Today in 1937 Tommy Woodrooffe, a very drunk broadcaster, commentated on a Royal Navy Fleet Review. For a few minutes, until they faded him out. #CareerGoals .

25th May, 1917. 23 Gotha G.IV bombers of the newly-formed Kagohl 3 (unofficially the ‘Englandgeschwader’) took off from airfields around Ghent in Belgium. This was the start of Operation TÜRKENKREUZ, the first major daylight raid on Britain. The target was to be London, but low

Props to whoever at the BBC wrote these subtitles.

[Bagpipes clunk and moan]

[Protesting bagpipe noises]

[Piping resumes as best it can]

[Bagpipes launch into Amazing Grace before abrupt halt]

[Bagpipes hit the ground with a noise like a startled cat]

Today in 1944, on a pistol range at Rosyth, four Wrens of the Women's Royal Naval Service practice with their revolvers; Smith & Wesson M&Ps, I think. Chief Instructor J Jones keeps an eye on the photographer, Lt Zimmerman.

Photo: Imperial War Museums A 23657

Here's an interesting image I've not seen before.
A Soviet Pilot from the 332nd Guards Transport-Combat Helicopter Regiment poses for a photo next to the remains of a WW2 German Ju-87 Stuka in the Murmask Oblast, 1970s.

The Spitfire in which Squadron Leader Jankiewicz DFC, was shot down #OTD in 1942. #WW2 #HISTORY

#OTD in 1944. With compliments from Polish 300 Squadron. A giant mine being loaded into a Wellington bomber. #WW2 #HISTORY

#OTD in 1942, North Africa. The successes of the Special Air Service depended on a good and close cooperation with the Long Range Desert Group. #WW2 #HISTORY

#OTD in 1944, Italy. A Polish soldier inspecting a German 'Panzerschreck' which had 16 marks representing 16 destroyed tanks. #WW2 #HISTORY

(Very special.) #OTD in 1944, Piedimonte San Germano, Italy. While staging a photo shoot, AFPU photographers witnessed the surrender of three Germans, responsible for the death of Polish Major Tarkowski (amongst others) leading an assault on 22 May. #WW2 #HISTORY

#OTD in 1944, Italy. Men from 5 Northamptonshire marching near Coldragone. #WW2 #HISTORY

Naval History and Heritage Command confirmed that a wreck discovered by the Lost 52 Project off the Philippine island of Luzon is the USS Harder (SS 257). After six successful war patrols, “Hit ‘em Harder” was lost with all hands in 1944 due to a Japanese depth charge attack.

#OTD in 1986, Van Halen released the single 'Dreams'. To promote the song and take advantage of the popularity of TOP GUN, Warner Bros quickly produced a video using stock footage of the Blue Angels. The video became a hit on MTV and a recruiting boon for the Navy.

Jamie McTrusty I had the honour of looking after the Hood’s last survivor in his final Illness
A special man, and his family.

This is a fantastic (and quite moving) recording - well worth a listen if you haven't heard it before.

😳😳😳

#OTD in 1968, a Soviet TU-16 Badger crashed while buzzing USS Essex (CVS-9) in the Norwegian Sea. After making a low pass of the carrier at 50 feet above the water, the Badger's wingtip hit a wave that sent the bomber into a cartwheel. None of the aircrew survived.

#otd 1941 the Battle of Denmark Strait and the sinking of HMS Hood.

There were three survivors with Signalman Ted Briggs, leaving a sound archive description of the battle and his escape which I’ve transcribed here 😉

jerijerod14.substack.com/p/surviving-th…

(Not colourised. 😊) #OTD in 1943, Goubrine airfield, Tunisia. Men and planes from 417 Squadron (Royal Canadian Air Force). #WW2 #HISTORY

#OTD in 1941, Minley Lodge, Farnborough. A soldier cleaning the glass of a searchlight at an anti-aircraft battery. #WW2 #HISTORY