Category: World War II
International Women’s Day: Berthe Mayer, MBE
Today is International Women’s Day. This seems like an appropriate time to write about Berthe Mayer, MBE. In October 1941, Berthe and her husband Percy Mayer lived on the island of Madagascar. The i... Read More
The Tetrarch was not designed as an airborne tank
The British A17 Tetrarch light tank is best known for its role in Operation Overlord, where they landed in Hamilcar gliders in support of the airborne troops. It’s often said that the Tetrarch w... Read More
World War II Logic Puzzle
A friend of mine wrote a custom, World War II-themed logic puzzle for me. She’s given me permission to post it here so that others can try it. Five men from the village of Barford in Warwickshir... Read More
Getting Kids Started in Wargaming
For some time, I’ve been planning to introduce my nine year old son, Doug, to wargaming. He likes playing board games, including some aimed at adults, and he’s interested in history. We... Read More
Auxiliary Units: The Home Guard’s Special Forces
On the 5th July 1940, a message was sent to all LDV area commanders. This message informed the commanders that men were needed for a new type of unit. The men would need to have courage, initiative, a... Read More
Smelly: The British SMLE and No.4 Bolt Action Rifles
Smelly: The SMLE The SMLE (sometimes pronounced “smelly”), or “Rifle, Short, Magazine, Lee-Enfield”, to give its full designation, entered British army service in 1904. This re... Read More
In defence of the Tetrarch
Yesterday, Bovington Tank Museum posted a photo on their Facebook page, of a Tetrarch light tank being loaded onto a Hamilcar glider. I don’t mind admitting that I have something of a soft spot ... Read More
Britain Did Not “Stand Alone” in 1940
On Remembrance Day last year I wrote, “I consider Remembrance Day to be a time to remember everyone that has been harmed by war. Any war, any nationality, civilian, military, whatever.” I ... Read More