The National Archive is a wonderful resource for historians, but Local Archives can often contain many excellent primary sources that compliment those found at the NA. This harrowing passage is part of a diary held in my local archive describing life as a Japanese POW. #POW #WW2

Were you aware that the shores of North Devon served as a training ground for the D-Day landings?

This coastal area of England bore a striking resemblance to the beaches of Normandy, offering ideal rehearsal terrain.

This mornings visit to the Grand Blockhaus. Luc and Marcs new exhibit within is quite something special! Dredged up last year in the docks of St Nazaire, this is one of the door from HMS Campbeltown from Operation Chariot. One of those wow factors considering the only other

The British Army don't do Unit medals but they got close with the unofficial (but officially sanctioned) 'Beja Badge' - very few were made, terribly rare to see one on the market. #Tunisia81 #tempted

Looking for info on 486703 ACW1 Winifred Elsie Baker (nee Chapman). This letter was found on the body of a Trooper who was later buried at Hottot-les-Bagues, Normandy. It helped identify him. Would like to find out more about her. #WAAF #WW2 #Normandy

Tebourba, Tunisia. Filled with history and incident from Dec 1942. It's where, arguably, the 'Race for Tunis' was won by the Germans. Very fertile farm land, I keep to the paths! And thanks to Mark Reardon for his additional support re Tebourba Tiger tank action!! #Tunisia81

Remembering Private Robert Hetherington, 51st Highland Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, killed in action aged 25 when the vehicle he was travelling in was struck by an IED, Helmand Province, Afghanistan on the 30th April 2013. Robert was from Edinburgh. #Afghanistan

Happy birthday, Mission France. 3 today and a new one on the way! Go pop a review on amazon as a birthday gift 😉 Yale University Press London📚 #writer #author #Historian #proud #missionfrance

Bearing in mind 'three' is pronounced 'tree' in Ireland, well in Tunisia, in 1943, the Irish Brigade code-named some hills 'One tree hill', 'Two tree hill' and.....wait for it.....'Three tree hill'. Imagine the confusion....for the Germans listening in! #Tunisia81

We have another WWII veteran joining us on WW2TV on May 16th. He'll be with historian Jared Frederick, with whom he wrote his book

Major-General Colin Gubbins, formerly of the 24th Guards Brigade, became the Head of SOE in 1940.

He recognised that women would be vital in carrying out highly confidential work for Special Operations Executive operatives who were working behind enemy lines.

Born this day 30th April 1914.

PO. Thomas Birkett.
One of THE FEW.
bbm.org.uk/airmen/Birkett…

Killed age 26 when his Beaufighter was seen to emerge from cloud with both engines stopped and crashed.

Currently deep into Tunisia ground planning for my next visit - this is just one small area for the 38 (Irish) Brigade in 1943. And what a story it was. Triumph and Tragedy in equal measure. #Tunisia81

The door through which thousands of Jews queued to gain false visas issued by Thomas Joseph Kendrick and his staff to save Austrian Jews from Nazi persecution.

Over the course of 1938 and the Second World War, Kendrick and his team saved over 25,000 lives.

A visit to Fort Breendonk, the Gestapo concentration camp in Belgium, with Paul Reed & Mark Allen 🇺🇦. The threat of being taken to Breendonk was the first stick with which Belgian partisans were beaten. At Breendonk, they were told, you will talk. 3500 men suffered here. #WW2

A day covering the 82nd Drop and Landing Zone and some allocated Bridges ending up at the astonishing assault across the Waal by the 504th PIR supported by the Guards Armoured Division. It’s all a question of bridges and logistics with In the footsteps

Just had an opportunity to listen to ⁦Paul Reed⁩ ever excellent ‘Old Front Line’ podcast. Pleased that you reference ‘Mick’ Mannock. Oh, and thanks for the name check, Paul. open.spotify.com/episode/2Bx8Ep…

Remembering those from Operation Chariot this morning.

‘The Greatest Raid of All’

Remembering Fusilier Samuel Flint, Royal Highland Fusiliers 2nd Battalion Royal Regiment of Scotland, killed in action aged 21 when the vehicle he was travelling in was struck by an IED, Helmand Province, Afghanistan on the 30thApril 2013. Samuel was from Blackpool. #Afghanistan

Always fascinating to visit Tubby's Talbot House House as our first stop. You can feel the history here not just see it. And see Harry Patch signature in the visitors book. #Ypres #WW1