Author: Bill Anderson

  • With the Flag to Pretoria: Britains in the Boer War

    Bill Anderson

    Historical Context First Anglo-Boer war, 1880-1881 This was a struggle between the Boer republics and the British who were attempting to annex their territory and bring them into a British ruled confederation. After initial setbacks the British government despatched reinforcements. Their deployment provoked hostility across South Africa. Eventually a negotiated peace resulted, which conceded independence… Read more

  • The Royal Navy

    Bill Anderson

    The Senior Service as Represented by Britains 1. Introduction ‘’It is upon the navy, that under the good providence of god, the wealth, prosperity and peace of these islands and the empire do mainly depend’’ quote from the Articles of War. The Royal Navy is traditionally the oldest part of the British armed forces, founded… Read more

  • BEAU GESTE, THE FRENCH IN NORTH AFRICA:THE END OF EMPIRE, 1830-1962

    Bill Anderson

    Beau Geste Beau Geste was a 1939 American adventure movie, starring Garry Cooper, based on a 1924 novel by P.C.Wren. It was set in a desert fort. This was the second attempt to film the story. A third version appeared in 1966. Such exciting images provided excellent inspiration for war games with toy soldiers. Following… Read more

  • ETHIOPIA 1935-1936, THE UNCLAIMED COLONY

    Bill Anderson

    Introduction In October 1935, Italian Armies invaded Abyssinia (Ethiopia) from their existing colonies of Eritrea andItalian Somaliland, beginning an eightmonth war and a six-year occupation. This was an Italian adventure to expand Italy’s control of the region, as well as to impress European nations. By 1932 Mussolini was already committed to an eventual war of… Read more

  • BRITAINS IN THE BALKANS

    Bill Anderson

    3. Representations of the armies involvedThere was considerable variation in the uniforms of the Allied States, as well as differences between the actual uniform as worn during wartime conditions and their parade/dress uniforms. Typically, it was the latter represented by Britains, who created various sets in response to the (then current) conflict, in their usual… Read more

  • BRITAINS SET 19—THE WEST INDIA REGIMENT

    Bill Anderson

    Regimental Historical Background Founded in 1795, the West India Regiment were infantry units of the British Army, recruited from and stationed in the related British colonies, from 1795 until disbandment in 1927. In the 18th century, as the Empire grew, more soldiers were needed to garrison these new territories. The need was increased by the… Read more