On the morning of 6th June 1944, the 6th Green Howards landed on the #Normandy beaches. Among them, the battalion padre, Rev Henry Lovegrove. A man who, on D-Day and beyond, gave active service. Read more of his story at: open.substack.com/pub/combined... #DDay #DDay82

On 4th June 1944, thousands of troops lay waiting to cross the English Channel and launch Operation OVERLORD. In a Sunday Service aboard one of the ships, Rev Henry Lovegrove, Padre to the 6th Green Howards, took as his text "The hour has now come..."

Great to see this important #WW2 memoir in print. "We surely owe it to the thousands we left behind, to remember always..."

How was gallantry recognised in #WW2? As Group Captain Leonard Cheshire - the recipient of a VC, three DSOs and a DFC - intimated, it often took more than just a gallant act to earn a decoration.

What made Victoria Cross recommendation in #WW2? As George Semple explained when discussing Burma VC recipient, Parkash Singh, responses on the ground were often key. Witnesses, a sense that an act may merit the medal, and the collection of accounts all lay the foundations.

#OTD in 1940, Captain Marcus Ervine-Andrews displayed the "courage, tenacity and devotion to duty" which would see him awarded the Victoria Cross. But, as he held back sustained attacks from the roof of a burning barn, he wasn't acting alone... 🧵 1/7

The gallant actions of Captain Marcus Ervine-Andrews on 1st June 1940 would ultimately be recognised with the award of a Victoria Cross. Drawing on his assessment of recognising bravery, a look at just some of the vagaries of valour. combinedobservations.substack.com/p/the-victor...

In 1957, Esmond Knight was the subject of "The is Your Life". Recognising wartime service on HMS Prince of Wales, this led to a meeting with someone he'd later wryly refer to as "the man who blew me to blazes", ex Bismarck gunnery officer, Baron Burkard Von Mullenheim-Rechberg.

In May 1941, peace-time actor and wartime RNVR officer, Esmond Knight found himself in the middle of one of the major naval engagements of #WW2. For a look at his experiences in the Battle of the Denmark Strait and the day's lasting legacy, read: combinedobservations.substack.com/p/he-fought-...

#OTD 85 years ago, battle raged on the Denmark Strait as the German battleship, Bismarck engaged HMS Hood and Prince of Wales. SINK THE BISMARCK! (1960) brought the action to the big screen, giving starring roles to a host naval veterans... 🧵 1/7 #WW2

#OTD 85 years ago, battle raged on the Denmark Strait as the German battleship, Bismarck engaged HMS Hood and Prince of Wales. SINK THE BISMARCK! (1960) brought the action to the big screen, giving starring roles to a host naval veterans... 🧵 1/7 #WW2

On this night, 85 years ago, HMS Prince of Wales was steaming towards the Denmark Strait. Preparing for action, peace-time actor and wartime Sub-Lieutenant, Esmond Knight, found himself in the ship’s cinema to draw not theatrical costume, but protective anti-flash gear…

During the Burma campaign of #WW2 the Vickers MMG provided valuable fire support during jungle fighting. In this week's Substack article, you'll find a closer look at one jungle action and the Vickers' legacy. Read: open.substack.com/pub/combined... 📽 IWM FUB7 🗓 22nd November 1944

Is this Private Harry Bowers? A #WW2 machine gunner with the Manchester Regiment, Bowers' former platoon commander described him as "about the best of the lot". But there's some doubt whether he is the soldier in this AFPU photograph... 🧵 1/8 📷 IWM SE 2894

During the Burma campaign of #WW2 the Vickers MMG provided valuable fire support during jungle fighting. In this week's Substack article, you'll find a closer look at one jungle action and the Vickers' legacy. Head to my pinned post to read. 📽 IWM FUB7 🗓 22nd November 1944

Many who served with the Vickers MMG during #WW2 held the gun in high esteem. A look, this #InternationalMusueumDay, at regimental and personal pride and how 36 machine gunners turned the #VickersMG into an exhibit with a rich heritage. 🧵 1/11

“In the noise of the firing we could distinguish the unmistakable music of our Vickers guns" - reassurance and, for some, no transient affinity. Check out my latest Substack article for a look at the Vickers as a source of personal and regimental pride. open.substack.com/pub/combined...

A quiet moment, but more to follow. A Bren gunner of thr British 36th Infantry Division looks out over jungle flattened by artillery fire near Pinwe in #WW2 Burma. 📷 IWM SE 778 🗓 November 1944

"I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills" In a jungle clearing near Pinwe, men of the British 36th Division attend an open air Mass. 📷 IWM SE 750 🗓 December 1944

#OTD in 1940, Secretary of State for War, Anthony Eden announced the creation of the Local Defence Volunteers. Four years and one name change later, a 17-year-old David Attenborough had joined the ranks of the Home Guard. Read on: open.substack.com/pub/combined... #Attenborough100 #WW2

How many different types of #VickersMG ammunition box are there? Well we’re pretty sure we have most of them. For the last couple of days, a couple of our volunteers have been busy cleaning and cataloguing the belt boxes we have in the collection.

"I have to write some letters first" - the final lines uttered by Richard Todd in THE DAM BUSTERS (1955). Emotive, because it represents the reality Guy Gibson faced #OTD in 1943 and because writing to families bereaved by war was a task Todd knew too... 🧵 1/5 #Dambusters #WW2

#OTD in 1940, Secretary of State for War, Anthony Eden announced the creation of the Local Defence Volunteers. Four years and one name change later, a 17-year-old David Attenborough had joined the ranks of the Home Guard. Read on: open.substack.com/pub/combined... #Attenborough100 #WW2

On 8th May 1945, Winston Churchill broadcast to the nation to announce the end of war in Europe. To the men of the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment listening in Hamburg, the reality of that proclamation was all too clear... 🧵 1/5 #VEDay #WW2

Before the war in the stars, came the fighting on the beaches. This #StarWarsDay, a look at Sir Alec Guinness' real war experiences commanding a landing craft during the allied invasion of Sicily and beyond. 📖 Read: open.substack.com/pub/whincupm... #WW2 #MayThe4th #MayThe4thBeWithYou

“I’ve always maintained that I was the first person to land” #StarWars may have won Sir Alec Guinness a galaxy of fans, but long before embarking on a successful film career, the actor had seen war for real as part of the allied invasion of Sicily... 🧵 1/5 #StarWarsDay #WW2

"I have to write some letters first" - the final lines uttered by Richard Todd in THE DAM BUSTERS (1955), released #OTD 70 years ago. Emotive, because it shows the reality Guy Gibson faced and because writing to families bereaved by war was a task Todd knew too... 🧵 1/5 #WW2

"I have to write some letters first" - the final lines uttered by Richard Todd in THE DAM BUSTERS (1955), released #OTD 70 years ago. Emotive, because it shows the reality Guy Gibson faced and because writing to families bereaved by war was a task Todd knew too... 🧵 1/5 #WW2

On 8th May 1945, Winston Churchill broadcast to the nation to announce the end of war in Europe. To the men of the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment listening in Hamburg, the reality of that proclamation was all too clear... 🧵 1/5 #VEDay #VEDay80 #WW2

On 8th May 1945, Winston Churchill broadcast to the nation to announce the end of war in Europe. To the men of the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment listening in Hamburg, the reality of that proclamation was all too clear... 🧵 1/5 #VEDay #VEDay80 #WW2

"Later that evening, a signal came through from the admiral of the fleet ordering, splice the mainbrace." On #VEDay future Prime Minister, Lt Jim Callaghan was at sea, but like many serving in the Far East, celebrations did not mean his war was over... 🧵 1/6 #VEDay80 #WW2

"We decided to celebrate by making a V E pattern in the sky." On #VEDay, future Prime Minister Major Ted Heath turned the guns of his battery skyward. A final act in a long campaign across North West Europe... 🧵 1/7 #VEDay #VEDay80 #WW2

"We decided to celebrate by making a V E pattern in the sky." On #VEDay, future Prime Minister Major Ted Heath turned the guns of his battery skyward. A final act in a long campaign across North West Europe... 🧵 1/7 #VEDay #VEDay80 #WW2

"After we'd had the champagne, all my friends said you'd better give us a tune on the trumpet." In 1945, #VEDay was greeted with joy on the streets of London. Among the crowds was Lt Humphrey Lyttelton, a man who knew first hand the reality of war... 🧵 1/6 #VEDay80 #WW2

"After we'd had the champagne, all my friends said you'd better give us a tune on the trumpet." In 1945, #VEDay was greeted with joy on the streets of London. Among the crowds was Lt Humphrey Lyttelton, a man who knew first hand the reality of war... 🧵 1/6 #VEDay80 #WW2

"You did have the feeling really of a whole age coming to an end." For Major Denis Healey, #VEDay was the end of an army career that started on Ilkley Moor, ended in Austria, and encompassed some of the fiercest fighting of the Italian campaign... 🧵 1/9 #VEDay80 #WW2

"I remember taking off my life jacket and thinking thank God it's all over". For many, the end of the Second World War was met with a profound sense of relief, a feeling shared by merchant seaman, Ernie Wise... 🧵 1/6 #VEDay #VEDay80 #WW2

"I remember taking off my life jacket and thinking thank God it's all over". For many, the end of the Second World War was met with a profound sense of relief, a feeling shared by merchant seaman, Ernie Wise... 🧵 1/6 #VEDay #VEDay80 #WW2

A lovely thread.

🪖 HARDY - 1st May 1945 One of the foremost cartoonists of the 20th century, Carl Giles' reputation was earned on merit but born in war. Such was his wartime fame that, #OTD in 1945, he became the star of a series of photographs... 🧵 1/9 #AFPUinNWE #WW2 #VEDay80 #VEDay

🪖 HARDY - 1st May 1945 One of the foremost cartoonists of the 20th century, Carl Giles' reputation was earned on merit but born in war. Such was his wartime fame that, #OTD in 1945, he became the star of a series of photographs... 🧵 1/9 #AFPUinNWE #WW2 #VEDay80 #VEDay

3 Scots Guards fought on through North West Europe and, fresh from a spell of leave, Whitelaw was at the front when news of Hitler's death reached these armoured guardsmen. For Whitelaw, it came with an added challenge 👇 🧵 7/9

"At eight o'clock in the morning, one of my friends arrived with the cigar." #OTD in 1945, Adolf Hitler committed suicide in Berlin. The news soon reached future cabinet minister Major Willie Whitelaw and his comrades in 3rd Battalion, Scots Guards... 🧵 1/9 #WW2 #VEDay80

"At eight o'clock in the morning, one of my friends arrived with the cigar." #OTD in 1945, Adolf Hitler committed suicide in Berlin. The news soon reached future cabinet minister Major Willie Whitelaw and his comrades in 3rd Battalion, Scots Guards... 🧵 1/9 #WW2 #VEDay80

Amazing what’s ‘beneath’ an AB64 and merely a line in the register from Alistair Taylor’s collection. All to be added onto the VMGCRA catalogue and archive. #archive #secondworldwar #arnhem #militaryhistory #airborne #parachuteregiment

The new issue of the BJMH is now online at journals.gold.ac.uk/bjmh/ As always Open Access and free to all! In this issue you’ll find a range of methodologies: biographical reassessment, statistical analysis, conflict archaeology, battlefield identification, oral history. 1/3

Ooh. Suit you, sir! Captured from the enemy was it, sir? Lined with fur, is it? Ooh. Suit you. #OTD in 1945, Field Marshal Montgomery was photographed inspecting a Canadian infantryman's winter apparel (dialogue may have deviated from that stated). #AFPUinNWE #WW2

🪖 MALINDINE - 15th February 1945 They say any landing you can walk away from is a good one. However, AFPU photographer Captain Ted Malindine would have been forgiven for doubting that when he met Major Dick Harden #OTD 80 years ago... 🧵 1/11 #WW2 #AFPUinNWE

🪖 MALINDINE - 15th February 1945 They say any landing you can walk away from is a good one. However, AFPU photographer Captain Ted Malindine would have been forgiven for doubting that when he met Major Dick Harden #OTD 80 years ago... 🧵 1/11 #WW2 #AFPUinNWE

It's #ValeintinesDay - a day to spend time with the one you love. But one Manchester Regiment soldier would have to wait 12 years before he could spend it (or a honeymoon with his wife. The story of Alfred and Elsie Sheldrake, a thread... 🧵 1/10 #WW2