THE PTOLEMAIC ARMY AND THE BATTLE OF BABYLON
In December 246 BC, 2,265 years ago this month, the larger part of the army of Ptolemaic Egypt and its king, Ptolemy III, could be found far, far from home, not far from modern Baghdad. It was the middle of the Third Syrian War. The Ptolemaic army was deep in Seleucid territory, pressing to extend early advantages with military conquests that took them city-by-city, and even street-by-street, through the great cities of Mesopotamia.
Airmen’s Incredible Escapes
Veterans’ accounts of survival in the Second World War
During the current pandemic front line health workers do their job day after day to save lives, and in doing so many have lost theirs. In the Second World War amidst all the destruction and killing, there were also people everywhere who risked their lives, often losing them to save others. Sometimes, when airmen were shot down and faced unimaginable danger, and hope of survival was near gone, someone stepped forward to help. Such helpers also placed themselves in similar peril or worse, and did so over and over again.
An Overview to the New Book:
Eyewitness RAF: The Experience of War 1939-1945
In his forthcoming book: ‘Eyewitness RAF,’ military historian and author, James Goulty, discusses the experiences of men and women who served with the wartime RAF. On mobilisation in 1939, RAF strength was 117,890 and this was rapidly increased by the addition of around 58,000 reservists and auxiliaries, albeit substantial numbers of these lacked training. From this relatively humble beginning, a large wartime force emerged that served around the globe. By 1944, when wartime recruiting ceased, approximately 1.2 million men and women were serving with the RAF, seventy percent of who were employed in non-flying trades. This highlights the immense effort that was required to support operational units. In contrast, trained pilots and aircrew held an elite status, not least because they were highly motivated and only five percent of those that applied for aircrew training were successful. As former bomber pilot and POW, Wing Commander Ken Rees, observed, aircrew were ‘hot stuff.’
6 Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About the Battle of Salamis
2020 is the official 2,500 year anniversary for the great naval battle of Salamis. It is perhaps the most famous naval battle of the ancient world, and saw a Greek fleet defeat a much larger Persian one in a decisive day-long battle. Often touted as a decisive moment in the history of Europe, there are still bits of the story most people do not know.
As part of our 30th anniversary celebrations, we’re offering some of our latest eBook releases to download at the special price of only £3.33 each. Today’s daily spotlight eBook is a Pen & Sword Military title by Dr Jonathan Eaton: Leading the Roman Army – Soldiers and Emperors, 31 BC – 235 AD. Read on to find out more…
As the anniversary period for the Third Battle of Ypres begins, Bookbub have featured eBook editions of Some Desperate Glory – The Diary of a Young Officer, 1917 by Edwin Campion Vaughan in their daily special offer email. We’ve compiled a few details and reviews of the book, currently only 99p for eBook download, to let you know why this book is a Great War ‘must read’.
Sometimes Bliss and Sometimes Woe…
The Sepoys of Britain’s Indian Army 1798−1805
The British Indian Army which conquered much of India under the command of George Harris, Gerard Lake and Arthur Wellesley (the later Duke of Wellington) in the years 1798−1805 was an unlikely mix of men. It was an amalgam of the local East India Company (EIC) Presidency armies and of King’s regiments sent out to the continent from home. Native troops (sepoys) always made up the great majority of the Indian Army. There was no prospect of attracting sufficient European troops to fulfil Britain’s expansionist policies and to protect the EIC’s interests. It was these sepoys who fought against their countrymen – the Mysoreans and the Marathas – in dramatic pitched battles such as Assaye, Delhi and Laswari, and epic sieges such as Seringapatam, Gawilghur and Bhurtpore.
One of the real pleasures being a professional archaeologist and historian is having the chance to appear in television programmes as a presenter or expert. This is a fantastic medium to work in given its enormous reach, with viewers able to access programming today through the widest variety of platforms. This can range from the family watching the television in the corner of the living room, to an individual on the other side of the world viewing streamed programming on the latest electronic device.
We have an exclusive interview with Jim Crossley, author of the newly released Churchill’s Admiral in Two World Wars. Enjoy!
Today on the blog we have an exclusive interview with Richard Ballard. Richard’s new book England, France and Aquitaine is out now.
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