Hidden History

Hidden History is the mobile app that turns the streets you walk along into the Museum you never knew was there. Download the App today for free; Apple - apple.co/2AUwKnH Android- bit.ly/2VKBCol Website - hidden-history.com

@AndyAitcheson I am going to guess at Sheringham or Yarmouth, Andy. There is some very dodgy and generally interesting stuff popping up as the generation slips away and the bungalows get cleared out. The books shops are a real treasure trove!

You can always tell you’re at an antique shop in East Anglia because of the Nazi memorabilia

@Jimmyocx3 @theluthier63 Thank you, Jimmy for sharing this. As an FYI I worked at the filed hospitals in Kosovo (Macedonia), Shabia and Baston and you often hear the call for ‘blood’. The years may go by but war was, is and always will be a bloody business!

On 12th June 1982, SS Uganda took onboard 80 casualties from the night battles, and then the 13th/14th Wireless Ridge and Tumbledown. The SS Uganda carried out 504 operations, that's a lot of blood, plus no one knew it would end the way it did, all of the land units were preparing for the push into Port Stanley with the possibility of street to street fighting, imagine the casualties, where is all the blood coming from?

For those with an interest in the #Falklands War, a little episode that may have had huge repercussions, when people say it was a close run thing. I was wounded on 12th June 1982, when I woke, I was told amongst other things, I had been transfused with Argentine blood. In recent years, I have asked the SS Uganda crew about this and have been told no, this did not happen. Before my wounding, ships had been sunk, Goose Green had been fought, and the Hospital Ship SS Uganda had dealt with lots of casualties from both sides. Then, on June 8th 1982, RFA Sir Galahad was bombed, resulting in 56 dead and 150 casualties. On 9th June, SS Uganda received 160 casualties, mainly from the Sir Galahad. Demand for blood was huge, and in those days storing blood at sea was very difficult due to the movement of the ship. On 10th June 1982, SS Uganda meets with the Argentine ship Bahia Paraiso in the Red Box (Safety Zone), Argentine prisoners are repatriated, and senior crew (Nursing and Surgeons) visit Bahia Paraiso. (Bahia Paraiso has a huge store of blood.) On June 11th June 1982, crew members (Doctors and Surgeons) from Bahia Paraiso visit SS Uganda. The night battles for Port Stanley will begin on the evening of 11th June 1982, and casualties will begin flowing in, for the battles to go ahead, there must be an adequate supply of blood, and no one knows when the campaign will end, in fact on the night of 14th June 1982, the plan was for 3 Para to seize the racecourse, more dead more casualties. The Argentine blood has always intrigued me, so I decided to contact many senior crew members of the Bahia Paraiso, and to a man they all confirmed they gave blood stocks to SS Uganda, and this saved British lives. Today I received this correspondence. Dear James, During the Falkland Islands conflict, I was a member of the crew of the ARA "Bahía Paraíso" Hospital Ship as a Biochemical Lieutenant. My duties on the ship included setting up and organizing a pharmacy, a clinical analysis laboratory, and a hemotherapy section, among other activities. Regarding the hemotherapy section, which is what interests you, I inform you that we had a large quantity of blood sachets obtained from donations from people on the mainland, which we were able to preserve throughout the conflict; thanks to the refrigerated anti-vibration system we implemented to prevent hemolysis. This blood was tested to prevent any type of blood-borne disease transmission. We also have a living blood bank. That is, a blood sample was taken from each crew member, grouped according to blood type and RH factor, and stored in a database in case supplies were insufficient. Regarding your question, I inform you that we did provide a considerable number of sachets of blood, duly labelled and tested, to the hospital ship UGANDA. Not only that, but they also requested several medications such as diazepam, coagulants, disposable syringes, and X-ray films, among other things. I can assure you of this because I was in charge of providing these supplies. Therefore, it is likely that you received an Argentine blood transfusion. I would like to know, if possible, under what circumstances you were wounded and which army unit you belonged to. I hope you have fully recovered, both physically and psychologically. Best regards Dr Carlos Alberto Espinosa

@DrJaninaRamirez Please ignore the completely ridiculous comments from the lowest depths of society. You’re an inspiration to many including my self. You do great, intresting and thought provoking work, which I always enjoy. And you are always you and that is the best thing about you.

Being called up on your appearance on social media really hurts. I started 15 years ago & that might be the version of ‘me’ you liked. But I’ve aged. I’ve had two children. I’ve written best-selling books. I’ve travelled the world. Menopause hit me early. So life changed me. DWI.

@SpitfireFilly @HoZ_Books @dgjones @GeorginaCapel @Iain_MacGregor1 @James1940 @thehistoryguy @RAFMUSEUM @WeHaveWaysPod @militaryhistori @rafcharitable @MilHistNow @AeroSociety @IWMDuxford @spirit_spitfire Excellent news! Copy ordered and I am looking forward to this long awaited debut book.

Thrilled that my debut book, 'Eagle Days: Life and Death for the Luftwaffe in the Battle of Britain', will be published by @HoZ_Books at the end of May! You can now pre-order via this link: geni.us/EagleDays Thank you SO much @dgjones @GeorginaCapel @Iain_MacGregor1 ♥️1/4

@combat_boot I say this regularly to current soldiers, airmen and sailors I meet… it has its problems, it’s not perfect but trust me the commercial world can be a real hell hole. And most importantly you can go even weeks or even months without having a laugh.

Don’t want to be that guy, but it’s not that bad in Army. Yes housing is pish, most in APC default to spreadsheets & procurement is bloated with way, way, too many OF3-6s But, money is OK, plenty of good gigs, it’s a laugh most of time. As jobs go, there’s plenty worse out there.

@rentaquill @DGMHQ What…. Never heard of this Merryn but walk down that lane on every visit.

Hah! Found a picture of West Runton Pavilion as it was, back in the day. Sex Pistols, Chuck Berry, UFO, Hawkwind, even @DGMHQ ~ Mötorhead's favourite venue believe it or not. And I can just about see my kitchen, too. 😊

@LydiaJane13 @James1940 Strong. Very strong cover!

I'm delighted to announce that 'The Invisible Campaign-Bomber Command Gardening Operations 1940-1945' is now available to pre-order (link below). Huge thanks to the fabulous @James1940 for writing the foreword. Estimated release date - 12 December 2024. mortonsbooks.co.uk/book/the-invis…

@JamesRanford @SeaSpitfires Agreed

@SeaSpitfires Interesting point makes sense too.

This had never occurred to me!

@HistoryPegg Well said Ian. A top tip from Reddit was if you, as a man, find yourself walking near a woman at night then give them space but also make a ‘fake’ phone call. Speak loudly andnon threatening - I.e. hello mum etc. You are then avoiding any surprises and defusing any tension.

A request to #males out in the world. As the #night close in and get darker earlier please give #women space when they are walking. Don’t walk up behind them. Give them the room to feel safe when they’re out walking by themselves. It’s something I’m always aware off. #SafetyFirst #BeKindAlways

@DrHelenFry Two areas which I would like to understand better but where to begin… - allied submarine warfare - UK and USA. Did Russia have subs? - the development of signals kit. The war was a race of technology as much as anything else. How did the signals develop? Who led it?

What is an aspect of World War Two that you personally believe deserves more attention or broader discussion?

@DrHelenFry Operation Frankton is always one that stands out to me. It happened at the darkest point of the war, had very little hope of success and was one of thd 1st of its kind. Given all these factors it’s the one I always think of.

What do you think was the most daring operation of World War Two?

⁦⁦@robert_lyman⁩ very much worth a listen. Completely off topic but a fascinating story told exceptionally well. Enjoy! Kieran podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/13-…

@guywalters Just spent 30mins flicking through the full auction… fascinating! Absolutely fascinating. Role on the 30th October.

Proof that WW2 POWs couldn't convincingly forge printed documents by hand. This example, currently up for auction, belonged to to Captain Rupert Barry (one of the longest serving POWs at Colditz) trying to pass himself off as a Belgian agricultural worker. auctions.wellersauctions.com/catalogue/lot/…

@DrFrancisYoung One of my favourite places in Hertfordshire!

The main target of today’s expedition was this, however - an excavated Roman bathhouse in a corrugated iron bunker under the A1(M) near Welwyn. And this is a place with which I have a special connection… (thread)

@SeaSpitfires Very sorry to hear of your loss. Thinking of you and your family. A lovely picture summing it all up.

Thank you everyone for your kind messages. I’ve had 4 years to prepare for this, and after an event in June I knew it would be this summer. When dad was admitted the day after WHW24 I knew it’d be soon. I’m relieved that despite everything, he had a relatively easy last journey.

@SeaSpitfires I hope all is well Stephen and your finding your feet. There is a London IC Finley’s Touch walk in the planning for the 5th October. The route is excellent! Also can recommend AllTrails as a fun way to find local walks you had no idea about. apps.apple.com/gb/app/alltrai…

I currently exist in limbo while I await something inevitable but which cannot be scheduled. The net result is that I’m not sailing around Japan right now, and might not be going anywhere for a while. 1/3 x.com/SeaSpitfires/s…

@NoContextBrits Scraps

Settle a debate. What do you call these from a chippy?

@RoyReed13 @HayleyFern4 I like this one allot! It’s a good title, links back to your social media presence and has your name in it, which will help for whatever comes next. Really it’s a win/win! Very much excited to see this come together for you and eventually owning a copy.

@HayleyFern4 Hayley Draws Churches A Pilgrimage in Paint

I need some advice! I had a wonderful meeting with a publisher about creating volume 1 of my church drawings and I need to start thinking of a name for my book/s A pilgrimage in paint? Drawing the Diocese? Very much open to suggestions- I'm more of an artist than a writer! ☺️

@1940Andy The magazine that started my obsession/passion with history! Currently collecting a full set (8 to go) and enjoying rediscovering the wonderful detail, explanations and story telling. Please pass on a ‘thank you’.

Quite special to spend weekend again with my old pal and colleague Winston Ramsey of ‘After the Battle’ fame and to realise it is the 51st anniversary of issue # of ATB. So a little celebration! 🥂 Can I really have been ‘involved’ with ATB for that long? 😳

@Jules16th @militaryhistori Agreed! Very naughty.

@militaryhistori That’s a bit naughty. Same cover design theme as well.

Just come across this similarly titled, similarly designed, volume. I don't really mind, but clearly, a future Ice & Steel from me is no longer on the cards.