Ben Mayne
@battlefieldben.bsky.social
Second World War Historian/Battlefield Guide. Director of Liberation Route UK @lre_foundation. Committee advisor & ambassador @TaxiCharity. Moto GP fan! My personal views.
#Forrard Major Fitzwilliams Hyde was a highly respected officer who had shaped the ERY before he returned to 4/7RDG. He then returned to 1ERY and landed with them on D-Day. He is also remembered on the 4/7RDG memorial at Lepe, Hampshire.
February 6, 2025 at 9:42 PM
#Forrard Major Fitzwilliams Hyde was a highly respected officer who had shaped the ERY before he returned to 4/7RDG. He then returned to 1ERY and landed with them on D-Day. He is also remembered on the 4/7RDG memorial at Lepe, Hampshire.
Today’s research assisted by Milo….
January 15, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Today’s research assisted by Milo….
After a rough Christmas an new year which saw both of us ill, we have managed a 6 day break to Northumberland to see my parents. Some nice beach walks and undecided if these are SWW anti tank obstacles or sea defences! Possibly an old pillbox washed down as well…
January 11, 2025 at 2:36 PM
After a rough Christmas an new year which saw both of us ill, we have managed a 6 day break to Northumberland to see my parents. Some nice beach walks and undecided if these are SWW anti tank obstacles or sea defences! Possibly an old pillbox washed down as well…
In the suburbs of the city at Pastorpl. 1, 52070 Aachen, during 1933-34, Anne Frank stayed here in a family home.
The Stolperstein (Stumbling Stones) now commemorate her and family members, victims of the Holocaust.
The Stolperstein (Stumbling Stones) now commemorate her and family members, victims of the Holocaust.
December 1, 2024 at 10:11 AM
In the suburbs of the city at Pastorpl. 1, 52070 Aachen, during 1933-34, Anne Frank stayed here in a family home.
The Stolperstein (Stumbling Stones) now commemorate her and family members, victims of the Holocaust.
The Stolperstein (Stumbling Stones) now commemorate her and family members, victims of the Holocaust.
Aachen train station. From here between March 1942 to September 1944, deportations would leave here to head to concentration camps. Upwards of 3,000 people. Most of the deportations went to Terezin (Theresienstadt) Ghetto.
December 1, 2024 at 10:10 AM
Aachen train station. From here between March 1942 to September 1944, deportations would leave here to head to concentration camps. Upwards of 3,000 people. Most of the deportations went to Terezin (Theresienstadt) Ghetto.
A group walking tour of the city centre looking at the liberation, allied bombings, Holocaust and the Aachen Scandal. After the work, a few guests wanted to remain out so we spent another hour visiting several sites. The first was this building that linked in to the Nazi Aktion T4 program.
December 1, 2024 at 10:09 AM
A group walking tour of the city centre looking at the liberation, allied bombings, Holocaust and the Aachen Scandal. After the work, a few guests wanted to remain out so we spent another hour visiting several sites. The first was this building that linked in to the Nazi Aktion T4 program.
The benefits of staying in Aachen is that you have a huge amount of history to explore in the centre and on the edge. The cathedral and city hall were damaged from allied bombing raids and ground fighting in Sept-Oct 1944 but restored and are a must visit.
December 1, 2024 at 10:08 AM
The benefits of staying in Aachen is that you have a huge amount of history to explore in the centre and on the edge. The cathedral and city hall were damaged from allied bombing raids and ground fighting in Sept-Oct 1944 but restored and are a must visit.
Henri Chapelle American Cemetery. Visits were made to seven men and a chance to talk about their stories. Tester brothers, Castle, Wereth 11, Malmedy massacre victims, Masters of the Air and Band of Brothers.
December 1, 2024 at 10:07 AM
Henri Chapelle American Cemetery. Visits were made to seven men and a chance to talk about their stories. Tester brothers, Castle, Wereth 11, Malmedy massacre victims, Masters of the Air and Band of Brothers.
Thursday morning was a chance to look at a small segment of the Seigfried Line. It’s always interesting to discuss the effectiveness of static defensive lines in the SWW, from the Maginot, Atlantic, Seigfried Line etc. The shaft in my opinion is drainage from the main road about 100yrds away.
December 1, 2024 at 10:06 AM
Thursday morning was a chance to look at a small segment of the Seigfried Line. It’s always interesting to discuss the effectiveness of static defensive lines in the SWW, from the Maginot, Atlantic, Seigfried Line etc. The shaft in my opinion is drainage from the main road about 100yrds away.
On Wednesday, I visited the dutch town of Valkenberg for the first time. Whilst the guests explored the Christmas markets in the caves, I went in search of historical related graffiti. I didn’t really find much.
December 1, 2024 at 10:05 AM
On Wednesday, I visited the dutch town of Valkenberg for the first time. Whilst the guests explored the Christmas markets in the caves, I went in search of historical related graffiti. I didn’t really find much.
Wednesdays afternoon’s visit to the Netherlands American Cemetery.
December 1, 2024 at 10:04 AM
Wednesdays afternoon’s visit to the Netherlands American Cemetery.
A visit Wednesday to the southern bank of the
Maas and the LVT, Buffalo. A chance to take about the 33rd Armoured Brigade, 144RTR and 1ERY. Training for Operations Plunder was conducted here alongside infantry.
Maas and the LVT, Buffalo. A chance to take about the 33rd Armoured Brigade, 144RTR and 1ERY. Training for Operations Plunder was conducted here alongside infantry.
December 1, 2024 at 10:03 AM
A visit Wednesday to the southern bank of the
Maas and the LVT, Buffalo. A chance to take about the 33rd Armoured Brigade, 144RTR and 1ERY. Training for Operations Plunder was conducted here alongside infantry.
Maas and the LVT, Buffalo. A chance to take about the 33rd Armoured Brigade, 144RTR and 1ERY. Training for Operations Plunder was conducted here alongside infantry.
A great morning on Wednesday looking at 1940 and 1945. After speaking the previous day about the German invasion in May 1940, I spoke on the Mechelen incident of 10 January 1940 before that. We visited the crash site of where the German officer was detained with plans for Fall Gelb, Case Yellow.
December 1, 2024 at 10:01 AM
A great morning on Wednesday looking at 1940 and 1945. After speaking the previous day about the German invasion in May 1940, I spoke on the Mechelen incident of 10 January 1940 before that. We visited the crash site of where the German officer was detained with plans for Fall Gelb, Case Yellow.
I Finished off Tuesday night with an hours solo walking tour of Aachen…
December 1, 2024 at 9:59 AM
I Finished off Tuesday night with an hours solo walking tour of Aachen…
Tuesday was a good day out in the Ardennes discussing 1940 and 1944-45 with the Battle of the Bulge….
December 1, 2024 at 9:57 AM
Tuesday was a good day out in the Ardennes discussing 1940 and 1944-45 with the Battle of the Bulge….
A busy week in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. Yes, history was actually involved and I will post some highlights of the week shortly!
December 1, 2024 at 9:48 AM
A busy week in Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. Yes, history was actually involved and I will post some highlights of the week shortly!
On our run into Hasselt, Belgium and discussing the raid conducted by No.101 Squadron. Rusty piloting a Lancaster bomber approached the town at 12,000ft. They collided with another Lancaster which went down, Rusty’s stayed!
To hear more on this-
ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collecti…
To hear more on this-
ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collecti…
November 26, 2024 at 3:30 PM
On our run into Hasselt, Belgium and discussing the raid conducted by No.101 Squadron. Rusty piloting a Lancaster bomber approached the town at 12,000ft. They collided with another Lancaster which went down, Rusty’s stayed!
To hear more on this-
ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collecti…
To hear more on this-
ibccdigitalarchive.lincoln.ac.uk/omeka/collecti…
I’ve had another good morning at MCL! Some good networking and conversations. Always good to get in the show early and spin by the @DucatiUK stand with nobody around. Loving the new Multistrada!
November 20, 2024 at 1:02 PM
I’ve had another good morning at MCL! Some good networking and conversations. Always good to get in the show early and spin by the @DucatiUK stand with nobody around. Loving the new Multistrada!
I am missing being around Caen and going for my walks. This IWM film reel shows just how much damage was caused from 6 June to 8 July. A very different city to one you can walk around today. I love walking and trying to match these locations!
November 18, 2024 at 10:14 PM
I am missing being around Caen and going for my walks. This IWM film reel shows just how much damage was caused from 6 June to 8 July. A very different city to one you can walk around today. I love walking and trying to match these locations!
Back at MCL show with @visitwallonie
November 18, 2024 at 2:35 PM
Back at MCL show with @visitwallonie
Early start reading and researching on Saint-Lo. Looking to find a nice 10km walking route from the bocage to the town.
November 18, 2024 at 8:15 AM
Early start reading and researching on Saint-Lo. Looking to find a nice 10km walking route from the bocage to the town.
Great first day at Motorcycle Live, and an exciting announcement to come next week!
November 16, 2024 at 6:55 PM
Great first day at Motorcycle Live, and an exciting announcement to come next week!
A poignant service of remembrance in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral this evening, 84 years on since the Luftwaffe ‘Moonlight Sonata’ raid.
November 14, 2024 at 8:00 PM
A poignant service of remembrance in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral this evening, 84 years on since the Luftwaffe ‘Moonlight Sonata’ raid.
84 years ago at this time, this was taking place in the city of Coventry, the account captures the beginning…
November 14, 2024 at 7:16 PM
84 years ago at this time, this was taking place in the city of Coventry, the account captures the beginning…
Operation Moonlight Sonata was undertaken to hit the British wartime manufacturing. This map shows why Coventry was targeted on 14 November 1940
Factories for Humber, Triumph, Daimler, Morris, Armstrong Siddeley, Courtlands, Sterling Metals
The majority of these are all within residential areas
Factories for Humber, Triumph, Daimler, Morris, Armstrong Siddeley, Courtlands, Sterling Metals
The majority of these are all within residential areas
November 14, 2024 at 10:54 AM
Operation Moonlight Sonata was undertaken to hit the British wartime manufacturing. This map shows why Coventry was targeted on 14 November 1940
Factories for Humber, Triumph, Daimler, Morris, Armstrong Siddeley, Courtlands, Sterling Metals
The majority of these are all within residential areas
Factories for Humber, Triumph, Daimler, Morris, Armstrong Siddeley, Courtlands, Sterling Metals
The majority of these are all within residential areas