Slightly out of focus

Officers and men of No. 5 Army Film and Photo Section shortly before the start of the Normandy campaign, May 1944. O/C Major Hugh Stewart is seated in the middle of the second row. © IWM HU 109820 iwm.org.uk/collections/it…

A display of work by Naval photographers in the waiting room at the Admiralty, May 1944. In the centre is the battle ensign of HMS Starling, commanded by Capt F.J. Walker, the most successful anti-submarine warfare vessel of the Royal Navy. IWM (A 23643), Lt McNeill RN

B-24 Liberators of the 491st Bomb Group fly in formation at sunset, the photograph having a painting-like quality.. IWM (FRE 6879), Edward Frewen Wilson III. iwm.org.uk/collections/it…

Stalking the Night Raider, by Roy Nockolds (1911-79), 1941. IWM (Art.IWM ART LD 1150) iwm.org.uk/collections/it…

Divers find WW1 ship 109 years after it was sunk bbc.com/news/articles/…

Reposting a thread on this. x.com/Normandy661944…

BBC News - How a wall in Surrey helped the Allies on D-Day bbc.com/news/articles/…

Please have a look at this substack by @Normandy661944 its really infomative and its got commandos in it. Brilliant stuff @WeHaveWaysPod substack.com/home/post/p-16…

A Universal Carrier carrier passes a destroyed German half-track near Troarn during Op Goodwood, 19 July 1944. Ahead of the half-track, another carrier has turned off the road, perhaps abandoned. Further back, more carriers pass a smoking wreck. IWM B 7686, Sgt Christie, AFPU

Cromwells of 2nd (Armoured Reconnaissance) Battalion, Welsh Guards, near Escoville during Op Goodwood, 18 July 1944. The artist Rex Whistler, serving with this Battalion, was killed by a mortar the same day near Giberville. IWM B7562, Sgt Christie, AFPU iwm.org.uk/collections/it…

Self-portait in Welsh Guards uniform, by Rex Whistler (1905-1944), May 1940. Whistler was killed by a mortar bomb in Normandy on 18 July 1944, the first day of Operation Goodwood, after leaving his tank to help other men. Painting in the National Army Museum (my photograph).

Sherman tanks advance across a dusty landscape in the area around Brettevillette in Normandy, 17 July 1944. A70 83-6, Sgt Parkinson, AFPU iwm.org.uk/collections/it…

Streaming Paravanes, by Feliks Topolski (1907-89), 1941. © The Estate of Feliks Topolski (Art.IWM ART 17962) iwm.org.uk/collections/it…

Shocking this: The diary of Sapper Storey has been taken from the Pegasus Museum on June 6th this year. This unique document was a recent addition. to the museum. Fortunately the family still have the original documents, but are distressed that it has been taken.…

First World War biscuits, Reading Museum (Huntley and Palmer, who made the biscuits, were based in Reading). My photos.

Good morning! This week's theme is Rooftops. ----- 'Attic Window', Pimlico (c.1934) by Noel Kilgour (Newcastle Art Gallery NSW)

Final Stages of the German War: Strasbourg Cathedral, by Anthony Gross (1905-84), 1945. IWM (Art.IWM ART LD 5249) iwm.org.uk/collections/it…

A dramatic memorial to Lt George Jolliffe RN, killed at 18 or 19 on HMS Bellerophon at the Battle of the Nile in 1798. The ‘Billy Ruffian’ is shown in the midst of battle, with cannon-shot sails and the top of her mizzen mast being carried away. St Peter’s church, Petersfield.

My new substack post, on the work of Sgt Clague of the AFPU. open.substack.com/pub/insharpfoc…