LFleming

Robert Fox was one of the greatest theatrical producers ever. Every year Robert and I would both laugh as the stage 100 came around @TheStage He was never ever once included in it He was proud of that

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Watch this space as I will soon be making an announcement about a forthcoming announcement #announcement

On Friday 20th March 1942, Commander Fleming looked up from his desk in Room 39 in the Admiralty Building and stared out of the window overlooking Horse Guards. In his hand the freshly typed memo titled ‘Proposal For Naval Intelligence Commando Unit’ with his distinctive single letter ‘F’ signature at the bottom. Taking one last drag on his gold banded cigarette and stubbing it out in the large ashtray on his desk, already full of stubs from the night before, he placed the memo in manila folder and placed it in the tray for the attention of his boss, Admiral John Godfrey, the Director of Naval Intelligence (DNI). The unit that grew from that memo, 30 Assault Unit, became one of the most successful of Fleming’s wartime achievements and would go on to have a lasting impact on special forces operations. @Commando_Ops @RoyalNavy @TheIanFleming @RMHistSociety @RoyalMarines @DefenceHQ @WeHaveWaysPod @authordlewis @BrittanyRememb1 @GlobenLaurel @SiBiggs @WW2TV @militaryhistori #Attainbysurprise #RoyalMarines #RoyalNavy #WW2 #SIGINT #Bond #Commando #Specialforces #Privatearmies #Grok #Fleming

Today, we’re telling the story of 30 Commando Assault Unit. ​ On 20th March 1942, Ian Fleming, then personal assistant to Admiral Godfrey, Director of Naval Intelligence, proposed the formation of a Special Intelligence Assault Unit. At the time, officially, the unit didn’t exist. Members were forbidden to discuss or document their activities, a pledge that many of the men kept for their entire lives. Held under the Official Secrets Act for 50 years after the war, details are still emerging of their impact and campaigns.​ Unit historian Dave Roberts has penned a definitive record for us, dropping in three parts: Formation, Missions and Legacy. Find the first now at ianfleming.com/the-story-behi…

Ian Fleming was a prolific letter writer and delighted in responding to correspondence from his readers. To mark St Patrick's Day, we dip into a letter to John G Ryan, Commercial Manager of Shannon Airport, Ireland. ​ Ryan had been in touch objecting to the passage in Diamonds are Forever stating that the airport shop sold 'junk' and 'furry unwearable tweeds'. Fleming's reply...​ 'I am greatly impressed that Shannon should have taken cognisance of my lighthearted thriller. I often come through Shannon, and it will certainly be a great pleasure to meet you on my next visit and apologise in person for my happy-go-lucky references to the goods on offer in your shops. Perhaps by then all the Bog Oak Irish Harps and Brass Leprechauns will have been bought up by the G.I.s!'​ ​ Find this letter and more in The Man With the Golden Typewriter at ianflemingshop.com

Anyone else hear this played earlier on R4 during Broadcasting House? 😀 #TheArchers

@BBCSteveR @BBCRadio4 Completely Brilliant

What do you get if you cross The Archers theme tune with Rachmaninoff? I tried...here’s the result. Celebrating 75 years of the world’s longest-running drama (by the way, Arthur Wood composed the original Archers theme). @BBCRadio4

@GylesB1 Oldie lunch?

Where am I? And why? What’s going on? And who on earth are these people? Six of them are quite remarkable. Believe me.

Here we are

Simon and Biggins and I are chatting on Wednesday evening at the Kenton in Henley✈️Do come!

Listening to Art Garfunkel sing Scarborough Fair at 80 years old gave me goosebumps. That golden voice never fades… What a legend! 🫶🫶

@SpyHards Totally true

This is an absolutely phenomenal piece of James Bond media. Sean Connery (on the set of GOLDFINGER) explaining the real life inspiration for changing 007s firearm of choice. You don’t get behind the scenes videos like this anymore.

Brilliant

Book jacket addict. ​ A closer look at the first edition Casino Royale jacket. Fleming sketched the initial concept for the cover himself, and took it to artist Kenneth Lewis to expand on and finesse when both men were employed by the Kemsley newspaper group - Lewis in the art department and Fleming as Foreign Manager at The Sunday Times. ​ 'Anyone who has ever gambled will find this tense and sometimes horrifying story of espionage and high gambling irresistible. So will readers who have never entered a casino.' ​ Find the cover as a framed art print, and the story in print, eBook and audio formats at ianflemingshop.com.

This is Winnie-the-Pooh. The original Winnie-the-Pooh. Christopher Robin given to him on his first birthday in 1921. It’s World Pooh Day this week & we’ve a ⁦@therosebudpod⁩ special all about A A Milne & his extraordinary story … check it out: rosebudpodcast.co.uk

Posting Letters to the Moon - Greenwich Theatre Fans of ⁦@BBCTheArchers⁩ Justin and Miranda are on stage on Feb 1st 5.00 Enjoy! greenwichtheatre.org.uk/events/posting…

@andypip42402873 @BBCTheArchers Very well thank you

@Flemingelf @BBCTheArchers Nice to hear from you again hope your well

Posting Letters To The Moon ⁦@GreenwichTheatr⁩ on Sunday 1st Feb at 5.00 ⁦@TheCiderShedPod⁩ Justin Elliot and Miranda on stage! Might sparks fly? postingletterstothemoon.com