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Steven Westwood

@tamino78.bsky.social
155 followers 238 following 891 posts

Aussie ex-pat in France. Retired scientist, bibliophile, amateur historian. Focus on RAAF aircrew in NW Europe. Substack: tamino1959.substack.com Pics & info believed open source - please advise if not. Avatar: W/O Don Kairton 1921-1944.

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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I 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.
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
1945 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.
Source: Australian War Memorial ART25010
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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.
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PhilthyAvnurd @philthyavnurd.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
CAC CA-13 Boomerang VH-MHR, Tocumwal NSW, 15 September 2019
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Canadian Virtual Military Museum (formerly on Facebook) @canvmilitarymuseum.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Significant 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
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Aviation calendar @airpicture.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
September 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.
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Can confirm
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Name a non-LOTR character who could resist the one ring
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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Latest 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.com
The Unravelling Of The American Age Is Accelerating
What Has Happened In The Last Days Is Ominous
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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.
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Slightly out of focus @normandy661944.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
The monster, by Colin Colahan, 1942. AWM ART23413
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Simon Jones @simonjones.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
An 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
Black and white photo of three helmeted soldiers on horseback on a road. One turns to look at the photographer, he carries a wooden cross on his shoulder.
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
My 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-...
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
My 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-...
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Great thread. I'm a member of Team Walrus
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Mike Peters @mikehistorian.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
The 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.
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NEVER MIND THE DAMBUSTERS @nmtdambusters.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
We 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...
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
I 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.com
The Aspects of History Newsletter: Bona Fide Historical Epic on the Screen – 26th August 2026
This week: Charles de Gaulle, Puyi and Wanrong, wartime country houses, Themistocles, historical thrillers, a US Ambassador and Anthony Seldon’s pilgrimage to Auschwitz.
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
A bit niche...Australian currency switching from £ to $ in February 1966. youtube.com/watch?v=GtyN...
youtube.com
Dollar Bill - The Decimal Currency Jingle
YouTube video by Reserve Bank of Australia
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Brian Farrell 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @hisbpf.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
84 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. 🇨🇦🇬🇧🇦🇺🇺🇸🇳🇿 🇫🇷
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
My 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.com
Berlin to Konigsberg: Four Australians in Bomber Command - 25th Sortie
Toulouse 5th April 1944
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
Belated 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.
Nose art of Guy Gibson's preferred Lancaster while squadron commander of 106 Squadron
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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
A 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.
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
The 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.com
Berlin to Konigsberg: Four Australians in Bomber Command - 24th Sortie (Part 2)
Nuremberg 31st March 1944
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Adam Feldman @feldmanadam.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Sometimes 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.be
Leontyne Price Opera Farewell "O patria mia" Aida
YouTube video by Onegin65
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Jessica Leigh @jessica-leigh.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
As an Australian citizen, I give thanks every day to this holy trilogy.
The Holy Trinity of Australian democracy.  Compulsory voting, the AEC and preferential voting
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RG Poulussen @rgpoulussen.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
#OTD in 1944. Mosquito XVI from 544 (photographic reconnaissance) Squadron showing her camera ports. #WW2 #HISTORY
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Also seemed to me that Odysseus as a victim of PTSD was another pretty clear theme? Anyway, its a great movie
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Simon Jones @simonjones.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Happy Birthday, Eric William Ravilious, 22 July 1903 – 2 September 1942. 'Runway Perspective', 1942. www.iwm.org.uk/collections/...
Watercolour: A view down the length of a runway of an airfield with two Spitfires in flight above against a cloudy sky.
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Luca Migo @victinibcn.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
A 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. 🇺🇦🇫🇷
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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.
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
A 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.
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Cethan Leahy @cethanleahy.com · 07/07/2026
Bluesky this morning:
Tintin and Snowy in a parade where everyone is cheering. (Still from Tintin in America)
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Paul McNamara @mpaulmcnamara.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
BlueSky tonight
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Hattifattener @hattifattener.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
As in 1066 England will prevail against the Norwegians before tragically losing to the French a couple of weeks later.
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Unexpected 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?)
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David Rafferty @davidrafferty.bsky.social · 04/07/2026
If 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.org
Battle of Hamel - Wikipedia
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Fascinating 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?
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Next 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.com
Berlin to Konigsberg: Four Australians in Bomber Command - 23rd Sortie
Essen 26th March 1944
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Latest 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.com
Berlin to Konigsberg: Four Australians in Bomber Command - 21st & 22nd Sorties
Lyon 23rd March & 25th March 1944
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Advertise your BlueSky account with a Simpsons GIF
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Mark 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)
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Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
"So ... so I said ... why not sign your treaty here, at Versailles?"
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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
F/Lt John "Dinger" Bell was 24 years old and an experienced Walrus pilot when he died. See also https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/378887Sgt Charles Harris, the Observer on Walrus L2312 was 30 years old when he died on 18 June 1940. See also https://vwma.org.au/explore/people/378888
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Phillips OBrien @phillipspobrien.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Just 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.
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Name a TV show you're positive no one remembers but you.
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Steven Westwood @tamino78.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
New 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 Frankfurt
tamino1959.substack.com
Berlin to Konigsberg: Four Australians in Bomber Command - 19th & 20th Sorties
Angoulême 20th & Frankfurt 22nd March 1944
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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
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Slightly out of focus @normandy661944.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
Courseulles Beach, by Stephen Bone, 1944. IWM (Art.IWM ART LD 5792)
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Australian National Maritime Museum @seamuseum.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
In 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
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