My connections to Amy Johnson, pioneering pilot: Guest Blog by Andrew Hemmings
In this guest blog post, SSN member and author Andrew Hemmings tells the story of Amy Johnson - a pioneering pilot who sadly lost her life in the Second World War.
1940s
Tower Hill in the Blitz: Guest blog by Linda Parker
During the Blitz over London in the Second World War, the Thames estuary, Tower Hill and the square mile of London were targeted often. In this guest blog, SSN member and historian Linda Parker shares some of her research on this subject.
German War Reporters and the London Blitz: Guest blog by Katherine Quinlan-Flatter
SSN member and researcher Katherine Quinlan-Flatter provides an insight into the work of the German Propaganda troops, who reported on the Blitz over London 80 years ago.
The Making of Our Stories, The Battle of Britain: Guest Blog by Jason Davidson
SSN Member and filmmaker Jason Davidson tells us about the process of creating a series of four short films, utilising the voices of veterans to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.
Akabane Swords and the end of the Second World War: Guest Blog by Claire Mead
SSN Member and freelance curator Claire Mead explores the looting of Japanese swords in 1945, and their symbolic value.
Researching the paintings of London during the Blitz owned by the IWM: Guest Blog by Suzanne Bardgett
Suzanne Bardgett, IWM Head of Research and Academic Partnerships, gives an insight into the research process for her book, Wartime London in Paintings.
Remembering Vivian Roberts, 80 years on: Guest Blog by Andrew Hemmings
SSN Member and author Andrew Hemmings tells us about the chance discovery of a Second World War grave, and his research into the man's story.
Dunkirk from the German perspective Guest Blog by Katherine Quinlan-Flatter
On the 80th anniversary of the Dunkirk evacuations, SSN Member and researcher Katherine Quinlan-Flatter writes about events from the German perspective, based on her research on German newspapers from the time.
Ministerial Mayhem: The Control of Photography Order, 1939
Sir Philip Hesketh-Smithers went to the folk-dancing department; Mr Pauling went to woodcuts and weaving; Mr Digby-Smith was given the Arctic circle; Mr Bentley himself, after a dizzy period in which, for a day, he directed a film about postmen, for another day filed press-cuttings from Istanbul, and for the rest of the week supervised the staff catering, found himself at length back beside his busts in charge of the men of letters.
An Army of Opera Lovers: The Resurrection of the Teatro di San Carlo during the Allied occupation of Naples
On 4 November 1943, just over a month after the first Allied troops entered war-torn Naples, Lt. Peter Francis of the Royal Artillery made his first acquaintance with the ruins of the Real Teatro di San Carlo, one of the oldest and most prestigious opera houses in the world. The theatre had been closed in 1942 and it was now in a terrible state: bomb damage had blasted the foyer, debris and layers of dust covered the internal surfaces, there was no electricity or water and a German machine gun nest was still installed on its roof. The British requisitioned the building and, under Peter Francis’s authority, on 15 November 1943, with the frontline just 30 miles away, the theatre officially re-opened its doors to soldiers and civilians. The news that the theatre was about to reopen and in need of workers quickly spread around the city causing excitement among the Neapolitans. The first production of the theatre’s new course was an improvised Italian revue significantly titled So this is Naples.