If you're fascinated by Second World War and Holocaust history, Berlin is a must-visit destination. The city is home to many solemn yet impactful reminders of the war's horrors. Visitors can explore the ruins and bullet-scarred structures that vividly recount tales of destruction and resilience. You can discover bunkers that echo wartime preparations, and visit Holocaust memorials that, though sombre, reflect Germany's commitment to confronting its past. Dive into remarkable museums that strive to educate, ensuring that the lessons of history are not forgotten. In this guest article, M ..read more

If you are interested in your family history (genealogy), you may have wondered if any of your ancestors served in the military. Military service is a common and significant part of many people’s heritage, and learning more about it can enrich your understanding of your family’s past. However, finding and accessing military records can be challenging, especially if you don’t know where to look or how to interpret them. Moreover, even if you manage to find some information about your ancestor’s military service, you might still feel a gap between you and them, as you only have some names, da ..read more

If you are interested in your family history (genealogy), you may have wondered if any of your ancestors served in the military. Military service is a common and significant part of many people’s heritage, and learning more about it can enrich your understanding of your family’s past. However, finding and accessing military records can be challenging, especially if you don’t know where to look or how to interpret them. Moreover, even if you manage to find some information about your ancestor’s military service, you might still feel a gap between you and them, as you only have some names, da ..read more

Dick Hewitt served as an Armourer with a mobile fighter squadron as part of the Desert Air Force (DAF) from 1943 to 1945. During Dick’s time in the RAF, he kept a diary, although this was against regulations. Although the diaries are incomplete, they have provided enough clues and information to be able to retell the wartime story of one Leading Aircraftman and his role in the Allied campaign for Italy. Dick Hewitt was born on Thursday 18 April 1901 in Leicester.  Dick passed away on Friday 7 June 1985, aged 84, in Birmingham. Service in the British Army Amongst Dick’s personal papers, I ..read more

Hawker Hurricane, IWM Duxford, 2018 One British aircraft of the Second World War has come to symbolize the indomitable spirit of the nation during the dark days of 1940, the Supermarine Spitfire. However, it was the Hawker Hurricane that shot down more than half of the Luftwaffe’s raiders during the Battle of Britain. In Jacky Hyams’s new book, HURRICANE: The Plane That Won the War, published by Michael O’Mara Books Limited, the bestselling author attempts to set the record straight.   HURRICANE is an account of how the aircraft was designed, built and its service history. The book is al ..read more

As part of IWM’s D-Day 75th anniversary week, Daks over Duxford told the extraordinary story of D-Day, uniting the greatest number of Douglas C-47 Skytrain and Dakota aircraft in one location since the Second World War. Synonymous with the D-Day Landings, more than 30 'Daks' descended upon IWM Duxford. Mass parachute jumps and flight displays took place across the museum ahead of the epic cross-channel flight to Normandy on 5 June. On the ground, D-Day-related displays and activities brought the extraordinary story of D-Day to life. In fact, 21 DC-3s and Douglas C-47s finally went to Normandy ..read more

Charlie Trumpess and Tiger 131, The Tank Museum The Tiger tank (Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger Ausf. E) entered service at the end of 1942. It was not a great start. The tank was deployed over unsuitable terrain, limiting its effectiveness. The early production Tigers were plagued with technical problems including dangerous engine fires. Many of these early teething problems were symptoms of the tank being rushed into service without adequate development and testing. However, the Tiger was also over-engineered. The result was a highly complex, often temperamental weapons system that requ ..read more

As a boy, I loved to watch actor Anthony Andrews play Lieutenant Brian Ash in the TV series Danger UXB. The show revolved around the daring exploits of a young Royal Engineers officer posted to a Bomb Disposal unit during the London Blitz. In reality, over 50,000 bombs were successfully defused during World War Two for the loss of 580 men and one woman killed while serving with the Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal. A dirty, nerve-racking and incredibly dangerous job that required a special type of courage. However, a job that was never officially recognised after the war. In her book Time Stood ..read more

As part of IWM’s D-Day 75th anniversary week, Daks over Duxford told the extraordinary story of D-Day, uniting the greatest number of Douglas C-47 Skytrain and Dakota aircraft in one location since the Second World War. Synonymous with the D-Day Landings, more than 30 'Daks' descended upon IWM Duxford. Mass parachute jumps and flight displays took place across the museum ahead of the epic cross-channel flight to Normandy on 5th June. On the ground, D-Day related displays and activities brought the extraordinary story of D-Day to life. In fact, 21 DC-3s and Douglas C-47s finally went to Normand ..read more

Omaha Beach, June 6 1944, D-Day Landings As part of the D-Day 75th anniversary commemorations, The War Years will be adding a range of content over the coming week. The Story of D-Day, Part One The Plan The largest amphibious operation in military history, code-named Overlord, D-Day started in the early hours of June 6 1944. The objective was an 80 km stretch of the Normandy coastline. An armada of 7000 ships planned to land 175,000 men, 50,000 vehicles and all their equipment by day’s end. 11,000 aircraft, oil pipelines under the English Channel and even giant Mulberry Harbours would be towe ..read more