The History of Britain Magazine
Welcome to the History of Britain! The home nations share a varied and shared history unlike anywhere else, so we thought it only right to create a section dedicated to our mutual heritage.
Battles of Imphal and Kohima
In March 1944, the Imperial Japanese Army launched Operation U-Go across the border from Burma into north east India. Their ambitions were simple: capture the two strategic locations of Kohima and Imphal. It was imperative for the Allied forces to repel these attacks. At Imphal the 14th Army were forced to hold off repeated attacks for several months, meanwhile, further north at Kohima, a combined British and Indian garrison engaged in close-combat fighting, finding themselves outnumbered and encircled…
The 14th Army – The Forgotten Army
Why ‘The Forgotten Army’? Commanded by Lieutenant-General William Slim, the Fourteenth Army played a decisive role in defeating the Imperial Japanese Army in Burma. However the emphasis in the press and media was on the war in Europe and in 1944, the invasion of Normandy. Thus the events in the Far East were largely overlooked…
Burma Death Railway
The 1957 epic war film, ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ tells the story of a group of Allied prisoners of war during the building of the Burma Railway, otherwise known as the Death Railway. After the war, it was said that one man died for every railway sleeper laid along its 250 mile length, reflecting the high mortality rate among the POWs and civilian forced labour from the harsh conditions, brutality and disease.
The Asian Theatre of War
Singapore, Hong Kong, Imphal, Kohima, Hiroshima, Nagasaki. Names that will forever evoke images of the brutal war fought by the Allies against the Imperial Japanese Army in South East Asia. We commemorate the surrender of Japan each year on Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, 15th August: this also marks the end of World War II.
The Talalla Brothers: Heroes of World War Two
This is the inspiring story of the Talalla brothers, Cyril, known as Jimmy, and Henry, known as Sonny, who made the long trip from Malaysia to Britain to fight in the war against Fascism.
Anne Vane, Royal Mistress
Anne Vane was the archetypal ‘scarlet woman’. She scandalised Georgian society with her affairs, most notably with Frederick, Prince of Wales, to whom she bore two illegitimate children.
Margaret Douglas: The Women Who Defied Henry VIII – Twice!
Margaret Douglas was a formidable figure in Tudor history. A cousin of Queen Elizabeth I, her position in Tudor politics was perilous however her ambition, resilience, and political acumen ensured that her family remained at the centre of royal affairs. Though she faced imprisonment and disgrace multiple times, she never wavered in her pursuit of power for her descendants. Her grandson, James VI of Scotland, would later inherit both the Scottish and English thrones, becoming King James I of England.
Queen Victoria and Abdul Karim
The 2017 film ‘Victoria and Abdul’ highlights the real-life relationship between Queen Victoria and her Indian Muslim servant, Abdul Karim. This unlikely friendship and his sudden elevation to Queen’s confidant made him many enemies at court…
Robert Clive ‘Clive of India’ 1725-1774
A ruthless military leader and company administrator, Robert Clive, also known as Clive of India played a pivotal role in securing the East India Company’s power and laying the foundations for the establishment of British rule in India. However the Nabob General was far from universally liked; in fact he was despised by many and is still seen as a controversial figure today.
