This year sees the 80th anniversary of the foundation of three special elements of the British Army. In this article we will look at their foundation and the vital role they still play today. On 6 June 1940, only days after the successful evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from the beaches of Dunkirk, Churchill ordered the creation […]
This year’s D-Day anniversary, the 76th, is a lot more low key than last year’s – primarily because of the restrictions on travelling and large gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So we’re going to mark the occasion in our special way, with a collection of genuine photos of Allied airborne and commando forces from […]
23.30hrs 5th June 1944 – The Final Embarkation: Four ‘stick’ commanders of 22nd Independent Parachute Company, British 6th Airborne Division, synchronising their watches in front of an Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle of 295 Squadron, No 38 Group, Royal Air Force, at about 23.30 on the 5th of June, just prior to take off from RAF Harwell, […]
28 May 1982, Goose Green, Falklands. Soldiers of 2 PARA prepare for battle. Photo credit: Airborne Assault – The Museum of the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces. […]
Family, friends, and visitors honor the fallen in Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, May 26, 2019. Every year over Memorial Day weekend, over 142,000 visitors come to Arlington National Cemetery to honor those who are laid to rest in these hallowed grounds. U.S. Army photo/Elizabeth Fraser […]
Image credit: US Department of Defense […]
Despite the celebrations of VE Day just the day before, and due to the chaos of the fluid situation of the German defeat, the British 1st Airborne Division launched a mission to liberate Norway. Advance parties flew into Norway on 9th May 1945. Their task was to maintain law and order, secure airfields, prevent […]
As we come to the end of this week we reflect on something else that came to an end at this time 75 years ago; namely, the Second World War – 6 years of conflict that engulfed the globe in the deadliest and most destructive war humanity has ever endured. More than 100 million […]
On the 40th anniversary of the storming of the Iranian Embassy, Forces Network takes a look at the event that made the SAS a household name… Read the story here. […]
On this day 75 years ago, 5 May 1945, The Netherlands was finally freed from Nazi occupation after almost exactly 5 years of occupation. The Netherlands was invaded on 10 May 1940, and fell to the German forces 5 days later – making it and Norway two of the countries that were occupied for the […]