As we approach Armistice Day, I thought I would write on another history related item, this time from WW2. Not many people know that part of the British Isles was conquered and occupied by Nazi Germany. The Channel Islands, in the English Channel lie around 90 miles south of the British mainland and the small… Continue reading The tragic story of Sidney Ashcroft & the Guernsey Eight
Category: WW2
The incredible true tale of Job Maseko – The man who sunk a ship whilst a prisoner.
As today is Remembrance Sunday, I thought I would share a short account of someone who is rarely spoken of outside his homeland but whom I have been a fan of for many years. For most people when they are taken prisoner, their war is pretty much at the end, which is often a good… Continue reading The incredible true tale of Job Maseko – The man who sunk a ship whilst a prisoner.
The Greatest Emergency Landings In History
This week many of us have been amazed and horrified in equal measure by the sight of a British Airways Boeing 777 which made an aborted take-off following a catasphrophic engine failure. Thanks to the incredible reactions of the flight crew and most especially Captain Chris Henkey who after 42 years of piloting was performing… Continue reading The Greatest Emergency Landings In History
Nazi Gold Train Found In Poland After 70 Years?
As has happened a few times in the history of this blog, an event which I wrote about from a historical standpoint is now unravelling as a live event. A few months ago I wrote on the treasures of the missing treasures of bad King John and several other missing treasures including Nazi gold and this week… Continue reading Nazi Gold Train Found In Poland After 70 Years?
Timur the lame. The tyrant and his curse
If I ever get round to writing a history book on the great and often bloody names in nomadic history, Timur will have to feature quite prominently in them. Timur was born in the late 1320’s, his precise birthdate uncertain due to the lack of written records. Some officials in the Timur regime would put his… Continue reading Timur the lame. The tyrant and his curse
75th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain – This was our finest hour
Today marks the start of the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the skies of London will be treated once again to the familiar sights and sounds of Spitfires, Hurricanes and Lancaster bombers. As strange as it sounds, I think the sound of a Spitfire Merlin engine is possibly the best man-made noise… Continue reading 75th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain – This was our finest hour
The British Schindler Sir Nicholas Winton and the Kindertransport
Not many people have heard of Sir Nicholas Winton even in his own country but his actions undoubtedly mean that thousands of people are alive today that would not have been without him. The Kindertransport has its origins on 15th November 1938, just five nights after the terrible events of Kristalnacht and a series of… Continue reading The British Schindler Sir Nicholas Winton and the Kindertransport
VE Day Remembered in Photos – This Is Your Victory!
The 8th May 1945 was V.E. Day or Victory in Europe Day. As the U.K. is in the midst of remembering and celebrating perhaps the most momentous day in our history, I thought it would be interesting to post some old photos of that incredible day as well as showing how war had left London and… Continue reading VE Day Remembered in Photos – This Is Your Victory!
Churchill – When a picture is worth a thousand words.
Last weekend I had an interesting tour to Chartwell House, the home of wartime Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill. In fact it was something of a family outing as the lovely couple I took there were also Churchills and distantly related to the great man. Obviously it would be impossible to write a single post… Continue reading Churchill – When a picture is worth a thousand words.
The tragic genius of Alan Turing and The Imitation Game
If you’re not familiar with the name Alan Turing, the chances are that you soon will be with the release of the new film, The Imitation Game, starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the starring role. Alan Turing holds a unique place in history as being someone who not only one of the greatest minds in… Continue reading The tragic genius of Alan Turing and The Imitation Game
Stephen Liddell 