Imperial War Museum - War Art Exhibition

I am in London for a few days. A couple of work meetings today, and just time to pop in and see the war art exhibition at the Imperial War Museum.

Lots of different media covering the wars of the 20th century and modern conflicts. The paintings had a mix of classics and several I hadn't seen before.

I am sure they have done some work on both the First and Second World War galleries since I was last there. I don't recall the Serbian and Ottoman uniforms, and the storyline flows very well. They use modern display techniques without losing the exhibits' feel.

The Second World War exhibits looked familiar, except possibly for the Chinese uniform

 and the Soviet 122mm gun.

Well worth a return visit if you haven't been recently. When I lived in London, I visited regularly, including the fine Tradition Model Soldier shop around the corner.

Moghul: The Tainted Throne

 This is the fourth book in Alex Rutherford’s excellent series on the Moghul Empire. He sticks fairly closely to history while adding fictional authorial text.

This volume covers Jahangir, the empire's fourth emperor, who reigned from 1605 until his death in 1627. He rebelled against his father, Akbar the Great, but as the last remaining son, he reconciled with him before his death. On becoming emperor, he took the regnal name Nur-ud-din Muhammad Jahangir—usually shortened to Jahangir, meaning roughly “world-seizer.”

His reign continued many of Akbar's administrative and territorial policies. He faced several rebellions, most notably one led by his eldest son, Prince Khusrau, in 1606. Jahangir suppressed the rebellion and imprisoned Khusrau. Externally, he attempted to expand the Empire to the Deccan region in the south, but without the same success as in the north.

A key element in the book was the influence of his wife Nur Jahan (Mehrunissa). They married in 1611, and she became an exceptionally influential figure at court. She participated in political decision-making, issued orders and coins in her name, and helped shape appointments and alliances. The author argues that she did this by keeping the Emperor addicted to alcohol and opium. It is difficult to know how true this is. He also developed an interest in England when the ambassador Sir Thomas Roe visited his court between 1615 and 1619 to seek trading privileges for the English East India Company.

The book ends with the inevitable succession battle, as Nur Jahan sought to retain her influence by trying to install her son as Emperor. However, Prince Khurram won the struggle, executed challengers and took the regnal name Shah Jahan.

I am a big fan of this period, and collected a lot of books while developing my 28mm armies for display games some years ago. 

Stafford

 I ventured south today to do a book talk on my way to a couple of days of golf with some old pals. I stopped in Stafford, mainly because it has a regimental museum and a castle I hadn't seen. I have passed the town many times on the M6, usually wondering why the traffic slows to a crawl in a relatively quiet area!

The Staffordshire Yeomanry Museum is on the top floor of the Ancient House in the town centre. It's only a small display of this regiment, which fought all over the world, although they often appeared to be sent to the Middle East. It was a volunteer cavalry regiment, with a history stretching back to 1794, raised at the Swan Inn in Stafford, just around the corner from the museum. Its motto was “Pro aris et focis” — “For hearth and home.” 

They served in the Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa, including at Thabanchu and Senekal. 

In the First World War, the regiment served in Egypt, Sinai and Palestine, taking part in the Gaza battles, Megiddo and the capture of Damascus. In the Second World War, they converted to tanks in 1941 and joined the Royal Armoured Corps. It fought in North Africa, including Alam el Halfa and El Alamein, and subsequently served in North-West Europe after D-Day.

Stafford Castle is close to the town centre and is well maintained by the local council staff. It was originally a Norman fortress, but the wooden walls were replaced with stone in the 13th century. The Roundheads slighted it during the Civil War, and it was partially restored in the 19th century.  Plenty of information boards and a pleasant walk around and up to the mound.

The Staffordshire Regimental Museum is also worth a visit if you are in the area. I have been before, but it had just closed as I passed it. I did get to see Tamworth Castle this evening, which looks like it is being assaulted by a siege tower 😂.

The pre-talk dinner was as tasty as the presentation was impressive!

My talk was on Russian 18th-century colonialism to the Black Sea, which is covered by my latest two books. I was very impressed by how many in the audience had read the books. Much better than getting them afterwards, as they ask much more relevant questions.

Korean War: Republic of Korea

 This is the latest in Osprey's MAA series on the Korean War by Benjamin Lai, covering the Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) and United Nations Command. Another war that has faded from memory in the UK. My interest was sparked after researching the history of the Turkish forces that went there for my book on the early Cyprus conflict, published by Helion Books.

The Korean War began in 1950 when North Korea invaded South Korea, aiming to unite the country under communist rule. The United Nations, led mainly by the United States, supported South Korea, while China and the Soviet Union supported North Korea. The war involved intense fighting and caused millions of deaths and widespread destruction. After three years of conflict, the sides signed an armistice in 1953, ending the fighting but not officially ending the war. Korea remained divided along a border close to the 38th parallel, with North Korea and South Korea continuing as separate countries.

ROKA was formed after the Second World War, almost entirely with American equipment left behind when they left the peninsula. While they had 65,000 combat troops, the quality and quantity of equipment were one of the causes of their collapse when North Korea invaded. Leadership at all levels was also weak. Despite retraining and re-equipment, they were treated as suspect by the Americans, with some justification, as they collapsed again when China entered the war. By the end of the war, ROKA had expanded to 12 front-line divisions, which performed credibly, allowing allied forces to begin leaving the conflict. The book covers uniforms, equipment, and the key units. There was also a Marine Corps.

The second part covers other United Nations forces. Britain provided the largest element after the USA, with infantry and armoured units, often on rotation. The uniforms were similar to WW2, and over one thousand died there. A memorial stands in Scotland just off the M8 between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The other countries providing troops are also covered. These included European countries like Belgium, France, Greece, and the Netherlands, as well as others worldwide, including Colombia, Commonwealth nations, Ethiopia, Thailand and the Philippines. Many of these armies were also being reconstituted after WW2, and for the Turkish Army, it provided vital combat experience.

As you would expect, there are excellent colour plates and illustrations. This book packs a lot into one volume, but it offers enough for wargamers to expand their armies beyond the USA and North Korea.

My Turkish forces defending against an attack by Chinese and North Korean forces. 10mm using Pendraken figures.

St Andrews

 I spoke at a meeting at the University of St Andrews yesterday evening, which gave me the chance to revisit the historical sights in this fine old town. 

The original castle was built at the end of the 12th century, although what remains is the rebuilt castle from 1401. St Andrews was the religious headquarters of the church in Scotland, but the bishops were also secular rulers, running their estates from this castle. It had many famous prisoners. During the Scottish Reformation, the castle became a centre of religious persecution and controversy. Referring to the bottle dungeon, the Scottish reformer, John Knox, wrote, "Many of God's Children were imprisoned here." 

The most famous events took place in 1546, when David Beaton imprisoned the Protestant preacher George Wishart and had him burnt at the stake in front of the castle walls on 1 March. In May of the same year, Wishart's friends entered the castle disguised as masons while building work was underway. After overcoming the garrison, they murdered Cardinal Beaton and hung his body from his window on the front of the castle. A subsequent siege badly damaged the castle, including a bombardment by a French fleet.

The Cathedral was built nearby at around the same time. It fell into decline after the Reformation. 

The University has a small museum, The Wardlaw, that includes both the university and the town.

The University is Scotland's oldest and was recently rated the best in the UK, above Oxford and Cambridge. The buildings are superb, and the students were very engaged in my meeting. 

Finally, St Andrews is the home of golf. I will spare you the sad story of my past performances here, but it was a glorious evening for a game. 

Moghul: Ruler of the World

 This is the third book in Alex Rutherford's Empire of the Moghul series. A fictional adaptation of the early Moghul rulers. The first two covered Babur and Humayun, who established, lost and recovered the empire. This book covers Akbar, often described as 'the Great Moghul', who was the first to be born in India and greatly expanded it.

Akbar was born in 1542 to Humayun, the second Mughal emperor. He became emperor at 13 after his father's death in 1556. Akbar greatly expanded the Mughal Empire through military campaigns, diplomacy, and alliances. By the end of his reign, the empire covered much of northern and central India. He introduced important reforms to taxation and government. His administration divided the empire into provinces and established a more systematic system for collecting land revenue. He was known for religious tolerance. He abolished the jizya tax on non-Muslims and encouraged discussions between Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Jains, and other religious groups. Rather than relying solely on conquest, Akbar formed political and marital alliances with several Rajput rulers and incorporated many Rajputs into his administration and army.

The book reflects these developments, including his religious clashes with the Muslim Ulema and the newly arrived Europeans. The debate between the Jesuits and a British seaman was entertaining! The sheer wealth collected was enormous and allowed huge buildings to be developed and maintained cohesion. The magnificent complex at Fatehpur Sikri, which served as his capital for a period.

As was often the case, the book ends with the succession, with Akbar eventually choosing his eldest son. But not before plenty of internal manoeuvring. 

Despite his clever diplomacy, he still fought many wars. He conquered Rajput states, invaded Gujarat and the Deccan, and defeated rebels in Afghanistan and Bengal. The army still used elephants as well as traditional cavalry, artillery and musketeers. The Moghul army was as colourful as it was an effective blend of the old and the new.

My 28mm Moghul elephants

The Armenian Rebellion at Van

 This book covers the Armenian rebellion and the events of the First World War in the Turkish region of Van. Built out from the old city and the country's largest lake, the region bordered Iran (occupied by Russia at the time) to the east and Russia to the north. This book by Justin McCarthy and others uses Ottoman records to present a different view of the events from mainstream historical narratives. Van was only one of six vilayets that had substantial Armenian populations, and while linked, this book does not address the wider, and much contested, Armenian genocide.

The book describes the region, setting out its history, demographics, and the often rather loose Ottoman control. Kurdish tribes exerted significant control over their areas in the region, and the borders with Iran and Russia could never be properly policed by the limited Ottoman military based there. It was a tough posting: pay was often late, and in 1904 they rioted because they hadn't been given enough to eat. Disease was another risk, with several typhoid outbreaks in the army. Ammunition was always low. The Ottomans created irregular cavalry from the Kurdish tribes called the Hamidiye. Loosely based on the Cossack model, although with even less discipline, they always put tribal loyalty above the Ottoman state.

The Armenians were a minority in Van and had formed several revolutionary parties. They had plenty to revolt about, not least taxation and the violence against them. Their plan was to create a rebellion that would bring outside assistance. They sought diplomacy from Western nations and threatened Russian military intervention. Weapons could easily be imported from over the border

Armenians and Kurds had previously rebelled, following the Ottoman defeat by the Russians in the 1877-78 War. In 1896, a major rebellion occurred when Western intervention in Ottoman territory was possible, and it was stopped only because the powers disagreed over the spoils. The plan was to hold Van until the Russians intervened, but they didn't, and the rebellion was crushed. The Russians had mixed views on Armenian rebellions, as they certainly didn't want an independent Armenia on their territory or to encourage revolutionary activity. 

The region continued to be poorly governed, with famine, Kurdish raids from Iran, and high taxation levels. The Balkan Wars again highlighted Ottoman weakness and raised hopes of Russian intervention or a diplomatic solution. However, WW1 ended those hopes. The Russians prioritised the war against Germany and Austria, leaving limited forces to invade Turkey from the Caucasus. The occupation of Iran gave the Russians easier access, and the 70,000 Ottoman troops should have been able to defend the region. However, Enver Pasha believed an offensive was the right tactic, brought the Ottoman forces up to 95,000, and launched an attack. This was the Sarikamish campaign, which sent poorly equipped Ottoman forces over high mountain passes in summer uniforms. 75,000 men were lost, along with all the artillery. 

Russian troops in the Sarikamish campaign

This left the region weakly defended, and the Armenian rebellion began. There seems to be little doubt that this was well planned and that the Ottomans were aware. They responded in typical fashion, killing the Armenian leaders along with attempts to conscript young men, leaving Armenian villages undefended. Who did what, and in what order, is contested, but the outcome was death and destruction for civilians, Muslim and Christian. The Ottoman military struggled to defend the border and put down the rebellion, which was widespread across the region. It made it easier for the russian invasion to succeed in capturing the region. The war flowed back and forth, with civilians retreating with the troops for fear of reprisals by both sides. The Russians were in no rush to allow Armenians back into the region, as they had their own plans to occupy it with other settlers. Half of the Armenians in Van died during the war, and slightly more Muslims also lost their lives.

The Ottomans did not control the region at the end of the war, but the territory was recovered during the Turkish War of Independence. Deportations of Armenians had begun long before that in other parts of Turkey, with killings and deaths arising from the forced marches. Whether that was a genocide remains a contested issue to this day.

The author's conclusion that the Armenians in Van would have been better off with the Ottomans than rebelling assumes they believed they had any option, given previous massacres. Others strongly disagree with the views in this book. Relying on the Russians to enable an independent Armenia was certainly naive. The Ottoman army never had enough troops to defend the region and suppress a rebellion, and Enver Pasha's offensive made the situation far worse. In the end, it was the civilians of all religions who paid the price of the conflict.

The military aspects of this obscure conflict during WW1 gets little attention. We gave it a go in this week's midweek game, using Bloody Big Battles rules in 15mm. The Ottomans were defending one of the passes into the region, and the Russians had to break through. They did, but it was a close fight.

The Russians worked around both flanks, leaving the Ottoman centre too weak to hold the pass.