So only two weeks into 2013 and already it is shaping up to
be a busy year for me and hopefully a very productive year research wise.
First up I have an ongoing research project for the Redoubt
Fortress and Museum. I am currently researching the Royal Artillery for a
display that needs refreshing. I have the initial plan for what I think would
make an interesting and engaging exhibition.
This research has lead to me reading Paddy Griffiths
excellent Battle Tactics of the Western Front: The British Army’s Art of Attack
1916 – 18.
The chapter on the artillery is very interesting and shows
that far from just wasting shells in fruitless weeklong barrages, the artillery
were innovating and constantly tinkering with various technologies, techniques
and munitions. He finishes the chapter by saying that while there may have been
wastage in previous battles “a new standard of economy and accuracy had
certainly been attained during the final year of the war.”[1]
I am also doing some research for an independent film “Sixth
Monkey” while not related to conflict or military history directly this is
useful experience for me. The themes of the film focus on animal rights and
activism (or at least these themes I have researched so far). Check out the
website for the film Sixth Monkey.
Finally I have a battlefield tour to Nasby to plan for my Wargames
group that I belong to, so I have some research to do for that as well as a
recce. A battlefield tour to the Market Garden area of operations is also in
the pipeline subject to funds and time permitting. This will primarily be with
friends as I must admit that I have never visited the area despite writing
about Market Garden for my dissertation.
[1]
Griffiths, P. Battle Tactics of the
Western Front: The British Army’s Art of Attack 1916 – 18 P.158
