Welcome to the British Modern Military History Society

Welcome to the newly formed British Modern Military History Society. Our aim is to organise talks and trips for anyone interested in the military history across the globe over the last 200 years from Napoleonic times to the present day.   

Our talks will be given by writers, academics, former military personnel, and experts and will cover a wide variety of topics and events – hopefully an interesting cocktail to encourage you to join us.  Based in Woodcote (near Wallingford) in South Oxfordshire,  BMMHS will be looking to organize talks or an event every month from the autumn onwards. 

Your feedback and input is also essential to us so we can organise activities that appeal to you. We look forward to welcoming you to our talks or events over the next few months.  

For more information and details of our events, please contact us by email on info@bmmhs.org 

Images courtesy of Helen Fry

Next Meeting Wednesday 25th September; Woodcote Village Hall 7:30pm
Dr Helen Fry

A Very Secret War: Bugging Hitler’s Generals in World War 2

 

New Article on Royal West Africa Frontier Force and 81st Division in Burma

"Click on me!"
Speakers Wanted - Click here

Previous Meeting: Philip K Allan. The Wooden World life in Nelson's Navy

July 3rd 2019​

A few events that took place this month in history…

THE FALKLANDS CONFLICT, APRIL - JUNE 1982 (FKD 684) Aerial view of the aircraft carrier HMS HERMES about to berth alongside at Portsmouth Harbour on her return from the Falklands on 21 July 1982. HERMES is surrounded by small boats which sailed out to welcome her home. Crowds can also be seen on the quayside. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205018861
THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN (HU 1062) Spitfire pilots of No. 610 Squadron relaxing between sorties at 'A' Flight dispersal at Hawkinge, 29 July 1940. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205022145
THE VIETNAM WAR 1962 - 1975 (CT 164) A US Army radio operator of Blue (Rifle) Platoon Troop B, 1st Sqdn, 9th Cav, 1st Cavalry Division (Air-mobile), moves through purple smoke created by a smoke grenade during an assault mission which formed part of Operation PERSHING in the An Lao Valley, 28 July 1967. The grenade had been dropped by the troop commander from an OH-13 helicopter to mark the area to be checked for Viet Cong supply bun... Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205191134
Captured guns at Gibeon, German South-West Africa, 1915. General Louis Botha commanded the force that occupied Walvis Bay and Swakopmund in the north and encountered some strong resistance, as well as being delayed by mines and water shortages caused by poisoned wells. The capital, Windhoek, was occupied on 12 May, by which time most of the country had been conquered. The Germans were gradually squeezed into the north-west corner of the territory. Defeated at Otavi on 1 July, they finally surrendered at Khorab on 9 July 1915. NAM. 1995-06-52-1
'Peace Celebrations Indian Troops Marching Down Whitehall', 1919. Although the First World War officially ended on 11 November 1918, the Treaty of Versailles was not signed until June 1919. In Britain, the conclusion of hostilities was celebrated on Saturday 19 July, with a Victory Parade in London as the main event. © NAM. 1951-03-15-1
THE POTSDAM CONFERENCE, JULY 1945 (BU 8985) Josef Stalin, Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Truman with their staffs around the conference table at Potsdam. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205193813
HMS HOWE PASSING THROUGH THE SUEZ CANAL. 14 JULY 1944, SUEZ CANAL AREA. (A 24896) HMS HOWE closing an Egyptian felucca during passage of the Suez canal. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205156722
THE ROYAL NAVY DURING THE COLD WAR, 1945-1991 (A 33305) The first landing of a Short Seamew light-weight, anti-submarine aircraft on the aircraft carrier HMS BULWARK during deck landing trials. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205187811
THE BATTLE OF KURSK, JULY-AUGUST 1943 (HU 40710) Junkers Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers returning to their base fly low over an advancing German column of Panzer III tanks and softskin vehicles on the Orel front, July 1943. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205084189
THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME, JULY-NOVEMBER 1916 (Q 87) Somme Offensive, Battle of Albert. Panoramic view of British troops, visible as dots just below the horizon, attacking German trenches near Mametz, on 1 July. The trench lines are clearly marked by the white chalk excavated during their construction. Copyright: © IWM. Original Source: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205193868
Landing craft of the Sicily invasion armada setting sail, July 1943. The Allied invasion of Sicily, codenamed Operation Husky, began on 9 July 1943, and ended on 17 August. At the time it was the largest amphibious operation of the war. © Crown NAM. 1999-03-88-23
The Battle of Ulundi, Zulu War, 4 July 1879. The Battle of Ulundi, close to the capital of the Zulu King Cetshwayo, was fought between Lieutenant General Lord Chelmsford's force of about 5,000 British and colonial troops and an estimated 20,000 Zulus. The well-disciplined warriors converged upon the British, who formed a square of infantry enclosing staff, cavalry, and supplies. Heavy fire from Gatling guns cut the Zulus down at long range. The scene represents a late stage of the battle viewed from the centre of the British position when the 17th Lancers (left, middle distance) charged the enemy flank, putting them to flight. © NAM. 1965-09-46-1
This month in history

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