Dave Watson
@balkandave.bsky.social
Think tank director, historian, wargamer, Fulham FC fan. Editor www.balkanhistory.org. Mostly history and wargaming here.
Pinned
Struggle for the Pontic Steppe
This book examines the conflict between the Russian and Ottoman empires for control of the Pontic Steppe region during the second half of the 18th century. The Pontic Steppe stretches from the...
www.balkanhistory.org
My new book, 'The Struggle for the Pontic Steppe:
Russo-Ottoman Wars 1768-1792' is now available. Directly below in the UK, your local bookshop, or Amazon in paperback and Kindle versions worldwide. The link below also has my presentation on YouTube. www.balkanhistory.org/struggle-for...
Russo-Ottoman Wars 1768-1792' is now available. Directly below in the UK, your local bookshop, or Amazon in paperback and Kindle versions worldwide. The link below also has my presentation on YouTube. www.balkanhistory.org/struggle-for...
OTD in 1885, Serbia declared war on Bulgaria. They suffered a decisive defeat and were only saved by Austria-Hungary's demand that Bulgaria halt its counter-invasion. The decisive Battle of Slivnitsa is just inside the modern Bulgarian border.
November 14, 2025 at 12:02 PM
OTD in 1885, Serbia declared war on Bulgaria. They suffered a decisive defeat and were only saved by Austria-Hungary's demand that Bulgaria halt its counter-invasion. The decisive Battle of Slivnitsa is just inside the modern Bulgarian border.
Tutankhamun was decapitated 100 years ago – why the excavation is a great shame instead of a triumph. Howard Carter’s team decapitated the pharaoh, severed his limbs and dismembered his torso. Then they covered it up. theconversation.com/tutankhamun-...
Tutankhamun was decapitated 100 years ago – why the excavation is a great shame instead of a triumph
Irreversible damage was done to the pharaoh’s body.
theconversation.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Tutankhamun was decapitated 100 years ago – why the excavation is a great shame instead of a triumph. Howard Carter’s team decapitated the pharaoh, severed his limbs and dismembered his torso. Then they covered it up. theconversation.com/tutankhamun-...
My Ottoman raiding party sniped away without making much impression on the Russian infantry. The Faithforged activation system is pretty brutal, which may be the intention, but it’s a bit frustrating. Back to the drawing board.
November 12, 2025 at 9:09 PM
My Ottoman raiding party sniped away without making much impression on the Russian infantry. The Faithforged activation system is pretty brutal, which may be the intention, but it’s a bit frustrating. Back to the drawing board.
The midweek game is another Faithforged test game. Version3 appears to be a lot clearer. It’s 1768, and an Ottoman raiding party has sneaked across the Dniester River to attack a Russian supply convoy. Another scenario to expand those in my new book.
November 12, 2025 at 7:49 PM
The midweek game is another Faithforged test game. Version3 appears to be a lot clearer. It’s 1768, and an Ottoman raiding party has sneaked across the Dniester River to attack a Russian supply convoy. Another scenario to expand those in my new book.
Book review: The Lion of the North. Third and latest in Griff Hosker's English Mercenary series. It covers the 1632 Lutzen campaign. Our hero commands a light cavalry regiment at the cutting edge of the Swedish army. A fast paced and a gripping read. balkandave.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
The Lion of the North
A long train trip to Everton on Saturday for the football required some light reading. Not just because watching Fulham away at the moment ...
balkandave.blogspot.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Book review: The Lion of the North. Third and latest in Griff Hosker's English Mercenary series. It covers the 1632 Lutzen campaign. Our hero commands a light cavalry regiment at the cutting edge of the Swedish army. A fast paced and a gripping read. balkandave.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
Zadie Smith: Does Britain value culture any more? Ask the striking workers at the British Library. As someone who has spent many days researching in the British Library, this is spot on. We need fewer flags and more libraries. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Does Britain value culture any more? Ask the striking workers at the British Library | Zadie Smith
The dispute over pay at this great national institution gets to the heart of our misplaced priorities, says novelist Zadie Smith
www.theguardian.com
November 12, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Zadie Smith: Does Britain value culture any more? Ask the striking workers at the British Library. As someone who has spent many days researching in the British Library, this is spot on. We need fewer flags and more libraries. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Game designers bring to life to Scotland's mysterious Picts. One of the ideas behind Carved in Stone is for it to be used as a guide for tabletop role playing games (TTRPGs) similar to Dungeons and Dragons. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Game designers bring to life to Scotland's mysterious Picts
Writers and archaeologists also worked on a new guide to a lost early medieval Scottish society.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Game designers bring to life to Scotland's mysterious Picts. One of the ideas behind Carved in Stone is for it to be used as a guide for tabletop role playing games (TTRPGs) similar to Dungeons and Dragons. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Dave Watson
Book review: The Siege of Vienna 1529 - The Drawing of the Dark. Tim Powers, gives a fantasy twist to the less well known siege. It may irritate some, but I think he blends the two genres well. balkandave.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
The Siege of Vienna 1529 - The Drawing of the Dark
This book is a twist on the traditional historical novel, focusing on the Siege of Vienna in 1529. Tim Powers gives a fantasy spin on the s...
balkandave.blogspot.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Book review: The Siege of Vienna 1529 - The Drawing of the Dark. Tim Powers, gives a fantasy twist to the less well known siege. It may irritate some, but I think he blends the two genres well. balkandave.blogspot.com/2025/11/the-...
Lest we forget those who died far away from our shores. At least the Commonwealth War Graves Commission does not. Macedonian Front in WW1.
November 11, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Lest we forget those who died far away from our shores. At least the Commonwealth War Graves Commission does not. Macedonian Front in WW1.
Calls for WW1 piper, who won the Victoria Cross, to be honoured with a statue. In an incredible moment of valour at the Battle of Loos 1915, within the chaos of a gas attack, Laidlaw tore off his own gas mask, climbed up on the parapet and started playing the pipes. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Calls for WW1 piper, who won the Victoria Cross, to be honoured with a statue
Daniel Laidlaw was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the face of battle.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Calls for WW1 piper, who won the Victoria Cross, to be honoured with a statue. In an incredible moment of valour at the Battle of Loos 1915, within the chaos of a gas attack, Laidlaw tore off his own gas mask, climbed up on the parapet and started playing the pipes. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
OTD in 1938, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk died. He was the Turkish field marshal and revolutionary statesman who was the founding father of the Republic of Türkiye, serving as its first president. You will find more than a few statues of him if you visit Türkiye!
November 10, 2025 at 6:15 PM
OTD in 1938, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk died. He was the Turkish field marshal and revolutionary statesman who was the founding father of the Republic of Türkiye, serving as its first president. You will find more than a few statues of him if you visit Türkiye!
Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy 138 has just dropped into my mailbox. There is an interesting article on the Cretan War😉. Soon, in all good newsagents, so get your copy!
November 10, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Wargames, Soldiers and Strategy 138 has just dropped into my mailbox. There is an interesting article on the Cretan War😉. Soon, in all good newsagents, so get your copy!
Groundbreaking British Museum show set to challenge samurai myths. “What I want to address in the exhibition is the way that perception of the samurai has become narrowed down to just this male warrior in armour wielding a sword.” www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Groundbreaking British Museum show set to challenge samurai myths
Exclusive: Exhibition will reveal complex reality, featuring women and artistic creations, beyond armour-clad warriors
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Groundbreaking British Museum show set to challenge samurai myths. “What I want to address in the exhibition is the way that perception of the samurai has become narrowed down to just this male warrior in armour wielding a sword.” www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
A nice Lord of the Rings table and other sci-fi offerings at North Ayrshire Gamers today.
November 9, 2025 at 3:54 PM
A nice Lord of the Rings table and other sci-fi offerings at North Ayrshire Gamers today.
General D’Armee at North Ayrshire Gamers today.
November 9, 2025 at 3:52 PM
General D’Armee at North Ayrshire Gamers today.
The Bulgarians and their Russian volunteers held onto the church but only just. Greek and Serbian flank attacks reached the walls by the end of the game.
November 9, 2025 at 3:49 PM
The Bulgarians and their Russian volunteers held onto the church but only just. Greek and Serbian flank attacks reached the walls by the end of the game.
2nd Balkan War at the Irvine club today. Bolt Action. Serbs and Greeks attacking the Bulgarian positions.
November 9, 2025 at 1:24 PM
2nd Balkan War at the Irvine club today. Bolt Action. Serbs and Greeks attacking the Bulgarian positions.
Memorial to the 244 engine room staff who lost their lives when the Titanic sank. Remaining at their posts so others could survive. Staggering number.
November 8, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Memorial to the 244 engine room staff who lost their lives when the Titanic sank. Remaining at their posts so others could survive. Staggering number.
Following Fulham away takes me to Liverpool for the footie today and my favourite art gallery, The Walker. A realistic painting of Napoleon crossing the Alps, the death of Nelson and ‘When did you last see your father. Among many other famous paintings.
November 8, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Following Fulham away takes me to Liverpool for the footie today and my favourite art gallery, The Walker. A realistic painting of Napoleon crossing the Alps, the death of Nelson and ‘When did you last see your father. Among many other famous paintings.
Book review: Romanian Campaign 1916-18. This is a reprint by Naval and Military Press of Major-General Kirke's 1924 article in the Journal of the Royal United Service Institution. Invaluable, as very little has been written in English on these campaigns. balkandave.blogspot.com/2025/11/roma...
Romanian Campaign 1916-18
This booklet is a reprint by the Naval and Military Press of Major-General Kirke's 1924 article in the Journal of the Royal United Service ...
balkandave.blogspot.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Book review: Romanian Campaign 1916-18. This is a reprint by Naval and Military Press of Major-General Kirke's 1924 article in the Journal of the Royal United Service Institution. Invaluable, as very little has been written in English on these campaigns. balkandave.blogspot.com/2025/11/roma...
Reposted by Dave Watson
Which one is more English?
November 6, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Which one is more English?
Putin’s repressive machinery turns inward to target pro-war figures. The cases point to a new trend: a purge not only of dissenters but also of the regime’s own supporters, as rival factions within the system turn on each other. Just like Stalin’s purges!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Putin’s repressive machinery turns inward to target pro-war figures
Analysts say a purge of the Russian regime’s own supporters is under way as rival factions turn on each other
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 8:19 AM
Putin’s repressive machinery turns inward to target pro-war figures. The cases point to a new trend: a purge not only of dissenters but also of the regime’s own supporters, as rival factions within the system turn on each other. Just like Stalin’s purges!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Score draw to the Albanians at close of play. I’m afraid I showed little of Skanderbeg’s tactical skill. In my defence there wasn’t much room to manoeuvre. But my troops stuck it out and held the Ottomans off. Midgard rules.
November 5, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Score draw to the Albanians at close of play. I’m afraid I showed little of Skanderbeg’s tactical skill. In my defence there wasn’t much room to manoeuvre. But my troops stuck it out and held the Ottomans off. Midgard rules.
We are playing Midgard tonight on 15mm. The Ottomans are making a sortie into Albania to sort out Skanderbeg.
November 5, 2025 at 7:44 PM
We are playing Midgard tonight on 15mm. The Ottomans are making a sortie into Albania to sort out Skanderbeg.