not do politics but as a historian watching this economic car crash, I think what can I do? 1. Change long standing don’t buy Chinese policy to don’t buy American. 2. Stop using Amazon shopping. 3. Cancel Amazon Music - Spotify is European. 4. Stop buying American whiskey 1/2

Super Power to super pariah in 8 weeks. I am a genius.

@ukdefencejournal.org.uk and anyone else. Accepting USA does not have 'kill switch' for UK's Trident and F35, what power do they have to degrade these systems by withholding support, maintenance and upgrades?

@covertshores.bsky.social and anyone else, explain this to me. My current car shouts at me if I get too close to another car. My last car would take physical action, brakes and steering if I got too close. But, two huge ships can plough into each other quite easily. What do I not understand?

@thehistoryguy.bsky.social Dan can I message you? Or drop me a line via www.f-ltv.co.uk Mark S Thompson

The Washington Post refused to run this ad. Sure would be a shame if it went viral.

Next talk for Friends of the Lines of Torres Vedras will be by historian Steve Brown on 21 Jan. Title: The command structure, dispositions and strengths of the Allied forces in the Lines. Register interest by emailing: [email protected]. NOTE. Talk starts 8pm UK time due to time differences.

Packed beach this morning - Druridge bay, Northumberland, UK. It was 4C , so not so warm

A friend of mine, who is female, has just been dropped from a well known battlefield tour company, because one of the older male ‘experts’ doesn’t like her because she actually knows what she’s talking about. I am so pissed off. Every time I think we’re getting better, someone proves we’re not.

I did a talk tonight for the Fortress Study Group on the logistics involved in preparing for. 19c siege (Ciudad Rodrigo 1812). The answer 2000 ox carts, 5000 oxen, 3000 civilians, 200 river barges and 8 months planning. Simples!

Great to be recording again with @andnapoleon.bsky.social tonight on this guy. Scandals, clash of swords & wooden legs all covered, coming to your podcasts. (That's Henry Paget, Earl of Uxbridge, later 1st Marquis of Anglesey, but Handsome Henry to the ladies)

I reached 800 followers today. Welcome to you all. But, I still do not understand the purpose of those accounts with no picture, no profile and no posts.

@mcribbhistory.bsky.social I see your book on Porto 1809 is scheduled for release next month. 👍

When I visit Badajoz in May, I hope to meet the guy who translated my book on the battle of Albuera into Spanish. I still am amazed that mine is the only English language book with a Spanish edition #rightplacerighttime

@robgriffith.bsky.social Hi. Welcome

Just for clarification, these posts about Royal engineer officers are written for entertainment not for academia. I believe the facts are correct.

4/3 (I cannot count!) In the royal Engineers at this time, promotion was strictly on seniority, Mackelcan appeared to do better than other engineer officers. His story is told in fiction in Jean Plaidy’s ‘The Prince and the Quakeress’

3/3 Mackelcan was the senior engineer in Guernsey until 1808 when he was found guilty at a Court Martial of using engineer workmen for his own purposes. There is no record of his employment after 1808.

2/3 Despite having no active service during his career, he was put on half pay in 1815 with the army rank of Major General. He was promoted to full General in 1838, a rank no similar engineer officer managed.

1/3 Royal Engineer No. 3. General John Mackelcan. It is claimed he was the Illegitimate son of George III and actress Hannah Lighfoot. Mackelcan was sponsored for his commission by Earl Chatham suggesting friends in high places.

Just booked my flights to visit Elvas, Badajoz and Albuera next year. Interested to see where they have been putting solar panels on the Albuera battlefield. The work has stopped as they found lots of skeletons. Who would have thought?

Having been researching British optical telegraphs for several years I have now found three references to ‘blue light’ telegraphs in as many weeks. This is all new to me. 😳

Roman bridge at Alcantara (image: public domain)

2/2. In his defence, it had been broken twice before in 1214 and 1760 and then once after in 1860. At least he was not alone in damaging ancient artefacts! He also served in all the major sieges in the Peninsular War and unlike many of his fellow engineers, he survived all six.

1/2. Royal Engineer No2. Lieutenant Frank Staway. He should be remembered as the longest serving Royal Engineer in the Peninsular War from Aug 1808 to Aug 1814 (the whole war). Instead he is remembered as the guy who destroyed an arch in the Roman bridge at Alcantara, built about 105AD by Trajan.

2/3 He also had an overinflated ego (Popham?). He claims to have been the first person to administer the smallpox vaccine in North America; He was given a commission in the Spanish army for quelling an insurrection in Cadiz. He did some engineering (not very well on occasions).

1/2 @latelordchatham.bsky.social got me thinking that you all want to hear about some of the Royal Engineer officers from the Napoleonic period. Who else could I start with but George Landmann who reminds me of Popham. He had an absolute knack of not being where he was supposed to be.

@charlesesdaile.bsky.social hi, welcome to Bluesky

@kejamieson.bsky.social where can I find out which ships were on the Lisbon station in Jan 1812? Any pointers appreciated.

Followers, you could definitely help by reposting the thread below with a quote. Make sure everyone that have left platforms like X, but wants to keep informed about Ukraine, is aware that we post our daily daily SitReps on BlueSky now as well. Thank you!

Welcome to all those people who have recently followed me. Several have no picture, no profile and no posts. I will be removing such accounts in the near future.

My chapter on the good planning for the siege of Ciudad Rodrigo in Jan 1812 should be published by Helion in Spring 2025. My chapter on the bad planning for the siege of Badajoz in March 1812 should be published by Helion in Spring 2026.

@latelordchatham.bsky.social you coming?

My Napoleonic telegraph rabbit hole has suddenly reappeared. Irish telegraphs were different from others and ‘blue lights’ in the Pyrenees in 1813. In we go!!!!!

Cultural Experience Tour - Wellington in Spain - September 2025. I will be leading this tour next year. This will cover the major events in central Spain between 1809 and 1812. Please have a look at the trip and consider if you would like to join us. www.theculturalexperience.com/tours/wellin...