Photo of a Panzer Kids game. A model M10 tank destroyer is next to a model house and surrounded by smoke and blast markers. More buildings and a Tiger tank are visible in the background.

Panzer Kids: Review

Posted on 26th July 202120th July 2021 by Russell Phillips

I’ve written before about getting kids started in wargaming. Since writing that post, I’ve played several games of Panzer Kids by Peter Schweighofer. This is a set of rules for tank action... Read More

Book cover for A Strange Campaign: The Battle For Madagascar by Russell Phillips. Top third is a photograph of British troops going ashore from a landing craft, overlaid with a Union Jack. Bottom two-thirds is title and a photo of French prisoners of war escorted by British troops, overlaid with a French Tricolore.

Now available: A Strange Campaign

Posted on 5th May 20213rd May 2021 by Russell Phillips

My new book, A Strange Campaign, is now available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audio book. Madagascar provided the stunning backdrop for one of the strangest conflicts of the Second World War �... Read More

International Women’s Day: Berthe Mayer, MBE

Posted on 8th March 20218th March 2021 by Russell Phillips

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

Posted on 13th November 202016th January 2021 by Russell Phillips

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

Book cover for A Strange Campaign: The Battle For Madagascar by Russell Phillips. There is a photograph of British troops going ashore from a landing craft, overlaid with a Union Jack. There is another photo of French prisoners of war escorted by British troops, overlaid with a French Tricolore.

A Strange Campaign available for pre-order

Posted on 8th September 202019th October 2020 by Russell Phillips

On 5th May next year my next book, A Strange Campaign: The Battle for Madagascar, will be published. This coincides with the anniversary of Operation Ironclad, which marked the start of the campaign. ... Read More

Valentine tank disembarking from Bachaquero

My next book title is …?

Posted on 7th July 202019th October 2020 by Russell Phillips

My next book will be about the battle for Madagascar in WWII. It will cover the entire campaign, from the initial landings to the final Vichy surrender. I’m still undecided about the title. Some... Read More

World War II Logic Puzzle

Posted on 18th June 20198th July 2019 by Russell Phillips

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

History Playlist

Posted on 18th December 201813th April 2020 by Russell Phillips

I'm not a fan of Christmas songs, so I thought it would be interesting to make a playlist of music related to, or about history. With one exception, all the songs here are from my personal collection.... Read More

New Song About Lidice

Posted on 25th October 2018 by Russell Phillips

I’ve just discovered that the band Hats Off Gentlemen It’s Adequate have included a song about Lidice on their new album, Out of Mind. I was both surprised and very proud when one of the b... Read More

Remembrance Day 2017

Posted on 11th November 201710th April 2018 by Russell Phillips

Today is Remembrance Day in the UK. I have a red poppy, and I shall be observing the two minute silence at 11:00. For me, Remembrance Day is a time to remember everyone that has been harmed ... Read More