Over the next few weeks we will be making changes to the website. Please accept...
Read MoreA not-for profit society raising funds for military charities
Welcome to the British Modern Military History Society.
We organise monthly talks for anyone interested in military history over the last 200 years from Nelson’s times to the present day.
With top quality talks given by writers, academics, former military personnel, and experts in their field with a wide variety of topics, we are based in Woodcote Village Hall RG8 0QY (near Wallingford) in South Oxfordshire. We can accommodate up to 100 people in pleasant surroundings, offering a warm and welcoming evening out.
BMMHS NEWS
Next BMMHS Event
BMMHS Zoom Talk
Tuesday 5th December 7:30p
Montgomery
Ian Binnie
Ian Binnie is a retired secondary headteacher. Since retirement he has immersed himself in a wide range of historical research and projects. He is Trustee and Education Co-ordinator of the Gallipoli Association and a member of the Council of the Waterloo Association. For a number of years he volunteered at the Fusilier Museum, Warwick and he is a member of the Committee of the Friends of Museum.
He has always had a keen interest in the Second World War, particularly the British Army. Monty served initially in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and it was whilst volunteering at the regimental museum that he developed a great interest in Montgomery.
James Holland, in his book Normandy ’44: D Day and the battle for France, wrote “History has not been kind to Montgomery, particularly over the last 50 years as one historian after another has lined up to crucify both his character and military reputation”. Using a wide range of sources Ian will provide a balanced view of the man that many still regard as the U.K.’s greatest ever general.
The Cuban Missile Crisis
by Bill Pyke
Woodcote Village Hall, Reading Road, Woodcote, RG8 0QY
Wednesday 15th November 7:30pm
The Cuban Missile Crisis, 14-27. October 1962:
How close did Britain come to nuclear Armageddon?
Bill Pyke
Arthur M. Schlesinger, a key presidential aid during President Kennedy’s administration described the Cuban missile Crisis of October 1962 as ‘the most dangerous moment in human history’. This comment was by no means an exaggeration. Over 13 days in late October 1962 the Crisis deepened following the covert siting of offensive Soviet strategic missiles in Cuba. This all led to an unprecedented Cold War confrontation that brought the world to the verge of nuclear war.
Between June and October of that year the Soviet Union, under a clandestine operation codenamed ANADYR, shipped military equipment to Cuba that included jet bombers, strategic and tactical missiles including their nuclear warheads. In addition, over 40,000 Soviet military personnel travelled to Cuba dressed as so-called ‘civilian’ advisors. All this took place in conditions of the deepest secrecy. However, ultimately U.S signals intelligence followed up by air reconnaissance over Cuba revealed the scale of operations and the ominous implications for American security.
But what did all this mean for Britain? What were the reactions of the prime minister Harold Macmillan and his defence chiefs to this deepening crisis? Britain had a formidable array of nuclear weapons: the national independent deterrent comprising the RAF’s 140 V-force jet bombers; the jointly controlled Anglo-American inventory of 60 intermediate-range Thor missiles; and an undisclosed number of nuclear-armed aircraft that the USAF’s Strategic Air Command (SAC) that were based at several airfields in England. Soviet leaders recognised that this nuclear arsenal was a direct threat to their homeland. Consequently, this also made the U.K. a priority target should the crisis have ever escalated.
How and why did this the crisis happen? What preparations were in place in the U.K.’s top secret ‘War Book’? Just over six decades have passed since the Cuban Missile crisis, and with the current fraught situation in Ukraine, what lessons can we learn?
Bill Pyke is an independent air power researcher who has focused on the role of the RAF in areas of policy, intelligence, and operations both during the Second World War and the Cold War. Bill completed an MA in Air Power studies with distinction at the University of Birmingham in 2016 under the guidance of Air Commodore (Retd.) Pete Gray. He has subsequently written in the RAF’s Air Power Review and his new biography of Air Marshal Sir John Slessor was published in March 2022. He has given presentations on various Cold War themes at conferences and talks at King’s College, London, and at both RAF museums: Hendon and Cosford. Bill previously had a 42-year career in the oil industry.
He has always maintained his keen interest in the role of the RAF during the Cold War.
BMMHS Event Registration
Contact us on info@bmmhs.org to register for BMMHS Events and for Zoom talks the log-in details will be emailed to you on the morning of each talk.
BMMHS Village Hall Meeting Tickets
Entry cost is just £8, which includes your entry ticket to the talk, a Q & A, and refreshments (beer, wine, soft drinks). We ask for payment in advance. If you are unable to pay in advance there will be a facility to pay by cash or card on the door.
BMMHS Events 2024
Latest News
Change of Event
Change of talk Village Hall Meeting Wednesday 15th November Due to personal circumstances Dr Emily...
Read More
New Events Booked
Exciting new BMMHS talks – put the dates in your calendar Stanford Tuck – Dr...
Read More
Book Reviews: The Second World War Through Soldiers’ Eyes
Book review by Andy Cockeram Click on the image for the book review
Read MoreWhat you are saying about BMMHS
"It was a lovely evening and fantastic atmosphere in the room. Very happy to come back in 2021 to speak on my (then) new book on MI9 escape and evasion."
"For anyone interested in Military History, the BMMHS is a must. The monthly meetings cover a wide range of topics, with high quality speakers giving thought-provoking talks. In addition, the quality of facility and refreshments is exceptional, and the audience interesting and welcoming. Highly recommended."
“Just wanted to say how impressed I was by the talk last night and indeed by the meeting itself – the first I’ve been able to attend. An excellent speaker and a well organised meeting!”
"…. We’re very impressed with the line-up of talks arranged for the next year and will endeavour to attend as many as possible ….
We found the ‘Arnhem’ talk most interesting – a very different ‘take’ on the topic from the usual battle on the ground analysis.
Congratulations to you, Nigel, Linda and the team, you’re doing a great job."
"If I may say so, the BMMHS's first few months have been most impressive and a testament to the hard work and enthusiasm the four of you have put in. Everything on Wednesday went well, turnout, seating, notice-boards, drinks and especially the food!
"
"…I would like to thank you and your team for another great evening. The talk was brilliant… looking forward to the next one…"
"MANY THANKS for Wednesday night most enjoyable, met some nice chaps, have new dates on the calendar, looking forward to the next talk"
"As with the first BMMHS meeting I attended.... I really enjoyed last night’s presentation. You and your pals have done a great job in getting the BMMHS set up and running smoothly & efficiently, including an excellent website plus arranging for some really interesting presenters and subjects every month."
"A most amazing lecture. To say it was interesting is understating it - it was mind-blowing to think of the courage of those women, who agreed to be SOE agents, despite knowing what awaited them if they were found out. It was fascinating to hear what training they went through, and to learn what some of them did and how they ended up. Many thanks for another brilliant lecture"
“ If you are like me, and you enjoy the study of a wide range of military history topics, with a bit if a twist, then BMMHS will be right up your street. With its informative panel of expert speakers and on occasion quirky topics, there is something for everyone interested in learning more of their military past. I can thoroughly recommend the BMMHS zoom talk experience. You won’t be disappointed!”
Previous
Next
Village Hall FAQs
Venue Address
Woodcote Village Hall
South Oxfordshire
RG8 0QY
Glimpses of War
A compilation of military stories and eyewitness accounts to raise funds for Blind Veterans UK.
Click above to order your copies
“I am delighted that the BMMHS has taken this initiative to record eyewitness accounts during the Lockdowns. For historians, first hand accounts are the building blocks of good story telling and to do so with fund-raising for BVUK in mind is doubly pleasing.”
“Highly recommended... from across the different wars of the 20th century comes this unique collection of inspirational narratives of human endurance, daring exploits, fighting spirit and sheer heroism”
An inspired and fascinating historical collection. Powerful first-hand accounts of individuals’ courage and tenacity in the face of conflict over the decades.
‘I am deeply honoured that my great grandfather Percy Statton, who was awarded the Victoria Cross in 1915, is remembered in Glimpses of War and for such a great cause. I hope this volume and the subsequent ones raise lots of money for BVUK.’
“BMMHS are to be congratulated on the timely publication of this first volume of Glimpses of War. It was a pleasure and privilege to be involved in this fascinating project, together with one of our former patients and to support the valuable work of Blind Veterans UK.”
‘The breadth and range of this volume convey, as few others have, the comprehensive awfulness of war across the generations, and the effects it has on those directly involved, indirectly involved and on its periphery.’
‘What a marvellous time — during the many privations of ‘lockdown’ — to ask us all to turn out our family archives and contribute to the BMMHS’s first publication. And no better charity than Blind Veterans UK to receive any profit from this great initiative.’
“The BMMHS has found a splendid way of supporting BVUK by making readily available memories and research that might otherwise have disappeared.”
“The International Guild is delighted to support this venture by BMMHS as a contribution to the preservation and sharing of historical knowledge.”
‘Those of us who study, and maybe write about, military history deal with reports, statistics, dates, strategies and outcomes. It is, however, the human story, such as those we have here in Glimpses of War, that give flesh to the bones of our research. I consider it a privilege to have contributed to this current volume. It is made all the more appropriate that proceeds will be directed to Blind Veterans UK since I too am a blind person.’
"This is a fascinating selection of material which covers many facets of war and military service - and it is published for such a good cause. Congratulations all round."
This is a great read ..can't wait for the next in the series...
Previous
Next
Useful links
Copyright © 2023 bmmhs.org – All Rights Reserved
Images © IWM & NAM