With tribute to:

Martin Spirit

James Paul

Co-written by:

David Carter

Britain's Small Wars

The preservation of British Military History

Launched, Sunday 11th November 2018. Dedicated and paying tribute to veterans who have served in small conflicts since World War Two. This is an unofficial website with no ties to the Ministry of Defence. We would also like to pay a special tribute to Martin Spirit. For more information please read the About BSW page.

Latest updates

Last updated: Feb 10, 2019

The Aden Withdrawal November 1967 - Aden - 1964-1967

In 1966 whilst onboard H.M. Submarine Auriga, I spent a most enjoyable stay in Aden stopping there enroute for a long commission based on Singapore. From my diary of that time, I note that we arrived at 1340 on Sunday the 20th February when the weather was 85f... read more.

Last updated: Feb 10, 2019

The Ever Readies Aden 1965 - Aden - 1964-1967

I became involved in the British Army's operations in Aden as a member of the Territorial Army; I was not a regular soldier. I had originally joined the services as a boy seaman in the Royal Navy, aged 15, in 1951.... read more.

Last updated: Feb 10, 2019

Tales from Aden 1955 to 1957 - Aden - 1964-1967

I remember when we were in Aden in 66 Rifle Squadron and we used to go up country when the natives got restless. One time we were going up with a convoy of supplies and we came under fire.... read more.

Last updated: Feb 10, 2019

RASC in Aden and the Radfan - Aden - 1964-1967

I was posted to Aden from Aldershot in Feb 1964 after basic training as a driver in the RASC, at Yeovil, & Aldershot. I was so excited to be going to a place like Aden and not Germany... read more.

Some of the Featured

Introduction - Bosnia - 1992
Medal Ribbon

In 1990 the Republic of Yugoslavia destabilized following the death of Marshal Tito and the collapse of the Soviet Union and Warsaw Pact.... read more.

RAF Flying in Oman - Oman - 1969-1976
Medal Ribbon

he main RAF base in Oman was Salalah, a heavily defended, packed sand air strip from which Skymasters and Skyvans operated under the guardianship of RAF Regiment gunners in defensive positions called hedgehogs.... read more.

SBS Operations - Gulf War - 1990-1991
Medal Ribbon

After the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the Special Forces were assigned two possible actions in the emerging Allied contingency plans:... read more.

Medal Ribbon

45 Royal Marine Commando served in Aden from 23rd April 1960 until November 1967 and the advance party arrived on the 10th of March 1960. One of the first tasks of the advance party was to take over the camp in Little Aden from the British Petroleum Company.... read more.

A Hill in Korea - Korea - 1950-1957
Medal Ribbon

It is getting a bit tatty now and it sheds its feathers through countless holes, badly patched up, but it is still usable to the distress of many friends in yachts and caravans where it is pressed into use from time to time.... read more.

Farrar the Para - Radfan - 1964-1967
Medal Ribbon

In the spring of 1964, the sniping war waged in the hinterland of the South Arabian Federation flared up and the campaign that followed was reminiscent of the pre-war fighting on the North-West Frontier of India.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

The Background to the Korean conflict stretches back to the division of the korean peninsular at the end of World War Two.... read more.

Hearts and Minds - Oman - 1969-1976
Medal Ribbon

After the SAS and Firqats had established themselves on the djeble, the Regiment started to carry out 'Hearts and Minds' operations to win over the support of the Dhofaris.... read more.