Table of contents for July 2023 in The Armourer

It’s the Korean War this month as the divided country went to war to sort out who would be in charge, with communist North Korea taking on capitalist South Korea. What began as a local conflict rapidly escalated as United Nations forces, mainly American with British and Commonwealth backing, rallied to the cause of the South. With victory close the North’s ally, China, decided to intervene and the campaign swung back in the communist’s favour. Read on to see how it all panned out. Also have a look at our collecting the Korean War feature, as militaria is still reasonably priced compared to the eye-watering sums that WWII collectables currently command. Now, away from the magazine, this month is the 80th anniversary of Operation Chastise, otherwise known as the Dambusters…

This series of articles sets out to record and illustrate some of the badges worn by the Rifle Volunteers of 1859-1908. By the end of 1860 hundreds of independent Rifle Corps had been raised throughout England, Scotland and Wales. These in turn were placed into higher formations in the shape of numbered Administrative Battalions within their county. Later some Admin battalions, by their own choice, were consolidated into larger formations under a single, numbered, Rifle Volunteer Corps title. Those that had not already done so by 1880 were, however, ordered to take this same course. In 1881 a closer link to the 69 Line Regiments created that year saw the Rifle Volunteers attached to each as Volunteer Battalions. Although it must be pointed out that the Volunteer Force did not…

The invention, probably by Leonardo da Vinci around 1500, of a mechanical means of igniting the gunpowder charge in firearms revolutionised their attraction to the upper classes. No longer needing a lighted match, with all its inconvenience and danger, this device enabled the nobleman to hunt on horseback or carry a pistol into battle with far greater ease and security. It made possible a firearm which could, for the first time, be operated with one hand. Not only that, it could also be carried secretly under the clothing by criminals, among others. In fact the situation was regarded so seriously that in 1517 the Emperor Maximilian I banned the use of ‘self-striking handguns that ignite themselves’. The high cost of the elaborate but delicate wheellock mechanism meant that only the…

Leyte Gulf MARK E STILLE Just as Jutland was the defining naval battle of WWI, so was Leyte Gulf in WWII, except this was a colossal action, comprising four separate battles and numerous other clashes. By this point in the war the hopes of the Japanese were firmly declining which led to the plan to tackle the American invasion fleet heading for Leyte Gulf, as the first step in retaking the Philippines. There are a lot of misconceptions about this epic clash of battleships, carriers and air power, which Mark Stille tackles with relish, absolving Admiral Halsey from traditional criticism while revealing the suicidal nature of the entire Japanese plan. It’s a concise but utterly gripping and revelatory account. • Osprey Publishing• ISBN 978-1-4728-5175-8• 324 pages• Hardback• £25 SAS JOSHUA…

AUCTIONS 3 - 11 June 2023 ratisbon’s T: 0049 941 4670016 www.ratisbons.com info@ratisbons.com 7 June 2023 Marlows T: 01785 214100 OR 07789 628030 www.marlowsauctions.co.uk info@marlowsauctions.co.uk 8 June 2023 Southams T: 01234 269082 www.southamsauction.co.uk info@peacockauction.co.uk 21 June 2023 Warwick & Warwick T: 01926 499031 www.warwickandwarwick.con richard.beale@warwickandwarwick.com 21 June 2023 Noonans T: 020 7016 1700 www.noonans.co.uk auctions@noonans.co.uk 28 June 2023 Tennants T: 01969 623780 www.tennants.co.uk enquiry@tennants-ltd.co.uk 11 July 2023 Tooveys T: 01903 891955 www.tooveys.com auctions@tooveys.com 19 July 2023 C&T Auctions T: 01233 510050 www.candtauctions.co.uk enquiries@candtauctions.co.uk 20 July 2023 C&T Auctions T: 01233 510050 www.candtauctions.co.uk enquiries@candtauctions.co.uk FAIRS 4 June 2023 Hertfordshire Militaria and Medal Fair T: 01923 448903 or 07425 155876 www.hertfordshiremilitariamedalfair.com sovereignfairs2022@outlook.com 11 June 2023 Wolverley Militaria Fair T: 07816 853878 www.facebook.com/wolverleymilitariafair/ 18 June 2023 The International Birmingham Antique Arms & Militaria…

Over the last seven parts of this series, we have looked at the accoutrements used by both the major powers in World War I and some of the smaller nations. The final part takes us to the armies of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman Empire had been modernising its military forces in the years leading up to World War I, with Germany being the most recent country to send military advisors to the ailing nation in an attempt to update equipment, weapons and doctrine. With Germany having this leading role it was unsurprising that the Ottoman Empire modelled much of its equipment on that used in the German Empire, with rifles being ordered from Mauser and the accompanying equipment being closely related to that issued to German troops. The Ottoman…

Although much has been written on Britain’s part in the long French wars of 1793-1815, on land and sea, some theatres of war remain relatively under an, explored. Control of the Mediterrane or at least a dominant role in it, was vital to Britain’s strategy against the French Empire and its allies and to counter French naval activity from the base at Toulon. It was also essential to Britain’s trade with India and the east via Egypt. As early as 1794 Britain attacked and took control of the island of Corsica, however the Anglo-Corsican Kingdom was short-lived and by the end of 1796 Britain had withdrawn, leaving only Gibraltar and Malta as a footholds in the Mediterranean. After 1806, Sicily became Britain’s major base in the Mediterranean. With the failed…

BEDFORDSHIRE ■ Southams Auctioneers Bedford, Tel: 01234 266366 guns@southamsauction.co.uk www.southamsauction.co.uk BERKSHIRE ■ Special Auction Services Newbury, Tel: 01635 580595 mail@specialauctionservices.com adam@specialauctionservices.com www.specialauctionservices.com BUCKINGHAMSHIRE ■ Bosleys Marlow, Tel: 01628 488188 sales@bosleys.co.uk www.bosleys.co.uk DEVON ■ Greenslade Taylor Hunt Tiverton, Tel: 01823 332525 www.gth.net antiques.saleroom@gth.net ESSEX ■ Reeman Dansie Auctions Colchester, Tel: 01206 754754 auctions@reemandansie.com www.reemandansie.com KENT ■ C&T Auctioneers and Valuers Kenardington, Tel: 01233 510050 enquiries@candtauctions.co.uk www.candtauctions.co.uk LONDON Morton & Eden London, Tel: 020 7493 5344 info@mortonandeden.com www.mortonandeden.com SOMERSET ■ Greenslade Taylor Hunt Taunton, Tel: 01823 332525 www.gth.net antiques.saleroom@gth.net STAFFORDSHIRE ■ Marlows Stafford, Tel: 01785 214100 or 07789 628030 mail@marlowsauctions.co.uk www.marlowsauctions.co.uk SUFFOLK ■ Durrants Beccles, Tel: 01502 713490 AuctionRooms@durrants.com ■ Bishop & Miller Stowmarket, Tel: 01449 673088 www.bishopandmillerauctions.co.uk enquiries@bm-auctions.co.uk WARWICKSHIRE ■ Warwick & Warwick Warwick, Tel: 01926 499031 www.warwickandwarwick.com WEST SUSSEX Tooveys Washington, Tel: 01903 891955 auctions@tooveys.com www.tooveys.com WILTSHIRE…

Propaganda is the spreading of material to manipulate or dominate substantial numbers of groups of people. In the case of Nazi Germany, it was a significant factor in establishing the controlling power of the party. Joseph Goebbels headed the Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda (RMVP) and used modern techniques and technologies to brainwash the German people in Nazi ideology which in turn, influenced the conduct of the entire population. Posters were an essential factor in swaying people and promoting patriotism was a common topic designed to motivate and encourage the German population to join in military and social efforts. Goebbels used both negative and positive themes while producing the carefully crafted messages. Some posters encouraged food conservation, scrap metal or other material donations, the giving of money on…

Australia’s small regular army relied entirely on voluntary enlistments and whilst conscription applied to the larger-sized militia, named the Citizen Military Force (CMF) it wasn’t until 1943 that the CMF’s restriction from serving overseas was lifted. Consequently, by the end of 1940, a great deal of army manpower was still retained on home duties. In June 1940, over 10,000 women attended a public meeting at Sydney Town Hall where the wife of the Governor of New South Wales, Lady Margaret Wakehurst, was the keynote speaker, “Every woman has come here tonight with just one steadfast purpose in her heart asking how she can best serve her country”. Until then resistance from male-dominated organisations argued that women trained in military skills would be of no use to the war effort. As…

The Korean War has long been overshadowed by World War II which took place a few years before. As the veterans from the Korean War are now in their 80s and 90s, it is worth looking at this conflict in a bit more detail. The Korean War saw many new items of clothing introduced for the British soldier to reflect updated materials and the needs of a very different style of warfare than had been fought in World War II. The British Army introduced a new clothing system in 1950, specifically for conflict in Korea. This was based on the layer principle, with string vests and woollen drawers, covered by thick woollen base layers over which the waterproof outer layer was added. This new uniform was accompanied by a new…

WORTH £75 WIN 3 copies of… The Panzers of Prokhorovka The epic Battle of Kursk, with the tank battle at Prokhorovka, was one of the defining clashes on the Eastern Front. After Stalingrad which stopped the German advance, Kursk was a critical defeat which sent the Wehrmacht into retreat. Author Ben Wheatley challenges some of the myths about the battle, including whether the German tank losses were as bad as have been stated. Using previously unpublished photos of the battleground, Wheatley presents a new analysis of this famous engagement. Now, thanks to the generosity of military book specialist, Osprey Publishing we have three copies to give away. Simply answer the question below and go to the website to enter. WORTH £45 Win 3 copies of… US Soldier v Chinese Soldier Just…