Karl James
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karljames1945.bsky.social
Karl James
@karljames1945.bsky.social
520 followers 220 following 110 posts
Head, Military History, Australian War Memorial. Australia & the Second World War. Chinooks in Afghanistan. ADB editor board
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Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · Nov 27
Very proud to have contributed to this excellent volume ‘Special Operations: India, Burma, China and Malaya’ in Andrew Kilsby & Daryl Moran (eds), In the fight: Australians and the war in Burma, 1942–1945 academia.edu/125872084/_Spe…#WeHaveWaysy#HistBookChatat
karljames1945.bsky.social
Can’t wait to see it IRL!
hisbpf.bsky.social Brian Farrell 🇨🇦🇺🇦 @hisbpf.bsky.social · 2d
My latest book is now available on Kindle, if you like reading that way. The lay out is good.
November 19, 2025 at 8:32 AM
karljames1945.bsky.social
Out of the office today to spend time with @AustralianArmy for the Chief of Army History Conference @ Parliament House. Fantastic keynote presentations from the Deputy Chief of Army MAJGEN Chris Smith.
November 18, 2025 at 11:58 PM
karljames1945.bsky.social
It’s been a big fortnight of🏃‍♂️with a PB time for the 1/2 marathon on 2/11 with the @canberratimes Fun Run & the 15km on 15/11 with the Stromlo Running Festival. Mt Stromlo is brutal but the views are spectacular 🍻
November 16, 2025 at 11:41 PM
karljames1945.bsky.social
Just finished reading @almurray’s 📖. Learnt lots about airborne ops & for the first time the battle of Arnhem made sense to me. Great shout out too to WO Keith Prowd @AusAirForce, a glider pilot with No. 196 Sqn who also flew on #DDay. Prowd was awarded a 🇳🇱 Airman’s Cross.
November 13, 2025 at 12:49 AM
karljames1945.bsky.social
Terribly sad news. An incredible historian, Tim was always generous & encouraging.
okeefehistorian.bsky.social David O’Keefe @okeefehistorian.bsky.social · 25d
For those of you who didn’t know, he fought a most private and courageous war for over a decade against cancer. RIP Timmy. You will be missed my friend.
October 30, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Reposted by Karl James
crusaderproject.bsky.social
On 25 October 1941 the Axis bagged one of the biggest successes in its interdiction campaign against the Tobruk Run, when Abdiel-Class mine-laying cruiser HMS Latona was sunk by dive bombers on the way to Tobruk.

@karljames1945.bsky.social

#navalhistory
German/Italian Reports on Sinking of HMS Latona, 25 Oct 1941
Background HMS Latona was an Abdiel-class minelaying cruiser, one of the most modern ships in the Royal Navy. She was only commissioned in April 1941 and spent her short service life entirely on as…
rommelsriposte.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Reposted by Karl James
forgottenwarpod.bsky.social
OUT NOW! The Series 2 finale has landed. In this special Q&A episode, we tackle listener questions on everything from the performance of the Chinese Army to the sheer scale of American involvement in the theatre. A huge thank you to everyone who wrote in! #ForgottenWarPod #WW2History #QandA
October 13, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Reposted by Karl James
crusaderproject.bsky.social
Today’s favourite #warart

Details in ALT

@karljames1945.bsky.social
“He was an outstanding animal painter – the most important Australia has produced in this field” - The Argus * In 1917, H. Septimus Power was appointed as an official war artist with the honorary rank of lieutenant and attached to the 1st Division AIF. During the First World War, Power captured some of the last significant battles in modern warfare that involved horses, including this painting of the First Australian Division Artillery at the 3rd Battle of Ypres, 1917. Groups of six horses are depicted bringing forward 18-pounder guns that were used by Australian and British forces on the Western Front. Power’s composition places emphasis on the horses, portraying their strength and endurance amidst terrifying conditions. This painting was acclaimed when it was exhibited in 1919 at the Royal Academy in London. -- 🎨 Artwork: H. Septimus Power (1877–1951), ‘First Australian Division Artillery going into the 3rd Battle of Ypres’, (1919, oil on canvas, framed: 152 x 274.2 x 14.5cm) ART03330" * ""He loved painting animals"" The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) 4 January 1951: 4. Web. 15 Oct 2025 [https://brnw.ch/21wWOys]
October 22, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Reposted by Karl James
casematepublishers.bsky.social
Coming soon to the Casemate Illustrated series, "Midget Submarines 1939–45" explores the World War II naval raids using midget submarines.

💻️: https://tinyurl.com/4978dzp5

#wwII #navalhistory #militaryhistory
October 17, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Reposted by Karl James
crusaderproject.bsky.social
Today's favourite #warart

Vale Waterhen

HMAS Waterhen sinking the day after being struck by Axis aircraft off Sollum.

@karljames1945.bsky.social
The British destroyer HMS Defender (left) alongside the Australian destroyer HMAS Waterhen, after the latter had been attacked and crippled by German dive bombers off the port of Salum in Egypt. The Waterhen had been carrying reinforcements to the besieged garrison at Tobruk. It was one of several Australian ships that operated a shuttle service between Tobruk and various ports in Egypt, a service that became known as the Tobruk ferry or Tobruk taxi. HMS Defender is taking on board the crew of the Waterhen and the troops it has been carrying. HMAS Waterhen sank the following day, 1941-06-30. Places Africa: North Africa, Libya, Cyrenaica, Tobruk Area, Tobruk Oceania: New Guinea1, Aitape Accession Number ART22327 Collection type Art Measurement Overall: 55.2 x 71 cm Object type Painting Physical description oil on hardboard Maker Norton, Frank Place made Australia: Victoria, Melbourne Date made 1942 Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945 Copyright Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain Public Domain Mark This item is in the Public Domain Description HMAS Waterhen listing to port, prior to being taken in tow and later sinking.
October 16, 2025 at 7:27 PM
karljames1945.bsky.social
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10...
The Australian POWs who became double agents and uncovered genocidal plans
It started a researcher down a rabbit hole "beyond anything anyone could ever dream up", involving deception, double agents, secret names and plans for a genocide.
www.abc.net.au
October 12, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Reposted by Karl James
crusaderproject.bsky.social
#OTD in 1941 General Bortolo Zambon, GOC Brescia division, relinquished his command. He had fought under Rommel for all of the latter’s battles and led his division during the siege of Tobruk.

@karljames1945.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social @ima-naval-history.bsky.social
D.A.K. War Diary 9 April 1941
9 April 1941 Aerial reconnaissance during the morning 9 April showed: Mechili – Gadd el Ahmar free of enemy, there one of our detachments. 40km east of Gadd el Ahmar retreating enemy column. …
rommelsriposte.com
October 10, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Reposted by Karl James
alanallport.bsky.social
Stanning Joshua Chamberlain today because sometimes to save the Union you need a pointy-headed college professor with eccentric grooming
October 2, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Reposted by Karl James
crusaderproject.bsky.social
#OTD in 1941 12 Field Coy R.E. started a new war diary, settling in for another month of the siege of Tobruk.

@ubiquevir.bsky.social @karljames1945.bsky.social

rommelsriposte.com/2021/11/05/1...
12th Field Company War Diary October 1941
Tobruk Lieutenant D.V Hutchinson M.B.E. and the 12th Field Company R.E. had now been in Torbruk Garrison for four days, situated at a camping area …12th Field Company War Diary October 1941
rommelsriposte.com
October 1, 2025 at 10:27 AM
karljames1945.bsky.social
Family movie night 🦈
September 27, 2025 at 11:13 AM
Reposted by Karl James
kristenauthor.bsky.social
Sad news for Alexander Fax Booksellers in Mawson ACT. We're closing the shop. But not the business! We will continue to sell quality military books online and by mailorder to subscribers. If you are local, pop into the shop and check out the bargains. 50% off most; exceptions bargain bins & shelves.
September 16, 2025 at 9:50 PM
karljames1945.bsky.social
This week at the Australian War Memorial, we had Michael Veitch present on Borneo, I’ve just finished the book 📖 It’s an easy read & a good introduction to the I Aust Corps operations on Borneo in 1945.

#WehaveWays #HistBookChat
September 5, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Reposted by Karl James
drtom-historian.bsky.social
Come and study with us! It'll be fun!

Applications are open for the Australian War Memorial Summer Scholars program, to be held in Canberra next Jan-Feb.

Apply here: www.awm.gov.au/get-involved...
B+W photo of Charles Bean at work, c. 1920s. AWM A05389.
September 3, 2025 at 1:54 AM
karljames1945.bsky.social
On today at the @AWMemorial. It’s not too to come along this afternoon for what will be a great #WWII talk.

#WeHaveWays #HistBookChat
karljames1945.bsky.social Karl James @karljames1945.bsky.social · Aug 29
This #BookFriday don’t forget to book your free tickets for next week’s author talk at the @AWMemorial! Join us as Michael Veitch discusses his latest 📖 on the Borneo campaigns in 1945. See: awm.gov.au/author-talk-mi… #WeHaveWaysy#WWIIII
September 2, 2025 at 11:55 PM
karljames1945.bsky.social
This #BookFriday don’t forget to book your free tickets for next week’s author talk at the @AWMemorial! Join us as Michael Veitch discusses his latest 📖 on the Borneo campaigns in 1945. See: awm.gov.au/author-talk-mi… #WeHaveWaysy#WWIIII
August 29, 2025 at 5:04 AM
karljames1945.bsky.social
London museum tells forgotten story of African and Indian troops in second world war
National Army Museum’s Beyond Burma exhibition examines stories of soldiers from Britain’s colonies

www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
London museum tells forgotten story of African and Indian troops in second world war
National Army Museum’s Beyond Burma exhibition examines stories of soldiers from Britain’s colonies
www.theguardian.com
August 28, 2025 at 3:38 AM
karljames1945.bsky.social
This #BookFriday, the last of my recent🏖️reads, Captain Andrew Wilson's ripping memoir as a troop commander in Churchill flamethrower tanks in NW Europe & this brief history of Samurai & medieval Japan, beautifully published by @TuttleBooks 📚

#HistBookChat
August 22, 2025 at 1:01 AM
karljames1945.bsky.social
This #BookFriday, the last of my recent🏖️reads, Captain Andrew Wilson's ripping memoir as a troop commander in Churchill flamethrower tanks in NW Europe & this brief history of Samurai & medieval Japan, beautifully published by Tuttle 📚
August 22, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Reposted by Karl James
crusaderproject.bsky.social
Today’s favourite #warart

“Anti-aircraft defences, Marsa Matruh” (1941)

#desertwar #ww2 #militaryhistory

@karljames1945.bsky.social @thehistoryguy.bsky.social @alanallport.bsky.social @cedricmas.bsky.social
Depicts unidentified Australian soldiers standing with a Bren gun mounted on a tripod for anti-aircraft defence in the Western Desert during the North African campaign. Hele was serving as a private in the AIF, when in January 1941 he was commissioned in the field by General Blamey and given the task of depicting the activities of Australians in North Africa. His appointment was made official in October 1941. From June 1943 until the end of the Second World War Hele worked in a number of locations in Northern Australia and New Guinea, holding his commission until 1947. Hele was again commissioned an official war artist , with the rank of Major, during the Korean War. From 1953 he executed a number of portrait and painting commissions for the Australian War Memorial and in 1969 was awarded a CBE for his services to art. AWM Accession Number ART22868 Collection type Art Measurement framed: 83.7 x 73.8 cm Object type Painting Physical description oil on canvas on cardboard Maker Hele, Ivor Place made North Africa: Western Desert, Western Desert (Egypt), Mersa Matruh Date made 1941 Conflict Second World War, 1939-1945
August 21, 2025 at 8:39 AM
Reposted by Karl James
sonofsandor.bsky.social
Aug 20, 1950 Australian born Major Benjamin Carlin and his wife yesterday reached the island of Flores, in the Azores, in their amphibious jeep. They had been missing for more than a week. The Carlins left Nova Scotia on July 19 in an attempt to cross the Atlantic in their 17ft converted jeep.
August 20, 2025 at 2:50 AM