The History Syndicate Podcast @HistSyndicate

This week on the pod - we’re talking actions on D-Day This time with @VCGCOnline all about CSM Stan Hollis VC… “The Man They Couldn’t Kill” - a model soldier in the field! Out Wednesday

Ray’s Rock - Omaha Beach On the morning of June 6, 1944, 23 year old Staff Sergeant Arnold “Ray” Lambert came ashore with the first wave of the 1st Infantry Division on the eastern side of Omaha Beach. At this small patch of concrete he saved nearly 20 lives: The division came under intense fire from several German bunkers surrounding the entrance to the Colville Draw (one of two exits off Omaha Beach). Ray, a medic, immediately went to work. He was shot in the arm. Moments later he was hit by shrapnel in the leg, but Ray kept pulling men to safety. He pulled nearly 20 wounded soldiers to cover behind this 8ft wide obstacle, treating each soldier before going out in search of others. After several hours under fire, while pulling a wounded soldier from the ocean, he was struck by a landing craft. It dropped its ramp on top of him, breaking his back. He fell face down in the water, drowning. The craft backed up and nearby soldiers pulled an unconscious Ray to safety, eventually evacuating him off the beach. Remarkably, Ray had already earned two Silver Stars and three Purple Hearts in Sicily and North Africa, prior to landing in France. But here in Normandy his war would end. He awoke in a hospital back in England a day later. In the next bed over was his brother, who had also been wounded at Omaha. When asked about his work on D-Day, Ray simply said, “I did what I was called to do.” Ray Lambert passed in 2021 at 100 years old. He exemplified the best of American grit and why remembering this day is so important.

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@HistoryPegg Defending the wounded at the aid station if I remember correctly? Lest we forget

Not long until Jane Seymour: Patronage, Material Culture and Image Crafting is published (23 July) by @routledgebooks I am thrilled to be contributing their wonderful Lives of Royal Women series. Based on substantial archival research, this is the most detailed account of Jane’s life and queenship that has so far been written #janeseymour #queenjane #livesofroyalwomen

@Stu_Lyle It was so great talking to you…getting rid of the some of the myths around the WW2 British Home Guard

ICYMI: Here is my discussion with @HistSyndicate discussing the emergence of urban warfare doctrine by the 🇬🇧 Home Guard in WW2. Pioneering thinking, it defended Britain, trained those going over to Fortress Europe and is still being taught today. 🫡 share.google/C9kXkZuK0Mywdj…

Remembering 6th June 1944 - all those Allied Nations to Liberate France I recently saw this on Alexandre Lofi. Thousands of names and I love finding ones like this, bringing those lesser known for their service to the fore - Lest We Forget

@NicholasMorto11 Looking forward to talking about it having read it! Throughly a great and easy read enhancing my knowledge on the subject…super

Big Battlefield Walks Weekends 2026 12th -13th and 19th-20th September 2026 With the success of its 2025 free battlefield walks, designed to coincide with Heritage Open Days, the Trust has decided to run another programme in 2026. N.B. Booking required. See Events in our bio.

Want to know more about Omaha Beach on D-Day - I’ve been discussing with Simon Browne all about the role of the Rangers, ‘The Beast of Omaha’, DD-Tanks and more on the pod this week… Check it out now wherever you get your pods and let us know any stories we’ve missed

🇺🇸🇬🇧🇫🇷Ahead of #DDay82, we were honoured to host a group of American Second World War Veterans this afternoon. From left to right: Warren Goss, Otis Branon, Alan Shapiro, Irving Locker and Albert Vizachero. Both Warren and Irving landed on Utah in the first wave.

My three books of which I am so proud - all available to order by clicking on their covers at this link victoriacrossonline.co.uk/my-books-for-s… please share or review

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Over the next two weeks we’ll focus on D-Day (6 Jun 44) First up will be ‘Discussing Omaha Beach’ with Battlefield Guide with Simon Browne And then next week will be ‘Discussing Stan Hollis VC’ with @VCGCOnline Two fab topics for D-Day Discussions

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💥 On Saturday 20th I'm speaking about Owain Glyndwr at the new Tewkesbury History Festival, while on Friday 26th I'm heading back to war myself when I debate Matthew Lewis and Nicola Tallis on the Princes in the Tower at Chalke Valley History Festival 🔗 NathenAmin.com

RICHARD TODD outside Café Gondrée - the first house in France to be liberated - while shooting THE LONGEST DAY (1962) Todd himself was among the first British soldiers to land in Normandy as part of Operation Overlord in June 1944.

"A kaleidoscopic portrait of one of history's most engrossing confrontations." Thank you Justin Marozzi for a fabulous review in today's Sunday Times of my new book: "The Crusader Storm" Link: thetimes.com/culture/books/… @justinmarozzi @BasicBooksUK

When trying to wade through the chaos that is April-July 1483, I think examining the timeline of events is revealing. A lot happens between Edward IV's death and Richard III's coronation. Watch my full thoughts below youtube.com/watch?v=3B5dR1…

Lumb Falls is now an overcrowded Yorkshire Insta spot, but it has always been a popular destination. Before the First World War, six young men were photographed there on a day out. They all died in the war - and 40 years later, Ted Hughes wrote a poem about them.

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Congratulations to Squadron Leader Al Luckins, who has today become our newest Spitfire Pilot, flying Spitfire AB910 for the very first time ✈️ #pilot #training #aviation #spitfire

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I was literally only discussing the Breville Ridge an hour before I got this news. I really am speechless.

Craig Flagg @CraigFlagg1944

a week ago

Unfortunately, the rumours are true. 51st Highland Div. monument Bréville ridge. Stolen! I have no words. #ww2 #Normandy @BattlefieldBen @sommecourt @WW2TV @militaryhistori @AndyAitcheson @almurray @James1940 @Barber1944

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