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
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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.

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I was 17 when I finished basic training in the Royal Scots at Dreghorn Barracks in Edinburgh. After a short stint as regimental butcher, three buddies and I volunteered for Korea.... read more.

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In April 1951, the 1st KOSB was sent from Kong Kong to join the UN forces in Korea, arriving at Inchon on 23rd April 1951. The Borderers went into action immediately on reaching the front... read more.

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In 1955 there was a revolt against the ruler, Imam Ahmad, and some princes and army officers involved in the failed coup were caught in Aden by the British Forces, along with the Aden police, and had to be returned to face trial.... read more.

SBS Operations - Gulf War - 1990-1991
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After the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the Special Forces were assigned two possible actions in the emerging Allied contingency plans:... read more.

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Eyewitness account of Private Edward Worley of the attack by the I.Z.L. (Igrun Zveie Leumi) on the Syrian Orphanage, Schneller, Jerusalem.... read more.

Introduction - Radfan - 1964-1967
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The British involvement in Radfan began during the Aden Crisis, with rebels using the Dhala road to bringdown supplies for the terrorists in Aden. The British Army took the decision to deploy a garrison into the Radfan to limit the rebels supplies and thus the Radfan tribesmen's ability to blackmail the traders.... read more.

Introduction - Aden - 1964-1967
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In 1839 Captain Haines of the East India Company landed a party of Royal Marines on the small seaport at the foot of the Red Sea. Haines's job was to put an end to the Adeni pirates who were harassing British merchant ships on their passage to India.... read more.