The Great War ended much differently than the never-say- die desperation of the Nazis in WW2. In 1918, there was no likely imminent collapse of Germany though the deprivation and starvation of many in the country was startling. Even though there were mutinies in the ranks of the French, order was generally maintained and despite… Continue reading The Armistice – The end of The Great War, WW1.
Category: WW1
Posts predominantly WW1 related.
Flora Sandes, the only British woman to fight in WW1
As we approach Armistice Day in 2018 and the centenary of the end of WW1, I thought I would write a post or to related to the subject as I have done for the last four years. Whilst I have written a lot on WW1 and indeed on women in WW1 and figures such as… Continue reading Flora Sandes, the only British woman to fight in WW1
There but not there
Last week whilst in the Sussex town of Arundel, I unexpectedly came across a very moving art installation. It is something I had heard about a few years ago and fleetingly throughout 2018 but for some reason had not expected to come across it just as I did. It is known as THERE BUT NOT… Continue reading There but not there
Amiens and The Hundred Days Offensive
This week marks the centenary of one of the pivotal but less known battle of the Western Front in WW1, Amiens and the more broadly labelled 100 Days Offensive. The Western Front is often categorised as being a static war with little or no progress made by either side despite major attempts costing too many… Continue reading Amiens and The Hundred Days Offensive
The lonely Isle of Islay and the doomed American soldiers who died there in 1918 in 2 naval disasters.
The Scottish Isle of of Islay is best known these days for its world famous peaty single malt whisky but a century ago, this normally tranquil place which sits on the western coast of the U.K and facing the fierce north Atlantic was for just a few short months at least, anything other than tranquil.… Continue reading The lonely Isle of Islay and the doomed American soldiers who died there in 1918 in 2 naval disasters.
Manfred Von Richthofen – The Red Baron
April 21st 2018 sees the 100 anniversary of the death of one of the most famous names not just in the history of air-combat but aviation generally. The Red Baron was the name given to Manfred von Richthofen, a German fighter pilot who was the deadliest flying ace of World War I. Along with some… Continue reading Manfred Von Richthofen – The Red Baron
The legendary Sopwith Camel – Icon of WW1 fliers
The first really star plane of the Royal AirForce was the Sopwith Camel which was already in service for the Royal Flying Corps. The Camel grew out of the Sopwith Pup, a little fighter introduced in 1916, but which was soon outclassed by the German Albatroses and Halberstadts. Its name derived from the slight hump… Continue reading The legendary Sopwith Camel – Icon of WW1 fliers
100 Years of the RAF
This week sees the 100th anniversary of the oldest dedicated air force in the world, the Royal Airforce or RAF. The formation of the RAF was partly a bureaucratic cost-saving exercise by the Prime Minister Lloyd George. He wanted to bring down the expense of having two air forces in the Royal Flying Corps and… Continue reading 100 Years of the RAF
Giving a public speech when you hate public speaking or My Remembrance Sunday Reading
People say to confront your fears and they will recede. Well I can definitely say that this is not the case. I’ve always hated flying and I’ve flown 37 times. Flight 37 was every bit as terrifying as flight 27, 17 and 7. I think everyone would agree I have given flying more than a… Continue reading Giving a public speech when you hate public speaking or My Remembrance Sunday Reading
Russia in WW1
In 1914, Russia was badly prepared for a serious war having just nine years earlier been defeated in a war with against a tiny and a definitely non-European power in Japan. There was a revolution in 1905 that had shaken the Russian Empite to its core and the Tsar was forced to concede civil rights… Continue reading Russia in WW1
Stephen Liddell 