India
Gheria 1756
On 12 February 1756, a British naval squadron under RearAdmiral Charles Watson demanded the surrender of Gheria, a stronghold on the west coast of India of the Angrias, a Maratha family whose fleet was a factor in local politics and had been used for privateering attacks on European merchantmen. When the Indians opened fire, Watson `began such a fire upon…
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Indian Navy
The Indian Navy Project 17 frigate Sahyadri operating with the Project 28 corvette Kamorta in May 2017. Both ships are amongst the newest of their types in the Indian Navy but new designs are in preparation. The last year has continued to see the Indian Navy’s ambitious plans for enhancement…
Keren (1941) Part I
‘Am concerned at check developing at Keren. Abyssinia might be left, but had hopes Eritrea would be cleaned up’ – read the telegram to Cairo of a worried Winston Churchill on 20 February 1941. The mountainous escarpment of Keren formed a natural fortress barrier shielding the coastal province of Eritrea…
Keren (1941) Part II
The view from an RAF bomber as the mountainous terrain outside the town of Keren is attacked. Yet the road to Keren was not open. Demolition of the Ponte Mussolini, a great bridge 12 miles east of Agordat on the Via Imperiali autostrada, plus heavy mining of the deviation, bought…
The Lieutenant’s Story
As a German shell bursts dangerously close by, steady veterans of the 4th Indian Division continue to move forward across a stark desert landscape. General Alexander inspects the 3/2nd Punjab. El Alamein, July–November 1942 Late that night, two lieutenants, escaping the fug of the VCOs’ circle, prowled the tented rows…
A Passion for Conquering Forts
Sarkhel Kanhoji Angre. Admiral of Maratha Navy 1698 – 1729. A painted scroll showing Gurab, Galbat and other types of warships of the Maratha Navy. In the lower part of the scroll are shown the ships of the Maratha navy and some captured English ship. The East India Company’s relationship…