Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 28/09/2026I rewarded myself at the end if a busy day scanning documents at the AWM archives in Canberra with a look over the impressive new Bomber Command exhibit. G for George is the worthy focus of course but I found the display of contemporary artwork and exhibit of aircrew clothing particularly moving. 121
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 28/09/20261945 study by Australian war artist Alan Moore of a Mosquito from 464 Squadron Royal Australian Air Force overflying the Australian War Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux, France. The Memorial for the 1st AIF war dead shows the damage caused during four years of German occupation. 010
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 23/09/2026#histbookchat Some advance reading before a visit to AWM in Canberra next week. Very readable account of the man and his legacy. 090
Reposted by Steven WestwoodPhilthyAvnurd @philthyavnurd.bsky.social · 17/09/2026CAC CA-13 Boomerang VH-MHR, Tocumwal NSW, 15 September 2019 052
Reposted by Steven WestwoodCanadian Virtual Military Museum (formerly on Facebook) @canvmilitarymuseum.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Significant Dates in Our First World War 15 Sept.1916 Battle of Flers-Courcelette begins(15-22 Sept) & major Canadian part Intro Innovations 1) 1st employment of tanks in combat Tanks-shock value but ineffective(they broke down) 2)creeping artillery barrage See painting split-second timing needed 042
Reposted by Steven WestwoodAviation calendar @airpicture.bsky.social · 15/09/2026September 15, 1940 – Battle of Britain Day This event is by far the most important aviation event of September 15th. The Luftwaffe wanted to provoke the RAF into a major battle and destroy it before the planned invasion of Great Britain. Huge formations of German bombers appeared over England. 1134
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Name a non-LOTR character who could resist the one ring 021
Reposted by Steven WestwoodPhillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Latest piece is out. Trump's War with Iran is looking more and more like one of the most consequential wars in US history. As the US flails around, it is leaving historic allies like Saudi Arabia very vulnerable. phillipspobrien.substack.com/p/the-unrave...phillipspobrien.substack.comThe Unravelling Of The American Age Is AcceleratingWhat Has Happened In The Last Days Is Ominous 20400129
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 11/09/2026#histbookchat #bookfriday My haul yesterday from Sydney opshops. Gallipoli, Western Front, Pacific War and Normandy covered with the First Fleet as well for an amuse bouche. Not bad for AUD 24. Now to find time to read them. 091
Reposted by Steven WestwoodSlightly out of focus @normandy661944.bsky.social · 10/09/2026The monster, by Colin Colahan, 1942. AWM ART23413 051
Reposted by Steven WestwoodSimon Jones @simonjones.bsky.social · 06/09/2026An Australian soldier carries a cross for a war grave up to the front, near Ypres, #OTD 6 September 1917. Photo: Ernest Brooks. Source: www.iwm.org.uk/collections/... #WW1 0406
Reposted by Steven WestwoodSteven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 31/08/2026My newest Substack post is now online. It tells the story of Robin Anderson's role in the most audacious RAF operation you have never heard of - the mining of the Konigsberg Canal by three 106 Sqn Lancasters on 10th April 1944. tamino1959.substack.com/p/berlin-to-... 021
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 31/08/2026My newest Substack post is now online. It tells the story of Robin Anderson's role in the most audacious RAF operation you have never heard of - the mining of the Konigsberg Canal by three 106 Sqn Lancasters on 10th April 1944. tamino1959.substack.com/p/berlin-to-... 021
Reposted by Steven WestwoodMike Peters @mikehistorian.bsky.social · 27/08/2026The second Horsa was flown by two volunteer pilots from the Royal Australian Air Force. The two men had assisted with the training for Op Freshman and stepped forward to fly Horsa 2. Their sacrifice is sadly little known. 052
Reposted by Steven WestwoodNEVER MIND THE DAMBUSTERS @nmtdambusters.bsky.social · 26/08/2026We have a fascinating tale for you today. In Ep. 74, Sean Feast returns to share the story of 10 Sqn's Stanley Booker - Airman Prisoner Saviour Spy. From Buchenwald Concentration Camp to Cold War Berlin... Listen here, or wherever you get your podcasts ➡️ www.buzzsprout.com/2327200/epis... 0127
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 26/08/2026I can highly recommend the two part DeGaulle biopic, released next week in the UK, if you have 5 hrs to spare. Simon Russell Beale wonderful as a somewhat befuddled Churchill. Interesting to see a conniving Roosevelt and sympathetic Monty also. 👍👍 aspectsofhistory.substack.com/p/the-aspect...aspectsofhistory.substack.comThe Aspects of History Newsletter: Bona Fide Historical Epic on the Screen – 26th August 2026This week: Charles de Gaulle, Puyi and Wanrong, wartime country houses, Themistocles, historical thrillers, a US Ambassador and Anthony Seldon’s pilgrimage to Auschwitz. 021
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 26/08/2026A bit niche...Australian currency switching from £ to $ in February 1966. youtube.com/watch?v=GtyN...youtube.comDollar Bill - The Decimal Currency JingleYouTube video by Reserve Bank of Australia 010
Reposted by Steven WestwoodBrian Farrell 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @hisbpf.bsky.social · 20/08/202684 years ago today, 19 August, 2nd Canadian Division and Allied forces attacked the French port town of Dieppe. It was the bloodiest and darkest single day of our military history, but this was in spite of the suicidal valour of the men who attacked. We will remember them. Rest in peace. 🇨🇦🇬🇧🇦🇺🇺🇸🇳🇿 🇫🇷 1184
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 19/08/2026My latest Substack following Robin Anderson's tour with 106 Sqn is online. In the aftermath of the disastrous Nuremberg raid. W/Cdr Leonard Cheshire is back now in his new Mosquito. With cameos from an unexploded bomb, Emile Dewoitine and Sir Donald Bradman. tamino1959.substack.com/p/berlin-to-...tamino1959.substack.comBerlin to Konigsberg: Four Australians in Bomber Command - 25th SortieToulouse 5th April 1944 020
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 14/08/2026Belated Happy Birthday to this distinguished RAF aviator and former 106 Sqn commander (who carried out some miscellaneous operations subsequently) born on 12th August 1918 in Simla, India. 031
Reposted by Steven WestwoodPhillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 10/08/2026A quick lesson on winning and losing a war. If you start a war of choice, blow through masses of your weapons stocks so that you cannot escalate effectively, and find the country you attacked dictating negotiating terms while in a stronger strategic position. You lost. 22811192
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 10/08/2026The companion to my first post on Robin Anderson and the tragic denouement of the Nuremberg Raid is now online at Substack. tamino1959.substack.com/p/berlin-to-...tamino1959.substack.comBerlin to Konigsberg: Four Australians in Bomber Command - 24th Sortie (Part 2)Nuremberg 31st March 1944 010
Reposted by Steven WestwoodAdam Feldman @feldmanadam.bsky.social · 03/08/2026Sometimes when I’m feeling low I watch the video of the great Leontyne Price—still with us today at 99—taking in the THUNDEROUS applause for her big aria at her farewell performance of Aida at the Met in 1985. Incredible. (Skip to 7:00 if you just want that part.) youtu.be/L_56dQteAIY?...youtu.beLeontyne Price Opera Farewell "O patria mia" AidaYouTube video by Onegin65 59521
Reposted by Steven WestwoodJessica Leigh @jessica-leigh.bsky.social · 28/07/2026As an Australian citizen, I give thanks every day to this holy trilogy. 2299
Reposted by Steven WestwoodRG Poulussen @rgpoulussen.bsky.social · 26/07/2026#OTD in 1944. Mosquito XVI from 544 (photographic reconnaissance) Squadron showing her camera ports. #WW2 #HISTORY 4537
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 22/07/2026Also seemed to me that Odysseus as a victim of PTSD was another pretty clear theme? Anyway, its a great movie 100
Reposted by Steven WestwoodSimon Jones @simonjones.bsky.social · 22/07/2026Happy Birthday, Eric William Ravilious, 22 July 1903 – 2 September 1942. 'Runway Perspective', 1942. www.iwm.org.uk/collections/... 19626
Reposted by Steven WestwoodLuca Migo @victinibcn.bsky.social · 14/07/2026A historic moment in Paris! For the first time ever, Ukrainian troops marched down the Champs-Élysées for Bastille Day celebrations. Even the skies joined in, featuring Ukrainian pilots flying in French Mirage fighter jets. A truly powerful symbol of European solidarity. 🇺🇦🇫🇷 643750896
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 11/07/2026@warmovietheatre.com As a proud member of the Bluesky wokerati I can't recommend highly or shamelessly enough War Movie Theatre podcast at warmovietheatre.com. They are celebrating their 100th op this week and show no signs of incipient LMF. Because God knows I need yet more coffee cup merch. 151
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 10/07/2026A while since I contributed to #histbookchat. Finishing a pile of partly read books. Can recommend both, esp. Generals. Its central thesis - that Auchinleck deserves far more and Monty less credit for their generalship seems more mainstream today than it must have been when first published in 1960. 000
Reposted by Steven WestwoodPaul McNamara @mpaulmcnamara.bsky.social · 06/07/2026BlueSky tonight 8495118
Reposted by Steven WestwoodHattifattener @hattifattener.bsky.social · 06/07/2026As in 1066 England will prevail against the Norwegians before tragically losing to the French a couple of weeks later. 442010482
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 05/07/2026Unexpected encounter with this Madonna while walking on a well-shaded path of the Sentier de Compostelle near Nevers in Bourgogne. The side panel lists 19th Cent. French military events Sebastopol 1855, Marignan & Solferino 1859, local Armistices in 1870 and 1871 (Franco Prussian War I presume?) 020
Reposted by Steven WestwoodDavid Rafferty @davidrafferty.bsky.social · 04/07/2026If you’re in need of a reason to feel goodwill towards the Seppos, remember that today is the anniversary of the Battle of Hamel: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_...en.wikipedia.orgBattle of Hamel - Wikipedia 031
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 02/07/2026Fascinating article. Thanks for sharing @kristenauthor.bsky.social One wonders to what extent RAAF aircrew who served in Europe felt discriminated against in the post-war RAAF was in part due to the jealousy of those restrained into a less glamourous and unrewarding role in the SWPA? 130
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 30/06/2026Next Substack post is up, 25th in the series. Anderson has a lucky escape during an Oboe-guided raid on Essen, an Australian joins the Flare Force, W/Cdr Cheshire makes his last flight in a Lancaster and the SIGMA factory meets its match. Next stop Nurnberg. open.substack.com/pub/tamino19...open.substack.comBerlin to Konigsberg: Four Australians in Bomber Command - 23rd SortieEssen 26th March 1944 000
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 21/06/2026Latest Substack post is now up, 24th in the current series. The Anderson crew take part in two thwarted raids with 617 Sqn, two new Australians arrive at 106 Sqn and the final Berlin raid becomes a shambles during the "night of the strong winds" #SWW #RAAF substack.com/profile/1245...substack.comBerlin to Konigsberg: Four Australians in Bomber Command - 21st & 22nd SortiesLyon 23rd March & 25th March 1944 010
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 20/06/2026Advertise your BlueSky account with a Simpsons GIF 021
Reposted by Steven WestwoodMark Wallace @wallaceme.bsky.social · 19/06/2026“Mother, I've weighed the risks - which I prefer to living in a world dominated by Nazis. Bill" Thank god for Bill and so many more like him (Pic from @profpeterdoyle.bsky.social on X) 19978269
Reposted by Steven WestwoodKevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 18/06/2026"So ... so I said ... why not sign your treaty here, at Versailles?" 468320856924
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 18/06/2026#OTD #SWW 18th June 1940 is remembered as the date of DeGaulle's "appel" to the French people to resist the German invasion. Less well known is that early in the morning the same day two RAAF airmen, F/Lt John Bell and Sgt Chas Harris, died attempting to rescue DeGaulle's wife from France # 1/3 121
Reposted by Steven WestwoodPhillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 18/06/2026Just a friendly reminder. If the US had taken only a small fraction of the money and military equipment it has squandered fighting and losing to Iran, and instead helped Ukraine, the Middle East would be more stable and Russia would be facing defeat. 6946631150
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 17/06/2026Name a TV show you're positive no one remembers but you. 000
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 12/06/2026New Substack post includes how to land a Lancaster without brakes, a sad loss, and cameos from Len Cheshire and Bomber Harris. tamino1959.substack.com/p/berlin-to-... The Anderson crew join the "Flare Force", help 617 Sqn destroy another French factory and take part in the destruction of Frankfurttamino1959.substack.comBerlin to Konigsberg: Four Australians in Bomber Command - 19th & 20th SortiesAngoulême 20th & Frankfurt 22nd March 1944 010
Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 12/06/2026#OTD #SWW #LWF At 2.05 am on 12 June 1943, Lancaster W4960 of 460 Sqn returning from a raid on Duisberg was shot down by a nightfighter and crashed near Sluipwijk. The crew were all killed. The story of W4960, the crash and its aftermath are comprehensively recounted at www.w4960.nl/index.html 110
Reposted by Steven WestwoodSlightly out of focus @normandy661944.bsky.social · 12/06/2026Courseulles Beach, by Stephen Bone, 1944. IWM (Art.IWM ART LD 5792) 0152
Reposted by Steven WestwoodAustralian National Maritime Museum @seamuseum.bsky.social · 12/06/2026In 1933, the crew of the German cruiser Köln took on the Royal Australian Navy at Rose Bay during a 10-day stopover. Talk about a pitch with a view! From harbor-side friendlies to the World Cup stage. 📸 Crew of the Köln and Royal Australian Naval teams, 10 May 1933 Samuel J Hood Studio, 00024912 062