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

Medal Ribbon

On the morning of the 22nd of July 1946 a party of between 15 and 20 Jews, dressed as Arabs entered the King David Hotel.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

Sub-Lieutenant Brian 'Schmoo'Ellis was the youngest member of the flight. His memory of the action over North Korea and its aftermath suggests that this version of events may be at best foolishly over simplified and, at worst, plain wrong.... read more.

Wavell and Congress - India - 1945-1948
Medal Ribbon

After the war, the new Labour Government in Britain declared its aim to be the early resolution of self-government for India.... read more.

The Land War - Korea - 1950-1957
Medal Ribbon

At 4am on 25th June 1950, without prior ultimatum or declaration of war, North Korea invaded the Republic of South Korea, launching a well co-ordinated, full-scale attack both on the ground and in the air.... read more.

The Position at Defa - Oman - 1969-1976
Medal Ribbon

The caves at Sherishitti were used by the Adoo to store a vast collection of arms and ammunition. Troops of the Sultan's forces and SAS Firqats launched an attack to capture the caves in January 1975.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

At the start of World War 2, some negotiations took place which led to the agreement that India would be given Dominion status as soon as possible in return for cooperation from the Hindu and Muslim factions in India against the German forces.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

The SAS Selection course was, and still is, incredibly tough, designed to weed out the candidates not suited to the service's special sort of operations. At that time, the SAS was only operational unit in Malaya,... read more.

The Marines in Korea - Korea - 1950-1957
Medal Ribbon

The Royal marines began their work in Korea, when, at the Request of the UN Naval Force Command, the Admiralty had called for volunteers, and Lt E.G.D.... read more.