Inhaltsverzeichnis für December 2022 in The Armourer

The team behind Family Tree magazine has launched Family Tree Plus, an online community that offers interactive club meetings, magazine library and more. Family Tree Plus provides members with an online programme of presentations and discussions covering a rich range of family history topics at the monthly meetings of the Study Club, DNA Club and Genealogy Gadgets Club. In addition, Family Tree Plus members enjoy unlimited access to a growing and searchable online library of Family Tree magazine back issues, immediate access to the latest online edition of Family Tree, a library of genealogy resources, an exclusive newsletter, and special discounts. Family Tree Editor Helen Tovey said, “With Family Tree Plus we’ll continue to do what we’ve always done – create useful, friendly content with our audience at its heart. We’re…

The clouds of war were gathering in 1937 when landowner Edith Pretty, who had a lifelong interest in history and archaeology, decided to investigate the curious mounds on her estate. She enlisted the help of Ipswich Museum, which brought Basil Brown, who was working for the museum at the time, to the grounds and set the scene for the most significant Anglo-Saxon discovery in British history. Now, you may have come to this point because you saw the Netflix film, The Dig, but a trip to Sutton Hoo in Suffolk will reveal the real story of the discovery. A visit to the grounds today starts with a large ship sculpture in the centre of the main buildings area. The ship represents what was found inside the King’s Mound. There are…

In the weeks leading up to the Dunkirk evacuation, with the collapse of the BEF and the French imminent, the need to establish a last ditch defensive force to bolster Britain’s chances of beating back an expected invasion became a priority. Secretary of State for War Anthony Eden broadcast the call for such a force on the night of the 14 May 1940 on the BBC stating that, “You will not be paid, but you will receive uniform and will be armed. You will be entrusted with certain vital duties, for which reasonable fitness and a knowledge of firearms are necessary.” With this speech the Local Defence Volunteers came into effect. Later they would be renamed the Home Guard by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and become immortalised by the ever-popular…

On their advance through the conquered territories of the German Reich, the Allies often discovered development projects, fresh from the drawing board. This was the case with the Panzerhetzer, as a motorised platform for the anti-tank rocket launcher Panzerschreck. In February 1945, soldiers of the Ninth US Army discovered some construction drawings of an unknown vehicle called the Panzerhetzer in the premises of the Neander Motorfahrzeug GmbH in Düren-Rölsdorf near the city of Aachen in North Rhine-Westphalia. However, they could not find any further documents about it, photographs or even finished individual parts. Nevertheless, it is an interesting design for the mobilisation of the very effective Raketenpanzerbüchse, better known as Panzerschreck (tank fright) or Ofenrohr (stove pipe). The company Neander Motorfahrzeug GmbH was founded in 1924 by Ernst Neumann, who…

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria One of the highlights of the Noonan’s October auction was the PDSA Dickin Medal for Gallantry, otherwise known as the VC for animals, and the RSPCA Red Collar for Valour awarded to War Dog Rob, for his gallantry and outstanding service during World War II. It was sold for a world record price of £140,000 (plus BP of 28.8%) at Noonans. It was sold by Basil Bayne, the son of Rob’s original owner, and also included an extensive archive including his collar, a portrait painting, photographs, certificate, manuscripts, books and letters. The entire proceeds will be given to the Taylor McNally Foundation. Back with the humans then, and a Great War CMG group of nine awarded to Colonel J R. Dyas, Hampshire Regiment, later Royal…

The India General Service Medal of 1854 rewarded service within and around the Indian Empire and had a long life, remaining in use until 1895 and eventually having 23 separate clasps and one variant. However, some of the clasps are scarcer than they might initially seem to be and are hard to find. One of these is ‘Hunza 1891’, awarded for a campaign in the very far north of the Indian frontier, where the Russian, Chinese and British-Indian empires came together. It was this proximity which caused the problem. The British were not so concerned with possible Chinese expansion in this area, but the threat of a Russian incursion was always likely to produce a British response and the Indian authorities remained sensitive about the control of this area of…

The army reorganisations of 1881 saw the 87th (or Royal Irish Fusiliers) and 89th (The Princess Victoria’s) Regiments joined together to form the Princes Victoria’s (Royal Irish Fusiliers). The two regiments respectively providing 1st and 2nd Battalions. 1st Battalion saw action in the Egyptian campaign in 1882 then, in 1883, it moved to India, remaining there for 16 years. The 89th was in India when the amalgamation occurred and became the new Regiment’s 2nd Battalion. It returned to Britain in 1884, via the Sudan. The title changed to The Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria’s) in 1920. It recruited in the Irish province of Ulster and served until 1968 when it was merged into The Royal Irish Rangers.…

SHOWS Railways at war Earlier this year the ever-popular Railway in Wartime event, hosted by North Yorks Moor Railways in October, was cancelled again, but not because of Covid. This time the reason given was that it was on advice from the Heritage Railway Association that all historic railways should cancel wartime events because of the war in Ukraine. The Armourer asked the Heritage Railway Association what advice it had given to NYMR and others, considering that the Ukraine conflict has the potential to drag on for years. Also, what was the reasoning, considering these events are historic and not a reflection of Russian aggression in the Ukraine? Steve Oates, Chief Executive of the HRA provided this response to our questions: ‘The Heritage Railway Association has not cancelled or banned…

52nd Contemporary at Ratisbon’s The next sale at European dealer Ratisbon’s is the 52nd Contemporary Auction, running from 13-20 November. The first consignments have just arrived so let’s take a look. First up, a very nice Heer officer’s sabre in condition 1-2. Featuring a nickel-plated steel blade showing the maker’s mark of ‘Alcoso’. Very nice gilded brass handle fittings. The front langet bears the national eagle. Black celluloid grip with intact wire wrapping. No damage. Also, full original black paint on the scabbard with no dents. Bidding starts at £614 and remember to add Buyer’s Premium of 22.5% on at the end. Next, a pair of Luftwaffe Flak Regiment 44 shoulder boards. Nice EM shoulder boards, sewn-on type, machine-embroidered cyphers, outer trim in red, numbering in pink. A matching pair!…

COVER STORY On 18 October 1860, Anglo-French troops entered the Forbidden City at Peking. The Chinese emperor had already fled his capital, leaving his brother to face the victorious Western allies. He had little choice but to sign treaties with Britain and France (a third with Russia followed), which collectively became known as the Convention of Peking. Although numerically superior, the Chinese army had stood little chance against the technologically advanced firepower of British and French forces. Thousands of Chinese had lost their lives, while Western casualties numbered only in their hundreds. China stood defeated after a war fought over trade, and in particular the trade in a dangerous narcotic. As if to rub salt into Chinese wounds, the British burned down the emperor’s Summer Palace. To this day, the…

During frequent holidays at Walberswick in Suffolk the importance of this region during the earliest days of World War II has become more obvious. The village lies on the banks of the River Blyth, surrounded by miles of marsh and heathland, with a single access road to the quayside. Only a picturesque rowing boat ferry or footbridge crosses the water to Southwold, some 1.5 miles away. Numerous concrete tank stops and pillboxes litter the area and sometimes a rusted scaffold pole clamp surfaces on the beach. North Sea coastal erosion, as at mediaeval Dunwich nearby, has claimed many man-made structures during the last half century. The recent publication of original documents and photographs makes a fascinating comparison with the better known, German instigated, Atlantic Wall. A Home Defence-East Anglia scheme…

When it comes to Italian sub-machineguns, two big names usually come to mind, namely Villar Perosa and Beretta. Few other companies had tried to gain a foothold in this Beretta-dominated market during WWII. One competitor model that actually went into production was the TZ-45. There are many stories about the origins of the TZ-45, and much is still in the dark. What is certain is that after Italy’s surrender to the Allies on 9 September 1943 and the occupation of the country by the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS, there was a great need for weapons for the pro-German military units of the RSI (Repubblica Sociale Italiana). The personnel strength of all infantry units alone amounted to about 600,000 men. In addition, there were various paramilitary units such as the Black Brigade…

Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet If the other half is on an Eastenders misery marathon then let them fade into the background as you tackle the latest Bellica 1,000 piece puzzles. There are six ones to collect in a range of famous Luftwaffe planes, from the Junkers Ju-87 to the terror of the skies seen here, the Me 163 Komet, a rocket powered interceptor. Completed, it measures 683mm x 480mm. Supplier: www.zeeproductions.co.uk £17.99 Double Eagle M917G UTR45 SMG £178.99 The worst thing about Christmas is that it usually involves lots of children being annoying. Gain the upper hand with this Airsoft gun which is a replica of the SMG based on the AR platform made by Double Eagle. Then release the kids in a nearby wood and hunt them down! Supplier:…