Russell Shanks
@soegamer.bsky.social
PhD Candidate, Durham University.
"The Special Operations Executive, British Covert Action in the Second World War, and Digital Wargames"
Yes, I play videogames.
"The Special Operations Executive, British Covert Action in the Second World War, and Digital Wargames"
Yes, I play videogames.
Next week, for the 83rd anniversary, I will posting a thread about Gunnerside and its continued appearance in videogames 2/2
February 20, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Next week, for the 83rd anniversary, I will posting a thread about Gunnerside and its continued appearance in videogames 2/2
OTD 1944: 82 Years ago, members of SOE successfully sink the SF Hydro ferry and remaining stocks of Heavy Water (Deuterium Oxide/D2O) ending the Nazi nuclear program. This action is often condensed into videogames as part of Operation Gunnerside (Feb 1943) 1/2
February 20, 2026 at 10:07 AM
OTD 1944: 82 Years ago, members of SOE successfully sink the SF Hydro ferry and remaining stocks of Heavy Water (Deuterium Oxide/D2O) ending the Nazi nuclear program. This action is often condensed into videogames as part of Operation Gunnerside (Feb 1943) 1/2
Either through a combat flight sim or FPS - raiding prison fortress in the snow, requiring precision bombing has plenty of scope for developing into an exciting and entertaining level. Any thoughts Game Developers?
February 18, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Either through a combat flight sim or FPS - raiding prison fortress in the snow, requiring precision bombing has plenty of scope for developing into an exciting and entertaining level. Any thoughts Game Developers?
Featured in Secret Weapons Over Normandy (LucasArts, 2003), Mission 6: POW is an attack on a POW camp, while Mission 11: Heavy Water (pictured) is all about low level precision Mosquito flying in the snow. That said, Jericho is ripe for its own videogame level outright. 2/3
February 18, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Featured in Secret Weapons Over Normandy (LucasArts, 2003), Mission 6: POW is an attack on a POW camp, while Mission 11: Heavy Water (pictured) is all about low level precision Mosquito flying in the snow. That said, Jericho is ripe for its own videogame level outright. 2/3
OTD: 82 years since Operation Jericho - the raid on Amiens Prison. This operation is a prime example of SOE-RAF cooperation at its finest. A daring low-level, precision raid by RAF Mosquitos to free Resistance agents. Aspects of the mission have inspired a few videogame levels 1/3
February 18, 2026 at 10:18 AM
OTD: 82 years since Operation Jericho - the raid on Amiens Prison. This operation is a prime example of SOE-RAF cooperation at its finest. A daring low-level, precision raid by RAF Mosquitos to free Resistance agents. Aspects of the mission have inspired a few videogame levels 1/3
Even in final year of PhD studies, going back to basics with an easy to read text to help gain new insights and perspectives can be really helpful and satisfying. This book just helping to polish off some perspectives in a current thesis chapter.
February 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Even in final year of PhD studies, going back to basics with an easy to read text to help gain new insights and perspectives can be really helpful and satisfying. This book just helping to polish off some perspectives in a current thesis chapter.
So far overall it has been a fascinating area of research which I look forward to completing this year.
#SOE #criticalgamestudies #phd #research #ww2 #videogames
#SOE #criticalgamestudies #phd #research #ww2 #videogames
January 30, 2026 at 12:25 PM
So far overall it has been a fascinating area of research which I look forward to completing this year.
#SOE #criticalgamestudies #phd #research #ww2 #videogames
#SOE #criticalgamestudies #phd #research #ww2 #videogames
Although most games hail from the FPS genre, the ways in which SOE appears and is portrayed vary significantly in places. Each game has its own slant on how it wants to be played which often translates into an adaption of how SOE's history is interpreted.
January 30, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Although most games hail from the FPS genre, the ways in which SOE appears and is portrayed vary significantly in places. Each game has its own slant on how it wants to be played which often translates into an adaption of how SOE's history is interpreted.
From adaptations of famous missions to remediation of SOE in cinema, my research is looking at how the SOE is represented and how it's legacy is understood through new media. From its material culture to the ways forms of identity intersect within games.
January 30, 2026 at 12:25 PM
From adaptations of famous missions to remediation of SOE in cinema, my research is looking at how the SOE is represented and how it's legacy is understood through new media. From its material culture to the ways forms of identity intersect within games.
January 2026 marks 80 years since the end of the Special Operations Executive. Perhaps one of the quieter Second World War anniversaries to pass by. Nonetheless SOE remains a popular topic for Digital Wargames, the organisations actions inspiring narratives and gameplay over the past 40+ years.
January 30, 2026 at 12:25 PM
January 2026 marks 80 years since the end of the Special Operations Executive. Perhaps one of the quieter Second World War anniversaries to pass by. Nonetheless SOE remains a popular topic for Digital Wargames, the organisations actions inspiring narratives and gameplay over the past 40+ years.
January 14, 2026 at 11:32 AM
The pedantic part of me would have preferred the memorial to be on Baker Street or near to the SIS building in Vauxhall. Nonetheless the memorial did look rather resplendent in the late afternoon sun by Lambeth Palace, opposite Thames House and the Houses of Parliament. 3/3
January 6, 2026 at 10:01 AM
The pedantic part of me would have preferred the memorial to be on Baker Street or near to the SIS building in Vauxhall. Nonetheless the memorial did look rather resplendent in the late afternoon sun by Lambeth Palace, opposite Thames House and the Houses of Parliament. 3/3
Considering the cultural imaginary of the SOE, I was particularly struck by the prominence of cinematic references were in the memorial text. (Pictured) Not only with reference to Szabo and 'Carve Her Name with Pride' (1958) but to Operation Gunnerside and 'The Heroes of Telemark' (1965). 2/3
January 6, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Considering the cultural imaginary of the SOE, I was particularly struck by the prominence of cinematic references were in the memorial text. (Pictured) Not only with reference to Szabo and 'Carve Her Name with Pride' (1958) but to Operation Gunnerside and 'The Heroes of Telemark' (1965). 2/3
Took a moment when in central London recently to find the SOE Memorial nr Lambeth Bridge. Topped with a bust of Violette Szabo, it was touching to see the memorial still covered in poppy wreaths. Noticed a few passers-by stopped to have a read and reflect. 1/3
#SOE #London
#SOE #London
January 6, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Discovered this holiday period that SOE operative Krystina Skarbek (Christine Granville) is buried in the same cemetery as some of my Step-Dad's relations. Took a moment to pay respects at her grave and reflect on her remarkable life.
(Photos my own)
(Photos my own)
January 5, 2026 at 9:45 PM
Discovered this holiday period that SOE operative Krystina Skarbek (Christine Granville) is buried in the same cemetery as some of my Step-Dad's relations. Took a moment to pay respects at her grave and reflect on her remarkable life.
(Photos my own)
(Photos my own)
In addition to AC: Syndicate I treated myself to AC: Black Flag this festive period even if purely to collect all the Sea Shanties. The game looks pretty rough-cut these days. To be fair I did see it as a display piece in the National Maritime Museum in the summer.
#videogamestudies #assassinscreed
#videogamestudies #assassinscreed
January 4, 2026 at 7:08 PM
In addition to AC: Syndicate I treated myself to AC: Black Flag this festive period even if purely to collect all the Sea Shanties. The game looks pretty rough-cut these days. To be fair I did see it as a display piece in the National Maritime Museum in the summer.
#videogamestudies #assassinscreed
#videogamestudies #assassinscreed
Holiday break also means the odd little treat to playing the odd historical game outside of the study remit. As AC: Syndicate is set in Victorian London I will stake a claim this is a Christmas game.
December 22, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Holiday break also means the odd little treat to playing the odd historical game outside of the study remit. As AC: Syndicate is set in Victorian London I will stake a claim this is a Christmas game.
Received a tip-off from a colleague in Castle College's SCR about an SOE connection to Durham. Low and behold a plaque to Durham resident SOE Captain Isidore Newman, MBE CdeG. Active for two missions with F-Section, he was captured and killed in 1944.
December 3, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Received a tip-off from a colleague in Castle College's SCR about an SOE connection to Durham. Low and behold a plaque to Durham resident SOE Captain Isidore Newman, MBE CdeG. Active for two missions with F-Section, he was captured and killed in 1944.
Having done a bit of research into the series, does open your eyes to the real jump in quality between the OG Castle Wolfenstein (1981) and the 'reboot' that is Wolfenstein 3D. Filling the office with 8-bit music and cries of 'mein liben!' from the NPC guards.
#wolfenstein #criticalvideogamestudies
#wolfenstein #criticalvideogamestudies
November 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Having done a bit of research into the series, does open your eyes to the real jump in quality between the OG Castle Wolfenstein (1981) and the 'reboot' that is Wolfenstein 3D. Filling the office with 8-bit music and cries of 'mein liben!' from the NPC guards.
#wolfenstein #criticalvideogamestudies
#wolfenstein #criticalvideogamestudies
Taking research back to the beginnings of the Wolfenstein franchise and (arguably) the first stealth videogame. An emulated version of the original Castle Wolfenstein (1981) but fun to have a go with a game of such historical note.
#gamestudies
#gamestudies
November 26, 2025 at 11:15 AM
Taking research back to the beginnings of the Wolfenstein franchise and (arguably) the first stealth videogame. An emulated version of the original Castle Wolfenstein (1981) but fun to have a go with a game of such historical note.
#gamestudies
#gamestudies
Enjoyable experience last night at the Castle College Sunday Seminar Series. Presented a 15 minute overview on my topic and spent even longer answering some very insightful questions from colleagues. Can't help but notice how much I gesticulate while talking. #DurhamUniversity
October 27, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Enjoyable experience last night at the Castle College Sunday Seminar Series. Presented a 15 minute overview on my topic and spent even longer answering some very insightful questions from colleagues. Can't help but notice how much I gesticulate while talking. #DurhamUniversity
Researching Nazi Zombie game modes from Call of Duty proving timely for Halloween. Some great critiques of the symbolism and metaphor if not strictly in relation to SOE. Image: Nacht der Untoten, Call of Duty: World at War (2008).
October 16, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Researching Nazi Zombie game modes from Call of Duty proving timely for Halloween. Some great critiques of the symbolism and metaphor if not strictly in relation to SOE. Image: Nacht der Untoten, Call of Duty: World at War (2008).
Dipping back into some core texts for some grounding on new (for me) approaches of study. Finding my writing on the influence of SOE within gaming genres other than history, has been descriptive rather than actually analytical.
October 14, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Dipping back into some core texts for some grounding on new (for me) approaches of study. Finding my writing on the influence of SOE within gaming genres other than history, has been descriptive rather than actually analytical.
Planning is obviously an integral part of PhD life, the start of the academic years means it's time to look ahead to the upcoming calendar year. Yet it's the act of putting permeant marker to laminated paper that makes everything all too real.
October 13, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Planning is obviously an integral part of PhD life, the start of the academic years means it's time to look ahead to the upcoming calendar year. Yet it's the act of putting permeant marker to laminated paper that makes everything all too real.
The 1950's Town still feels like the setting for a horror film through.
October 10, 2025 at 9:08 PM
The 1950's Town still feels like the setting for a horror film through.
