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

Major K. Muir's VC - Korea - 1950-1957
Medal Ribbon

At approximately 09:00hrs small parties of the enemy started to infiltrate on the left flank, necessitating the reinforcing of the forward platoon... 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.

Medal Ribbon

Jewish resistance to the British mandate had begun before the Second World War when Jews extremists set up an organization called, 'Irgun Zvia Leumi' (IZL) or simply, 'The Irgun'. Their aim was to campaign for the establishment of the state of Israel.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

The British forces in Kenya employed the tried and tested tactics which had worked so well in the counter-insurgency operations in Malaya... 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.

Medal Ribbon

By January 1964, a significant force was in position to oppose the Radfan tribesmen, with No.45 Commando sent to quell an Army mutiny in Tanganyika, then Brigadier Lunt prepared Operation Nutcracker to penetrate the country east of the Dhala road and quell the more intransigent Radfan tribes.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

On 24th February, at 1 am GMT. Just before dawn in the Gulf, the army of the 28-nation alliance rolled into Kuwait and Iraq.... read more.

Medal Ribbon

This collection of East African Military Postal history covers the post World War II period of the area up until the three countries gained their independence.... read more.