Dave Watson
@balkandave.bsky.social
Think tank director, historian, wargamer, Fulham FC fan. Editor www.balkanhistory.org. Mostly history and wargaming here.
Pinned
Dave Watson
@balkandave.bsky.social
· Oct 30
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...
Reposted by Dave Watson
events.combatstress.org.uk/s/19628/27032
I’m raising money for @combatstress.bsky.social this year. The first event I’m doing is #MarchInMarch
The aim is to complete my 10 miles anytime, anywhere in March. I can take them on in one push, spread them across the month, or push myself to run it.
I’m raising money for @combatstress.bsky.social this year. The first event I’m doing is #MarchInMarch
The aim is to complete my 10 miles anytime, anywhere in March. I can take them on in one push, spread them across the month, or push myself to run it.
Ian McClellan
I’m taking part in March in March to raise funds for veterans’ mental health, and I need your help! Please donate today and help me support Combat Stress. Every donation, big or small, will go directl...
events.combatstress.org.uk
January 3, 2026 at 4:07 PM
events.combatstress.org.uk/s/19628/27032
I’m raising money for @combatstress.bsky.social this year. The first event I’m doing is #MarchInMarch
The aim is to complete my 10 miles anytime, anywhere in March. I can take them on in one push, spread them across the month, or push myself to run it.
I’m raising money for @combatstress.bsky.social this year. The first event I’m doing is #MarchInMarch
The aim is to complete my 10 miles anytime, anywhere in March. I can take them on in one push, spread them across the month, or push myself to run it.
Book review: The Burgundians by Bart van Loo. Burgundy existed as a state for 1111 years, and the subtitle A Vanished Empire seems appropriate. This is a long book to tell a long story, yet still readable. balkandave.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-...
The Burgundians
This weighty volume (500+ pages) by Bart Van Loo caught my eye in our local Oxfam bookshop. My knowledge of the Burgundians (other than the...
balkandave.blogspot.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:07 PM
Book review: The Burgundians by Bart van Loo. Burgundy existed as a state for 1111 years, and the subtitle A Vanished Empire seems appropriate. This is a long book to tell a long story, yet still readable. balkandave.blogspot.com/2026/01/the-...
Gaza Proposals Echo History of Outsider Ambitions. Another real estate mogul Morganthau in 1916, “Palestine should be turned into a small free republic or an international park, in whose government the Christian nations of the world would participate.”
time.com/7332324/gaza...
time.com/7332324/gaza...
Gaza Proposals Evoke History of Outsider Ambitions for Region
In the early 20th century, another New York mogul eyed control of the area for U.S. and other foreign interests
time.com
January 2, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Gaza Proposals Echo History of Outsider Ambitions. Another real estate mogul Morganthau in 1916, “Palestine should be turned into a small free republic or an international park, in whose government the Christian nations of the world would participate.”
time.com/7332324/gaza...
time.com/7332324/gaza...
Well that was quick and brutal. The milicianas held off the Moroccans and the T26 knocked out an Italian tank and ATG before the 120mm gun got it. The Italians managed to work around the flank and capture the church. Game over. The priests are pleased! Enjoyed Rapid Fire and must play more.
January 1, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Well that was quick and brutal. The milicianas held off the Moroccans and the T26 knocked out an Italian tank and ATG before the 120mm gun got it. The Italians managed to work around the flank and capture the church. Game over. The priests are pleased! Enjoyed Rapid Fire and must play more.
Time for a quick midweek game after we watched the football. Spanish Civil War has the Republicans defending a church, being attacked by Moroccans and Italians. Stranger thinks happen in war! Rules are Rapid Fire.
January 1, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Time for a quick midweek game after we watched the football. Spanish Civil War has the Republicans defending a church, being attacked by Moroccans and Italians. Stranger thinks happen in war! Rules are Rapid Fire.
The first figures off the painting bench in 2026 are 1911 Italians, converted from Pendraken 10mm WW1 Belgium range. I blame Turkish TV for this latest rabbit hole. ‘Land of Loyals’ covers the defence of Libya during the initial Italian invasion.
January 1, 2026 at 3:45 PM
The first figures off the painting bench in 2026 are 1911 Italians, converted from Pendraken 10mm WW1 Belgium range. I blame Turkish TV for this latest rabbit hole. ‘Land of Loyals’ covers the defence of Libya during the initial Italian invasion.
Happy New Year! My reflections on 2025 and looking forward to new projects in 2026.
balkandave.blogspot.com/2026/01/happ...
balkandave.blogspot.com/2026/01/happ...
Happy New Year!
A happy New Year to everyone. This is a traditional time to reflect and look forward. 2025 was a busy year on the hobby and history front, w...
balkandave.blogspot.com
January 1, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Happy New Year! My reflections on 2025 and looking forward to new projects in 2026.
balkandave.blogspot.com/2026/01/happ...
balkandave.blogspot.com/2026/01/happ...
OTD in 1877, Baker Pasha, completed his outstanding rearguard action at the Battle of Tashkessen. They held off a Russian force ten times larger, allowing the main Ottoman army to withdraw. Some of my 28mm figures, and my contribution to a WSS article. Frank Jastrzembski book is a must-read.
December 31, 2025 at 9:44 AM
OTD in 1877, Baker Pasha, completed his outstanding rearguard action at the Battle of Tashkessen. They held off a Russian force ten times larger, allowing the main Ottoman army to withdraw. Some of my 28mm figures, and my contribution to a WSS article. Frank Jastrzembski book is a must-read.
‘It’s bigger than Hogmanay’: Shetland’s Up Helly Aa Viking fire festival. The raucous celebration of the new year and Nordic heritage culminates in the ritual burning of a longship – and much drinking. Yep, my liver hasn’t recovered from my last visit! www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
‘It’s bigger than Hogmanay’: Shetland’s Up Helly Aa Viking fire festival
The raucous celebration of the new year and the islands’ Nordic heritage culminates in the ritual burning of a longship – and much drinking
www.theguardian.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:29 AM
‘It’s bigger than Hogmanay’: Shetland’s Up Helly Aa Viking fire festival. The raucous celebration of the new year and Nordic heritage culminates in the ritual burning of a longship – and much drinking. Yep, my liver hasn’t recovered from my last visit! www.theguardian.com/travel/2025/...
Meet the 'medieval knight' competing for Scotland in the world championships. “It feels good to do something traditionally male that is not welcome in other historical parts, but when it comes to fighting sports there are female teams.” www.scotsman.com/news/meet-th...
Meet 'medieval knight' competing for Scotland in the world championships
They may look like they have stepped straight out of a fairytale - but these knights are training seriously hard for the upcoming world championships
www.scotsman.com
December 31, 2025 at 7:16 AM
Meet the 'medieval knight' competing for Scotland in the world championships. “It feels good to do something traditionally male that is not welcome in other historical parts, but when it comes to fighting sports there are female teams.” www.scotsman.com/news/meet-th...
Foreign Office ruled out military action to overthrow Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe. Options paper in 2004 warned any UK-led intervention would be politically isolated, costly and lack a viable exit strategy, concluding it was not a "serious option". Interesting what-if. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Cabinet Office admits error over release of Andrew files
Documents mentioning Andrew were briefly released before being withdrawn from the National Archives.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 30, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Foreign Office ruled out military action to overthrow Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe. Options paper in 2004 warned any UK-led intervention would be politically isolated, costly and lack a viable exit strategy, concluding it was not a "serious option". Interesting what-if. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The revolution is just about on, with the Red Clydesiders enjoying the Duchess’s house. The militia managed a flank attack with heavy losses. But Duchess led a counter attack and secured that flank. However, the fascists crumbled and the Moroccans and arm car were too slow to come up. 🚩
December 28, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The revolution is just about on, with the Red Clydesiders enjoying the Duchess’s house. The militia managed a flank attack with heavy losses. But Duchess led a counter attack and secured that flank. However, the fascists crumbled and the Moroccans and arm car were too slow to come up. 🚩
We are giving my wife’s Xmas present a go today. Cigar Box battle mat - yes I have given up on subtle hints, URLs are better 😂. A Very British Civil War, with the Red Clydesiders attacking the Duchess of Argyll and her fascist pals. Xenos Rampant rules.
December 28, 2025 at 4:15 PM
We are giving my wife’s Xmas present a go today. Cigar Box battle mat - yes I have given up on subtle hints, URLs are better 😂. A Very British Civil War, with the Red Clydesiders attacking the Duchess of Argyll and her fascist pals. Xenos Rampant rules.
Book review: Memoirs of John Lindsay, Earl of Crawford. Reprint covers the life of the 20th Earl (1702-1749), a soldier who fought in the Russian/Austrian wars against the Ottomans between 1736 and 1739. Not an easy 18thC read but a useful primary source
balkandave.blogspot.com/2025/12/memo...
balkandave.blogspot.com/2025/12/memo...
Memoirs of John Lindsay, Earl of Crawford
This is a reprint of the Memoirs of the Life of the Late Right Honourable John Lindesay, Earl of Craufurd , written by Richard Rolt. The m...
balkandave.blogspot.com
December 28, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Book review: Memoirs of John Lindsay, Earl of Crawford. Reprint covers the life of the 20th Earl (1702-1749), a soldier who fought in the Russian/Austrian wars against the Ottomans between 1736 and 1739. Not an easy 18thC read but a useful primary source
balkandave.blogspot.com/2025/12/memo...
balkandave.blogspot.com/2025/12/memo...
The Jacobite's dark secret: The kidnapping and death of Lady Grange. Her exile was purely down to the risk she posed to the Jacobite cause, while also showing how rich and powerful men could flout the law with impunity and treat their wives as property. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2571524...
The Jacobite's dark secret: The kidnapping and death of Lady Grange
Was Lady Grange silenced by powerful men for daring to betray the Jacobites?
www.heraldscotland.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:01 AM
The Jacobite's dark secret: The kidnapping and death of Lady Grange. Her exile was purely down to the risk she posed to the Jacobite cause, while also showing how rich and powerful men could flout the law with impunity and treat their wives as property. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2571524...
Energy demand of data centres planned for Scotland 'ridiculous'. APRS has calculated that data centres in the planning system and going though pre-application processes could require between 4.7 and 5.5 GW of power. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2572391...
Energy demand of data centres planned for Scotland 'ridiculous'
Data centres planned for Scotland would require a “mindblowing” amount of energy that would be sufficient to power several trips in the famous…
www.heraldscotland.com
December 27, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Energy demand of data centres planned for Scotland 'ridiculous'. APRS has calculated that data centres in the planning system and going though pre-application processes could require between 4.7 and 5.5 GW of power. www.heraldscotland.com/news/2572391...
The Wisbech embroiderer racing to recreate the Bayeux Tapestry. The original tapestry contains just seven colours - light and dark blue, light and dark green, a dark turquoise, a red and a yellow.
Other colours tend to be "repairs added a lot later.” www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Other colours tend to be "repairs added a lot later.” www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The Wisbech embroiderer racing to recreate the Bayeux Tapestry
Mia Hansson hopes to complete her replica by the time the original work returns to France.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 27, 2025 at 8:50 AM
The Wisbech embroiderer racing to recreate the Bayeux Tapestry. The original tapestry contains just seven colours - light and dark blue, light and dark green, a dark turquoise, a red and a yellow.
Other colours tend to be "repairs added a lot later.” www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Other colours tend to be "repairs added a lot later.” www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Scots soldiers keep wartime tradition with blanket design competition while posted to Cyprus. “They help keep the battalion connected, remind the Jocks of home, boost morale, and it gives everyone a chance to pause and reflect on the year.” www.heraldscotland.com/news/2572391...
Scots soldiers keep wartime tradition with blanket design competition
Scottish soldiers have kept a wartime tradition going as they continued their annual blanket-decorating competition while deployed abroad.
www.heraldscotland.com
December 26, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Scots soldiers keep wartime tradition with blanket design competition while posted to Cyprus. “They help keep the battalion connected, remind the Jocks of home, boost morale, and it gives everyone a chance to pause and reflect on the year.” www.heraldscotland.com/news/2572391...
New ranger wanted for isolated uninhabited island of Handa. Not quite the ideal job for a misanthrope. Pesky volunteers keep turning up along with 8,000 visitors!😂 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
New ranger wanted for isolated uninhabited island of Handa
The job comes with a few challenges - including weekly boat trips to mainland for washing and shopping.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 26, 2025 at 8:32 AM
New ranger wanted for isolated uninhabited island of Handa. Not quite the ideal job for a misanthrope. Pesky volunteers keep turning up along with 8,000 visitors!😂 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Merry Christmas folks. Have a good one. And spare a thought for those working today so we may enjoy ourselves safely. That includes the service men and women of Ukraine, and those doing life saving work in Gaza and other war zones.
December 25, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Merry Christmas folks. Have a good one. And spare a thought for those working today so we may enjoy ourselves safely. That includes the service men and women of Ukraine, and those doing life saving work in Gaza and other war zones.
This is when I wished I had payed more attention in school French lessons. And, when a friend who knows I write about obscure foreign wars, has an exaggerated impression of my language skills!
December 24, 2025 at 1:29 PM
This is when I wished I had payed more attention in school French lessons. And, when a friend who knows I write about obscure foreign wars, has an exaggerated impression of my language skills!
The Battleship Potemkin at 100: why Sergei Eisenstein’s powerful silent film remains unforgettable. The film has had such a profound impact on western visual culture that many may not realise how deeply its language is rooted in mainstream cinema. theconversation.com/the-battlesh...
The Battleship Potemkin at 100: why Sergei Eisenstein’s powerful silent film remains unforgettable
The exceptional historical film has had such a profound impact on western visual culture that many may not realise how deeply its language is rooted in mainstream cinema.
theconversation.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:45 AM
The Battleship Potemkin at 100: why Sergei Eisenstein’s powerful silent film remains unforgettable. The film has had such a profound impact on western visual culture that many may not realise how deeply its language is rooted in mainstream cinema. theconversation.com/the-battlesh...
An ancient ‘party boat’ in the waters of Alexandria – here’s what might have happened on board. Pharaohs may have used this vessel to hunt hippopotami. This underwater archaeology has much more to offer. theconversation.com/we-discovere...
We discovered an ancient ‘party boat’ in the waters of Alexandria – here’s what might have happened on board
Pharaohs may have used this vessel to hunt hippopotami.
theconversation.com
December 24, 2025 at 7:40 AM
An ancient ‘party boat’ in the waters of Alexandria – here’s what might have happened on board. Pharaohs may have used this vessel to hunt hippopotami. This underwater archaeology has much more to offer. theconversation.com/we-discovere...
Trump announces plans for new navy warships to be known as ‘Trump-class’. ‘The ships will be bigger, faster and a hundred times more powerful than any previous US-built warship’ 😂😂😂. The latest in his narcissistic spree. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Trump announces plans for new navy warships to be known as ‘Trump-class’
President says the ships will be bigger, faster and a hundred times more powerful than any previous US-built warship
www.theguardian.com
December 23, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Trump announces plans for new navy warships to be known as ‘Trump-class’. ‘The ships will be bigger, faster and a hundred times more powerful than any previous US-built warship’ 😂😂😂. The latest in his narcissistic spree. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Dave Watson
Russia is prepared to confirm in a legal agreement that it has no intention of attacking the European Union or NATO. This was stated by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Monday.
Sometimes something unplanned happens.
Some agreements are not worth the paper they are written on.
Sometimes something unplanned happens.
Some agreements are not worth the paper they are written on.
December 22, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Russia is prepared to confirm in a legal agreement that it has no intention of attacking the European Union or NATO. This was stated by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov on Monday.
Sometimes something unplanned happens.
Some agreements are not worth the paper they are written on.
Sometimes something unplanned happens.
Some agreements are not worth the paper they are written on.