Welcome to British Military History

Introduction

The Second World War ended officially in 1945, but its legacy continues today some sixty-six years later. Those who lived and fought during the war are becoming fewer, so this web-site is intended to provide an overview of the war from a British perspective for later generations.

It covers the various campaigns during the war that involved the British, Dominion and Empire armies. This includes details of the units and formations that fought in each of the campaigns (Orders of Battle), and biographies of some notable military officers of that period.

The web-site covers the period from 1930 to 1950. The reason for this is to include the build up to the conflict and the immediate aftermath. To many soldiers, the end of the war did not mean an end to armed conflict, as several small wars erupted in the Indian sub-continent, South East Asia and Palestine.

The focus is on the British Army, the pre-partition Indian Army (also known as the British Indian Army) and those of the Dominions (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa). The British colonies in East and West Africa and the Far East also provided many soldiers to fight for the British Army, so are integral to this web-site. Without the support of countries in the British Empire, the United Kingdom would have struggled to prosecute the war. This is particularly the case in the Middle East and Far East.

The documents are written in a style that I hope readers will find interesting and informative. The sources used in writing new documents are included to establish the bona vides of the content on the web-site (existing documents will be revised in due course). I have amassed a large library of relevant books (being grateful to a tolerant family), and also use my local library to source other books. I also visit the British Library, National Archives and regimental museums whenever possible.

The web-site will be regularly updated with additional information being added over time. Any inaccuracies are mine, as are any comments contained on the web-site. I welcome constructive comments or feedback, as this process improves knowledge and understanding.

I hope that people researching their family history, military historians and others wishing to know more about British Army and British Indian Army during the Second World War will find this web-site informative and useful.

Regards: Rob PALMER - Webmaster and author.