With tribute to:

Martin Spirit

James Paul

Co-written by:

David Carter

Britain's Small Wars

The preservation of British Military History

Launched, Sunday 11th November 2018. Dedicated and paying tribute to veterans who have served in small conflicts since World War Two. This is an unofficial website with no ties to the Ministry of Defence. We would also like to pay a special tribute to Martin Spirit. For more information please read the About BSW page.

Latest updates

Last updated: Feb 10, 2019

The Aden Withdrawal November 1967 - Aden - 1964-1967

In 1966 whilst onboard H.M. Submarine Auriga, I spent a most enjoyable stay in Aden stopping there enroute for a long commission based on Singapore. From my diary of that time, I note that we arrived at 1340 on Sunday the 20th February when the weather was 85f... read more.

Last updated: Feb 10, 2019

The Ever Readies Aden 1965 - Aden - 1964-1967

I became involved in the British Army's operations in Aden as a member of the Territorial Army; I was not a regular soldier. I had originally joined the services as a boy seaman in the Royal Navy, aged 15, in 1951.... read more.

Last updated: Feb 10, 2019

Tales from Aden 1955 to 1957 - Aden - 1964-1967

I remember when we were in Aden in 66 Rifle Squadron and we used to go up country when the natives got restless. One time we were going up with a convoy of supplies and we came under fire.... read more.

Last updated: Feb 10, 2019

RASC in Aden and the Radfan - Aden - 1964-1967

I was posted to Aden from Aldershot in Feb 1964 after basic training as a driver in the RASC, at Yeovil, & Aldershot. I was so excited to be going to a place like Aden and not Germany... read more.

Some of the Featured

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On 24th February, at 1 am GMT. Just before dawn in the Gulf, the army of the 28-nation alliance rolled into Kuwait and Iraq.... read more.

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On August 25th 2000, a patrol of 11 men from the 1st Royal Irish Regiment was captured by the notorious 'West Side Boys' while on patrol in Sierra Leone.... read more.

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Jewish resistance to the British mandate had begun before the Second World War when Jews extremists set up an organization called, 'Irgun Zvia Leumi' (IZL) or simply, 'The Irgun'. Their aim was to campaign for the establishment of the state of Israel.... read more.

Last to leave - Palestine - 1945-1948
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At about 0400 hrs, on the 30th of June 1948, Z Day, the first of the rearguard units began to withdraw from Haifa dockyard, 2 company, 1st Coldstream Guards, through the No 10 gate, 2 company, Grenadier Guards, from No 1 gate... read more.

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A coup by the Irgun was made possible by the ban of the carrying of weapons for off duty personnel as the Irgun burst into the officers' club dragging away five officers, of whom three were of the 6th Airborne... read more.

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The war in Europe was over and we were stationed in the Syrian orphanage just outside Jerusalem. Having got through six years of wartime service without seeing any active service due to an injury to my feet... read more.

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The overall plan, for the withdrawal of the British Forces, was to move the majority of troops, out through Khormaksar Airfield, whilst the equipment, went by sea. The privilege of being the last to leave, was accorded to the Royal Marines.... read more.

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At the end of the Second World War, the Arab population in Palestine was quiet, trusting in the British and the newly created United Nations to protect their interests.... read more.