ANZAC
Blenheims to Bremen
The Bristol Blenheim light bomber as flown in the daylight attack on Bremen on the 4th July. Air Commodore Sir Hughie Idwal Edwards, VC, KCMG, CB, DSO, OBE, DFC (1 August 1914 – 5 August 1982) was a senior officer in the Royal Air Force, Governor of Western Australia, and an Australian recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest decoration…
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Alternative WWII: Alamein to Basra, 1942 Part I
The White House, Washington When President Franklin D. Roosevelt passed the telegram announcing the fall of Tobruk to his distinguished guest in the Oval Office, he was taken somewhat aback by the depth of feeling with which the information was greeted. “Defeat is one thing; disgrace is another,” gloomily intoned…
Ambush at the ford
MANGAPIKO STREAM, WAIKATO, NEW ZEALAND, 1864 After the United Kingdom had signed the Treaty of Waitangi with chiefs of the indigenous Maori people in 1840, the British regarded the whole of New Zealand as a colony within their empire. Many Maori saw the situation differently. Disagreements over the treaty’s implications…
The Red Sea 1940–41
The Red Sea, 1940–1941 Long months of torture in the blazing heat and incredible humidity of Massawa had left us apathetic and drained of hope of escape. —Edward Ellsberg, No Banners No Bugles Italy’s East African possessions, particularly its Red Sea base at Massawa, were situated strategically astride the sea…
Australia to join US military effort to protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz
Troops, planes and warships to help guard strait in Middle East where tensions are flaring with Iran, but critics warn involvement could breach international law. Australian forces will make a “modest, meaningful and time-limited” contribution to a United States-led mission in the Strait of Hormuz aimed at protecting freedom of…
Arafura Class OPV
Australia’s current Armidale class and Cape class patrol boats are planned to be replaced with a single class of Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), under Project SEA 1180 Phase 1, to be built in Australia by German shipbuilder, LĂĽrssen’s subsidiary, Luerssen Australia partnering with Australian shipbuilder, Civmec in the joint venture,…
The Battle for Sari Bair
30 May Birdwood first unveiled plans to capture the initial objectives, including the Sari Bair Range 6 August Birdwood’s plans for a final assault are launched with diversion at the Vineyard and Lone Pine 2.30pm Artillery bombardment commences for 2½ hours in area known as the Vineyard to create a…