Sign in

Robert Lock

@robertlock.bsky.social
1.1K followers 358 following 771 posts

Amateur Naval History enthusiast . Often found digging into odd corners of WW2 Naval History - very slowly writing book on Hertfordshire's Navy

PostsRepliesMedia
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 7h
Orko ?
000
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 9h
Swedish delegates meticulously managed a vast distribution network of soup kitchens and rationing centres The arrival of a Swedish relief ship on the horizon became an iconic symbol of survival, ultimately credited with keeping millions of Greeks alive until liberation.
160
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 9h
Starting in the summer of 1942, this multinational operation delivered approximately 650,000 tons of food and medical cargo to Greece. To ensure the food reached starving civilians and was not stolen by Axis garrisons, a neutral Swedish-Swiss Commission was established on the ground in Athens.
140
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 9h
Painted gleaming white with massive Red Cross emblems painted across their hulls and decks, these legendary "White Ships" braved heavily mined waters and active war zones. They sailed unescorted under strict "safe conduct" agreements granted by both Allied and Axis powers
130
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 9h
The Swedish-Swiss Commission: Managed by Swedish and Swiss personnel under leaders like Paul Mohn and Emil Sandström, neutral Swedish-flagged ships (painted white with large Red Cross emblems) carried Canadian wheat and South American supplies directly into ports like Piraeus.
131
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 9h
Organizations like the Greek War Relief Association in North America and influential diaspora leaders pressured Washington and London to ease their strict food blockades
130
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 9h
The situation became critical in the summer of 41 and in the autumn became a full-blown famine. Especially in the first winter of occupation (41–42) food shortages were acute and famine struck, especially in the urban centers of the country.Food shortages reached a climax and famine was unavoidable.
130
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 9h
The Great Famine was a period of mass starvation during the Axis occupation of Greece (1941–1944), during World War II. The local population suffered greatly during this period, while the Axis powers initiated a policy of large-scale plunder. Requisitions, together with a blockade by the Allies.
140
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 9h
The group campaigned for food supplies to be sent through an allied naval blockade to starving women and children in enemy-occupied Greece during the Second World War.
020
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 9h
Oxfam started in 1942 as the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief in Britain to help starving citizens in occupied Greece during World War II
3135
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
High on the bridge was a lonely lookout Lay ee odl lay ee odl lay hee hoo Loud was the voice of the lonely lookout Attention une torpille a tribord Folks in a crew that was quite perturbed heard Merde Lusty and clear from the Lookouts 's throat heard Au Sevours , M'aidez
0130
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
010
Reposted by Robert Lock
Roger Litwiller -Canadian Naval Author/Historian @rogerlitwiller.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
#OTD 29/9/1952 #RememberRCN -Cdr Landymore, RCN as SO Task Unit 95.22 orders 4 USN destroyers to bombard a North Korean gun emplaced in a cave on a cliff, without success. He then moves HMCS IROQUOIS close inshore & with a single broadside, destroys the deeply embedded gun.
052
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The Hunt for Red Diesel ....
1172
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Why do non of them have shirts on ? Is this a standard police search technique ?
210
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I did not I just think any canine called a Silken Windhound has escaped from the pages of Tolkien . As does the owner of Gandalf apparently
000
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Well done Nikolai. Hopefully Gandalf will arrange fireworks to celebrate.
120
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Its the Time Travellers and the nazi super weapon isn't it !!
100
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Malditos, finished that much too quickly in less than a day . Which I spent most of in an archive too. Excellent story. Amazing characters. Does best Dickesian orphan impression . Please Sir can I have some more.
010
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
This reminds ive been in our local Tesco 's Cafe twice when they've run out of tea . I know its probably not allowed corporately but come on its in the same building as some place that sells tea bags
060
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
On the set with Horrible Histories working on how they can top their Take That number ?
000
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
At one point French Children could only be named after Saints or historical figures until the 90s i think
000
Reposted by Robert Lock
Dr Rob @robheighton.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Regardless of any mixed feelings and trepidation evoked by much of what we've seen of Greta Gerwig's The Magician Nephew, this promo image in particular is just exquisite
A promotional image for Greta Gerwig's adaptation of The Magician's Nephew, showing Diggory and a horse. A wing design on the van behind the horse is positioned as though the horse has wings
522832
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
@dreadships.bsky.social The French Submarine Mariotte apparently built on the principal that you can never have too much conning tower . en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_... The caption in the first photo says Mariotte sinks gloriously. Which is a odd word to choose .
0145
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
This reminds me of John Finnemore 's Authentic Shakespeare sketch .
010
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Here's a cute historical cat story
030
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Big Brother for Cats - googled Endemol contact details
010
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Barbara Millicent Roberts surely ?
000
Reposted by Robert Lock
RN ship losses @rnshiplosses.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Mead became angry and shook the boy. In the scuffle the bottle fell and broke, the boy's lamp followed it, and within seconds a fire, fed by the rum casks in the hold, was blazing out of control. The crew rapidly took to the boats; Mead died in the fire, but Bianco survived. #RoyalNavy #NavalHistory
0201
Reposted by Robert Lock
RN ship losses @rnshiplosses.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
21 Sept 1742 (O.S.) // A dispute over a bottle of rum aboard HMS Tilbury (60 guns) off Hispaniola led to the ship being destroyed by fire. A Marine, Robert Meads, went into the hold and asked the purser's boy, Francisco Bianco, for a drink of rum from a bottle Bianco was carrying. The boy refused.
1246
Reposted by Robert Lock
Dr Gul Sen @guel-sen.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
September memories from two years ago. A workshop on maritime history in a truly special setting: the Fenerbahce Gemisi/Ferry Ship Museum, beautifully renovated. And, this cute cat was also quite fascinated by our papers on maritime topics.😅 1/2 #MaritimeHistory #Ship #Vessel #Museum #Cats
A workshop on maritime history in a truly special setting: the  Fenerbahce Gemisi/Ferry Ship that has been a museum ship at the open air complex of Rahmi M. Koc Museum in Hasköy in Istanbul since 2009. The Fenerbahce Ferry was built 1952 by a Denny Brothers, a Scottish shipbuilding company in Dumbarton and served as a passenger ferry at the Bosporus until 2008. And, this cute cat was also quite fascinated by our papers on maritime topics
5443
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Why Fulmar -was it just we need a seabird beginning with F ?
101
Reposted by Robert Lock
Matthew Willis (Naval Air History) @navalairhistory.com · 14/09/2026
Why should anyone read my book on the Fairey Fulmar? Isn’t it a niche aircraft of a niche service? Arguably yes, but for me the important thing is the story that can be told through the aircraft. 1 It’s the story of the Fleet Air Arm 1940-43…
1014236
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Do you remember this film ?
010
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I'm now thinking about the Postcodes of various heroes. I reckon Sherlock Holmes is easiest to find out . Followed by Dangermouse given his base of Operations and we do have a fairly good address for Bananaman ....
040
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
This is the Pre Dreadnought Battleship HMS Dreadnought almost the Pre Dreadnought HMS Fury but her name was changed.
HMS Dreadnought was an ironclad turret ship built for the Royal Navy during the 1870s. Construction was halted less than a year after it began and she was redesigned to improve her stability and buoyancy. Upon completion in 1879, the ship was placed in reserve until she was commissioned in 1884 for service with the Mediterranean Fleet. Upon her return 10 years later, she became a coast guard ship in Ireland for two years. The ship then became a depot ship in 1897 before she was reclassified as a second-class battleship in 1900. Dreadnought participated in the annual fleet manoeuvres for the next two years before she became a training ship in 1902. The ship was taken out of service three years later and sold for scrap in 1908.
182
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Jeeves and Wooster
000
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Do newspapers deliberately make mistakes now to power engagement and clicks This is the link photo and next to it is the first paragraph of the article. I know they leave out locations to get you to click . But this seems deeply cynical .
010
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
USS Monitor says hello
020
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Let's not involve the exes that might be a bridge too far
050
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
He's probably running out of material. Daily WW2 based flirting / sexting probably burns through the good stuff quite quickly. After a few years, you're probably working with " I'm going to set you on fire like the improvised fougasses would have had the Germans invaded in 1940 level of material
000
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
I'm pretty sure there's a very discreet fetish club in Gotham he can do that for a fraction of the cost
000
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Also Submarine hunting is a long process . If you're hunting an Asdic contact you're not with the convoy
020
Reposted by Robert Lock
The Crusader Project @crusaderproject.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
Just another shoutout to @navalairhistory.com - our publisher (without our knowledge) used AI to generate an ad for Breaking Rommel and placed it in Storia Militare. When we found out we asked Matt to produce something similar but utilising his artist's skills. We are all very happy with the result.
Publicity poster for Breaking Rommel by Matthew Willis.
26612
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Reacher builds Catio with the A team theme music The one they use for we're locked in a shed but building an armoured car montage
010
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Treated with . And how much this effected calculations that Uboats could win Battle of the Atlantic . US sub commanders had a similar issue .
020
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Very interesting. The Kriegsmarine also gave medals based on performance. But without some of the checks and balances available to the Luftwaffe . Was that warship a sloop or a destroyer. Was that merchantman x or y tons. It would be interesting to find out how much of a pinch of salt claims were
130
Robert Lock @robertlock.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
The ASW trawlers were operated by a WRNS officer, 1st Officer Audrey Parker. I think she was the only Wren officer to be given an operational job. She sat at the next table to mine in the office, and we worked together in perfect harmony. She really knew about ships. From Escort by D Rayner
1144
Reposted by Robert Lock
Slightly out of focus @normandy661944.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Closing Up: A Bombing Formation of British Biplanes (DH9a s) Closing Up to Beat Off an Enemy Formation of Fokker Triplanes, by G H Davis, 1919. © The rights holder (Art.IWM ART 3071)
0223
Reposted by Robert Lock
Ceryl @politicdormouse.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Sarla Thukral, possibly 1st Indian woman to fly an aircraft. In 1936 earned pilot's license age 21 & flew Gypsy Moth solo with over 1000 hours in air. Tried to train for commercial pilot license but #WWII prevented it. Later artist & businesswoman. b. #OTD 8 Aug 1914 bit.ly/2N4NEJv
Sarla Thukral in sari and flying helmet stood in front of an aircraft.
04912