Brett Holman
@airminded.org
Independent PhD historian (aviation, bombing; #WW1, #WW2; Britain, Australia; emotions, spectacle); books (Home Fires Burning (WW1 air raids on Britain; in progress), The Next War in the Air). Naarm/Melbourne, Australia. He/him. airminded.org
Pinned
Brett Holman
@airminded.org
· Nov 10
The Next War in the Air
Brett Holman. The Next War in the Air: Britain's Fear of the Bomber, 1908-1941. Farnham and Burlington: Ashgate, 2014. The Next War in the Air: Britain's Fear of the Bomber, 1908-1941 is my first book...
airminded.org
Hi! I’m a historian of early 20th century Britain and Australia. I study the cultural and emotional history of aviation, interested in what people thought and felt about aircraft as much, or even more than, what aircraft actually did. My first book was on the fear of bombing in Britain
Reposted by Brett Holman
The BBC coverage is absolutely terrible.
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
January 24, 2026 at 11:00 PM
The BBC coverage is absolutely terrible.
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
Reposted by Brett Holman
Alex from our time working together, while he was in nursing school. Later, he moved to ICU, working as a nurse to support critically ill Veterans. He had such a great attitude. We’d chat between patients about trying to get in a mountain bike ride together. Will never happen now
January 24, 2026 at 7:39 PM
Alex from our time working together, while he was in nursing school. Later, he moved to ICU, working as a nurse to support critically ill Veterans. He had such a great attitude. We’d chat between patients about trying to get in a mountain bike ride together. Will never happen now
Reposted by Brett Holman
Another state-sponsored murder.
Another execution of an American citizen.
Carried out by paramilitary goons tasked with terrorizing the people.
Sent by a regime that is at war with a vast section of its own population.
Another execution of an American citizen.
Carried out by paramilitary goons tasked with terrorizing the people.
Sent by a regime that is at war with a vast section of its own population.
Holy crap.
This is the most damning video yet.
It shows Border Patrol agents clearly taking Alex's firearm, running it away, and THEN executed him in cold blood by emptying a clip into his face.
Murder.
This is the most damning video yet.
It shows Border Patrol agents clearly taking Alex's firearm, running it away, and THEN executed him in cold blood by emptying a clip into his face.
Murder.
January 24, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Another state-sponsored murder.
Another execution of an American citizen.
Carried out by paramilitary goons tasked with terrorizing the people.
Sent by a regime that is at war with a vast section of its own population.
Another execution of an American citizen.
Carried out by paramilitary goons tasked with terrorizing the people.
Sent by a regime that is at war with a vast section of its own population.
Reposted by Brett Holman
His name was Alex Pretti. He was an ICU nurse. "In total, at least 10 shots appear to have been fired within 5 seconds, according to the video. Footage shows the man was holding a phone in his hand, not a gun, when federal agents took him to the ground and shot him." #AlexPretti #Minneapolis
What We Know About a Second Fatal Shooting by Federal Agents in Minneapolis
www.nytimes.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:20 PM
His name was Alex Pretti. He was an ICU nurse. "In total, at least 10 shots appear to have been fired within 5 seconds, according to the video. Footage shows the man was holding a phone in his hand, not a gun, when federal agents took him to the ground and shot him." #AlexPretti #Minneapolis
Reposted by Brett Holman
Australia needs to exit AUKUS and the 5-Eyes, close Pine Gap and end U.S. military training in the N.T.
The Pentagon released a priority-shifting National Defense Strategy late Friday that chastised U.S. allies to take control of their own security and reasserted the Trump administration's focus on dominance in the Western Hemisphere above a longtime goal of countering China. n.pr/3LJ9XTx
Trump administration's defense strategy tells allies to handle their own security
The Pentagon released a priority-shifting National Defense Strategy late Friday that chastised U.S. allies to take control of their own security and reasserted the Trump administration's focus on dominance in the Western Hemisphere above a longtime goal of countering China.
n.pr
January 24, 2026 at 9:31 AM
Australia needs to exit AUKUS and the 5-Eyes, close Pine Gap and end U.S. military training in the N.T.
Reposted by Brett Holman
Pretty compelling argument for an international boycott
The official policy of the government of the United States of America is that they will murder anyone they want, that they will tell any lie necessary to justify that murder, and that no one who resists them has any rights they are bound to respect.
/1
/1
January 24, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Pretty compelling argument for an international boycott
Reposted by Brett Holman
This is an actual post from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth: Praising ICE after Alex Pretti was killed, blaming the Democratic leadership of Minnesota, and writing that ICE is greater/better than Minnesota.
He is actively demeaning the people of Minnesota just hours after Pretti was murdered.
He is actively demeaning the people of Minnesota just hours after Pretti was murdered.
January 24, 2026 at 10:26 PM
This is an actual post from Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth: Praising ICE after Alex Pretti was killed, blaming the Democratic leadership of Minnesota, and writing that ICE is greater/better than Minnesota.
He is actively demeaning the people of Minnesota just hours after Pretti was murdered.
He is actively demeaning the people of Minnesota just hours after Pretti was murdered.
Reposted by Brett Holman
Also this:
It takes a lot for the NYT to not put this in the passive voice. They've done that forever. No, it's not "Executed," but this is a five alarm fire for them.
It takes a lot for the NYT to not put this in the passive voice. They've done that forever. No, it's not "Executed," but this is a five alarm fire for them.
January 24, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Also this:
It takes a lot for the NYT to not put this in the passive voice. They've done that forever. No, it's not "Executed," but this is a five alarm fire for them.
It takes a lot for the NYT to not put this in the passive voice. They've done that forever. No, it's not "Executed," but this is a five alarm fire for them.
Reposted by Brett Holman
Villa Farnesina Cubiculum B fresco depicting the Nymphs of Mount Nysa caring for the infant Dionysus.
The baby is shown being nursed or tended to by female figures in a lush setting. It is painted in a "Neo-Attic" or "lekythos" style, which mimics the look of 5th-c. BCE Greek pottery.
#FrescoFriday
The baby is shown being nursed or tended to by female figures in a lush setting. It is painted in a "Neo-Attic" or "lekythos" style, which mimics the look of 5th-c. BCE Greek pottery.
#FrescoFriday
January 23, 2026 at 10:00 AM
Villa Farnesina Cubiculum B fresco depicting the Nymphs of Mount Nysa caring for the infant Dionysus.
The baby is shown being nursed or tended to by female figures in a lush setting. It is painted in a "Neo-Attic" or "lekythos" style, which mimics the look of 5th-c. BCE Greek pottery.
#FrescoFriday
The baby is shown being nursed or tended to by female figures in a lush setting. It is painted in a "Neo-Attic" or "lekythos" style, which mimics the look of 5th-c. BCE Greek pottery.
#FrescoFriday
Reposted by Brett Holman
A man told me yesterday that it was important to "take emotion out of the equation“ when analysing the situation in the US, at which point I told him very calmly that "a woman who disagrees with you is not necessarily emotional".
Ladies, it was a breakthrough.
I should have done this years ago.
Ladies, it was a breakthrough.
I should have done this years ago.
January 24, 2026 at 10:46 AM
A man told me yesterday that it was important to "take emotion out of the equation“ when analysing the situation in the US, at which point I told him very calmly that "a woman who disagrees with you is not necessarily emotional".
Ladies, it was a breakthrough.
I should have done this years ago.
Ladies, it was a breakthrough.
I should have done this years ago.
Reposted by Brett Holman
January 24, 2026 at 10:53 AM
Reposted by Brett Holman
COUNTESS DRACULA (1971)
January 24, 2026 at 11:17 AM
COUNTESS DRACULA (1971)
Reposted by Brett Holman
Gotcha—let’s dig into that step by step.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
January 23, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Gotcha—let’s dig into that step by step.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
Reposted by Brett Holman
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We are at an absurd point in human history, where we now have to watch what we say to anyone wearing glasses
We are at an absurd point in human history, where we now have to watch what we say to anyone wearing glasses
Women filmed in secret for TikTok content - then harassed online
So-called manfluencers wearing smart glasses approach women and then post videos to TikTok.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 24, 2026 at 9:39 AM
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
We are at an absurd point in human history, where we now have to watch what we say to anyone wearing glasses
We are at an absurd point in human history, where we now have to watch what we say to anyone wearing glasses
Reposted by Brett Holman
"apocalypse-proof boat" has absolutely sent me
Bear Grylls: ‘I’ve bought an apocalypse-proof boat, with an array of weaponry’
Bear Grylls: ‘I’ve bought an apocalypse-proof boat, with an array of weaponry’
The adventurer on his family’s escape vessel, his crush on the Princess of Wales, and a disgusting toenail habit
www.theguardian.com
January 24, 2026 at 11:06 AM
"apocalypse-proof boat" has absolutely sent me
Reposted by Brett Holman
Here is the newly-unsealed State Department memo confirming -- finally -- that the detention of Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk was based on an op-ed.
No antisemitic activity. No support of terrorism.
An op-ed in a student newspaper.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
No antisemitic activity. No support of terrorism.
An op-ed in a student newspaper.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
![Action Memo for Senior Bureau Official John Armstrong
FROM:
SUBJECT:
CA/VO - Stuart Wilson, Deputy Assistant Secretary
(SBU) Revocation of Fl Visa for Rumeysa OZTURK
(SBU) Recommendation 1: That you approve the revocation of the Fl visa,
effective immediately, for
under section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(INA). Due to ongoing ICE operational security, this revocation will be silent;
the Department will not notify the subject. (Approve/Disapprove by
03/21/25)
Decision: [Approved]
(SBU) Recommendation 2: That you authorize the transmission of the
attached notification to the Department of Homeland Security noting the,
immediate revocation of OZTURK's visa. (Approve/Disapprove by 03/21/25)
Decision: [Approved]
Background
(SBU} On March 21, 2025, the Assistant Director of the National Security Division of DHS/ICE's Homeland Security Investigations referred to CA information regarding Rumeysa OZTURK, a Turkish national, for a possible determination by the Secretary that the alien is deportable under INA section 237(a)(4)(C). As a nonimmigrant visa holder, such a determination is not necessary for OHS/ICE to pursue removal of OZTURK from the United States, as INA section 237(a}(1)(B) provides that an alien is deportable if their nonimmigrant visa has been revoked under INA section 221(i).](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:7r477jd7q7p2mzmyqfm7jmp7/bafkreigphzxypvufgeipmnblj3rj5bjvnpsifwim4gx2nxdcv3cqhgqj5q@jpeg)
January 23, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Here is the newly-unsealed State Department memo confirming -- finally -- that the detention of Tufts student Rümeysa Öztürk was based on an op-ed.
No antisemitic activity. No support of terrorism.
An op-ed in a student newspaper.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
No antisemitic activity. No support of terrorism.
An op-ed in a student newspaper.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Brett Holman
From the people who brought you the Irish Reunification of 2024 and the Bell Riots
January 24, 2026 at 10:14 AM
From the people who brought you the Irish Reunification of 2024 and the Bell Riots
Reposted by Brett Holman
More here: www.museumwaalsdorp.nl/en/museum-wa...
Aeroacoustics: Listening device model Waalsdorp (1935 - 1940) - Museum Waalsdorp
Aeroacoustics: Industrial production listening devices Waalsdorp (1935 – 1940) From 1935, the first listening devices to the Van
www.museumwaalsdorp.nl
January 24, 2026 at 9:31 AM
More here: www.museumwaalsdorp.nl/en/museum-wa...
Reposted by Brett Holman
Acoustic aircraft detector.
January 24, 2026 at 9:26 AM
Acoustic aircraft detector.
Reposted by Brett Holman
The average winter temperature inside a British house in the early 1970s was 12C. And probably considerably colder 50, 100 or 150 years before then when more people relied on hearths. I usually find it implausible in historical movies set in eg a medieval castle if actors strip off for a sex scene 🥶
Was intrigued, rereading the wonderful The Ghost of Thomas Kempe, to find somebody’s house having central heating being noted as remarkable. In 1973!
And indeed, only about 30 percent of UK homes would have had central heating when the book was published.
And indeed, only about 30 percent of UK homes would have had central heating when the book was published.
January 24, 2026 at 8:56 AM
The average winter temperature inside a British house in the early 1970s was 12C. And probably considerably colder 50, 100 or 150 years before then when more people relied on hearths. I usually find it implausible in historical movies set in eg a medieval castle if actors strip off for a sex scene 🥶
Reposted by Brett Holman
UK Pauses Chagos Islands Sovereignty Bill Following Renewed Opposition
A debate on a bill that transfers sovereignty over the Chagos Islands – including Diego Garcia – to Mauritius has been delayed after questions about its compliance with a UK-US treaty.
Story: theaviationist.com/2026/01/24/c...
A debate on a bill that transfers sovereignty over the Chagos Islands – including Diego Garcia – to Mauritius has been delayed after questions about its compliance with a UK-US treaty.
Story: theaviationist.com/2026/01/24/c...
UK Government Pauses Chagos Islands Sovereignty Bill Following Renewed Opposition
A debate on a bill that transfers sovereignty over the Chagos Islands - including Diego Garcia - to Mauritius has been delayed after questions about its
theaviationist.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:34 AM
UK Pauses Chagos Islands Sovereignty Bill Following Renewed Opposition
A debate on a bill that transfers sovereignty over the Chagos Islands – including Diego Garcia – to Mauritius has been delayed after questions about its compliance with a UK-US treaty.
Story: theaviationist.com/2026/01/24/c...
A debate on a bill that transfers sovereignty over the Chagos Islands – including Diego Garcia – to Mauritius has been delayed after questions about its compliance with a UK-US treaty.
Story: theaviationist.com/2026/01/24/c...
Reposted by Brett Holman
ICE is sending these kids to the concentration camp in Dilley, Texas, where they're preparing to have so many children that they're opening a new school there. They're actively hiring teachers now. I reported on it last month. We have to get people out of there.
January 23, 2026 at 1:27 PM
ICE is sending these kids to the concentration camp in Dilley, Texas, where they're preparing to have so many children that they're opening a new school there. They're actively hiring teachers now. I reported on it last month. We have to get people out of there.
Reposted by Brett Holman
“To defend the homeland” from the people who wash your dishes. Not the ones pointing nuclear weapons at you.
New US national defense strategy indicates a reduction is coming of US forces in Europe and South Korea. It also downgrades China as the top threat. The top priority now is "to defend the US homeland." media.defense.gov/2026/Jan/23...
media.defense.gov
January 24, 2026 at 7:14 AM
“To defend the homeland” from the people who wash your dishes. Not the ones pointing nuclear weapons at you.
Reposted by Brett Holman
Inhumane. Someone saves your coworker’s life and you put them in jail
Two women, detained by ICE, say they helped agent having seizure
The women say they guided agents through the emergency, later raising concerns about medical protocols, weapons safety and accountability.
www.startribune.com
January 24, 2026 at 5:12 AM
Inhumane. Someone saves your coworker’s life and you put them in jail
Reposted by Brett Holman
January 24, 2026 at 1:57 AM