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Stephen Fisher

Stephen Fisher

@seaspitfires.com

5.8K followers 190 following 280 posts

Author, historian & archaeologist, Lindblad Expeditions guide, National Geographic expert. Has a soft spot for WW2 Coastal Forces, landing craft, LCT 7074 & D-Day. Servant to Flynn. Writes books for Penguin. www.seaspitfires.com

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Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · Nov 10

Sword Beach, the first detailed study of the British landings at Ouistreham on D-Day, is now available in a range of formats.
www.penguin.co.uk/books/453545...

'With his wealth of knowledge and exacting eye for detail, [Fisher's] book on D-Day is sure to impress a vast audience' Dan Snow 'Stephen Fisher... is a very rare beast - a man who can bring stunning ...

www.penguin.co.uk

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · 3d

MTB 17 was almost certainly rammed by her own torpedo, which in this early model MTB was dropped over the stern. However there was no explosion.

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · 14d

And another looking south over Vlissingen. On the left is the Noorderbegraafplaats cemetery. The road heading away on the left is Van Dishoeckstraat and leads to the shipbuilding yard at the docks.
📷 IWM CL 1502 & Google Maps.

An oblique view of a flooded town

The same view as the previous photo from Google maps. The town is no longer flooded and has expanded considerably.

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · 14d

Sort of around now in 1944, and today. Vlissingen on Walcheren flooded by the RAF raids that breached the dykes around the island. In the middle foreground is Our Lady's Church on Brouwenaarstraat.
📷 IWM CL 1506 & Google Maps.

An oblique view of a flooded town

The same view as the previous photo from Google maps. The town is no longer flooded and has expanded considerably.

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · 24d

W3 sat in the woods behind the dunes and has been removed, flooded by the dyke breach and overgrown. There's a few scattered bits of concrete in the vicinity of the memorial on the dyke. maps.app.goo.gl/TVHNpohQNvg6...

maps.app.goo.gl

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · 24d

A little more checking confirms that W1 was in the grounds of Fort de Ruyter: maps.app.goo.gl/fm2rrBo5LQ6w...

maps.app.goo.gl

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · 25d

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · 25d

W2 I’ve actually been too. They’re reasonably well preserved positions

maps.app.goo.gl/RhDK2qDFkCyG...

maps.app.goo.gl

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · 25d

Left W3, right W1

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · 25d

Actually probably not W4

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · 25d

Marine Flak Abteilung 810 were positioned around Flushing, specifically at W1, W2 and W3 strongpoints and probably W4.

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · Sep 18

Finally back home after a long summer season that has taken me to four new countries, from the cold Arctic ice of Greenland’s ice cap to the sun baked hills of Gallipoli. Time for some rest and writing before I go back to Antarctica!

Me standing on polar bear watch with a gun in a mountainous setting with a glacier behind me

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · Sep 18

Have just got back from Normandy and I was delighted to discover that
History Hit have uploaded this documentary I did with @thehistoryguy.bsky.social to YouTube. You can learn all about D-Day remains on England’s south coast here:

Military Historian Battles To Save Wrecks of WW2

YouTube video by History Hit

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · Sep 9

Finally back in NW Europe after 11 weeks almost constantly on the road/seas. Just two more battlefield tours to do and then, in 12 days, I can have a lie-in.

Except, a handy reminder from the plane that I have a book on #Walcheren44 to write!

A view off the Dutch island of Walcheren from the air

Reposted by Stephen Fisher

Alex Churchill @alexchurchill.bsky.social · Sep 4

After a well deserved rest, we spent the rest of the day exploring the French sector, where I got to bang on about France for a bit 🇫🇷 🇹🇷 @seaspitfires.com @istoriatravel.bsky.social @danielmcandrew.bsky.social @peterhart.bsky.social

Reposted by Stephen Fisher

Alex Churchill @alexchurchill.bsky.social · Sep 4

Years ago, a #Gallipoli veteran taught @peterhart.bsky.social a song that he used to sing with his chums as they marched through here. Today he recreated it - badly… 🇹🇷 @istoriatravel.bsky.social @seaspitfires.com @peterhart.bsky.social @danielmcandrew.bsky.social

Reposted by Stephen Fisher

Alex Churchill @alexchurchill.bsky.social · Sep 4

After Gully Beach it was a long trek up Gully Ravine to mirror the march to the front lines in this sector. The second image is the British front line #Gallipoli 🇹🇷 @peterhart.bsky.social @istoriatravel.bsky.social @seaspitfires.com @danielmcandrew.bsky.social

Reposted by Stephen Fisher

Alex Churchill @alexchurchill.bsky.social · Sep 4

Here’s Gully Beach - not a landing spot but pivotal. The wreck is the lighter that Gen. Maude was supposed to escape the peninsula on. After it sank he did a mad dash towards W Beach to avoid getting stranded. (That’s a long way) 🇹🇷 @istoriatravel.bsky.social @seaspitfires.com @peterhart.bsky.social

Reposted by Stephen Fisher

Alex Churchill @alexchurchill.bsky.social · Sep 4

Now it’s on to X Beach - which was defended by 12 Turks. Because who in their right mind would try and land troops on this tiny little strip of land… #Gallipoli 🇹🇷 #WW1 @nationalwwimuseum.bsky.social @istoriatravel.bsky.social @danielmcandrew.bsky.social @peterhart.bsky.social @seaspitfires.com

Reposted by Stephen Fisher

Alex Churchill @alexchurchill.bsky.social · Sep 4

Day 3 proper and we’re back at Helles , specifically Pink Farm Cemetery to see a chap researched by @neilpuds.bsky.social #Gallipoli 🇹🇷 @istoriatravel.bsky.social @seaspitfires.com @peterhart.bsky.social @danielmcandrew.bsky.social

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · Sep 4

Today on the @istoriatravel.bsky.social Gallipoli tour was all about terrain. Deep gulleys, imposing cliffs & plenty of inescapable high ground made moving across the peninsula punishing. It could never have been as easy as the plan demanded. With @alexchurchill.bsky.social & @peterhart.bsky.social

The steep cliffs at X beach

Gully Ravine behind X beach with steep cliffs on either side

Spectacular geology in Gully Ravine

Deep valleys crisscrossing the peninsular

Reposted by Stephen Fisher

Alex Churchill @alexchurchill.bsky.social · Sep 3

One thing that never changes about sharing #Gallipoli is watching the sheer folly and arrogance of the entire campaign dawning on people as they walk the ground, see the terrain and hear the “plan.”

Reposted by Stephen Fisher

Alex Churchill @alexchurchill.bsky.social · Sep 1

Welcome to the Dardanelles @istoriatravel.bsky.social @seaspitfires.com 🇹🇷

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · Aug 31

Here’s a better photo of my time in the Arctic. I’m afraid I’m still on the road and won’t be back home for another 3 weeks, but I can check my sources then. I’ll try and look through my digital files before then, but it might be tricky on an iPad!

Me surveying a glacier from a small hill. I’ve got a rifle slung on my back because I’m a historian.

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · Aug 31

I haven’t I’m afraid, but I did visit Bluie West One in Greenland (as depicted in Masters of the Air). Currently sat in St John’s airport waiting to fly to Turkey.

Stephen Fisher @seaspitfires.com · Aug 31

Only yesterday I was out on trial in a Viking court for mispronouncing Newfoundland. My defence was that I speak the King’s English. It didn’t wash.

Me bound in heavy ropes