Alex McK
@alexjmck.bsky.social
Pinned
Alex McK
@alexjmck.bsky.social
· Nov 25
A first attempt at a We Have Ways of Making You Talk podcast starter pack - apologies to all I’ve missed!
go.bsky.app/8mtfd2D
go.bsky.app/8mtfd2D
Reposted by Alex McK
A busy week this week - despite recordings taking place at various different times over the last month, I appeared on Battleground Pod @historyrage.bsky.social and @historyofthesecondworldwar.com - remember you can get my latest book Thunder Run Meiktila 1945 now wherever you get your books!
July 27, 2025 at 6:56 AM
A busy week this week - despite recordings taking place at various different times over the last month, I appeared on Battleground Pod @historyrage.bsky.social and @historyofthesecondworldwar.com - remember you can get my latest book Thunder Run Meiktila 1945 now wherever you get your books!
Reposted by Alex McK
A surprising aspect of 1942 Burma reporting: some combat scenes were "reconstructed" for cameras because correspondents missed the actual fighting. This practice, while problematic, highlights the immense difficulty of capturing authentic front-line footage under challenging conditions #MediaEthics
July 25, 2025 at 6:31 AM
A surprising aspect of 1942 Burma reporting: some combat scenes were "reconstructed" for cameras because correspondents missed the actual fighting. This practice, while problematic, highlights the immense difficulty of capturing authentic front-line footage under challenging conditions #MediaEthics
Reposted by Alex McK
George Rodger's powerful photographs from 1942 Burma captured iconic and often harrowing scenes, including the mass evacuation of refugees. His work provided a stark visual record of the conflict's human toll, standing out among reports that sometimes downplayed the suffering. #WarPhotography
July 24, 2025 at 5:49 AM
George Rodger's powerful photographs from 1942 Burma captured iconic and often harrowing scenes, including the mass evacuation of refugees. His work provided a stark visual record of the conflict's human toll, standing out among reports that sometimes downplayed the suffering. #WarPhotography
Reposted by Alex McK
'A Wet Night at Piccadilly Circus' (1910) by Arthur Hacker
(Royal Academy of Arts)
(Royal Academy of Arts)
July 22, 2025 at 9:35 PM
'A Wet Night at Piccadilly Circus' (1910) by Arthur Hacker
(Royal Academy of Arts)
(Royal Academy of Arts)
Reposted by Alex McK
War correspondents covering the 1942 Burma campaign faced immense hurdles. They often lacked reliable transport to the battlefronts, dealt with stringent censorship, & operated without an established PR organization until well into the campaign, making accurate reporting a significant challenge.
July 22, 2025 at 5:48 AM
War correspondents covering the 1942 Burma campaign faced immense hurdles. They often lacked reliable transport to the battlefronts, dealt with stringent censorship, & operated without an established PR organization until well into the campaign, making accurate reporting a significant challenge.
Reposted by Alex McK
Steve Rothwell shares with Rob&Jack the part of the Burma Army who had the longest tentacles:Burma Intelligence Corps.Made from those who came out in 1942,they were in every division of 14 Army,detached as interpreters and experts on the ground. They are pictured here serving with the Chindits.
July 19, 2025 at 6:28 AM
Steve Rothwell shares with Rob&Jack the part of the Burma Army who had the longest tentacles:Burma Intelligence Corps.Made from those who came out in 1942,they were in every division of 14 Army,detached as interpreters and experts on the ground. They are pictured here serving with the Chindits.
Reposted by Alex McK
Get ready for an insightful episode tomorrow on The Forgotten War podcast! We'll be delving into Reporting the Retreat with historian @philipwoods10, exploring the often-overlooked role of war correspondents during the tumultuous 1942 Burma campaign. Discover their unique challenges & perspectives.
July 20, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Get ready for an insightful episode tomorrow on The Forgotten War podcast! We'll be delving into Reporting the Retreat with historian @philipwoods10, exploring the often-overlooked role of war correspondents during the tumultuous 1942 Burma campaign. Discover their unique challenges & perspectives.
Reposted by Alex McK
In another of our historian interviews, we discuss the Burma Army with Steve Rothwell - they were a mixture of units made of a diverse force of locals, hill tribesmen, and expat British, Indian and Gurkha men.
Out now! Jack and Rob speak to Steve Rothwell of indiaburmasoldiers.co.uk - discussing the variety of units in, and come out of, the Burma Army. They were invaluable in the retreat, and then into the rest of the campaign - almost every action involved a Burma Army unit in some way.
July 14, 2025 at 5:34 AM
In another of our historian interviews, we discuss the Burma Army with Steve Rothwell - they were a mixture of units made of a diverse force of locals, hill tribesmen, and expat British, Indian and Gurkha men.
Reposted by Alex McK
Well that’s a wrap! After months of work with the team @ospreypublishing.bsky.social , Jungle Commandos is finally off to print 🥳
July 10, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Well that’s a wrap! After months of work with the team @ospreypublishing.bsky.social , Jungle Commandos is finally off to print 🥳
Reposted by Alex McK
End of the 7 Armd Bde in Burma was surprisingly tragic-these amazing tanks left smashed&burned on the banks of the Chindwin, wrecked at the hands of their own crews. One would return to Burma, the Curse of Scotland (pic 3) was an HQ tank in 7 Light Cavalry&would take part in the liberation in 1945.
July 4, 2025 at 5:17 AM
End of the 7 Armd Bde in Burma was surprisingly tragic-these amazing tanks left smashed&burned on the banks of the Chindwin, wrecked at the hands of their own crews. One would return to Burma, the Curse of Scotland (pic 3) was an HQ tank in 7 Light Cavalry&would take part in the liberation in 1945.
Reposted by Alex McK
📖 Arrived! This week’s reading from having interviewed the awesome @historybowsh.bsky.social for the pod 🎙️ I’ve been inspired to expanding my knowledge of the forgotten #WW2 / #SWW 💪
@forgottenwarpod.bsky.social
@forgottenwarpod.bsky.social
June 27, 2025 at 6:04 PM
📖 Arrived! This week’s reading from having interviewed the awesome @historybowsh.bsky.social for the pod 🎙️ I’ve been inspired to expanding my knowledge of the forgotten #WW2 / #SWW 💪
@forgottenwarpod.bsky.social
@forgottenwarpod.bsky.social
Reposted by Alex McK
One of the biggest decisions for Alex in Burma was to abandon Rangoon. Jack, Rob, & James agreed - he wouldn't want to end up like Percival, or send his men into the bag. Find out more by listening to The Forgotten War Pod now, and submit any questions for our final episode, a Q+A in September.
June 28, 2025 at 6:20 AM
One of the biggest decisions for Alex in Burma was to abandon Rangoon. Jack, Rob, & James agreed - he wouldn't want to end up like Percival, or send his men into the bag. Find out more by listening to The Forgotten War Pod now, and submit any questions for our final episode, a Q+A in September.
Reposted by Alex McK
Alex's leadership in North Africa - el Alamein was his plan after all! - and then in Italy were very hard fought triumphs. Like the Burma Campaign, the geography and lower priority of the Italian Campaign meant he faced enormous challenges, not unlike Slim and Mountbatten.
June 27, 2025 at 7:31 AM
Alex's leadership in North Africa - el Alamein was his plan after all! - and then in Italy were very hard fought triumphs. Like the Burma Campaign, the geography and lower priority of the Italian Campaign meant he faced enormous challenges, not unlike Slim and Mountbatten.
Reposted by Alex McK
🌩️🏃RELEASE DAY! Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945 is out now!
Get your copy today wherever you get your books - Amazon, Waterstones, WHSmith and many more!
#ww2 #history #author #writer #tanks #india #burma #myanmar #historian #greatest #thunder #run #army #battle #forgotten #war #artillery #guns
Get your copy today wherever you get your books - Amazon, Waterstones, WHSmith and many more!
#ww2 #history #author #writer #tanks #india #burma #myanmar #historian #greatest #thunder #run #army #battle #forgotten #war #artillery #guns
June 27, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Reposted by Alex McK
We are 'frightfully keen' for listeners to know that Alex, as he was often known, was a charming, charming, man. This made him both a skilled diplomat, and effective leader. There are some wonderful moments described in this week’s episode, featuring James Holland waxing lyrical on his hero.
June 24, 2025 at 4:38 AM
We are 'frightfully keen' for listeners to know that Alex, as he was often known, was a charming, charming, man. This made him both a skilled diplomat, and effective leader. There are some wonderful moments described in this week’s episode, featuring James Holland waxing lyrical on his hero.
Reposted by Alex McK
Coming this Friday! Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945 - the greatest battle you’ve never heard of!
Preorder from chiselbury.co.uk, @amazon @waterstones etc
#ww2 #history #author #writer #tanks #india #burma #myanmar #historian #greatest #acdc #thunder #run #thunderstruck #army #battle #forgotten
Preorder from chiselbury.co.uk, @amazon @waterstones etc
#ww2 #history #author #writer #tanks #india #burma #myanmar #historian #greatest #acdc #thunder #run #thunderstruck #army #battle #forgotten
June 23, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Coming this Friday! Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945 - the greatest battle you’ve never heard of!
Preorder from chiselbury.co.uk, @amazon @waterstones etc
#ww2 #history #author #writer #tanks #india #burma #myanmar #historian #greatest #acdc #thunder #run #thunderstruck #army #battle #forgotten
Preorder from chiselbury.co.uk, @amazon @waterstones etc
#ww2 #history #author #writer #tanks #india #burma #myanmar #historian #greatest #acdc #thunder #run #thunderstruck #army #battle #forgotten
Reposted by Alex McK
It’s the 81st anniversary of the end of the battle of Kohima - you can go back and listen to Rob and Jack’s description in the series one overview here:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
open.spotify.com/episode/4BIV...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
open.spotify.com/episode/4BIV...
June 22, 2025 at 1:10 PM
It’s the 81st anniversary of the end of the battle of Kohima - you can go back and listen to Rob and Jack’s description in the series one overview here:
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
open.spotify.com/episode/4BIV...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/t...
open.spotify.com/episode/4BIV...
Reposted by Alex McK
Finally got my hands on a real copy of Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945 -the greatest battle you’ve never heard of! Coming out in Friday 27 June!
Preorder your copy soon to get it on release day at chiselbury.co.uk, #amazon @forgottenwarpod.bsky.social @waterstones.bsky.social #ww2 #unboxing #burma #india
Preorder your copy soon to get it on release day at chiselbury.co.uk, #amazon @forgottenwarpod.bsky.social @waterstones.bsky.social #ww2 #unboxing #burma #india
June 21, 2025 at 10:58 AM
Finally got my hands on a real copy of Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945 -the greatest battle you’ve never heard of! Coming out in Friday 27 June!
Preorder your copy soon to get it on release day at chiselbury.co.uk, #amazon @forgottenwarpod.bsky.social @waterstones.bsky.social #ww2 #unboxing #burma #india
Preorder your copy soon to get it on release day at chiselbury.co.uk, #amazon @forgottenwarpod.bsky.social @waterstones.bsky.social #ww2 #unboxing #burma #india
Reposted by Alex McK
The Battle of Waterloo: 5pm
Ammunition runs short for the defenders of La Haye Sainte as it comes under continued attacks.
The French commit infantry to support their cavalry attacks too late and the Prussians fight for Plancenoit
Happening right now 210 years ago
Ammunition runs short for the defenders of La Haye Sainte as it comes under continued attacks.
The French commit infantry to support their cavalry attacks too late and the Prussians fight for Plancenoit
Happening right now 210 years ago
June 18, 2025 at 4:01 PM
The Battle of Waterloo: 5pm
Ammunition runs short for the defenders of La Haye Sainte as it comes under continued attacks.
The French commit infantry to support their cavalry attacks too late and the Prussians fight for Plancenoit
Happening right now 210 years ago
Ammunition runs short for the defenders of La Haye Sainte as it comes under continued attacks.
The French commit infantry to support their cavalry attacks too late and the Prussians fight for Plancenoit
Happening right now 210 years ago
Reposted by Alex McK
“..a rush of bayonets and blue coats..”
Corporal Johann Kraft of the 2nd KGL Light Battalion describes the tenacious but waning defence of La Haye Saint.
Happening right now 210 years ago
Corporal Johann Kraft of the 2nd KGL Light Battalion describes the tenacious but waning defence of La Haye Saint.
Happening right now 210 years ago
June 18, 2025 at 4:31 PM
“..a rush of bayonets and blue coats..”
Corporal Johann Kraft of the 2nd KGL Light Battalion describes the tenacious but waning defence of La Haye Saint.
Happening right now 210 years ago
Corporal Johann Kraft of the 2nd KGL Light Battalion describes the tenacious but waning defence of La Haye Saint.
Happening right now 210 years ago
Reposted by Alex McK
The Battle of Waterloo: 6pm
La Haye Sainte falls to the French and Ompteda's brigade are gutted in an attempt to retake it, leaving a gap in the allied lines.
The battle could still swing in either direction.
Happening right now, 210 years ago.
La Haye Sainte falls to the French and Ompteda's brigade are gutted in an attempt to retake it, leaving a gap in the allied lines.
The battle could still swing in either direction.
Happening right now, 210 years ago.
June 18, 2025 at 5:01 PM
The Battle of Waterloo: 6pm
La Haye Sainte falls to the French and Ompteda's brigade are gutted in an attempt to retake it, leaving a gap in the allied lines.
The battle could still swing in either direction.
Happening right now, 210 years ago.
La Haye Sainte falls to the French and Ompteda's brigade are gutted in an attempt to retake it, leaving a gap in the allied lines.
The battle could still swing in either direction.
Happening right now, 210 years ago.
Reposted by Alex McK
“Smoke hanging in the air like a curtain, the village spitting fire..”
From a Prussian after action report compiled in 1903 by eminent military historian Julius von Pflugk-Harttung.
This fight was happening right now 210 years ago.
From a Prussian after action report compiled in 1903 by eminent military historian Julius von Pflugk-Harttung.
This fight was happening right now 210 years ago.
June 18, 2025 at 5:31 PM
“Smoke hanging in the air like a curtain, the village spitting fire..”
From a Prussian after action report compiled in 1903 by eminent military historian Julius von Pflugk-Harttung.
This fight was happening right now 210 years ago.
From a Prussian after action report compiled in 1903 by eminent military historian Julius von Pflugk-Harttung.
This fight was happening right now 210 years ago.
Reposted by Alex McK
So excited about this! There was all-arms manoeuvre warfare in Burma too y’know!!
Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945 is blitzkrieg adjacent 😂 make sure you preorder here if you want a discount:
www.chiselbury.co.uk/pre-order/p/...
Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945 is blitzkrieg adjacent 😂 make sure you preorder here if you want a discount:
www.chiselbury.co.uk/pre-order/p/...
June 17, 2025 at 5:47 PM
So excited about this! There was all-arms manoeuvre warfare in Burma too y’know!!
Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945 is blitzkrieg adjacent 😂 make sure you preorder here if you want a discount:
www.chiselbury.co.uk/pre-order/p/...
Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945 is blitzkrieg adjacent 😂 make sure you preorder here if you want a discount:
www.chiselbury.co.uk/pre-order/p/...
Reposted by Alex McK
Out now! S2E3:The Fall of Rangoon:Rob & Jack look at the fateful decision to abandon Rangoon, & set up a new defensive line from Prome in the Irrawaddy Valley over the Pegu Yomas to Toungoo in the Sittang Valley. Leadership changes, high drama&failed counterattacks litter this phase of the campaign.
June 16, 2025 at 5:50 AM
Out now! S2E3:The Fall of Rangoon:Rob & Jack look at the fateful decision to abandon Rangoon, & set up a new defensive line from Prome in the Irrawaddy Valley over the Pegu Yomas to Toungoo in the Sittang Valley. Leadership changes, high drama&failed counterattacks litter this phase of the campaign.
Reposted by Alex McK
Coming soon! The greatest combined arms battle you’ve never heard of 🫡 Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945 -
Available 27 June.
Available 27 June.
June 16, 2025 at 7:29 PM
Coming soon! The greatest combined arms battle you’ve never heard of 🫡 Thunder Run: Meiktila 1945 -
Available 27 June.
Available 27 June.