Finished my first ghost tour at Chatham Dockyard, taking people around some of the lesser used buildings and telling stories of spooky goings on…

This week’s free to read: On 3 September 1939 the RAF’ first bombing raid was on standby to attack the Kriegsmarine in port on the first day of #ww2, but how did it go? jerijerod14.substack.com/p/bombing-th... #history #navalhistory

This week’s podcast is on the Medway prison hulks and Deadman’s island podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m... #history #medway #navalhistory

Arado Ar 196 in Soviet Service www.destinationsjourney.com/historical-m... #aviation #AradoAr196 #floatplane

I’ve decided to give the German navies (Imperial and Kriegsmarine) a rest for a bit - I’m pretty sure you’re all bored of me talking about Kreuzerkrieg and U-boats. This week I’m looking further afield

The squadron off San Domingo lost four further vessels during the hurricane: 74-gun HMS Thunderer, 20-gun HMS Scarborough, 14-gun HMS Victor and 12-gun HMS Barbadoes. All disappeared during 4-5 October, with no survivors. (Image of HMS Phoenix sinking from the National Maritime Museum) [3/3]

64-gun HMS Stirling Castle was wrecked off Cap Haïtien after her squadron off San Domingo was scattered by the hurricane. Most of the crew reached the shore but 20 were swept out to sea on a piece of the wreck. By the time they were rescued several days later only 5 remained alive. [2/3]

4 Oct 1780 // 5th-rate 44-gun ship HMS Phoenix was off Jamaica when a hurricane struck. Blown across to Cuba, she went aground near Cape Cruz with 20 men lost. Stores and guns were removed and the wreck was burnt. Phoenix was one of several vessels lost by the #RoyalNavy in this hurricane. [1/3]

Lambert’s mission was a success. After leading the Chinese 5th Army to safety,he was summoned to Chongqing. There, this unsung hero of the retreat was personally awarded the equivalent of the Distinguished Service Order by Chiang Kai-shek. Pic here in Kohima in the 90s w/ 1 of his former secretaries

This week’s somewhat rushed (and thusly) free feature is on the cruise of SMS Leipzig along the West Coast of the US and Mexico. jerijerod14.substack.com/p/prowling-t... How Canada reacts and the invasion scare #ww1 #navalhistory

It’s 2025: ideal conditions don’t exist. Just do your thing like your life depends on it. ✍️

The construction of battleships as part of a modern war fleet is, in my opinion, a daft idea and makes no strategic sense. At the same time though…

As I continue to answer the questions no one asked so you don’t have to… Ever wondered what aircraft the proposed German aircraft carrier in #ww2 would have carried? Look no further… jerijerod14.substack.com/p/tragerflug... #navalhistory

Well… this might annoy people but here is this week’s podcast. podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m... Why I think the US government is wrong and why no one should have medals for the “action” at Wounded Knee.

Born #otd 1863 - Admiral Reinhard Scheer, commander of the Hochseeflotte during the battle of Jutland. One of Germany’s greatest Admirals

Submarine!

The Luftwaffe's Secret - Part Six open.substack.com/pub/philipwb...

Two HMCS IROQUOIS sailors standing sentry with the Lanchester sub-machine gun, with 50 round magazines and long bayonets in 1945. Unknown location. @RLitwiller #RCNavy Photo Collection. See MORE zurl.co/lBEmW

#otd 1758 Horatio Nelson was born, the same year that HMS Victory was ordered to be built. Probably the most famous Royal Navy Admiral ever

I feel the need to share this again... Freedom of speech, opposition, rights and the abandonment of due process by state apparatus for opression in Germany during the war. jerijerod14.substack.com/p/resisting-... Dare I say, a warning from history.

My walk home

This week’s feature is on the short life of U-570, her path from construction to commission, her officers and her capture jerijerod14.substack.com/p/the-life-a... Subscribers also get 1000 words of Interrogation report information on her construction & technical systems #ww2 #uboat #navalhistory

This week’s free read is on the Japanese Bf 109, the “Tony” which - before the snarky replies come in - was not a copy of the Messerschmitt design and surpassed the Emil model in testing. jerijerod14.substack.com/p/the-japane...

This week’s free read is on the Japanese Bf 109, the “Tony” which - before the snarky replies come in - was not a copy of the Messerschmitt design and surpassed the Emil model in testing. jerijerod14.substack.com/p/the-japane...

#BOOKGIVEAWAY Follow @coldwarpod.bsky.social then Reshare this post to enter a chance to win a copy of this book. T&C's & other ways to enter here coldwarconversations.com/giveaway/ #nuclearbritain #coldwarculture #coldwarhistory @bangpodcast.bsky.social

@yalebooks.bsky.social have outdone themselves with the cover of my new book. Out in January for anyone interested.

#OTD in 1944, during the #WarsawUprising, my beautiful great-grandmother, Zofia Langner, codename "Złomir" was killed during the bombing of Mokotów. The district was heavily targeted by the Luftwaffe and German heavy artillery because Mokotów was one of the last districts to fall.

His younger brother Helmut was KIA 22/8/14: buried at Virton Bellevue Franco-Allemand military cemetery. We visited his grave with @alexchurchill.bsky.social and @istoriatravel.bsky.social this August

200 years of trains: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

This week’s podcast asks a question that no one thought they need answering; Who is the greatest U-boat Captain? podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/m... #navalhistory #ww1 #history #podcast

That time I was mid presentation at a conference and my laptop had a hiccup and closed PowerPoint and my backdrop came up… Then whilst trying to keep going I attempted to convince everyone this was the German Navy’s flagship…

The Blohm und Voss Bv 141 was an unorthodox asymmetrical aircraft, designed for tactical reconnaissance. The aircraft flew well, but was deemed underpowered and the Focke-Wulf Fw 189 was chosen instead. An improved ‘B’ variant (pictured) was developed but never entered service. 📷 Bundesarchiv

This week is a rare week for me to be nowhere near the Ocelot at work so here's my article on Medway's Submarines (and U-boats) from the two World Wars jerijerod14.substack.com/p/medways-u-...

Trying to decide what to write about for Saturday's article... I' ve half started something on Sokehs' rebellion in 1910 & the Ostasiengeschwader's response. I'm also just reading the PoW report from the capture of Otto Kretschmer (below) & loss of the U-99. Or the Hawkhurst railway line

#OTD in 1918, Pte Frederick Jesse Downing of Blacakheath, Staffs died of wounds sustained whilst serving with 1st/7th Bn Royal Scots in positions around Moevures. A schoolmaster pre war, Frederick was 34 years old and is buried in Sunken Road Cemetery, Boisleux St Marc.

Can't wait to give this talk. And while it's a topic I've talked about before, I've really tried to make it as unique as possible for the occasion, so don't miss out! AND don't miss out on the MANY MANY other great talks by incredible speakers!

Flag of the Arab Revolt, flown from a house occupied by Faisal bin Hussein bin Ali al Hashemi in Damascus in September 1919, and given by Faisal to T E Lawrence. IWM FLA 592

The flag of the last British High Commissioner for Palestine, General Sir Alan Cunningham. Flown from HMS Euralyus as Cunningham departed Haifa, May 1948. IWM FLA 6

This week’s feature is on the sinking of SS Arabic in 1915. It is often overlooked because of the Lusitania’s sinking but the Arabic brought the Germans and USA closer to war.. jerijerod14.substack.com/p/the-forgot... #fwwhistory #navalhistory

#OTD 20/9/1918 #RememberRCN -Trawler Kingfisher (American) stopped & sunk by German U-cruiser U-155, 85 miles east of Halifax, no casualties. Kingfisher was the last ship sunk by German U-boats in Canadian waters during the First World War. #WWI Photo -Maine Memory Network

This week’s feature is on the sinking of SS Arabic in 1915. It is often overlooked because of the Lusitania’s sinking but the Arabic brought the Germans and USA closer to war.. jerijerod14.substack.com/p/the-forgot... #fwwhistory #navalhistory

Three hours of writing and research… just shy of 500 words written, I reckon that deserves lunch 👍🏻

Here’s the link if you’re interested in joining my new #WellbeingWalk www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/w...

Getting the word out across #Cumbria Please spread the word! @cumbriacvs.bsky.social @cumbriawildlife.bsky.social @ucuuoc.bsky.social @hwwestfurn.bsky.social #ActiveTravel #Walking #RamblersUK #WellbeingWalks