Rupert Matthews's Blog, page 32
January 9, 2013
No Peace Beyond the Line.
In 1494 the Pope announced that all land and sea
beyond a line in the Atlantic belonged to Spain. Many countries refused to
accept this Treaty of Tordisillas. They sent ships to the Americas, but the
Spanish said they were trespassers and attacked them. Even if a country was a
peace with Spain, there was no peace beyond the line.
beyond a line in the Atlantic belonged to Spain. Many countries refused to
accept this Treaty of Tordisillas. They sent ships to the Americas, but the
Spanish said they were trespassers and attacked them. Even if a country was a
peace with Spain, there was no peace beyond the line.
January 8, 2013
Robert Hendy-Freegard - British conman
Robert Hendy-Freegard (b.1971) was a British conman who worked a series of highly complex and dangerous scams. His method was to pose as an undercover agent for the British secret services and then convince his victims that they had inadvertently become involved in a terrorist plot - usually involving the IRA (Irish Republican Army). Hendy-Freegard would then explain that he could save their lives, but only if they became part of his network of agents. Those he managed to convince were then drained of cash and property, and seduced if they were women. He had at least 6 victims. In 2002 he was convicted of theft and deception and sentenced to nine years in prison.
From "Heroes, Rascals & Rogues" buy Rupert Matthews
Buy your copy HERE
Book Description
Publication Date: 1 Nov 2008
Written by expert authors Rupert Matthews and John
Birdsall, this highly illustrated guide, with photos and memorabilia of
people who have made their mark on history, includes key entries on each
individual, with boxes and biographies about competitors or
co-conspirators. With more than 400 extraordinary people in total it is a
fascinating look at some of the most colourful characters in history -
from ancient times right up-to the present day. Discover why Caligula
was mad, what made Napoleon seek to conquer, and who was really was the
most outlawed cowboy in the West.But, on the flip side of 'the coin of
fame', meet the people who have made their name by heroic acts or
astonishing feats of human endeavour. Find out who first broke the
four-minute mile, and what drove him on; which astronaughts have been
lucky enough to view the Earth from space; and who is the youngest war
hero ever to be decorated. "Heroes, Rascals and Rogues" takes a look at
some of the most unconventional people to have lived among us, in an
easy-to-read, illustrated format with interesting facts and figures that
will make this book hard to put down.
From "Heroes, Rascals & Rogues" buy Rupert Matthews
Buy your copy HERE
Book Description
Publication Date: 1 Nov 2008
Written by expert authors Rupert Matthews and John
Birdsall, this highly illustrated guide, with photos and memorabilia of
people who have made their mark on history, includes key entries on each
individual, with boxes and biographies about competitors or
co-conspirators. With more than 400 extraordinary people in total it is a
fascinating look at some of the most colourful characters in history -
from ancient times right up-to the present day. Discover why Caligula
was mad, what made Napoleon seek to conquer, and who was really was the
most outlawed cowboy in the West.But, on the flip side of 'the coin of
fame', meet the people who have made their name by heroic acts or
astonishing feats of human endeavour. Find out who first broke the
four-minute mile, and what drove him on; which astronaughts have been
lucky enough to view the Earth from space; and who is the youngest war
hero ever to be decorated. "Heroes, Rascals and Rogues" takes a look at
some of the most unconventional people to have lived among us, in an
easy-to-read, illustrated format with interesting facts and figures that
will make this book hard to put down.
January 7, 2013
RAF Fighter Command attacks Le Touquet, December 1940
As the long winter nights began to shorten, Air Marshal Sholto Douglas began to lay his plans for the coming months. It was widely believed that Hitler had postponed the invasion of Britain until the spring of 1941. At some point, it was thought, a new Battle of Britain would break out as the Germans once again sought to achieve air supremacy over the English Channel and surrounding areas. Douglas began to lay his preparations to face the expected onslaught.
Meanwhile, the night bomber campaign continued. London was hit night after night for weeks on end, while other towns and cities receive the attentions of the Luftwaffe less often. RAF night fighter squadrons were concentrated in the south and east to catch the bombers as they flew over the coast, both coming and going. A few squadrons were, however, stationed close to major cities such as Liverpool and Bristol to attack bombers as they closed in on these targets.
However both Douglas and Leigh-Mallory were veterans of fighter squadrons in World War I, when they were known as Scout Squadrons. That war had ground on for years while being fought across a very static battleground around the trenches of the Western Front. When Douglas and Leigh-Mallory had been flying towards the end of that war it had been usual for British scouts to fly into the skies over the German rear areas to strafe ground targets, seek out German aircraft and generally make a nuisance of themselves. Now, they thought, it was time to do the same to the Germans in France with the Channel taking the place of the static trenches.
The way had been shown as early as December 1940 when two pilots of No.66Squadron had flown their Spitfires over the Channel to shoot up the Luftwaffe base at Le Touquet airfield. Douglas issued an order allowing any pilots who fancied taking part in such a mission to do so. They had to ask permission of their Group HQ, giving details of intended targets and time of raid. Given that 11 Group was commanded by Leigh-Mallory permission was usually given so long as there was plenty of cloud about in which the aircraft could seek shelter if they ran into heavy opposition. These missions became known as Rhubarbs.
from "Heroes of RAF Fighter Command - Sussex" by Rupert Matthews
Buy your copy HERE
Book Description
Publication Date: 11 Oct 2007 | Series: Aviation History
Throughout the second half of the 1930's, war with Germany
seemed increasingly likely. The RAF, preparing for the coming
struggle, formed Fighter Command in July 1936 under the legendary Air
Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding. In this well researched and excellently
written book Rupert Matthews tells the story of courageous individuals
whe despite the odds, flew mission after mission during the 2nd World
War.
Meanwhile, the night bomber campaign continued. London was hit night after night for weeks on end, while other towns and cities receive the attentions of the Luftwaffe less often. RAF night fighter squadrons were concentrated in the south and east to catch the bombers as they flew over the coast, both coming and going. A few squadrons were, however, stationed close to major cities such as Liverpool and Bristol to attack bombers as they closed in on these targets.
However both Douglas and Leigh-Mallory were veterans of fighter squadrons in World War I, when they were known as Scout Squadrons. That war had ground on for years while being fought across a very static battleground around the trenches of the Western Front. When Douglas and Leigh-Mallory had been flying towards the end of that war it had been usual for British scouts to fly into the skies over the German rear areas to strafe ground targets, seek out German aircraft and generally make a nuisance of themselves. Now, they thought, it was time to do the same to the Germans in France with the Channel taking the place of the static trenches.
The way had been shown as early as December 1940 when two pilots of No.66Squadron had flown their Spitfires over the Channel to shoot up the Luftwaffe base at Le Touquet airfield. Douglas issued an order allowing any pilots who fancied taking part in such a mission to do so. They had to ask permission of their Group HQ, giving details of intended targets and time of raid. Given that 11 Group was commanded by Leigh-Mallory permission was usually given so long as there was plenty of cloud about in which the aircraft could seek shelter if they ran into heavy opposition. These missions became known as Rhubarbs.
from "Heroes of RAF Fighter Command - Sussex" by Rupert Matthews
Buy your copy HERE
Book Description
Publication Date: 11 Oct 2007 | Series: Aviation History
Throughout the second half of the 1930's, war with Germany
seemed increasingly likely. The RAF, preparing for the coming
struggle, formed Fighter Command in July 1936 under the legendary Air
Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding. In this well researched and excellently
written book Rupert Matthews tells the story of courageous individuals
whe despite the odds, flew mission after mission during the 2nd World
War.
January 3, 2013
The state of RAF Fighter Command in January 1943
The air campaign of 1943 opened with major changes on both sides of the Channel. In England, RAF Fighter Command gained a new commander in the shape of Air Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory, who was transferred from No.11 Group to take over. Leigh-Mallory reached the top of Fighter Command just as some serious and major decisions had to be taken.
The first of these was to decide on the future equipment of the command. The emphasis for Fighter Command was changing from defending Britain to preparing for the planned invasion of mainland Europe. This involved both launching fast, hit-and-run ground attacks close to the coast and providing escorts for bomber aircraft making longer range, heavier attacks.
The task of defending Britain was increasingly being handled by the Beaufighter at night and Spitfire during the day, with help from the Mosquito after dark and the Typhoon at low level. Increasingly the Typhoon was being seen as the way forward for ground attack. Although the disaster at Dieppe and supply problems meant that no invasion of France would take place in 1943 the planners were already looking forward to the day when they would need ground-attack aircraft to operate in close co-operation with armies on the ground. Hawker had already begun work on the Tempest, an improved Typhoon.
That left only the problem of bomber escorts. The Spitfire MkV was useful for close escort duty, breaking up attacking German fighter formations, but was outclassed in fighter vs fighter combats by the new German models. Only the Spitfire MkIX could handle the German fighters on their own terms, and the restricted range of the MkIX meant it could operate only close to bases in England.
Leigh-Mallory wanted some of the new P51 Mustangs as long-range fighters, but the Americans insisted that their own 8th Air Force should take priority for supply. Given that the 8th Air Force was flying long-range bombing missions over the Reich in daylight hours while the RAF Bomber Command flew at night they had a point, though Leigh-Mallory disagreed with them.
from "Heroes of RAF Fighter Command - Kent" by Rupert Matthews
Buy your copy HERE
Book Description
Publication Date: 18 Oct 2007 | Series: Aviation History
Kent remained at the centre of the conflict throughout the
war, and the courageous pilots of Fighter Command received countless
decorations for their bravery. In a vivid and carefully documented
account, Rupert Matthews describes Kent's air war and pays tribute to
the gallant young men who flew sortie after sortie against desperate
odds; heroes every one of them.
December 29, 2012
Foo Fighters 1945
In December 1944 weeks of dreadful weather closed in over Europe. Major raids were few and far between. The Germans took advantage of the bad weather to launch their offensive through the Ardennes that came to be known as the Battle of the Bulge. Although the initial breakthrough was impressive, the attack foundered due to a combination of determined American resistance at key points, and a lack of fuel for German motorised columns. It was a quiet end to the year for the men flying from Lincolnshire.
In January 1945 the skies over Europe cleared for the first time in weeks. Bomber Command was ready to return to the offensive. The Luftwaffe was also ready for the renewed struggle. As well as the uprated Messerschimitt 110 models, they could also deploy the jet fighter Messerschmitt Me262, codenamed “Schwalbe” or “Swallow”. the new fighter was horribly effective in shooting down bombers and became a dreaded nightmare for the crews of Bomber Command. Fortunately few of these magnificent aircraft were completed before the war ended.
The cause of another worrying feature of night flying over the Reich at this time has remained a mystery. Bomber crews were reporting that their larger formations were being accompanied by small glowing balls of light. These seemed to be circular aircraft that kept pace with the bombers, occasionally diving, climbing or changing direction. At first they were thought to be German weapons or remotely controlled monitoring equipment of some kind. The crews dubbed them “foo-fighters” and tried to shoot them down. None seem to have been damaged by gunfire and soon the crews gave up trying to damage this strange craft. After the war, studies of the German files showed that they were just as mystified by the “foo-fighters” as were the British and thought they must be some kind of navigational aid flown by the British. What they really were has never been discovered.
from "Heroes of RAF Bomber Command - Lincolnshrie" by Rupert Matthews.
Buy your copy HERE
Book Description
Publication Date: 3 Nov 2005 | ISBN-10: 1853069442 | ISBN-13: 978-1853069444 | Edition: 1st Edition
At the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939,
such was the build-up of men and materials in the R A F that
Lincolnshire was already known as 'Bomber Country'. Its four main
airfields - Hemswell, Scampton, Waddington and Cottesmore - were home to
eight squadrons of Bomber Command under the legendary Arthur 'Bomber'
Harris. Night after night the skies of Lincolnshire reverberated with
the sound of aircraft taking off and landing. For the aircrews the
missions were very dangerous and physically exhausting. The chances of
surviving a full tour of 30 operations were only 50/50, less in the
first five sorties while aircrews gained valuable experience. Their
targets were roads, railways, bridges, harbours, dams, factories and oil
installations. Many medals were won - some of them posthumously. On the
Dambusters Raid alone, 36 were awarded; a VC for the leader Guy Gibson,
five DSOs, 14 DFCs, 12 DFMs and three Conspicuous Gallantry Medals. In
this well researched and excellently written book, Rupert Matthews -
himself the son of a Bomber Command sergeant who fought in the Second
World War - describes many of the operations in detail and tells the
story of courageous individuals who, despite the odds, flew mission
after mission - heroes every one of them.
In January 1945 the skies over Europe cleared for the first time in weeks. Bomber Command was ready to return to the offensive. The Luftwaffe was also ready for the renewed struggle. As well as the uprated Messerschimitt 110 models, they could also deploy the jet fighter Messerschmitt Me262, codenamed “Schwalbe” or “Swallow”. the new fighter was horribly effective in shooting down bombers and became a dreaded nightmare for the crews of Bomber Command. Fortunately few of these magnificent aircraft were completed before the war ended.
The cause of another worrying feature of night flying over the Reich at this time has remained a mystery. Bomber crews were reporting that their larger formations were being accompanied by small glowing balls of light. These seemed to be circular aircraft that kept pace with the bombers, occasionally diving, climbing or changing direction. At first they were thought to be German weapons or remotely controlled monitoring equipment of some kind. The crews dubbed them “foo-fighters” and tried to shoot them down. None seem to have been damaged by gunfire and soon the crews gave up trying to damage this strange craft. After the war, studies of the German files showed that they were just as mystified by the “foo-fighters” as were the British and thought they must be some kind of navigational aid flown by the British. What they really were has never been discovered.
from "Heroes of RAF Bomber Command - Lincolnshrie" by Rupert Matthews.
Buy your copy HERE
Book Description
Publication Date: 3 Nov 2005 | ISBN-10: 1853069442 | ISBN-13: 978-1853069444 | Edition: 1st Edition
At the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939,
such was the build-up of men and materials in the R A F that
Lincolnshire was already known as 'Bomber Country'. Its four main
airfields - Hemswell, Scampton, Waddington and Cottesmore - were home to
eight squadrons of Bomber Command under the legendary Arthur 'Bomber'
Harris. Night after night the skies of Lincolnshire reverberated with
the sound of aircraft taking off and landing. For the aircrews the
missions were very dangerous and physically exhausting. The chances of
surviving a full tour of 30 operations were only 50/50, less in the
first five sorties while aircrews gained valuable experience. Their
targets were roads, railways, bridges, harbours, dams, factories and oil
installations. Many medals were won - some of them posthumously. On the
Dambusters Raid alone, 36 were awarded; a VC for the leader Guy Gibson,
five DSOs, 14 DFCs, 12 DFMs and three Conspicuous Gallantry Medals. In
this well researched and excellently written book, Rupert Matthews -
himself the son of a Bomber Command sergeant who fought in the Second
World War - describes many of the operations in detail and tells the
story of courageous individuals who, despite the odds, flew mission
after mission - heroes every one of them.
December 28, 2012
RAF Bomber Command and D-Day 1944
By May 1944 the planning for D-Day, the Allied invasion of occupied France, was complete. All that was needed was a spell of suitable weather and the great enterprise could be launched. The 2 Tactical Air Force, formerly 2 Group of Bomber Command, had been pounding targets in France for months. But with the invasion imminent, the main bomber force was required.
At first transport links right across northern France were the target. As many places outside the invasion area of Normandy were hit as in it so as to confuse the Germans as to where the invasion would take place. The plan was to disrupt the flow of reinforcements and supplies to the invasion area. As the invasion date grew nearer the bombing raids shifted to airfields, coastal batteries and other, smaller targets. Harris was not happy with this as his men were not trained to hit such small targets – and the results often bore out his views.
Meanwhile 100 Group was getting ready for some very specialist work. The Stirlings of 214 and 199 Squadrons were converted from bombers to become mobile radar jamming units using the Mandrel device. Other squadrons were put to work practising precision manoeuvres or getting accustomed to new and often bizarre equipment.
On 5 June the final orders were given that the invasion would take place next day. The regular bombing squadrons of 3 Group in Norfolk took off to attack targets in and around Normandy, while 100 Group began its specialist work. First into the air, around dusk, were 199 and 214 Squadrons. The aircraft of 199 took up station at 15,000 feet at intervals along the south coast of England, from Dorset to Dover. Flying at precisely determined intervals, heights and bearings the aircraft jammed German radar across the entire central and eastern English Channel, masking the invasion fleet.
Meanwhile, 214 Squadron was heading east to fly over Calais and along the Somme Valley depositing specially designed Window. This set up a false echo on the German radar sets that simulated a mass of bomber aircraft heading for precisely those targets that would be chosen if the invasion were about to take place near Calais. To further this illusion the Serrate anti-nightfighter Mosquitoes of 141, 160 and 239 Squadrons were present over the Somme, attacking any nightfighters they could locate. Simultaneously 85, 157 and 515 Squadrons attacked Luftwaffe bases as far east as Holland, again to give the impression that Calais, not Normandy was the invasion target.
This was so successful at diverting German defences that in July 192 and 199 Squadrons were converted into the so-called Special Window Force (SWF) within 100 Group. Their mission was to divert attention away from the main bomber force by pretending to be a second major force raiding a quite different target. The crews referred to the task as “spoofing”.
Going into action around midnight, 149 Squadron had the task of dropping “Ruperts”. These half sized dummy parachutists were armed with fireworks which went off when the dummy landed to simulate machinegun fire. They were dropped at various locations to confuse the German defenders as to where the real parachute troops were landing and proved to be most successful.
The dangerous, yet secretive nature of much of what 100 Group was doing at this time is reflected in the award of medals. On 27 June Sergeant Harvey Allin of 192 Squadron was awarded a DFM for unspecified acts of “cool courage and ardour whilst engaged on special duties”.
from "Heroes of RAF Bomber Command, Norfolk" by Rupert Matthews
Buy your copy HERE
Book Description
Publication Date: 29 Sep 2006 | ISBN-10: 1846740002 | ISBN-13: 978-1846740008
This illustrated book pays tribute to the pilots and crews
who flew from Norfolk airfields during the last war and whose actions
displayed some of the finest examples of courage, professionalism and
devotion to duty.
December 22, 2012
The Battle (almost) of Newburn Ford
Rarely can a single idea have had such a startling effect on the outcome of a battle as did Alexander Leslie’s bright idea at Newburn Ford in 1640. So simple and devastating was Leslie’s manoeuvre that Newburn Ford is rarely cited as a battle, for the enemy fled before any real fighting took place. Well, almost.
After 1603 England and Scotland shared the same monarch, but they kept their respective armies, parliaments, legal systems and churches. It was the latter that was to cause the outbreak of war in 1639 and again in 1640. King Charles I was more inclined to Catholic doctrine in Church matters than were his Scottish subjects. When he attempted to impose his ideas, the Scottish Kirk refused to accept them and the mass of the Scottish people, being staunch Protestants, rallied to its defence. In 1639 some early skirmishes led to deadlock and war resumed in 1640.
Scotland managed to muster an army of 25,000 men who had signed the Covenant supporting the Kirk and were known as Covenanters. Led by Sir Alexander Leslie, an experienced mercenary who had risen to be a general in the Swedish army, the Scots headed for Newcastle upon Tyne. Knowing that the northern defences of the city were more formidable than those to the south, Leslie decided to cross the Tyne upstream of Newcastle and attack from the south.
The first crossing point practicable for an army upstream of Newcastle was the ford at the village of Newburn. Leslie reached Newburn late on the 27th August. He saw, on the other side of the ford, a series of earthwork entrenchments and an English army well dug in and supported by artillery. The English army appeared to be small, but its defensive works were formidable and Leslie could not be certain how many English troops lurked in the wooded ridge beyond the defences. He decided to wait until his scouts had spied out the land. One of these scouts was dramatically shot dead in front of the Scots army at dusk.
The English, meanwhile, eyed the Scots with apprehension. The English were led by Lord Conway, a cavalry officer with more experience of the parade ground than the battlefield. And though the Scots were uncertain how strong the English army was, the English were painfully aware that they numbered just 6,000 men and were outnumbered 4 to 1 one by the Scots.
from England vs Scotland by Rupert Matthews
buy your copy HERE
Book Description
Publication Date: 6 Jun 2002 | Series: Great British Battles
Today the rivalry between St Andrew and St George may be
fierce but at least it is limited to the sporting field. This was by no
means the case before the Act of Settlement in the eighteenth century.
Rupert Matthews has researched more than twenty major battles between
these two countries, over a period of 1,000 years. Each battle forms a
chapter, explaining the causes of the conflict, the forces involved, the
battle itself and a brief guide to the battlefield as it is today. The
outcome of each was as unpredictable and hotly contested as the clashes
at Murrayfield, Wembley and Cardiff are.
After 1603 England and Scotland shared the same monarch, but they kept their respective armies, parliaments, legal systems and churches. It was the latter that was to cause the outbreak of war in 1639 and again in 1640. King Charles I was more inclined to Catholic doctrine in Church matters than were his Scottish subjects. When he attempted to impose his ideas, the Scottish Kirk refused to accept them and the mass of the Scottish people, being staunch Protestants, rallied to its defence. In 1639 some early skirmishes led to deadlock and war resumed in 1640.
Scotland managed to muster an army of 25,000 men who had signed the Covenant supporting the Kirk and were known as Covenanters. Led by Sir Alexander Leslie, an experienced mercenary who had risen to be a general in the Swedish army, the Scots headed for Newcastle upon Tyne. Knowing that the northern defences of the city were more formidable than those to the south, Leslie decided to cross the Tyne upstream of Newcastle and attack from the south.
The first crossing point practicable for an army upstream of Newcastle was the ford at the village of Newburn. Leslie reached Newburn late on the 27th August. He saw, on the other side of the ford, a series of earthwork entrenchments and an English army well dug in and supported by artillery. The English army appeared to be small, but its defensive works were formidable and Leslie could not be certain how many English troops lurked in the wooded ridge beyond the defences. He decided to wait until his scouts had spied out the land. One of these scouts was dramatically shot dead in front of the Scots army at dusk.
The English, meanwhile, eyed the Scots with apprehension. The English were led by Lord Conway, a cavalry officer with more experience of the parade ground than the battlefield. And though the Scots were uncertain how strong the English army was, the English were painfully aware that they numbered just 6,000 men and were outnumbered 4 to 1 one by the Scots.
from England vs Scotland by Rupert Matthews
buy your copy HERE
Book Description
Publication Date: 6 Jun 2002 | Series: Great British Battles
Today the rivalry between St Andrew and St George may be
fierce but at least it is limited to the sporting field. This was by no
means the case before the Act of Settlement in the eighteenth century.
Rupert Matthews has researched more than twenty major battles between
these two countries, over a period of 1,000 years. Each battle forms a
chapter, explaining the causes of the conflict, the forces involved, the
battle itself and a brief guide to the battlefield as it is today. The
outcome of each was as unpredictable and hotly contested as the clashes
at Murrayfield, Wembley and Cardiff are.
December 21, 2012
Bribery in Ancient Greece
In 480bc the combined fleets of the Greek city states were at Artemisium when a vast Persian war fleet was spotted by scouts. A council of war was held to decide what to do.
The council of war, says Herodotus, decided to abandon the position at Artemisium before the Persian fleet destroyed them all. The Greek fleet was to put to sea that night and row away as quietly as possible in the hope that the Persians would not realise they were gone until dawn, by which time pursuit would be impossible.
The Euboeans who were bringing supplies down to the League fleet heard what was afoot. Realising that this would leave them at the mercy of the Persians, they hurriedly found Eurybiades and begged him to stay at least long enough for the Euboeans to get their women, children and livestock to safety. Eurybiades refused, insisting the fleet would leave that night.
The Euboeans then went to Themistocles who, as leader of by far the largest part of the allied fleet could be relied upon to have some influence. Moreover, he was known to be in favour of staying at Artemisium. The Euboeans handed over 30 talents of silver to Themistocles on the understanding that he would keep the fleet where it was.
Themistocles then went to see Eurybiades and slipped him five talents. This, Herodotus says, was enough for the Spartan admiral to announce a change of heart. The other commanders were surprised, none more so than Ocytus, commander of the Corinthian ships. Themistocles then confronted Ocytus openly in front of the other commanders and shouted “Never shall you betray us by leaving. I will give you more for staying with us than the Great King of Persia would pay you to desert us”. Themistocles then privately handed over three talents of silver to the abashed Corinthian. The wily Athenian then pocketed the rest of the 30 talents for himself.
The story may be suspect as it deals with events supposed to have happened in private and portrays the Corinthians and Spartans in a poor light. By the time Herodotus was collecting information, the Athenians would have wanted to hog all the glory for themselves and had fallen out badly with both Corinth and Sparta. It is suspicious that the only states named as wanting to flee were the two which Athens would have wanted to denounce by the time Herodotus was writing.
from "The Battle of Thermopylae" by Rupert Matthews.
Buy your copy HERE
Book Description
Publication Date: 30 Sep 2008 | Series: Campaign in Context
Tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here obedient
to their laws we lie. One of the most remarkable actions in ancient or
modern military history took place at Thermopylae in 480BC. Rupert
Matthews has personally examined the battlefield in order to try to
explain how 300 Spartans could hold at bay the hordes of the Persian
Emperor Xerxes. This was no vain sacrifice; the delay gave breathing
space for the Greek states to organise their defence, and ultimately
defend successfully their homelands. Among other intriguing revelations
the author explains the importance of the half-ruined wall that
sheltered the Spartans against the onslaught. With concise diagrams and
maps of the entire campaign, the reader can begin to understand the
extraordinary, apparently impossible outcome of the war.
The council of war, says Herodotus, decided to abandon the position at Artemisium before the Persian fleet destroyed them all. The Greek fleet was to put to sea that night and row away as quietly as possible in the hope that the Persians would not realise they were gone until dawn, by which time pursuit would be impossible.
The Euboeans who were bringing supplies down to the League fleet heard what was afoot. Realising that this would leave them at the mercy of the Persians, they hurriedly found Eurybiades and begged him to stay at least long enough for the Euboeans to get their women, children and livestock to safety. Eurybiades refused, insisting the fleet would leave that night.
The Euboeans then went to Themistocles who, as leader of by far the largest part of the allied fleet could be relied upon to have some influence. Moreover, he was known to be in favour of staying at Artemisium. The Euboeans handed over 30 talents of silver to Themistocles on the understanding that he would keep the fleet where it was.
Themistocles then went to see Eurybiades and slipped him five talents. This, Herodotus says, was enough for the Spartan admiral to announce a change of heart. The other commanders were surprised, none more so than Ocytus, commander of the Corinthian ships. Themistocles then confronted Ocytus openly in front of the other commanders and shouted “Never shall you betray us by leaving. I will give you more for staying with us than the Great King of Persia would pay you to desert us”. Themistocles then privately handed over three talents of silver to the abashed Corinthian. The wily Athenian then pocketed the rest of the 30 talents for himself.
The story may be suspect as it deals with events supposed to have happened in private and portrays the Corinthians and Spartans in a poor light. By the time Herodotus was collecting information, the Athenians would have wanted to hog all the glory for themselves and had fallen out badly with both Corinth and Sparta. It is suspicious that the only states named as wanting to flee were the two which Athens would have wanted to denounce by the time Herodotus was writing.
from "The Battle of Thermopylae" by Rupert Matthews.
Buy your copy HERE
Book Description
Publication Date: 30 Sep 2008 | Series: Campaign in Context
Tell the Spartans, stranger passing by, that here obedient
to their laws we lie. One of the most remarkable actions in ancient or
modern military history took place at Thermopylae in 480BC. Rupert
Matthews has personally examined the battlefield in order to try to
explain how 300 Spartans could hold at bay the hordes of the Persian
Emperor Xerxes. This was no vain sacrifice; the delay gave breathing
space for the Greek states to organise their defence, and ultimately
defend successfully their homelands. Among other intriguing revelations
the author explains the importance of the half-ruined wall that
sheltered the Spartans against the onslaught. With concise diagrams and
maps of the entire campaign, the reader can begin to understand the
extraordinary, apparently impossible outcome of the war.
December 20, 2012
The Armada of 1588 - Lord Howard makes a mistake
However, Howard had a problem, which was to affect his judgement for the worse that day. His constant requests for more gunpowder and cannonballs had been met with some resistance from the officials at court whose duty it was to arrange payment for such munitions. They had sent Howard everything he had asked for, but had been demanding to know why he was not capturing more Spanish ships. In vain did Howard point out that they were engaged in a new form of naval warfare: one that involved battering the enemy with guns not boarding his ships. The courtiers did not understand. They still envisaged battles fought in the old style and thought that a lack of captured ships meant a lack of victory.
Howard was under pressure. So when he saw the San Lorenzo, flagship of the galleass squadron, crippled and alone it proved to be too much for him. As a squadron flagship the San Lorenzo could be counted upon to have noblemen on board who would make important prisoners, a pay chest that would make good booty and her capture would bring prestige enough to silence those courtiers who had never fought at sea.
No doubt the galleass had to be taken, but in her crippled condition - her rudder was gone and she had sustained some damage to her hull in a collision during the night - she could not have put up much of a fight. Howard should have left her to others, but he did not. Desperate to capture a rich prize, he went for her himself. It was one of the few mistakes that Howard was to make in his long and successful career, but it turned out to be a serious one.
By turning the Ark Royal away from the general chase, Howard took his entire squadron out of the battle. Not only that, but the San Lorenzo soon headed for the shallows where she could slip over the sands, but Howard’s warships could not. The English guns could not be brought to bear and fell silent just at the moment when they would have been most use among the scattered ships of the Armada.
from "The Spanish Armada - a Campaign in Context" by Rupert Matthews.
Buy your copy HERE
Book Description
Publication Date: 1 Sep 2009
In this, the fourth book of Spellmount's "Campaign in
Context" series, Rupert Matthews looks to the ill-fated invasion of
England by King Philip II of Spain. The Armada of 22 warships and 108
converted merchant vessels sailed under the command of the Duke of
Medina Sidonia in 1588, but found itself harried by storms, fireships,
and the redoubtable English fleet. In "The Spanish Armada", Rupert
Matthews considers the characters of the commanders such as Francis
Drake, Medina, and the opposing monarchs, and as with his previous
titles in the series he carefully balances the evidence from textual
sources with knowledge of the theatre and reconstructed weaponry in
order to explain the events of the battle to the general reader, and the
context in which it took place.
Howard was under pressure. So when he saw the San Lorenzo, flagship of the galleass squadron, crippled and alone it proved to be too much for him. As a squadron flagship the San Lorenzo could be counted upon to have noblemen on board who would make important prisoners, a pay chest that would make good booty and her capture would bring prestige enough to silence those courtiers who had never fought at sea.
No doubt the galleass had to be taken, but in her crippled condition - her rudder was gone and she had sustained some damage to her hull in a collision during the night - she could not have put up much of a fight. Howard should have left her to others, but he did not. Desperate to capture a rich prize, he went for her himself. It was one of the few mistakes that Howard was to make in his long and successful career, but it turned out to be a serious one.
By turning the Ark Royal away from the general chase, Howard took his entire squadron out of the battle. Not only that, but the San Lorenzo soon headed for the shallows where she could slip over the sands, but Howard’s warships could not. The English guns could not be brought to bear and fell silent just at the moment when they would have been most use among the scattered ships of the Armada.
from "The Spanish Armada - a Campaign in Context" by Rupert Matthews.
Buy your copy HERE
Book Description
Publication Date: 1 Sep 2009
In this, the fourth book of Spellmount's "Campaign in
Context" series, Rupert Matthews looks to the ill-fated invasion of
England by King Philip II of Spain. The Armada of 22 warships and 108
converted merchant vessels sailed under the command of the Duke of
Medina Sidonia in 1588, but found itself harried by storms, fireships,
and the redoubtable English fleet. In "The Spanish Armada", Rupert
Matthews considers the characters of the commanders such as Francis
Drake, Medina, and the opposing monarchs, and as with his previous
titles in the series he carefully balances the evidence from textual
sources with knowledge of the theatre and reconstructed weaponry in
order to explain the events of the battle to the general reader, and the
context in which it took place.
December 19, 2012
Sources for Alexander the Great
It is usual for an historian to explain something of the way in which he has treated his sources. Footnotes are the usual academic way of doing this, but I find that the constant flicking and back and forth can spoil the flow of a work for a reader. Instead, I have mentioned my sources in the body of the work and how I have interpreted them. But I have done so only when dealing with a contentious issue or when I felt it necessary for one reason or another. I shall make some more general points here.
The career of Alexander was dramatic not only in itself but because of the effects that it had on the political world of the time. The Persian Empire had been the world superpower for centuries, but suddenly it was gone. In its place were created a number of states, each led by one of Alexander’s Macedonian officers leading an army equipped and trained in the Macedonian fashion. The Greek city states had likewise been swept away. They were no longer independent, but were subject to one or other of Alexander’s successors.
At the time most people recognised the profound change that had come over the world because of Alexander. There was a huge appetite for books about him and his career. Several of the men who had served Alexander wrote their memoirs. Among the most important of these was Ptolemy, son of Lagos, who later became Pharaoh of Egypt. He wrote a long, detailed account of his experiences with Alexander. Nearchus, another senior officer, also wrote up his memoirs Oneiscritus was a third.
Nor was Alexander himself retiring about his exploits. He employed the historian Callisthenes to travel with the Macedonian army and write up its exploits in suitably heroic style. The resulting book was entitled “The Deeds of Alexander”. Alexander also employed a geographer named Aristobulous to accompany the army, and he too later wrote a book based on his experiences. Eumenes, the head of the army staff, kept a daily diary. This was not intended for publication and only parts of it ever became public.
All these men were either employed by Alexander or were friends with him. Undoubtedly this coloured their work. They are all complimentary about Alexander. Good deeds are emphasised and treated at length. Events that do not reflect so well on Alexander are either skated over or blamed on somebody else.
Another contemporary book was published by a Greek historian named Cleitarchus. He was from Colophon, but lived most of his life in Egypt. He had travelled to Babylon during Alexander’s lifetime, but seems to have begun his work only after Alexander’s death. He spoke to many men who had served with Alexander, but also to men who had been involved in politics, some of them opponents of Alexander. Crucially for this book he spoke to at least one of the Greek mercenaries who had fought on the Persian side during the Granicus Campaign. All these accounts were included in the biography of Alexander written by Cleitarchus.
But the real problem when it comes to writing about Alexander is that none of these books has survived to the present day. All these books were lost when the Roman Empire collapsed. Instead we have to rely on the works of men who lived later, but who quoted from the contemporary sources or relied on them.
from "Alexander the Great at the Granicus" by Rupert Matthews
Buy your copy HERE
Book Description
Publication Date: 8 Aug 2008 | Series: Campaign in Context
In this, the third book of Spellmounts Campaign in Context
series, Rupert Matthews looks to the first major campaign of Alexander
the Great. One of the most famous generals all time, Alexander was just
20 when he led his army into battle at Granicus. Despite his youth and
his army being heavily outnumbered, he was victorious, and it was this
victory that allowed him to conquer Asia Minor. The course of this key
battle remains controversial, owing to conflicting accounts in
contemporary sources. As with his previous titles in the series, Rupert
Matthews carefully balances the evidence from textual sources with
knowledge of the battlefield and reconstructed weaponry in order to
explain the events of the battle to the general reader, and the context
in which it took place.
The career of Alexander was dramatic not only in itself but because of the effects that it had on the political world of the time. The Persian Empire had been the world superpower for centuries, but suddenly it was gone. In its place were created a number of states, each led by one of Alexander’s Macedonian officers leading an army equipped and trained in the Macedonian fashion. The Greek city states had likewise been swept away. They were no longer independent, but were subject to one or other of Alexander’s successors.
At the time most people recognised the profound change that had come over the world because of Alexander. There was a huge appetite for books about him and his career. Several of the men who had served Alexander wrote their memoirs. Among the most important of these was Ptolemy, son of Lagos, who later became Pharaoh of Egypt. He wrote a long, detailed account of his experiences with Alexander. Nearchus, another senior officer, also wrote up his memoirs Oneiscritus was a third.
Nor was Alexander himself retiring about his exploits. He employed the historian Callisthenes to travel with the Macedonian army and write up its exploits in suitably heroic style. The resulting book was entitled “The Deeds of Alexander”. Alexander also employed a geographer named Aristobulous to accompany the army, and he too later wrote a book based on his experiences. Eumenes, the head of the army staff, kept a daily diary. This was not intended for publication and only parts of it ever became public.
All these men were either employed by Alexander or were friends with him. Undoubtedly this coloured their work. They are all complimentary about Alexander. Good deeds are emphasised and treated at length. Events that do not reflect so well on Alexander are either skated over or blamed on somebody else.
Another contemporary book was published by a Greek historian named Cleitarchus. He was from Colophon, but lived most of his life in Egypt. He had travelled to Babylon during Alexander’s lifetime, but seems to have begun his work only after Alexander’s death. He spoke to many men who had served with Alexander, but also to men who had been involved in politics, some of them opponents of Alexander. Crucially for this book he spoke to at least one of the Greek mercenaries who had fought on the Persian side during the Granicus Campaign. All these accounts were included in the biography of Alexander written by Cleitarchus.
But the real problem when it comes to writing about Alexander is that none of these books has survived to the present day. All these books were lost when the Roman Empire collapsed. Instead we have to rely on the works of men who lived later, but who quoted from the contemporary sources or relied on them.
from "Alexander the Great at the Granicus" by Rupert Matthews
Buy your copy HERE
Book Description
Publication Date: 8 Aug 2008 | Series: Campaign in Context
In this, the third book of Spellmounts Campaign in Context
series, Rupert Matthews looks to the first major campaign of Alexander
the Great. One of the most famous generals all time, Alexander was just
20 when he led his army into battle at Granicus. Despite his youth and
his army being heavily outnumbered, he was victorious, and it was this
victory that allowed him to conquer Asia Minor. The course of this key
battle remains controversial, owing to conflicting accounts in
contemporary sources. As with his previous titles in the series, Rupert
Matthews carefully balances the evidence from textual sources with
knowledge of the battlefield and reconstructed weaponry in order to
explain the events of the battle to the general reader, and the context
in which it took place.
