The Crusader Project
@crusaderproject.bsky.social
Long-running research project on the desert war 1940-43, with a specific focus on Operation CRUSADER.
www.rommelsriposte.com
www.rommelsriposte.com
Pinned
This Bluesky feed serves to disseminate information and new posts related to Operation CRUSADER, the #desertwar in WW2 and #ww2 in general.
If desert #armour warfare, surrendering Germans, and challenges to preconceived ideas about the Italians are your thing, you might want to give us a follow.
If desert #armour warfare, surrendering Germans, and challenges to preconceived ideas about the Italians are your thing, you might want to give us a follow.
Reposted by The Crusader Project
29th Division's report of their troop availability for the 1/7/1916 assault on the Beaumont-Hamel front. The last two columns show the number of officers & OR's who attacked, & the resulting casualties. "Dulce et Decorum est", Horace's line which Wilfred Owen post war called "the old Lie".
November 24, 2025 at 9:47 PM
29th Division's report of their troop availability for the 1/7/1916 assault on the Beaumont-Hamel front. The last two columns show the number of officers & OR's who attacked, & the resulting casualties. "Dulce et Decorum est", Horace's line which Wilfred Owen post war called "the old Lie".
Reposted by The Crusader Project
Kids and dogs alike enjoy desecrating columns in Delft's Oudekerk,1652. Church graffiti was a popular children's hobby, shown by many artists; here by Emanuel de Witte, whose day is today.
November 25, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Kids and dogs alike enjoy desecrating columns in Delft's Oudekerk,1652. Church graffiti was a popular children's hobby, shown by many artists; here by Emanuel de Witte, whose day is today.
Reposted by The Crusader Project
Willem Ysbrandsz. Bontekoe kommt am 25. Nov 1625 mit der HOLLANDIA, wo er Kommandant ist, zurück nach Holland.
1618 trat Bontekoe in den Dienst der Ostindischen Kompanie.
Jan P. Coen schickte in ins Südchinesische Meer.
Sein Reisetagebuch wurde bekannt ...
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willem_...
1618 trat Bontekoe in den Dienst der Ostindischen Kompanie.
Jan P. Coen schickte in ins Südchinesische Meer.
Sein Reisetagebuch wurde bekannt ...
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willem_...
Willem Ysbrandsz. Bontekoe – Wikipedia
de.wikipedia.org
November 25, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Willem Ysbrandsz. Bontekoe kommt am 25. Nov 1625 mit der HOLLANDIA, wo er Kommandant ist, zurück nach Holland.
1618 trat Bontekoe in den Dienst der Ostindischen Kompanie.
Jan P. Coen schickte in ins Südchinesische Meer.
Sein Reisetagebuch wurde bekannt ...
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willem_...
1618 trat Bontekoe in den Dienst der Ostindischen Kompanie.
Jan P. Coen schickte in ins Südchinesische Meer.
Sein Reisetagebuch wurde bekannt ...
de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Willem_...
JFC
There is a startling level of cultural illiteracy involved in complaining that a school's Christmas play has a plot about refugees from the Middle East. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Inverness school's Christmas show cancelled after 'racist' abuse
Highland Council says some of the online messages were directed at staff at the primary.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 25, 2025 at 2:22 PM
JFC
Reposted by The Crusader Project
eating a big plate of spätzle and weisswurst but frowning the whole time so nobody thinks I'm a Nazi
November 24, 2025 at 11:31 PM
eating a big plate of spätzle and weisswurst but frowning the whole time so nobody thinks I'm a Nazi
November 25, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Reposted by The Crusader Project
1945. Japan is going to lose the Philippines. But whilst the fighting goes on, amidst rumours of massacres, the fate of thousands of POWs hangs in the balance… achurchill.substack.com/p/the-los-ba...
The Los Baños Raid, 1945
This one came up in passing as I was getting ready for WHWFest this year, and I have had a note to come back to it for Substack for a while.
achurchill.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:40 PM
1945. Japan is going to lose the Philippines. But whilst the fighting goes on, amidst rumours of massacres, the fate of thousands of POWs hangs in the balance… achurchill.substack.com/p/the-los-ba...
Reposted by The Crusader Project
@cguyver.bsky.social last time I was in Paris I took great pleasure in standing in the same spot as KC here with Notre Dame behind me saying “but what is Civilisation?” in an effortless patrician drawl.
November 25, 2025 at 12:16 PM
@cguyver.bsky.social last time I was in Paris I took great pleasure in standing in the same spot as KC here with Notre Dame behind me saying “but what is Civilisation?” in an effortless patrician drawl.
Reposted by The Crusader Project
I'm excited to say I'll be making an appearance on WW2TV later this month to talk about the first Soviet attempt to destroy Army Group Centre and liberate the BSSR in the autumn-winter of 1943/44.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjDj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjDj...
Lurching to Bounding: The First Belorussian Offensive, October 1943 to March 194
YouTube video by WW2TV
www.youtube.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:07 AM
I'm excited to say I'll be making an appearance on WW2TV later this month to talk about the first Soviet attempt to destroy Army Group Centre and liberate the BSSR in the autumn-winter of 1943/44.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjDj...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjDj...
Reposted by The Crusader Project
A beloved British hero, a masked German, a super-weapon, and... a time-travelling 1980s New York executive? We're watching the ultimate crime against literature and cinema: the Biggles movie. With @wallaceme.bsky.social of Total Politics, who was scarred for life by this film.
pod.fo/e/3564bb
pod.fo/e/3564bb
November 20, 2025 at 8:42 AM
A beloved British hero, a masked German, a super-weapon, and... a time-travelling 1980s New York executive? We're watching the ultimate crime against literature and cinema: the Biggles movie. With @wallaceme.bsky.social of Total Politics, who was scarred for life by this film.
pod.fo/e/3564bb
pod.fo/e/3564bb
Reposted by The Crusader Project
On this day in 1120, the White Ship sank en route from Barfleur to Southampton. William Ætheling, King Henry I’s only legitimate son and heir to the throne, drowned whilst trying to save his half-sister, Matilda of Perche, who also perished.
1/4
1/4
November 25, 2025 at 9:10 AM
On this day in 1120, the White Ship sank en route from Barfleur to Southampton. William Ætheling, King Henry I’s only legitimate son and heir to the throne, drowned whilst trying to save his half-sister, Matilda of Perche, who also perished.
1/4
1/4
Reposted by The Crusader Project
Evidence from Farage's teacher at Dulwich College to his headmaster
November 25, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Evidence from Farage's teacher at Dulwich College to his headmaster
Reposted by The Crusader Project
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
On 25 November 1941 the US Army lost its first soldier killed in action with German troops.
Sergeant Delmer Parks was an adviser/observer with 4 Armd Bde, equipped with US-built M3 Stuart tanks, and belonged to the US military mission in Egypt.
@sodrock.bsky.social @pptsapper.bsky.social
Sergeant Delmer Parks was an adviser/observer with 4 Armd Bde, equipped with US-built M3 Stuart tanks, and belonged to the US military mission in Egypt.
@sodrock.bsky.social @pptsapper.bsky.social
The first US Army Soldier to die in Ground Combat in WW2?
Background In the reports from 8th Army HQ submitted by Colonel Bonner Fellers, the US Military Attaché in Cairo, I came across a short entry about what could be the first US soldier killed in grou…
rommelsriposte.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:42 AM
On 25 November 1941 the US Army lost its first soldier killed in action with German troops.
Sergeant Delmer Parks was an adviser/observer with 4 Armd Bde, equipped with US-built M3 Stuart tanks, and belonged to the US military mission in Egypt.
@sodrock.bsky.social @pptsapper.bsky.social
Sergeant Delmer Parks was an adviser/observer with 4 Armd Bde, equipped with US-built M3 Stuart tanks, and belonged to the US military mission in Egypt.
@sodrock.bsky.social @pptsapper.bsky.social
Reposted by The Crusader Project
Propaganda works
November 25, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Propaganda works
On 25 November 1941, 15. Panzerdivision was very pleased with itself for having executed a textbook envelopment attack using all arms against an attacking enemy tank force, resulting in its complete destruction.
Anyways, that's what the war diary says.
@sodrock.bsky.social @pptsapper.bsky.social
Anyways, that's what the war diary says.
@sodrock.bsky.social @pptsapper.bsky.social
The Battle for 1 Army Tank Brigade’s Repair Shop
Background The ‘Dash to the Wire’, with which Rommel aimed to win the battle, produced many curious incidents. One of the stranger ones was a tank battle for a repair shop, between 16 M…
rommelsriposte.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:54 AM
On 25 November 1941, 15. Panzerdivision was very pleased with itself for having executed a textbook envelopment attack using all arms against an attacking enemy tank force, resulting in its complete destruction.
Anyways, that's what the war diary says.
@sodrock.bsky.social @pptsapper.bsky.social
Anyways, that's what the war diary says.
@sodrock.bsky.social @pptsapper.bsky.social
On 25 November 1941 the Royal Navy lost another large unit, HMS Barham, further weakening its Mediterranean position after the loss of HMS Ark Royal.
@rjhammond215.bsky.social @marcusfaulkner.bsky.social @alanallport.bsky.social
@rjhammond215.bsky.social @marcusfaulkner.bsky.social @alanallport.bsky.social
The loss of HMS Barham
Background On 25 November 1941 one of the heaviest losses of life, and the only loss of a Royal Navy battleship to a submarine at sea, occurred off Bardia, when HMS Barham was torpedoed at extremel…
rommelsriposte.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:44 AM
On 25 November 1941 the Royal Navy lost another large unit, HMS Barham, further weakening its Mediterranean position after the loss of HMS Ark Royal.
@rjhammond215.bsky.social @marcusfaulkner.bsky.social @alanallport.bsky.social
@rjhammond215.bsky.social @marcusfaulkner.bsky.social @alanallport.bsky.social
On 25 Nov 1941 GOC Eighth Army, Gen. Cunningham, was ordered to request medical leave (i.e. was sacked) by Gen Auchinleck. While the right decision, this was badly handled, and the recriminations around it continue today. 🧵
@alanallport.bsky.social @thehistoryguy.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
@alanallport.bsky.social @thehistoryguy.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
The sacking of Gen. Cunningham, 25 November 1941
Background The failure of Eighth Army to defeat Rommel’s Afrika-Korps in the opening days of the operation, and instead seeing its tank force melt away in the battles at Bir el Gobi and Sidi Rezegh…
rommelsriposte.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:35 AM
On 25 Nov 1941 GOC Eighth Army, Gen. Cunningham, was ordered to request medical leave (i.e. was sacked) by Gen Auchinleck. While the right decision, this was badly handled, and the recriminations around it continue today. 🧵
@alanallport.bsky.social @thehistoryguy.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
@alanallport.bsky.social @thehistoryguy.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
Reposted by The Crusader Project
Fascinating how much nicer official government documents looked before desktop publishing and office software.
Even in the middle of the war they spent resources on proper typesetting of *secret* documents that not many people would even see.
Even in the middle of the war they spent resources on proper typesetting of *secret* documents that not many people would even see.
November 15, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Fascinating how much nicer official government documents looked before desktop publishing and office software.
Even in the middle of the war they spent resources on proper typesetting of *secret* documents that not many people would even see.
Even in the middle of the war they spent resources on proper typesetting of *secret* documents that not many people would even see.
Reposted by The Crusader Project
You could probably write a whole book on November 1942: operation Uranus, El Alamein, and catastrophic U-boat losses in the Atlantic…if there was a decisive month of WWII, it was than
November 25, 2025 at 12:55 AM
You could probably write a whole book on November 1942: operation Uranus, El Alamein, and catastrophic U-boat losses in the Atlantic…if there was a decisive month of WWII, it was than
Reposted by The Crusader Project
you know you're getting old when you start getting excited for a book "1942: CRUX OF WAR" a year ahead of publication
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
November 25, 2025 at 12:51 AM
you know you're getting old when you start getting excited for a book "1942: CRUX OF WAR" a year ahead of publication
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Reposted by The Crusader Project
Though it could’ve been worse. A wrong turn at Waterloo & the Grand National could’ve ended up as an annual culinary fair.
November 25, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Though it could’ve been worse. A wrong turn at Waterloo & the Grand National could’ve ended up as an annual culinary fair.
Whenever I have pizza I weep for the cruelties of Spain’s colonisation of the Americas before flagellating myself to ensure I don’t enjoy it.
I would consider white pizza to avoid the tomatoes but that’s just racist.
I would consider white pizza to avoid the tomatoes but that’s just racist.
November 25, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Whenever I have pizza I weep for the cruelties of Spain’s colonisation of the Americas before flagellating myself to ensure I don’t enjoy it.
I would consider white pizza to avoid the tomatoes but that’s just racist.
I would consider white pizza to avoid the tomatoes but that’s just racist.
Reposted by The Crusader Project
Alas, carbonara happened b/c of WWII.
Worth it.
Worth it.
November 24, 2025 at 11:47 PM
Alas, carbonara happened b/c of WWII.
Worth it.
Worth it.