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Karl James

@karljames1945.bsky.social
563 followers 227 following 153 posts

Head, Military History, Australian War Memorial. Australia & the Second World War. Chinooks in Afghanistan. ADB editor board

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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Current holiday read Sir Adrian Carton de Wart’s “Happy Odyssey”. 🏝️ 🏄‍♂️ 🏃‍♂️ 🍻 📖
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Still on a #history high after last week’s very successful Imperialism & Resistance: Australia’s First Wars at @AWMemorial . Ideas were discussed, questions were asked & books were purchased! 📚
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09...
abc.net.au
Calls to preserve largest Australian World War II prison camp
The camp housed Italian, German and Japanese prisoners between 1941 and 1947 and a portion of the former site is now on the market.
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Current read for #BookFriday 📖 Badsey argues the Allies “strongest card” during the invasion & breakout was airpower. But ultimately Normandy was “essentially decided by infantry, effectively supported by armour, artillery & (while in range) naval gunfire.”
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
#Newbook 📕 Where to begin when describing Field Marshal Sir Thomas Blamey? Intelligent, influential, controversial & divisive. He inspired strong loyalties amongst supporters & deep animosities in his detractors. Discuss. Review forthcoming in the @AWMemorial’s WM!
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Alex Churchill @alexchurchill.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
What happened after D-day when everyone in Normandy wanted to go home? Read about how the authorities intially tackled making it safe again… achurchill.substack.com/p/article-de...
achurchill.substack.com
ARTICLE: De-mining Normandy, 1944-45
On my travels recently I picked up a small booklet by Thomas D.
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
New book 📖 ‼️ Rich in personal stories, this work is a tribute to @AustralianArmy PoWs in Italy in #WWII, some of whom became escapers, evaders & partisans in the fight against fascism.
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Join us tomorrow for the next speaker in our Author talk series at @AWMemorial. Diana Thorp will share her journey tracking down 🇦🇺women who joined the @AusAirForce @Australian_Navy @AustralianArmy in #WWII For more: www.awm.gov.au/events/autho...
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
Returning to NW Europe & the 21st Army Group, reading de Guingand back-to-back 📚 They are fascinating insights from Monty’s Chief of Staff in #WWII, especially “Generals at war” for its critique of Wavell & Monty’s post-war relationship with Ike. #WeHaveWays
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The Forgotten War Pod: Burma Campaign WW2 @forgottenwarpod.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
How did VJ Day shift from raucous reunions to quiet commemoration? In our latest episode, we explore how veterans celebrated survival in London, why commemoration evolved over time, and what VJ Day meant to those who actually served. #WW2History #BurmaCampaign #MilitaryHistory
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08...
abc.net.au
The Danube river is so low that Nazi warships are emerging
Europe's second-longest river is carrying less water than it has in decades, revealing shipwrecks and shutting down nuclear reactors.
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Chez @milhistreader.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
This #histbookchat I am still reading ‘Milne Bay’ so my offering is from the TBR ‘The Voyage Of Their Life: The Story of the SS Derna and its Passengers’ by Diane Armstrong. This book was a present from my Aunty and we had a great chat after I rang her to say it was my #photofriday book choice. /2
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Mark Jones @mark18681918.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
Quick #HistBookChat update this week - a backlog clearance read in the form of Tim Pritchard's "Ambush Alley". A rare embedded-journalist book from OIF that I haven't read, I'm about halfway through and it's...ok? Perhaps a case of reader fatigue than a genuine critique of the book. #Skystorians
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JMcN @jmcn.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
#histbookchat #PhotoFriday. I will be disappointed if many of you don’t already know these terrific books from @historybowsh.bsky.social and @lmbd1418.bsky.social. Shining a light on little known aspects of the CBI campaign (I was prompted by Lucy’s appearance on the Briefing Room pod)
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Thomas Rogers @drtom-historian.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
This is on today - if you're in Canberra, come on down! #histbookchat
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drrichardduckett.bsky.social @drrichardduckett.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Shame Australia is on the other side of the world to me...
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Thanks Dave!
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Beginning tomorrow, join us for a new season of monthly author talks at the Australian War Memorial. Roger Noble will be sharing his experiences with the Australian Army & being at the centre of Australia's contribution to the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor. awm.gov.au/events/autho...
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Imperialism & Resistance: Australia's first wars @ the @AWMemorial. Hear from authors, historians & curators reflecting on the Frontier Wars, the mid-century New Zealand Wars, & colonial commitments to Sudan, China, and the South African (Boer) War. conlog-awm-2026.eventsairsite.com
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Simon Jones @simonjones.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
#OTD 9 July 1917, two Scottish munitions workers allowed Horace Nicholls to photograph their tattoos that remembered sweethearts died at the front or at sea. Neither their names nor the factory location were recorded, which is very probably HM Factory Gretna on the Solway Firth.
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Simon Jones @simonjones.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
Who would like a Horace Nicholls photo? A member of the Women's Forestry Corps uses an axe to mark felled tree trunks for sawing c1917-18. Source: www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
Black and white photo of a young woman standing among felled trees holding an axe.
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The Crusader Project @crusaderproject.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Thanks everyone for reading/sharing @smoorebofb1940.bsky.social @airpowerhistory.bsky.social @rafhistory.bsky.social i@jamiemctrusty.bsky.social @karljames1945.bsky.social @rjhammond215.bsky.social @marcusfaulkner.bsky.social @ima-naval-history.bsky.social @airminded.org @alanallport.bsky.social
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Have just finished Alan’s excellent 📖 Usefully, he highlights the knowledge transfer with the @AustralianArmy’s experiences in New Guinea & the Indian Army in Burma in #WWII.
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Still working on 🇦🇺 in SEAC in #WWII. Bill Cawthorn transferred from the AIF to the Indian Army in #WWI, served on the NW Frontier & was involved in organising different intelligence groups during the war. Later Deputy Chief of Staff in Pakistani Army & a director of ASIS 📚
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Thomas Rogers @drtom-historian.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Our mag "WM" issue 3 is a gallery souvenir, telling the histories behind the new galleries in the recently-opened Anzac Hall. You can find out about "WM" at wm.awm.gov.au
Front cover of the Australian War Memorial's magazine, "WM", issue 3, Autumn 2026. Issue is entitled "The New Anzac Hall".
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The Crusader Project @crusaderproject.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
The loss of HMS Auckland is written up in detail here. The Tobruk Run was such a major even in Royal Navy History that it has its own Battle History (World War II - No. 52).
rommelsriposte.com
The Tobruk Run – Loss of HMS Auckland 24 June 1941
Introduction The Tobruk Run (colloquially known as the “Tobruk Ferry”) was a series of convoy and naval supply operations that operated with some interruptions from April to December 1941, and whic…
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The Crusader Project @crusaderproject.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
In case you were wondering when the siege of Tobruk ended, we've got you covered now, having reviewed a bunch of primary sources. Special mention of Oz' 2/13 battalion. @karljames1945.bsky.social @alanallport.bsky.social @ima-naval-history.bsky.social @rjhammond215.bsky.social
crusaderproject.wordpress.com
So when DID the siege of Tobruk end?
Background On WW2Talk it was noted that the Australian Descendants Association of the Rats of Tobruk (soldiers who had been present for at least a day of the siege) took 10 December as the end date…
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Son of Sandor @sonofsandor.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
In about eight months Mom's Uncle will be one of them. bsky.app/profile/sono...
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Son of Sandor @sonofsandor.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
This might interest you. www.nytimes.com/1941/06/24/a...
nytimes.com
Radio to Aid Anzac Prisoners (Published 1941)
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
"A pilot forced down. A soldier captured. A nurse taken prisoner. Across conflicts, thousands of Australians have lived behind barbed wire, cut off from the world and pushed to their limits." The @AWMemorial's new podcast "Through their eyes" is out now🎧 wm.awm.gov.au/podcast/capt...
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The Crusader Project @crusaderproject.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
Paper version available for purchase now. www.ibneditore.it/catalogo/bre...
ibneditore.it
Breaking Rommel – IBN Editore
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Current ✍️ project is looking @ a group of Australians who served with the Indian Army between #WWI & #WWII. Have also been binging & replaying old episodes of @forgottenwarpod.bsky.social cramming my knowledge of IA 🎧 What’s not to like? #WeHaveWays
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The Forgotten War Pod: Burma Campaign WW2 @forgottenwarpod.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Imagine fighting a fierce war in Moscow with your supply line starting back in London. That was the staggering logistical reality of the Burma Campaign. Our latest episode explores the massive expansion of Allied land & air power that overcame these vast distances. #WWII #Logistics #History
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Kristen Alexander @kristenauthor.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
Wonderful to finally meet @1940andy.bsky.social at AWM Poppy's cafe. He mentioned he hadn't found anything good to read so I decided to help him out. A bit of a special copy actually, No. 2 of 500 (David has No.1). Chatted merrily as if we'd known each other for years. Which we have. By email.
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The Crusader Project @crusaderproject.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
My favourite part of the 1st Battle of Alamein is still when the D.A.K. reported Kaponga Box empty, then took over four hours to capture it, and in the evening Rommel reported it as a glorious feat of arms, vanquishing superior forces.
crusaderproject.wordpress.com
1st El Alamein – German SitRep to Berlin 10 July 1942
To: High Command of the Army, General Staff of the Army, Operations Department SECRET Daily report 9.7.42 Enemy continued to hold the northern sector of the Alamein position. In the southern sector…
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The Crusader Project @crusaderproject.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
So this is actually happening. @rgpoulussen.bsky.social @garius.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social @ww2tv.bsky.social @ima-naval-history.bsky.social @airminded.org @smoorebofb1940.bsky.social @airpowerhistory.bsky.social @rafhistory.bsky.social @jamiemctrusty.bsky.social @karljames1945.bsky.social
crusaderproject.wordpress.com
Book Announcement – Breaking Rommel
Almost there!Well it has been a while that I had time to work on the blog, and the reason for this is below.We are about to hand our book Breaking Rommel, covering the airwar over the first battle …
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Dr Ross Mahoney @airpowerhistory.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Understanding Attitudes to Australian Military History: Some Air Power Observations open.substack.com/pub/drrossma...
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Moving from SWPA to SEAC for a bit. An Australian, Officer served some 30 yrs in the Indian Army, including many years on the North-West Frontier. Later was the SubArea Commander on the LofC in Assam, looking after the only road from the railhead at Dimapur to Kohima. #WeHaveWays
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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 09/05/2026
This week we launched the 2026 call the Society's annual Teaching Fellowships. Funds support innovative practice in history teaching in higher education bit.ly/4wbwoDb. Open to UK and international Fellows and Members of the Society. Closing date Friday 10 July 2026 #Skystorians 1/2
bit.ly
Applications now invited for the Society's history Teaching Fellowships, 2026-27 - RHS
The Royal Historical Society's Jinty Nelson Teaching Fellowships are awarded annually to support innovative practice in UK higher education. The Society is pleased to open the call for Fellowships for...
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
Earlier this week, on 4 May, I had the honour of delivering the commemorative address at this year's Ceremony of Remembrance, speaking on Australian & Dutch wartime connections; & remembering those civilians & service members of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who have died since #WWII.
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
Nazi database takes Germans on personal journey into their families’ dark pasts Die Zeit’s online database of individuals’ Nazi membership is prompting a reckoning as people uncover ties to regime www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...
theguardian.com
Nazi database takes Germans on personal journey into their families’ dark pasts
Die Zeit’s online database of individuals’ Nazi membership is prompting a reckoning as people uncover ties to regime
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Sad news to learn of another #WWII veteran, Bill Grayden of the 2/16th Battalion. There must now only be a few men who fought along the Kokoda Trail still with us. www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04...
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Mike Black @mikeblack114.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
The Aus Chinook presence in Afg was the second (but far from last) time in my career I had the privilege of working with the ADF; short version of a long story is when they ripped out for the last time at the end of the 2013 fighting season they needed hangars to do mx on the birds before going home
a stripped AUS CH-47 without its rotors in a dusty hangar at Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan .
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
#Reading “These men looked hard and tough. If there were any criticism on my part it would have been that I seemed to notice a bit of tenseness on the part of the men.” Lieutenant General Robert Eichelberger, August 1943.
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 13/04/2026
It has been a huge team effort over many years, but the Australian War Memorial's new Anzac Hall is open. This includes "Kandahar Workhorse". It was a great privilege to meet many Chinook veterans & family members, & share their untold stories of bravery & loss, professionalism & humour.
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Royal Historical Society @royalhistsoc.org · 25/03/2026
We are pleased to launch today a new funding programme for Fellows & Associate Fellows of the Society resident outside the UK & Ireland bit.ly/3PtDQZu Grants support research in UK / Irish archives for our international historians. Deadline 8 May to enable research from summer 2026 #Skystorians 1/2
bit.ly
Society launches new funding programme for International Fellows and Associate Fellows - RHS
The Royal Historical Society is pleased to launch a new programme, from today, to support the work of International Fellows and Associate Fellows. Recipients will be members of the Society, resident o...
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
Call for Papers: To Fight and Win and Sea - 125 Years of Australian Naval History seapower.navy.gov.au/news-and-med... ⚓
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 20/03/2026
youtube.com/shorts/-AKFw...
youtube.com
A big week at the AWM
YouTube video by Australian War Memorial
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
With the Candain PM Mark Carney visiting #CBR today, here's a recent piece on Australia's shared wartime bonds with Canada that contributed for Legion Magazine: disq.us/t/4z4g8jv #WeHaveWays
disq.us
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
On Holocaust Memorial Day we need more history, not just more memory blog.royalhistsoc.org/2026/01/27/o... @royalhistsoc.org
blog.royalhistsoc.org
On Holocaust Memorial Day we need more history, not just more memory | Historical Transactions
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