Farfield

Geoff Norcott (our Animals and men drummer) now lives in Torquay and drums with this band. Give them a listen - sounded a bit like the Wedding Present when I first heard them.

Arms Drill 1730

These images from a drill book of 1730 are staggering! Brought to my attention by Peter the Great period reenactor Boris these individual plates show everything from top to bottom in the handling of the weapons, pike and musket, of the era. The pike was obsolete in Western Europe but was still used ceremonially and it is all the better for its inclusion. The origins are unknown to me but it is a rare document indeed showing the dress and acoutrements in good detail.
Here to see photos of the Great Northern War being filmed

People getting pwn3d!

This set of fast video clips showing disastrous mishaps was shown me by my eldest daughter. It's a fascinating and sometimes horrfying array of disasters that hit you in quick succession so you hardly know what you've seen but some of them haunt you for hours afterwards

Kubelwagen

I was half-watching the fairly awful movie 'Hanover Street' the one where Harrison Ford gets to reprise his role as Han Solo, this time as a bomber pilot in 1943. Anyway, there was, as in all world war two movies, a Kubelwagen in it, and I wondered about them - this site looks the best place to start...reenactment photos of other German vehicles there too. In case you're wondering, a 45 model is up for sale for 12 grand.

Bronco models 1/16th scale CV-33

Box art for a couple of variants (Chinese army) of this Hong Kong based company's forthcoming release.

Ethiopians versus the Cv-33

This tale is from the website 'Tanks' http://mailer.fsu.edu/~akirk/tanks/
The Ethiopian campaign demonstrated a severe handicap due to the machine guns' narrow traverse capability. In one event, Ethiopian soldiers (who had no tanks are were basically a medieval army with muzzle loading cannon) actually attacked a troop of CV33's. After the initial fear and worry had worn off, and getting a bit hot under the collar because their beloved leader had fallen, they formed a plan. Noting the limited traverse of the MG's, they simply attacked from the side! In the narrow area in which this occured, the poor CV33 tankers simply could not turn around. After a liberal stabbing of port slits with sabers and knives, the angry soldiers then poured gasoline on the tanks and set them afire. To add insult to injury, the Ethiopians then flipped the tanks over - barehanded. Only one crew survived to surrender out of 13 tanks in this encounter - and that was by shouting Christo - Christo! Seems that the Ethiopians did not understand that hands up meant surrender... to them, the Italians simply made better targets of themselves!

Photojournalism in the Spanish Civil war

this was the first was where correspondents were in the action shooting the bomb damage and getting it into print where it could influence the public. On the subject of influencing the public this exhibition of posters looks interesting

Italian CV-33 tankette

This four foot high 'tankettes' saw action in the SCW and WW2. One turned up recently in Iraq at a Republican Guard base at Tikrit - pic here
A 1/72 model by DOC is reviewed here and the BUM one here
Nationalist tank page here

Battle of Guadalajara

Last major victory for the Republicans.
Also linked to a well done site La Cucuracha, which has a diary and features on songs

Imperial Japanese Army Page

This is a pleasant site with lots of photos of the various light tanks and odd weapons used by the Japanese army in the 30s and 40s.

Spanish Civil War Remembered

Interviewing a large percentage of veterans from Britain

For whom the Bells Toll rework

From Variety
Leonardo DiCaprio is in talks to star in "For Whom the Bell Tolls'' at Warner Bros. "`Troy'' writer David Benioff is scripting the adaptation of Ernest Hemingway's novel. DiCaprio - is said to be keenly interested in playing Robert Jordan, the young American teacher who joins an antifascist guerrilla unit in the mountains of Spain. DiCaprio won't commit to the project without a director, however, and none is attached.

La Columna -- UK's Spanish Civil War living history

It's always pleasant to see the obscure periods of history being recreated and especially good if its being done well. La Columna have been going for some while and have an interesting website with lots of useful links as a testiment to their research and enjoyment of the period

Vehicles of the SCW

Spanish language site - lots of pictures though. Spend some time here as it is rewarding...some brilliant photos. Helmets pictured here

Spanish civil war photo essay

BUM 1/72 models for the SCW

If you are thinking of modelling the SCW then you might consider these curious Spanish-made models of some of the more notable vehicles used. One (the Italian tankette CTV) comes free with a cd of Italian marching songs! All of the sets are limited to a 1000 run and turn up on ebay occasionally.

Soviet tank operations in the Spanish Civil War

This is a useful article that covers the deployment of T-26s in Spain.

Spanish Civil War Living History

You can tell by their graphics (left) that this Spanish group Ay Carmela are going to be good. Browse their excellent website and see the photos...and the articles in English to enjoy the enthusiasm on display. Well done.

Jarhead reviews

Sam Mendes' Gulf War film based on the book by Anthony Swofford. This is a movie that sets out to be the Apocalypse Now of the Gulf War and to a degree succeeds, though its brutality and tedium does actually make uncomfortable viewing. Apparently this movie did not benefit from support from the US military and did not get the free hardware offered to such films as Black Hawk Down and therefore is a warts'n'all depiction of the inaction of the USMC in the desert. Worth a look if you like this sort of thing. IMDB facts here

The War That Made America tv showing Jan 18

this is showing soon in the US - its a history of the French and Indian War to mark its 250th anniversary - looks well done from the trailers here http://www.thewarthatmadeamerica.com/promos.html well worth a look
http://www.thewarthatmadeamerica.com/emails/jan06a/index.html
Ralph

Lew Lewis 'Save The Wail'

I was wondering this evening - like you do - what happened to Lew Lewis? - he made some great modern rockin' blues tracks with Canvey bands the Hot Rods and the Feelgoods in the mid 70s - at his heyday he had an album on Stiff I think and even had his own promotional harmonica to give out at gigs. When I was an r'n'b singer harpist in the Bad Detectives we used to do a cover of the Hot Rods ''Horseplay' which was a firm favourite among our 'fans' as well as other Lewis 'hits'.
Anyway he's alive and sort of well as the above link shows - if you haven't heard 'Caravan Man' 'Out for a Lark' or 'Boogie on the Streets' then try and track them down. Come back Lew - we need a harp maestro like you so the younger kids can learn how its done!

The Lowlands of Holland

This song I first heard on the debut album by British folk legend Martin Carthy. It's a great song and this page does it justice, with lyrics and background.

Cock and Bull Story

This is a new release movie starring Steve Coogan and his protege Rob Bryden. Official website here. It is about the filming of Tristram Shandy, the so-called unfimable book by Laurence Sterne. I'm a Coogan fan and am looking forward to it...

Russian Cavalry memoirs

this selection of excerpts on this excellent site Russian Battlefield tells the story of cavalry in World War Two. Russia used the mounted arm quite a lot - it suited the large expanses of the land and horses were very much still in the Russian way of life

Simon Girty

As its the anniversary of the attack at Dunlap's station (1791) I thought it might be interesting to put a link up to the legendary villain of American history, Simon Girty. A more reasonable biography which explores the myth is here and another here
Some photos of a living history based on Girty here

Samurai

Now I am not a big fan of the Samurai - it could be all the difficult to pronounce names or maybe its just too difficult to get to grips with but it is a popular subject and one that my kids are quite interested in. BBC4 have just shown a night of Samurai programmes which they have enjoyed so I have put a link up to the above site which looks a good place to start.
Russian plastic figure manufacturer Zvezda have just produced a headquarters set which is reviewed here.
We spotted a well painted 90mm Papo Prestige toy Samurai in a shop in Bath - available here in the US here

Death of legend Link Wray

I'm a bit late with this information - it happened late November. Very sad but what a contribution to music? His classic instrumentals are going to live on forever as the birth of primitivism in rock and roll. We were lucky enough to see Link live at Dingwall's back in the early 80s and Sue got to shake his hand. His set was primarily made up of standards, Elvis tunes etc but he finished off with a rousing medley of his golden age hits.
My claim to fame is that I met Screamin' Jay Hawkins, another lost legend. A very scary man indeed.

Remote controlled tanks

This is another Christmas gift that I thought may be of interest. A 1/24 scale tank that fires bb pellets, has a rotating turret, elevating barrel and fully working tracks. First off I was the recipient of the Russian designed T-90 but that didn't work so it was replaced by a German Leopard A5. This one worked and was very impressive covering obstacles and so on. Now I wish I had another tank to pit it up against, though luckily there is a good amount of modern tanks in that scale - click here for some of the tanks available. If you're thinking of getting one then shop around - the prices seem to fluctuate widely.
1/16 scale seems to be one to go for if you want world war two - there seems to be Tigers and Panthers in this scale, though no doubt more will follow.

Big Bottom Massacre Jan 2 1790

The Big Bottom massacre between Ohio company settlers and Delawares and Wyandots marked the start of four years of frontier warfare in Ohio, which only stopped when General Anthony Wayne and the Indian tribes signed the Treaty of Greenville.
Pictures like the one featured left on the Ohio region's history are at this site Opening the Door West - a tv series about the Ohio Company. 3d Reconstructions here

Where we live

In the spirit of giving I thought I'd show you where we live. The photo I googled but it's actually taken by our next door neighbour. We're about 4th house from the end at the right. They're miners cottages from the now defunct Somerset coalfield.

Age of Reason

Age of Reason movies
Above's a webpage I put together publicising some of the groups that recreate the mid eighteenth century - the Seven Years War mainly - a period I consistently enjoy recreating and studying.
I suppose it was Kubrick's Barry Lyndon (production shot left) that got me started on this period and so far there hasn't been a movie to rival it in scope and depth. Another great 18th century movie is Sternberg's The Scarlet Empress.
I hear there is a movie scheduled on Marie Antionette for 2006 - trailer here - looks interesting...

Call of Duty 2 - the Big Red One

My kids (well not kids anymore but you know what I mean) have long wanted to find a Playstation game that was historically accurate enough for me to want to play on it and I think they found one in this game. A first person shooter (means you see a little rifle in the foreground) that takes you through North Africa, Russia apparently (dont ask how) Normandy and so on, operating various weapons and craft. It's wonderful - yesterday I drove a Stuart tank against Panzers. The scenery is well done and the vehicles and weapons superb.
So... if your kids have a PS2 get a copy of this game - it's really good. I actually prefer letting the offspring play it as they are better at it and I just watch and bore them with background chatter, like why the guys you're fighting are French, and why the Garand isn't worth trading for a Kar 98.

Lobositz 1756 Reenactment

This is looking like a good event...an English speaking organiser too! The above link takes you to a chapter from Carlyle's History

'As many of you already know, the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lobositz, the first battle of the Seven Year War will take place over a celebration weekend from Thursday 28th September to Sunday 1st October 2006.The weekend opens with a large street fair in the town of Lobositz ( today Lovosice in the Czech Republic), Saturday 30th sees an international wargamers festival in the Lovos Culture Centre organised by the Prague Historic Wargamers Association and on Sunday 1st October we will have a Battle Re.enactment on part of the original battlefield site.

In addition there will be local tours around the battlefield on oldtimer buses and also to Litomerice and the Terezin Memorial which are all within 3 miles of the battlefield and Lovosice.The Battle is being organised by the Mayor of Lovosice with the support of the town council and regional authority and those taking part in the battle will receive food and accomodation subject to early application.

If anyone is interested to take part in the events in Lovosice please contact the Event Co.ordinator'

David Griffiths, Zamek Borec, 41002 Lovosice, Czech Republic
email. david.griffiths@bohemiabuses.com

The Rock Star Game

This is an excellent pursuit - choose your band and then off you go - compare your band's progress to others - learn the value of touring and practice. We never did. My band is The Popcorn Dictatorship and I'm at the moment trying to get my first single out.

King Kong... a star is reborn

I am not normally a fan of remakes but this - the current Peter Jackson version - is very good indeed. It expands on the original - takes the original ideas and gives them more depth and more humanity. Coupled with epic action scenes and panoramas that take the breath away this movie though 3 hours in length keeps your interest from the first scene. NYC of the 1930s is so well recreated that it is totally believable but in a way that makes you feel that you are seeing it in a new way. It makes the original seem like a storyboard - a blueprint for this version which without detracting from the original creates the ultimate version.
Jack Black is good as the crazed Denham but of course the star is the gorilla who has been given more personality and made more believable - there are hints at the fact that he is the last in the line of huge apes and his subsequent loneliness are thrown in and there is a delightful bum-skating scene with King and Ann that is reminiscent of Bambi.
So... give your eyes a treat and your buttocks some torture...go ape for King Kong

JCB Song

This quirky folk song about childhood days is an unexpected breath of non commercial music in this season of over produced slosh, from a duo, Nizlopi. Apparently a contender for the Christmas Number one slot. The video is a delight - watch it at the above link. If you're an American reading this you might not know JCB is a make of earth mover...maybe they're an international company...?

Merian C Cooper - King Kong producer

The man who dreamed of a giant gorilla attacking New York would make a fascinating subject for a biopic himself. An airman in the war between Red Russia and Poland he and co poducer Shoedseck are in the close up shots of airmen in the original movie . There's a book on Amazon that looks in interesting

King Kong Reviews

It seems that this movie is getting the thumbs up - I might even got to see it myself - the period feel to the trailers have sold it for me - the stunning backdrop of 1930s America looks great

Merry Christmas - the Movie

This movie, which is about to hit the arthouse cinemas in the UK about now, is partly about the Christmas truce of 1914. Presumably this is a movie that could have benefited from the success of A Very Long Engagement.
Synopsis here
If you read this blog a while back you might have seen some links about this obviously important event that has inspired people ever since.

Official website
www.merrychristmas-themovie.com

meeting with Howling Wolf

Good site dedicated to the most powerful of all the Chicago bluesmen Howling Wolf.

Conquest Miniatures' Native Greens

It's always interesting to see figures in their early stage - Conquest are an American company making quite a name for themselves with their 500 nation range. New up are the Sac and Foxes

New World movie reviews

This eagerly awaited tale by Badlands and Thin Red Line director Mallick is based in Jamestown 1607 and features Colin Farrell as John Smith. This 'arthouse movie with a Hollywood budget' is apparently out in the US on the 25th (January 13 in most cities). Mixed reviews are gathered at the above link. I'm enthusiastic about this film despite what some of the critics say - historical pictures that aren't about Rome are as rare as hen's teeth these days and this promises to be a visual feast if nothing else. Check out the official site that has a 360 degree tour of the Powhatan village and some very atmospheric stills

Trafalgar clips

There was a news item today about the oldest-serving sailor from HMS Victory so here's a few clips of the celebrations this summer

Space Cadets hoaxes public

According to the blurb this reality tv is hoaxing a group of wannabees that they are in Russia and going into space - a big joke - but it seems that the hoax is going to be on the British public as it turns out that the so-called participants are all in fact actors. Shame on Channel 4....

Austerlitz 2005 photos

Lots of really good wintry images at the link above of the French and Allied troops at this event which seems to have been a great success. It's great to see the greatcoats and the winter kit of the period. Much more spectacular than the full parade dress methinks

Pygmy wars

this is a comprehensive site based on the wars of eastern Europe in the post Russian Revolution period. Excellent

harmonicas

this place is my father-in-law gets his harmonicas... they certainly have a dazzling array - gone are the days when it was Hohner or nothing...

Sudden Strike 2

Been busy (ha!) over the last couple of days getting to grips with Sudden Strike 2 and Sudden Strike Resource War - Real time strategy set in World war2. Command either Brit, US, USSR Japanese or German tanks and infantry, their support vehicles even aircraft in realistic battles - well so the aim is. I like them. There are some drawbacks - see the review - but it is a fun and reasonably well rendered world that looks like the war. Some of you might get a copy so I can try out the online capabilities.

Austerlitz photos and video clips

MORE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS
Thanks to Eric from Holland here are some more images of this epic Napoleonic battle. This dedicated reenactor drove 2700 km - 15 hours to fire ten rounds... but despite the cold and the usual difficulties found it worth it to be on the field with 4,000 reenactors.
'It does look great, but very hard work. People having sliding and falling down all over the place. Also having to climb a small hill was very difficult to get up. Took a while before everyone was on top. Very tiring it was. Also very cold, sometimes the leatherstraps of my gaiters froze to the ground if we didn't move too long.
A lot of British we joining French regiments. Our 3eme had some of the 71st HLI members in it.
The Napoleon actor really looked the part, but didn't really have time to watch him on the battlefield. Besides the battle I never saw him again.
I think the next one will be Jena, also likely to be very cold.' Eric Timmerije

Info on the American who played Napoleon

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/4495616.stm excellent photos
http://www.czech-tv.cz/vysilani/prog8314.html - news coverage
http://www.nos.nl/nosjournaal/artikelen/2005/12/3/index.html - photos
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/4496358.stm - news video
http://channels.netscape.com/weather/photosearch.jsp?cap=austerlitz&id=1

Austerlitz December 3rd 1805 - video of reenactment

Click on the above text for some sensational footage - in snow - thoroughly convincing!
The Battle of the three emperors - French, Russian and Austrian was fought 200 years ago this weekend and a reenactment took place - hopefully it won't be long before we have some photos to look at. If you have a good connection go here to see some videos from a local tv network. Missed the opportunity to watch it live but there's some consolation to seeing some clips. Project Austerlitz

The Cramps New LP of rarities

The Cramps have consistently been probably the greatest rock and roll band in the universe since their inception in the mid 70s. Starting in Ohio before relocating first to NYC and then to their beloved Hollywood, Lux, Ivy and an array of cool and oddly named costars have been the most explosive live act gracing the stage despite the advancing age of the main band. This cd looks like an ideal introduction into the sleazy world of B-movies, horror, burlesque, scifi and anything trashy in American culture that they bring into their infectious rockabilly.

(See them live here doing Cramp Stomp) featuring one of music's most enduring and creative partnership - Lux (vocals) and Ivy (guitar) - long may they reign as King and Queen of rock and roll - German fansite here -

Peepshow

the blurb from Channel 4's website. It is quite an unconventional sit-com as it gets to show the protagonists inner thoughts about intimate subjects

Meet Mark and Jeremy. Mark's the sensible one, a professional brogue-wearer with a slightly disconcerting interest in World War Two. Jeremy is the loose cannon, a lazy waster with dodgy friends who dreams of becoming a musician but can never get his act together (or up in the morning). As ever, their deepest, darkest thoughts and feelings are revealed as they try in vain to find their place in the modern world and to find love and fulfilment. After two years, Mark finally gets together with his beloved Sophie but is distraught when she's relocated to Bristol. He tries everything to maintain their relationship, from mild stalking to a botched session of phone sex. Meanwhile, Jeremy tries to get over his disastrous marriage to American beauty Nancy by embarking on a series totally misjudged relationships. Along the way he falls for a troublesome defendant while he's on jury duty, and - horror of horrors - Mark's younger sister.

Also in this series, Mark and Jeremy are forced to deal with intimidating plumbers, insane friends, and must face up to scary teenage muggers and disappointing threesomes.

Sudden Strike; Resource War

If you were wondering what the game being played at the start of Channel 4's excellent comedy Peepshow by the nerdy Mark it looked like Sudden Strike - so I got myself a copy and will give it a review. It is a resource building based game like Cossacks and American Conquest which I have enjoyed so here goes nothing

site meter added

Now I have taken the plunge and put a site meter up. Now I will see for real how few people read this. So in order not to embarass me tell your friends so the site meter can get into reasonable figures... or hit Refresh a few times!

New Osprey of Note

Back of Beyond Times

An excellent site offering a fresh look at what can be done with miniatures that are painted well. This bit features Copplestone Castings eastern figures.
If you like fantasy and want to see more have a look here

Bath's Blitz Project

lots of memories and so on of Bath (Somerset's) wartime experience. Check out the before and after photographs - amazing sayeth one family member while looking over my shoulder. Bristol is dealt with here

Sturgeon

information on this beautiful prehistoric fish

Diorama Dreamland

this is a nice site of dioramas of 1/72 figures. Links to the NIKOLAI range of woodland indians in that scale

WW2 Fighter sims

Ive been looking around for flight sims as one of the neighbours was asking about them and what with watching a load of airfield movies - this one looks good though maybe a little out of date... this one IL2 - Sturmovik set on the Eastern Front looks good and has good recommendations. Some videos here. Also has Pacific variant

Leslie Howard

Hollywood had a real life hero in this charming man - who took up acting after suffering shellshock in World War One. Costarred in Gone with the Wind. The epitome of the English gentleman. He returned to the UK to help the war effort making morale raising movies such as First of the Few.
Information about the death of this great film actor and filmmaker here a good biography here

Saga of Billy Fiske

Been trying to find out more about this movie The Few based on American volunteers in the Battle of Britain. This movie is already controversial - see above - what about the author of the book, yet to be published Alex Kershaw. He's written a book on the Battle of the Bulge - there's a segment here. He appears to be a very commercially-oriented writer.

the West country in archive film footage

this is a useful collection of films from the prewar and later period in the West Country. Enjoy the reminiscences tooo of an age now longer with us (I wish)... The Compton Martin film is good - reminds me of one of our lame jokes - 'straight outta Compton - Compton Dando'

Bike and sidecar

I never thought I'd find myself lusting after a motorbike but this seems quite a nice idea - perfect for recreating the jousting scene from Indiana Jones

Book Ben Elton The First Casualty

Ben Elton - a stand-up comic and co-writer of Blackadder has long been known as a writer of mildly amusing books but on hearing he'd tackled the Great War my ears pricked up; not usually the stuff of comedy...but the Independent seems to think it worth a look, so hopefully soon a copy will be gracing the shelves of my local charity shop and then I can read it. Another review is here

British Comics

Read some of the pages and investigate the adventure comics of the 50s and 60s

Radstock man slams Tom Cruise film

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN WAS WON BY A SINGLE AMERICAN AIRMAN (...OR SO HOLLYWOOD IS ABOUT TO TELL US)
Winston Churchill said it was our "finest hour", but yesterday it was revealed the Battle of Britain was won single-handedly by Tom Cruise. Amid outrage from the West's war veterans and military historians, a new Hollywood film will claim that one American, Billy Fiske - played by Cruise - was responsible for the 1940 victory. But he didn't shoot down a single plane. Fiske was one of a handful of Americans who volunteered to fight in the battle, as the US was yet to enter the war. He was killed by German Stuka bombers in August 1940. His story is to be retold in the film The Few directed by Michael Mann, who made the fighter pilot hero movie Top Gun, also starring Cruise, and filming is due to start soon. "I've heard it is almost like he won the war all on his own," said war veteran Ben Clinch, who loaded the guns fired by the real Billy Fiske. "I can't see how they can make a film of Fiske's life. He was unremarkable, in the context of the squadron. He was just another pilot as far as we were concerned." Fiske's short life is perfect movie material - the handsome son of a wealthy Chicago businessman, he won a bobsleigh gold medal at the Winter Olympics when he was just 16, married the former Countess of Warwick and raced at Le Mans. However, winning the Battle of Britain was not one of his many accomplishments. "He made several sorties but he didn't shoot anything down, and his impact on the battle was negligible," said Bill Bond, of the Battle of Britain historical society.
Jack Younie, 84, of Radstock in Somerset, joined the RAF just before the battle began. He said: "It will make it look as though the Americans were everywhere, but they were hardly there at all. "There were pilots from India, Canada, Australia, South Africa and a few from America. "But the vast majority were British. And our pilots did a great job. If they had lost the Battle of Britain, that would have been the end of everything. Hitler would simply have walked all over us. "They're just trying to make a box-office hit, and they tend to hype it up with things that frankly stretch the imagination." Hollywood has a habit of ignoring facts to glorify the deeds of Americans. In the 2000 film U-571, US seamen recovered an Enigma code machine from a sinking German submarine and changed the course of World War II. Enigma was in fact retrieved by the British crew of HMS Bulldog. The basis for the new film is that the British were on their knees and desperate for help in their fight for aerial superiority with the Luftwaffe. There were, apparently, aeroplanes sitting in hangars and a shortage of pilots. A few brave Americans answered the call - risking jail in the then neutral US - and saved the day. Recalling another piece of Tinseltown propaganda, military historian and former RAF pilot Colin Pomeray, of Dorset, said: "It is like John Wayne being the big D-Day hero in The Longest Day. "The whole idea sounds rather nauseating. It's impossible that any one man could have won the Battle of Britain. "There simply weren't lots of Spitfires sitting in hangars, and I've never heard of the American volunteers facing the prospect of prison. "Fiske was a brave man, all the Americans were brave - but there were only a very small number of them. The problem is that after this, a lot of people watching the film in America will actually believe that is the way it happened." http://www.westpress.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=127638&command=displayContent&sourceNode=127637&contentPK=9562995

'Downfall' - screening Dec 9th on More 4

Monday sees the screening in the UK of this highly acclaimed German movie on the last moments of Adolf Hitler. Shot in a realistic style it shows the end of Goebbels and Hitler in a way never before seen. More info on IMDB
The more I learn about Hitler the more he seems like a fool - making some of the worst military decisions EVER. Perhaps the egotistical madness that made him create himself as an embodiment of the Nation's fortunes also made him one of history's worst leaders.

Last Canadian Great War frontline veteran dies

Lancaster Bomber

Inspired to look up this site on these formidable monsters after watching a formulaic bomber command movie starring Dirk Bogarde. Not knowing much about ww2 movies I wonder how many of these airfield movies were made? Seems like a lot from memory. Perhaps there's a site. Ideally a candidate should be in black and white so stock footage can be thrown in.

Flying Clippers

this is a wellproduced page on the subject of the golden age of air travel. The posters and artwork are of the period and well done.

new Flashman book reviewed

A new book by George Macdonald Fraser has been compared by one as akin to a second coming - this historical novelist is head and shoulders above his rivals in historical detail, wit and general readability. This new Flashman novel is set against the background of the Napier expedition to Abysinnia.
also here also visit here for the background to the character, previous novels and links to other works such as the Steel Bonnets set in the era of the Border Reivers

Eastern front book review

Russian army of the 30s and 40s

According to myth Hitler didn't invade Britain because he lost the Battle of Britain but recent research shows that it was the emerging Russian army with its new tanks and equipment that frightened Hitler into attacking the Soviet Union. This website investigates the armour of this period with some good video clips.
If you want to see a reenactment group of this period go to North-Front's website - some excellent photos including a KV-1 being dredged out of the river

Percy Topliss - the Monocled Mutineer

One of the great anti-heroes of the Great War, Topliss was once the most wanted man in Britain for his part in mutinies that went on behind the lines. Well that's the myth anyway - a biography of him is here This chemeleon-like character was played by Paul McGann (left) in the tv series written by Alan Bleasdale. Topliss was depicted as a reknowned officer impersonator who used his bluffing instinct to carry him through the various scrapes.
The web is full of anecdotes through local history - one old lady sold him a packet of cigarettes, someone caught him and let him go...have a search and see what turns up. Filmmaker Alex Cox has a script he wrote on the subject here - not sure if you can read it - maybe you have to pay...
There is some of the facts surrounding the controversy of this case on this forum The Etaples mutiny is written about here
SHOT AT DAWN
The site mentioned above is worth a look - its a campaign to have the 300-odd soldiers shot for cowardice and desertion reviewed. http://www.shotatdawn.org.uk/ Many of the soldiers shot had no council and were tried, convicted and executed on the same day
There is a book on the subject here but the website gives no information as to what it has. This crime site has an interesting page
Copies of the novelisation of the tv series turn up occasionally.

Great Indian Battles - Minisink 1779

this is an interesting battle that has Militia fighting with a party of Iroquois led by the celebrated Joseph Brant - this website here has some excellent photos of the site.

Mickey Lee Lane

there's a great looking compilation of this the man who brought us 'Hey Sah-Loh-Ney' - probably the greatest dance record of all time. http://www.raucousshop.co.uk/static2/PID1248.htm

Christmas Truce

LONDON, England (AP) -- Alfred Anderson, the last surviving soldier to have heard the guns fall silent along the Western Front during the spontaneous "Christmas Truce" of World War I, died Monday at age 109.More than 80 years after the war, Anderson recalled the "eerie sound of silence" as shooting stopped and soldiers clambered from trenches to greet one another December 25, 1914.
The Christmas truce has always been of interest to me - there's a book on it I remember reading, but as for finding an interesting angle to celebrate it the prize must go to Billy Childish's Buff Medways for doing a Christmas single 'Merry Christmas Fritz' based around the story on the album 1914 - a concept album of garage rock and roll!

Charge of the Light Brigade in plastic

New manufacturer on the block Emhar are certainly pushing the box about with its new poseable plastic and innovative subjects, and apparently getting their sculpting done in China. This month sees the release of Crimean Russian artillery and British cavalry. All exceptional and historically accurate it bodes well for their Franco-Prussian war sets which are imminent. For more of their products go here

Not Forgotten

This is a new series attempting to put stories and their descendants to the names on anonymous looking war memorials. Rarely is telly moving but this programme was an exceptionally well put together show that had some interesting and poignant stories to tell, such as the village who had no memorial as one of the fallen was shot for cowardice. This ably showed how the aftermath of the Great War passed on through the generations and was worthwhile time spent.

Native reenactors for New Orleans?

A call to arms! To all able bodied warriors and white men in Indian Country.
A new company is being formed for thepurpose of defending America from that scourge ofEnglish aggression. Major General Pushmataha needs all those warriors who are interested in defending the southland at the major engagement that will soon be had at New Orleans when the English land their ships and troops to attempt to impose their will upon bothours and the American’s lands. We have given our word that we hold in honor to our American brothers and weintend to make good on our promise to help them defend their lands. A company of Indian militia is being formed at present to attend the battle at New Orleans and other sites of interest in an attempt to put the English in their right and proper places. Join now, come and aid in the fight to come. War honors, gifts and loot are to be had to all those who come to fight. Who will go with me to help our American brothers win this fight,who will go with me to teach the English a lesson that they will not soon forget and a fight that songs will be sung for generations to come? Now is the time to join, many English scalps await the hatchet and scalping knife of our bravest warriors, you but need to walk in the path of war with me and we shall be victorious!
The Americans are but a young nation, but with the help of our old sovereign Indian nations we shall help them become great and help them gain the strength that they need to become an old nation as we are. Come brave warriors, come red brothers, let us go to war and let us dance the scalp dances after the victory! I am the one called Apushmatahaubi, the one who brings death to his enemies, the one who stepped forth from the oak fully formed with hatchet and scalping knife in hand. I will lead us to victory and to many prizes of war, come with me!Apushmatahaubi, Mico ant Okla Hannali ChahtaTuska Chitto ant Amahican.(Pushmataha)Leader of the Six Towns Choctaws War General of the Americans
The “modern” call:
At present I am trying to form a company of “Indian Militia” as was such that the “Indian General” andChoctaw chief Pushmataha lead during the War of 1812. The militia will be comprised primarily of Native reenactors dressed as Indians (i.e. frock coats orshirts, leggings, breechcloths, mocs) armed with muskets/rifles/tomahawks and scalpers, but formed up into companies of militia that will adhere to the basic drill of American militia. I realize this is fairly short notice, but only recently was the decision to have the battle of New Orleans reenactment in light of the Katrina disaster made once again. This event is a crucial event in regards to living history and also is important as it will help form a modern link to the importance of a multitude of various groups of people coming together to save New Orleans. It is in direct parallel to what is happening down there at this very moment. The event is January 6-8 of 2006. It is also a great opportunity to portray an aspect of history that has not been displayed since it was originally enacted, that of a significant Native military force serving under “modern” military tactics to accomplish the feat of helping win a major military victory. It is known that Pushmataha drilled his warriors (who numbered some 700 or so Choctaws, Chickasaws and Cherokees) in the white military tactics of the day. They were so effective at learning and conducting the military drill that they were commended on many separate occasions for their bravery and gallantry under fire. That is a sight that will turn some heads, Indians serving in a line company of militia, and with your help as a reenactor in the company, we could be one of the best militia groups ever seen!
The company would also be complemented by any“American” reenactors who wished to portray “Indian country men” – those whites who were living amongst the Indians in their territory at the time, who were serving alongside them because they had a tie either by marriage or by affiliation. This company also has the chance to attend other events of the period other than the Battle of NewOrleans, but what that all depends on is who and how many people wish to join up.
Requirements as far as dress and accoutrements are pretty easy to attain and most folks doing Native reenacting already can easily fit into the role. There is ample documentation of what these men carried and the fact that they were paid as members of the“Mississippi Militia” adds to the idea that these were paid soldiers, not just an Indian rabble.There are no dues, there are few rules, this isn’t a political organization of any kind, I’m just trying to form up a company of militia to attend some really cool events and do a really cool portrayal of an integral period of Native American history.
If you’re interested, please contact me atnitaiskatene@yahoo.com for more information. If you know anyone who might be interested but has not received this, please forward it to them.
Please, inquire only if you’re seriously interested and would be able to firmly commit to at least attending the Battle of New Orleans reenactment in January.Thank you most sincerely, David B. Wells dit Nitaiskatene but now aka Pushmataha:-)

Notting Hill Psychogeography Online Book

Tom Vague's book of Notting Hill pop culture. Well worth a read

Battle for Moscow

An interesting set of pictures from a reenactment of this WW2 battle at Borodino.

Killing a chicken

Yesterday we had to terminate one of our chickens - Godzilla - she was ill and old and not hopefully not a Bird Flu victim. I didn't do it myself - which I'm a little ashamed of - but got a friend to do it - a professional - but it didn't make it feel any better - in fact I felt guilty for not having the conviction to do it myself. It was a strange process that at every stage seemed loaded with meaning. I secretly hoped he would say something like - we'll leave it to the morning - or let's leave til after tea - but once asked the progress was slowly, methodically and unstoppably moving towards the final twist. I apologised for my using him to do my dirty work but he said that was how the noble profession of slaughtering came about - but again I felt weak and slightly evil.
This is a week dogged by death as we have had two fat rats nibbling on our chicken feed - they soon will have to die as they have been chewing on the hens and stealing eggs. Having been in conflict with this species before I am aware that it is not going to be easy and no doubt horrific. How I am going to do it I don't know - any ideas?

The Last Legion

The Gladiator effect still rolls on - this movie still in production stars Colin Firth and Ben Kingsley and uses the Epic word in the blurb.
book here

hunting shirts

Ive been trying to find the reference I saw somewhere that Natives didn't like or wear Hunting shirts much. Can't find it yet...the above article is interesting though

Great War Trench Mining

Something that has always interested me about the Great War was the mining and countermining of enemy trenches. My Grandfather was a collier from the Somerset Coalfields and spent much of the war in harrowing countermining operations - often fighting hand to hand underground with their German counterparts. This site is a great addition to the online data about the Great War and is to be congratulated.

Rebellion; John Horse and the Black Seminoles

This is a comprehensive and absorbing look at the Black Seminoles - and the conflict surrounding the region. America has a rich modern history - mostly tales of subjugation - but nevertheless colourful and exciting reading.

Nouvelle France movie 'Historic dud'

this review seems to think the forthcoming Nouvelle France movie a turkey. Official site here . Released in the US on Novemeber 13 - I hope someone over there in the land of the free goes and sees it if only to hear first hand...

The Libertine movie

Johnny Depp , John Malkovich star. Depp is the scandalously decadent John Wilmot, the second Earl of Rochester. Qutoing from some blurb 'The film follows the Earl's adventures in London, from his passionate romance with a young actress, Elizabeth Barry (Samantha Morton), to the writing of a scurrilous play which blisteringly and bawdily lampoons the very monarch who commissioned it, Charles II (John Malkovich), leading to the Earl's banishment and eventual downfall.'
I must admit to being more of a Malkovich fan than a 'Deppy' but this film looks a must-see.
to read about the real Rochester go here
or here

Pershing's Doughboys

This is the UK WW1 living history group - check out their vehicles - based around the AEF - looking at their site they are doing an interesting trip to New Mexico to celebrate the Pancho Villa incursion.

Lost battalion of WW1

interesting site with clips of the 1919 movie which boasted to be the first time history had been reenacted by the original participants on film.

Chav or anti Chav

Well the nation has been gripped by this concept for part of this year. What is a Chav? Entymology suggests a derivation of a Romany word but the best though apocryphal is the Acronym Council House and Violence but basically the word describes UK white trash or a lowbrow underclass - in short the urban poor. Lots of regional variations of this word - one local to me one 'NUmpties' makes me grin. Julie Burchill did a piece on tv identifying the fact that it was simply a new stick to beat the poor, by the so-called cultured middle-class; so what they have poor taste in clothes? Maybe they spend their money on worthless trash...so what?
I live in a so-called Chav stronghold - it has its amusing sides; this conversation was witnessed the other day
'You smell nice?'
'Well you know me and me 'olidays - I always get me perfume - this is the new Calvin Klein...' 'Euphoria?'
'Oh I been calling it Ethiopia...I saw an E and a U and thought 'what?'
Well I have a totemic burberry (fake) basball cap that I wear to annoy the chattering classes and ensure I play 50 cent loudly when I can... so I'm on the side of Chavness come the Revolution.

Atalatl News

Great Indian Battles - Horseshoe Bend 1814

This battle saw the Creek indians defeated by to-be President Andrew Jackson. There seems to be a tradition of Presidents and Militia membership in the US.
The Creek War seems an interesting site Among the Creeks accompanies

Armistice Day

The aftermath of the War to End all Wars saw riots of veterans and disappointment at the world they inherited. Soon enough the protagonists were at it again in what historians of the future must see as one long war with a breeding gap in between.
Channel 4 and the Imperial War Museum have launched an online memorial - also here
Watch the clip of the new documentary the Somme here

Buccaneer Bay - a 300 years ago holiday?

this is an interesting resort concept I happened upon while looking for epees du soldat on Loyalist arms' website. It promises to be a one of a kind experience... a holiday 300 years ago - interesting ... special rates for reenactors.

52nd light infantry

this is a pretty swish website for a celebrated Peninsula war unit. Some photos hidden away in the body - they look good

the Old Fritz & the Dreispitz

On the Age of Reason theme here's an excellent image from the site of the Dreispitz - the Tricorn - depicting the Old Fritz Frederick II of Prussia with his father's beloved Grenadiers. These people will no doubt be gearing up for the anniversary of Lobositz - the battle that started the Seven Years War in Europe.
Browse the myriad of groups on the Dreispitz site recreating the colourful age of Maria Theresa, Voltaire and of course the Old Fritz himself.

18th Century Books - Age of Reason