Winkie Williamson
@palacestories.bsky.social
Writing fact-based stories about the d’Erlanger family at the Ennejma Ezzahra Palace in Sidi Bou Saïd. Currently in Tunisia, aiming to post daily about 'The Palace at War: Operation Torch and the Tunisian Campaign 1942 - 1944'.
I was home in Swansea and missed this meeting in Tunis but follow them online and via WhatsApp. They are not ‘Sunday Historians ‘ ... They are full-on 24-hours-day-seven-days-a-week historians. Their passion and dedication puts professionals to shame. I will be at the next meeting
“We Are the Sunday Historians” — A Look Back at Our November 15 Gathering at Dar Ben Achour open.substack.com/pub/ww2tunis...
“We Are the Sunday Historians” — A Look Back at Our November 15 Gathering at Dar Ben Achour
“We are the Sunday historians.”
open.substack.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:35 AM
I was home in Swansea and missed this meeting in Tunis but follow them online and via WhatsApp. They are not ‘Sunday Historians ‘ ... They are full-on 24-hours-day-seven-days-a-week historians. Their passion and dedication puts professionals to shame. I will be at the next meeting
#OTD 1942: The war in Tunisia commences in the village of Medjez-el-Bab. Barré has informed the British squadron nearby that an attack was imminent. He has phoned the French HQ in Algiers to signal his return to the Allied fold. Atkinson writes:
November 19, 2025 at 8:05 AM
#OTD 1942: The war in Tunisia commences in the village of Medjez-el-Bab. Barré has informed the British squadron nearby that an attack was imminent. He has phoned the French HQ in Algiers to signal his return to the Allied fold. Atkinson writes:
'Whoever holds Medjez-el-Bab has the key to the door, and is the master of all Tunisia', Hannibal supposedly said of the market town thirty miles from Tunis. Here, #OTD 1942 French Commander Barré makes his stand against Axis forces. Atkinson sets the scene. ['An Army at Dawn', pp 180-81]
November 19, 2025 at 7:53 AM
'Whoever holds Medjez-el-Bab has the key to the door, and is the master of all Tunisia', Hannibal supposedly said of the market town thirty miles from Tunis. Here, #OTD 1942 French Commander Barré makes his stand against Axis forces. Atkinson sets the scene. ['An Army at Dawn', pp 180-81]
The joy of creating these posts about #WW2,and #TunisianCampaign is the learning process. Today I read my print copy of @rboomhower.bsky.social's EXCELLENT biography of Ernie Pyle & found I have jumped the gun: Pyle only arrived in Oran on November 23. 'The Soldiers Friend' also on archive.org.
November 19, 2025 at 7:03 AM
The joy of creating these posts about #WW2,and #TunisianCampaign is the learning process. Today I read my print copy of @rboomhower.bsky.social's EXCELLENT biography of Ernie Pyle & found I have jumped the gun: Pyle only arrived in Oran on November 23. 'The Soldiers Friend' also on archive.org.
OTD 1942, Algeria: #TunisianCampaign: 21-year-old parachutist Peter Stainforth waiting to receive orders. The aircraft have landed successfully in Bone'. The aircraft in place, days of ‘uncertainly and hanging about’ ahead. 'Wings of the Wind' archive.org
November 19, 2025 at 5:55 AM
OTD 1942, Algeria: #TunisianCampaign: 21-year-old parachutist Peter Stainforth waiting to receive orders. The aircraft have landed successfully in Bone'. The aircraft in place, days of ‘uncertainly and hanging about’ ahead. 'Wings of the Wind' archive.org
I just discovered that in 1939, war reporter Philip Jordan had published a novel inspired by his time covering the Spanish Civil War. His description of the flight south will fit equally well in a couple of days when he finally flies to Tunisia. Read 'There is No Return' on archive.org.
November 19, 2025 at 5:05 AM
I just discovered that in 1939, war reporter Philip Jordan had published a novel inspired by his time covering the Spanish Civil War. His description of the flight south will fit equally well in a couple of days when he finally flies to Tunisia. Read 'There is No Return' on archive.org.
OTD 1942 #Tunisian Campaign. British reporter Philip Jordan with the Allied troops still stuck in Algeria. Jordan, I discover was labelled a 'communist' by 'Brass Hats' for actively supporting the 'legitimate government of Spain'. In 2025 we need impartial reporters like Jordan and Ernie Pyle.
November 19, 2025 at 4:49 AM
OTD 1942 #Tunisian Campaign. British reporter Philip Jordan with the Allied troops still stuck in Algeria. Jordan, I discover was labelled a 'communist' by 'Brass Hats' for actively supporting the 'legitimate government of Spain'. In 2025 we need impartial reporters like Jordan and Ernie Pyle.
Reposted by Winkie Williamson
Blessings on writers everywhere. May you do lots of writing, deleting, and rewriting today.
November 18, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Blessings on writers everywhere. May you do lots of writing, deleting, and rewriting today.
18 November 1942 #TunisianCampaign. In Oran, Algeria, US reporter Ernie Pyle - always on message to promote a positive image of the 'average Joe' - describes a couple of US soldiers squatting by a roadside fire with two 'turbaned and bewhiskered Arabs 'like old pals'.
November 18, 2025 at 8:17 AM
18 November 1942 #TunisianCampaign. In Oran, Algeria, US reporter Ernie Pyle - always on message to promote a positive image of the 'average Joe' - describes a couple of US soldiers squatting by a roadside fire with two 'turbaned and bewhiskered Arabs 'like old pals'.
18 November 1942. The Germans control Tunisia. Walter Nehring, Commander of Afrika Corps has arrived in Tunis, where the abandoned US consulate has become the Axis command post. Rick Atkinson sets the scene, already his choice of words betraying his distaste for Tunisians. Of this, more later.
November 18, 2025 at 7:02 AM
18 November 1942. The Germans control Tunisia. Walter Nehring, Commander of Afrika Corps has arrived in Tunis, where the abandoned US consulate has become the Axis command post. Rick Atkinson sets the scene, already his choice of words betraying his distaste for Tunisians. Of this, more later.
18 November 1942 Tunisia now under German control. RG Admiral Esteva had capitulated with the comment ‘after 40 years of obedience, I cannot begin to disobey orders now’. In Bizerta, Admiral Derrien, a month away from retirement after 42 years service, received conflicting orders. Atkinson p.164
November 18, 2025 at 6:44 AM
18 November 1942 Tunisia now under German control. RG Admiral Esteva had capitulated with the comment ‘after 40 years of obedience, I cannot begin to disobey orders now’. In Bizerta, Admiral Derrien, a month away from retirement after 42 years service, received conflicting orders. Atkinson p.164
Algiers 14 Nov 1942: Eisenhower's political appointments: Admiral Darlan high commissioner French North Africa, Giraud chief of French armed forces, Juin army commander, Nogues governor Morocco. De Gaulle predicts: 'before long the retching will take place'. Atkinson p. 158
November 18, 2025 at 6:15 AM
Algiers 14 Nov 1942: Eisenhower's political appointments: Admiral Darlan high commissioner French North Africa, Giraud chief of French armed forces, Juin army commander, Nogues governor Morocco. De Gaulle predicts: 'before long the retching will take place'. Atkinson p. 158
Did I just miss this event thinking it was on Wednesday!? If so, that’s the second time that’s occurred. Destiny. Kismet. Maktub. Better luck next time.
Great time chatting to some lovely people at Pyle Library as part of Awen Libraries Crime Month. You meet the nicest of people in libraries! Thank you to Carol and all the staff for making me feel so welcome. Love this brilliant display!
November 17, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Did I just miss this event thinking it was on Wednesday!? If so, that’s the second time that’s occurred. Destiny. Kismet. Maktub. Better luck next time.
Reposted by Winkie Williamson
One of the most shameful incidents of WW2 was when the government and press scapegoated refugees, then decided to pack them off an a cramped ship, The HMT DUNERA and ship them to Australia.
As they boarded the boat they were stripped of the valuables and robbed by the guards.
Now government policy
As they boarded the boat they were stripped of the valuables and robbed by the guards.
Now government policy
November 17, 2025 at 6:17 PM
One of the most shameful incidents of WW2 was when the government and press scapegoated refugees, then decided to pack them off an a cramped ship, The HMT DUNERA and ship them to Australia.
As they boarded the boat they were stripped of the valuables and robbed by the guards.
Now government policy
As they boarded the boat they were stripped of the valuables and robbed by the guards.
Now government policy
Reposted by Winkie Williamson
Matthew Rhys has flown the flag for Wales during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, introducing American audiences to some of Wales' most beloved traditions
Matthew Rhys introduces Jimmy Fallon to Mari Lwyd
Stephen Price Matthew Rhys has flown the flag for Wales during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, introducing American audiences to some of Wales’ most beloved traditions. The Emmy a...
wp.me
November 17, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Matthew Rhys has flown the flag for Wales during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, introducing American audiences to some of Wales' most beloved traditions
Reposted by Winkie Williamson
Tunisia: When the State Becomes the Executioner
In a country that once claimed to have broken free from dictatorship, we now watch the same darkness crawl back — only this time it wears a new mask and speaks the language of “law and order.” Today’s emergency press conference by the Defense…
In a country that once claimed to have broken free from dictatorship, we now watch the same darkness crawl back — only this time it wears a new mask and speaks the language of “law and order.” Today’s emergency press conference by the Defense…
Tunisia: When the State Becomes the Executioner
In a country that once claimed to have broken free from dictatorship, we now watch the same darkness crawl back — only this time it wears a new mask and speaks the language of “law and order.” Today’s emergency press conference by the Defense Committee for the political prisoner Jawhar Ben Mbarek was not just a press event — it was a cry of alarm.
karim2k.wordpress.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Tunisia: When the State Becomes the Executioner
In a country that once claimed to have broken free from dictatorship, we now watch the same darkness crawl back — only this time it wears a new mask and speaks the language of “law and order.” Today’s emergency press conference by the Defense…
In a country that once claimed to have broken free from dictatorship, we now watch the same darkness crawl back — only this time it wears a new mask and speaks the language of “law and order.” Today’s emergency press conference by the Defense…
Barnes Wallis is a good friend of Leo d’Erlanger, so this image will reappear later on my OTD sequence tracing 1942-1945. In the archives at Ennejma Ezzahra Palace correspondence between Leo and Barnes, discussing the perfect airplane design. #WW2 , #History
November 12, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Thanks to @rboomhower.bsky.social on this platform, I have discovered the legend that is Ernie Pyle. His reporting on #Torch is outstanding - he deserves this statue. Thanks to archive.org you too can read Pyle’s ‘Here is Your War’ for free. No AI SLOP! #Writers #WW2 #Torch
November 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Thanks to @rboomhower.bsky.social on this platform, I have discovered the legend that is Ernie Pyle. His reporting on #Torch is outstanding - he deserves this statue. Thanks to archive.org you too can read Pyle’s ‘Here is Your War’ for free. No AI SLOP! #Writers #WW2 #Torch
Reposted by Winkie Williamson
For Veterans Day, let’s also remember the men and women who braved enemy fire to report on the deeds of those who were in harm’s way.
November 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM
For Veterans Day, let’s also remember the men and women who braved enemy fire to report on the deeds of those who were in harm’s way.
#OTD 10/10/1942. A new voice in this #TORCH story: Peter Stainforth is on the convoy, still not yet past Gibraltar. Part of the second wave, the plan is of for them to 'jump on the El Aouina airfield near Tunis.' The operation is 'pure speculation' as 'the Germans may get there first'. They do.
November 10, 2025 at 2:45 AM
OTD 1942: #NorthAfrica. Private Ned Modica and Sgt Norman Harrington, army cameramen in the Signal Corps jumped into the assault boat, bags stuffed with extra film, not food. They chose their shots: a red fez, white bandages, bare African mountains, the curve of the beach. Ernie Pyle storytelling
November 9, 2025 at 7:28 AM
OTD 1942: #NorthAfrica. Private Ned Modica and Sgt Norman Harrington, army cameramen in the Signal Corps jumped into the assault boat, bags stuffed with extra film, not food. They chose their shots: a red fez, white bandages, bare African mountains, the curve of the beach. Ernie Pyle storytelling
ODT November 1942, the Allied convoy has arrived in North Africa. Among the first to disembark - the cameramen who will risk life and limb to bring live images to cinemas in UK and America. Coming up, Ernie Pyle's report on their bravery under fire. #torch #WW2
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT6y...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT6y...
The Turn Of The Tide - Allied Landings In North Africa (1942)
YouTube video by British Pathé
www.youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:08 AM
ODT November 1942, the Allied convoy has arrived in North Africa. Among the first to disembark - the cameramen who will risk life and limb to bring live images to cinemas in UK and America. Coming up, Ernie Pyle's report on their bravery under fire. #torch #WW2
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT6y...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FT6y...
I'm reporting 9 November 1942 #Torch landings in North Africa, with many black soldiers about to fight against fascism, in a segregated US army. Tragic to think that, thirty years later, the same conditions still applied. But already the tables turning: Black fists raised. Powerful image. #BLM #WW2
#OtD 9 Nov 1972 132 mostly Black sailors refused to reboard the USS Constellation ship in San Diego during the Vietnam war in protest against racist practices on the ship. More info in our podcast with a Vietnam Navy vet: workingclasshistory.com/2018/08/06/e...
November 9, 2025 at 7:03 AM