Blogs

Winston Churchill, From Scapegoat to Hero

Winston Churchill, From Scapegoat to Hero Part One: The Boer War to 1939. History, especially military history, is ripe with myth and legend in regard to politics, battles and war leaders. Myths such as “Germany almost won the Second World War”, which is pure nonsense and a topic for another blog at a later date, or the myth that Winston Churchill alone won the War abound, especially in the post War era. Most of the Churchill myth was generated by his own six volume “History of the

December 1, 2014

Pat Healey's Blog

Cassino Star

Can anyone tell me please? Is there any particular significance to the words "CassinoStar" in metal, attached to the medal ribbon. From the issue number on the obverse of the medal it would appear that it was issued to a member of the 11th Signals (Polish). Wladyslaw Najduch

Pat Healey

November 12, 2014

Neville Chamberlain a Maligned Hero

Neville Chamberlain a Maligned Hero Not too long ago a close friend, a man I both respect and admire, offered the suggestion that politeness was the most acceptable hypocrisy. Following our friendly debate on this point of view I thanked him for providing such a provocative subject upon which to ponder; later that evening I removed him from my Christmas card list. It occurred to me, as I later revisited the subject of politeness and hypocrisy in my mind, that politeness and diplomacy are

November 1, 2014

Artillery in the First World War: Russia’s Artillery - Published

After a lengthy delay in finishing the piece, the fourth article in the series Artillery in the First World War has now been published. Artillery in the First World War: Russia – The Tsar’s Cannons Summertime distractions on the Chesapeake have given way to requisite autumn maintenance tasks in the garden; cleaning out dead foliage from the flower beds, raking leaves, putting away the kayak, preparing the house for the onslaught of Nor'easters. While there is much to be done, this time of ye

October 27, 2014

Artillery in the First World War: Neutralizing the Kaiser's Guns

It's been raining all day, hindering my efforts to get some last standing chores completed in the garden before the onset of winter makes all horticulture efforts moot. Now in the evening, the rain continues to fall, and there is nothing more fruitful to do on a dreary day and evening than to get to some of that long neglected research. Edgar Allan Poe, one of America's great poets, is buried in Baltimore, not far up the Chesapeake Bay from my current abode. And the opening of his poem, The R

October 16, 2014

The Perfect Darth Vader Voice.

The Perfect Darth Vader Voice After a year of retirement and after more landscaping projects completed than any one person of any age could expect to be done in one summer I am ready for a rest. I’m looking forward to the first frost and then the first heavy snowfall. With my snow blower back from the maintenance shop and binoculars in hand I await that first snowflake’s appearance like a cat ready to pounce on an unsuspecting mouse, or a WWII British Costal Defense Watcher scanning the ski

September 30, 2014

pj_m2's Blog

List of WW I Serbian Infantry Uniform Components

Dear Members, My great-grandfather served in the Serbian infantry during the Great War. Although I have seen his picture in uniform, I am interested in discovering sources of components of the uniform, or of uniforms for sale (original or reproduction. Thank-you for your assistance!!

pj_m2

September 13, 2014

Artillery in the First World War: Belgium’s Artillery - Published

The third article in the series Artillery in the First World War has now been published. Artillery in the First World War: Belgium’s Artillery and the Battle of Liege, 1914 The Tsar's Cannons, the Russian entry to the series, is still in rough draft and likely will be delayed further. Summer on the Bay is full of distractions; kayaking, fishing, crabbing, barbeques, beer drinking, gardening. And those are only the things I put on my "to-do list". Of course, the Commander-in-Chief (aka wife

September 3, 2014

What Women Don't Know (About Men)

What Women Don’t Understand (about Men) Originally I was going to write a blog titled “What I know About Women”; forty five minutes passed and the screen was just as vacant as my sixth-coffee-caffeine-induced-comatose stare. It was at this time that I realized I had exhausted the full extent of my knowledge in that field of research. True, a title such as “What I Know About Women” followed by a blank page would not only be quite humorous but at the same time sadly accurate. Lesser men woul

Imperial German Artillery Regiments

September 1, 2014

Königlich Bayerisches 12. Feldartillerie-Regiment (12. bFAR)

Garrison: Landau (In der Pfalz) Established: 1 October 1901 Brigade: 3. Königlich Bayerische Feldartillerie-Brigade Division: 3. Königlich Bayerische Division Kaserne 12. bFAR Landau One of twelve active field artillery regiments of the Bavarian Army, 12. bFAR was formed in October 1901 from the III. Abteilung and the 6. Fahrenden Batterie of the Königlich Bayerisches 2. Feldartillerie-Regiment „Horn“ as well as two newly organized Fahrenden Batterien at Würzburg, Bayern. Prior to mobilizat

August 25, 2014

Artillery in the First World War: Special Issue – The Royal Artillery at Mons, 23 August 1914

My intention was to publish this entry yesterday on the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Mons. However, as Robert Burns wrote, "The best laid schemes o’ Mice an’ Men, Gang aft agley." That applies to combat operations plans as well. No plan survives enemy contact. This special issue of Artillery in the First World War will also further delay publishing "Artillery in the First World War: Russia – The Tsar’s Cannons." In the meantime, another special issue has already been submitted for pub

August 24, 2014

Chairman's Blog

Wanted British Colonial Cyprus Police Badge

I am urgently looking for a detailed high resolution image of a Colonial Cyprus Police Badge. This is on behalf of a charity who are placing a memorial in Northern Cyprus this year to recognise those Police Officers killed during the Cyprus conflict. If anyone can supply a high resolution image (attached is a low resolution image which is not sufficiently detailed) it would be appreciated as this is needed to assist with the cutting of the memorial stone. Image taken for reference from http:/

Nick

August 12, 2014

shanakee's Blog

Which Lee Enfield?

Hi Can somebody please help identify exactly which model Lee Enfield rifle this is. Thank You http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2014/blogentry-17430-0-03628300-1407242878.jpeghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2014/blogentry-17430-0-13444800-1407242900.jpeghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2014/blogentry-17430-0-73086700-1407242920.jpeghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2014/blogentry-17430-0-31203500-1407242950.jpeghttp://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_08_2014/blogentry-17430-0-6002

shanakee

August 5, 2014

Chairman's Blog

Fellows Coin and Medal Auction 31st July 2014

Fellows Auction House which is a reputable London based auction house has a Coin and Medal Sale on Thursday 31st July 2014. You can download a copy of the auction catalogue from here. Live bidding can be made via the internet and telephone. In keeping with the Great War Centenary there are some fine examples of WWI British Gallantry and Campaign Groups including a MM Group to the South Stafford's. Other medals include British Victorian medals, including the Most Eminent Order of the Empire of In

Nick

July 28, 2014

The Great and Unavoidable War

The Great and Unavoidable War On the eve of the beginning of the First World War we are blessed, or cursed depending on your point of view, with many new and old documentaries dealing with the Great War. Of course originally it was referred to as the “Great War” because we had not yet realized that we enjoyed the carnage so much that we started to number them. Finally after years of waiting and countless boring and pointless Olympics, FIFA, NFL, NHL, baseball, basket ball games etc. wasting

July 27, 2014

Artillery in the First World War - A series of articles

Sources vary and exact figures are difficult to achieve; however, consensus is that artillery caused the majority (something close to 60 percent) of combat casualties in the First World War. Add in the effects of constant harassing fire, reaching far behind the lines with large caliber weapons, as well as those of artillery-delivered gas attacks, and there can be no doubt that artillery was an effective killer. German production of artillery shells went from 1.36 million in 1914 to 36 million

Imperial German Artillery Regiments

July 24, 2014

What do German football and artillery have in common?

Germany defeated France in the 2014 World Cup football Quarter Finals. France 0 - 1 Germany German artillery destroyed the Belgian frontier forts in 1914 and the country was eliminated, but French artillery helped win the Battle of the Marne, saving Paris. (Belgium was also eliminated in the 2014 World Cup Quarterfinals by Argentina.) To read more about German and French artillery in the First World War: Artillery in the First World War: The Kaiser’s Guns Artillery in the First Wo

July 9, 2014

Collecting the Periphery - Part 4

Collecting the Periphery – Part 4 In February 2012 I started on a series of blogs dealing with the collecting of items that didn’t really fall within the usual collecting parameters of military yet where on the fringe, or periphery, of that field. Originally I thought to begin with The London County Council (LCC) School Attendance Medals. I will admit that this was the only topic that came to mind that fit the category for which I was aiming and therefore was intended to be somewhat of a “one

July 7, 2014

Smartie's Blog

Research

Hi. I'm hoping there's someone who can help me? I'm doing some research on a family member who was part of the Northern Rhodesia Police Force during the 1950's. His name is Alexander Dodding and he was a member of Swansea Police(PC 73). He left for Northern Rhodesia in April/May 1953. I would be very grateful for any information and/or records. Thank you.

Smartie

July 7, 2014

At the Crossroads - again!

At the Crossroads Again! For the vast majority of collectors collecting is a passion, an obsession; some would even call it a sickness, however, those are the people whose opinions are completely unworthy of consideration. They are like vegans at a BBQ telling me that if I knew where that steak came from I would not eat it. First of all Ive been a butcher in one of my varied past work experiences so I know where meat comes from and second I tell them that I see myself as a non-practising vege

June 4, 2014

GMIC's 10th Anniversary!

GMIC’s Tenth Anniversary Eight years ago my friend in India, and fellow GMIC member, Samir, strongly suggested that I look into this forum with the intention of possibly joining. It hardly seems like eight years have passed by since I joined, but the numbers don’t lie; eight years and not one regret. True there have been times when I have found myself biting my lip for want of making a curt reply to someone’s remarks but calmer emotions took over and I refrained from adding fuel to the fire.