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Memorial service for 75th anniversary of the loss of Halifax VII, NP681 RCAF that crashed at Newnham Manor Farm, Crowmarsh Gifford.

An RCAF Halifax bomber Mk II (L-QR) from 405 Squadron in flight overseas on July 16, 1942. DND Archives PL-10457
Monday 9th September, 2019 at 09:05 am.
 

At 08.30 am we will start gathering close to the crash site at the top of Old Reading Road OX10 8BW; the crash occurred at 0905 hrs. The British Legion Standard from Benson and Ewelme will be in attendance along with a RAF Chaplain from RAF Benson, along with the CO who will lay a wreath. Wing Commander (Ret) Jim Wright DFC, former navigator with the Bomber Command Pathfinder Force and veteran of 44 wartime operations will lay a wreath on behalf of the citizens of Crowmarsh and the Bomber Command Association.

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BMMHS is delighted to announce that 3 more high quality talks have been confirmed for 2020

BMMHS is delighted to announce that 3 more high quality talks have been confirmed for 2020, on top of those already on the published schedule.
 
March 11th 2020, historian and researcher specialising in the Cold War, Bill Pyke will give a talk on distinguished airman and Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John Slessor – An unsung Cold War Strategist and his role as the architect of British Airborne Nuclear Deterrence.
 May 13th 2020, historian and writer, Robin Brodhurst will give a talk on the Battle of the Atlantic  – how the allies fought the U Boat threat in WW2.
 
September 9th 2020, author, broadcaster and aviation historian, Paul Beaver will give a talk on Taranto, the sinking of the Italian fleet in WW2.
 
Other BMMHS Events are being planned including talks on the Air Transport Auxiliary and the Falklands War.
 

Watch this space!   

Bomber Command Association in Australia Newsletter

BCCA Newsletter Winter 2019

BCAA 71 Spring 2019

Click on Lancaster to see PDF contents

The Wooden World - Life in Nelson's navy - A Talk by Philip K Allan

An excellent talk followed by a book signing by naval author, Philip K Allan, author of the Alexander Clay series.  Following a lifetime’s love of the wooden warships of the Napoleonic era, Philip took a packed house through a fascinating presentation of what it was like to live and work in the navies of the day. 

Click for the meeting summary

Chalke Valley History Festival 24th - 30th June 2019 (Near Salisbury)

Great day out at the Chalke Valley History Festival near Salisbury. Wide range of things to do and see ranging from brewing medieval beer, civil war canon and muskets, Sherman tanks to tapping out Morse code at the Royal Signals museum tent. Lots of interesting talks across hundreds of years of British history.. listened to two fascinating talks on Tedder and the Battle of the River Plate. Definitely worth a visit.. free entry and you only pay for the talks.
Chalke Valley History Festival
Author and naval historian Peter Hore talking about the Battle of the River Plate where heavily out gunned British cruisers - Exeter, Achilles and Ajax - forced the German battleship Admiral Graf Spee into the River Plate estuary off Montivideo where she was scuttled.
Paul Beaver and Ed Stringer discuss the life and career of Marshall of the RAF Arthur Tedder, who was appointed deputy to General Eisenower for the build up and execution of the DDay landings. He worked very hard to ensure cooperation between the British and US senior commanders.

BMMHS Visit to D-Day Museum in Portsmouth 23rd May 2019. The first trip organised by BMMHS.​

Yesterday saw the first trip organised by BMMHS. An excellent day out to the DDay museum at Portsmouth just a few days before the 75th
anniversary. Much improved and modernised museum with plenty to see and learn about. Gave a real perspective on the scale of the challenge , and the bravery of so many men and woman. 
Great place to go for adults and children. Also enough time to stroll along the front in glorious sunshine to see the impressive Naval Memorial and to see the plaque to the Cockleshell Heroes.
Many thanks to Nigel and Linda for organising the day and to Phil for doing the driving.
 

BMMHS Inagural Meeting: The Real Dad’s Army; The role and training of British Auxiliary Units in World War 2.

Last night saw the first event of the BMMHS, with a fascinating talk by local historian Bill King, assisted by his wife Flora, on how Britain intended to repel a German invasion in 1940 through the use of ‘underground’ resistance fighters.

Previous Meetings

Click on Unit Badge for meeting details

Bomber Command Association in Australia

BCCA Newsletter Winter 2019

Click on Lancaster to see PDF contents

Happy 98th Birthday Royal Australian Air Force

On 31 March 1921, the RAAF was formed as an independent service from the Army, making it the second-oldest air force in the world.

The RAAF has its origins in the Australian Flying Corps, which served in the Middle East and European theatres during the First World War.

BMMHS Announced at WFA TVP Branch Meeting

Thank you to Barbara Taylor of The Western Front Association for kindly announcing the formation of the British Modern Military History Society to members at the Thames Valley Branch meeting on Thursday 28th March 2019.

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