20th Century
John Alldridge Meets Douglas Bader
In September 1955, the Manchester Evening News sent my uncle to interview Group Captain Douglas Bader – Jerry F There was a time — not so long ago — when for seven weary months I [more…]
WW II
20th Century
The Venona Project, Part Two
The Venona Project was launched by the US Army Signal Intelligence Service in February 1943. The Russians had sent thousands and thousands of coded and enciphered messages over commercial telegraph services. The US Army decided [more…]
20th Century
Stalin won the war, Part One
Instead of diving further into the UK’s entanglement with the commies in the thirties, it’s time to take a look at what was going on over the pond. Much of the thirties antics over here [more…]
20th Century
A Ukrainian Enigma
I have an original photograph bought as part of a “bundle” from a militaria seller whose business model is to put together sets of documents, photographs and ephemera that appear to be vaguely related so [more…]
20th Century
European Journey 1953, Part Seven – Trogen
The village lies in a sheltered fold of the mountains, 3,000 feet above sea level. On a fine day you can see clear across to Lake Constance, a bit of burnished silver under the strong [more…]
20th Century
European Journey 1953, Part Six – Naples
Like many another Mediterranean city Naples looks better seen from a distance. Approached from the sea, preferably at first light, its beauty takes your breath away. Close up too much of it is an offence [more…]
20th Century
The Battle of Arnhem
Having parachuted nine miles to the west of ARNHEM during the early afternoon of 17th September 1944 2nd Parachute Battalion, reinforced by elements from the 1st Parachute Brigade reached the road bridge at dusk. In [more…]
20th Century
My Uncle David
My dad was one of eight brothers. The oldest of these, born in 1915, was called David. I can remember him from the 1950s but he was always a bit distant, a bit odd in [more…]
19th Century
Postcard From Birmingham, Part Three
Chamberlain Square Having checked out the Council House and Town Hall during our day trip to Birmingham, myself and Mrs AWS nip around the back and into Chamberlain Square, the centrepiece of which is the [more…]