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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Sussex Military History Society
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260416T183000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260416T203000
DTSTAMP:20260416T073457
CREATED:20260330T220857Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T222734Z
UID:201-1776364200-1776371400@sussexmilitary.com
SUMMARY:A Hazardous Experiment: Indian Soliders\, British Doubts And The Truth About The Western Front
DESCRIPTION:Hosted by Shoreham Fort: This month’s Tin Hut Talk guest speaker is Karen Leenders\, with her fascinating talk on ‘A Hazardous Experiment’ Indian Soldiers\, British Doubts and the Truth About the Western Front… \nWere Indian troops capable of fighting in France? In 1914\, the British military had serious doubts. This talk reveals why those fears were unfounded—and tells the remarkable story of how wounded Indian soldiers changed British minds when they arrived at Brighton’s hospitals. \nDrawing on her PhD research\, Karen Leenders challenges a century of myths about the Indian Corps on the Western Front. From the trenches to the hospital wards\, she uncovers how Indian soldiers not only proved their worth in combat but transformed civilian attitudes back home. \nThis is where military history meets social history—the story of a “hazardous experiment” that succeeded against all expectations.
URL:https://sussexmilitary.com/event/a-hazardous-experiment-indian-soliders-british-doubts-and-the-truth-about-the-western-front/
LOCATION:Shoreham Fort\, Forthaven\, Shoreham-by-Sea\, BN43 5HY\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Non-SMHS Event,Tin Hut Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sussexmilitary.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/shoreham-fort-nissen-hut-e1774908498859.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260509T235959
DTSTAMP:20260416T073457
CREATED:20260330T130618Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T120021Z
UID:109-1778284800-1778371199@sussexmilitary.com
SUMMARY:Visit to RAF Wartling Rotor R3 Radar Station
DESCRIPTION:A members only opportunity to visit the 1950s RAF radar bunker in Wartling\, East Sussex. \nBeneath the fields above the Pevensey Levels\, in the heart of East Sussex\, sits one of the most significant surviving Rotor R3 bunkers in the country — a two-level reinforced concrete structure built between 1951 and 1955 with walls\, floor and ceiling cast ten feet thick\, designed to absorb a near-miss from Russian pattern bombing. At its operational peak\, Wartling held responsibility for all British airspace south of the Thames\, and in 1959 provided the last radar trace of the prototype Handley Page Victor before it went down. It closed in December 1964\, was stripped\, and then became flooded — remaining largely inaccessible for decades. \nThe bunker’s current state owes a great deal to support from Subterranea Britannica. A major pumping operation removed some 2.75 million litres of water\, followed by years of work to seal ingress points\, reinstate lighting and make the structure walkable again. The two-hour guided tour takes in both levels and more than thirty rooms — intercept halls\, plant spaces\, switchgear rooms and the long connecting corridors that once directed Hunters and Javelins through southern English skies. \nBooking details have been circulated to members. New members to SMHS are welcome to book tickets\, subject to availability. The donation will fund restoration and preservation work at this unusual site.
URL:https://sussexmilitary.com/event/visit-to-wartling-rotor-r3-radar-station/
LOCATION:West Sussex
CATEGORIES:Visit
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sussexmilitary.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1552685048-wartling114-e1774875942373.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Sussex Military History Society":MAILTO:enquiries@sussexmilitary.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260516T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260517T235959
DTSTAMP:20260416T073457
CREATED:20260406T192450Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260406T192938Z
UID:487-1778889600-1779062399@sussexmilitary.com
SUMMARY:Home Front Weekend
DESCRIPTION:Amberley Meuseum are running another action-packed Home Front weekend on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May. This event is full of fascinating displays\, talks and demonstrations by a wide range of World War II re-enactment groups\, historic vehicle owners and demonstrators. \nThis year\, visitors will again get the chance to visit the American army encampment on the field\, adding even more to the event\, alongside displays of 1940s daily life\, fashion and music. They are looking forward to the return of the ever-popular Wartime Fire Station display and and displays of a wide variety of military vehicles from the 1940s onwards. \nVisitors won’t want to miss the chance to enjoy expert demonstrations of an RAF Ops Room in the Hayloft. While their very own 1930s-era bus and\, Peter\, a 1918 steam locomotive\, will give the opportunity to explore all the action across the site in style. \nBook your tickets below for this special event weekend by visiting their website and see Amberley transformed into a hive of historic activity!
URL:https://sussexmilitary.com/event/home-front-weekend/
LOCATION:Amberley Museum\, New Barn Road\, Amberley\, near Arundel\, West Sussex\, BN18 9LT\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Event,Non-SMHS Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sussexmilitary.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Home-Front-Military-Vehicles-Web-e1775503482830.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260520T200000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260520T213000
DTSTAMP:20260416T073457
CREATED:20260330T124055Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T125700Z
UID:104-1779307200-1779312600@sussexmilitary.com
SUMMARY:Courage Under Fire: The 2/5th Queen's Royal Regiment\, BEF: May 1940 - by Nigel Shearsmith
DESCRIPTION:A talk by Nigel Shearsmith\, guest speaker\, whose grandfather\, RSM Bacon\, fought in this action nr Abbeville almost exactly 86 years ago. \n\n\n\nNigel writes: “Join amateur historian Nigel Shearman for the dramatic story of how a territorial battalion from Guildford faced the might of Nazi Germany’s invasion of France. Poorly armed and minimal training\, these citizen-soldiers defended Abbeville against overwhelming odds. \n\n\n\nThrough rare photographs and personal accounts\, witness their desperate fighting withdrawal across the Somme. Despite catastrophic losses\, their spirit endured. \n\n\n\nA powerful testament to courage and survival during the darkest days of May 1940”. \n\n\n\nNigel is a retired telecommunications engineer with a lifelong passion for military history. While studying engineering at Liverpool University\, he joined the Officer Training Corps affiliated with the 5/8th Kings Regiment\, learning basic infantry skills. His career took him across Europe\, China\, India\, and North America\, where he spent his spare time exploring local military museums. \n\n\n\nThe growth of online resources reignited his passion through family history research. Focusing particularly on the Second World War\, his continuing studies challenge 1970s myths that British troops and equipment were inferior—always questioning: “if we weren’t that good\, how did we win?” He now re-enacts as a WW2 infantryman\, using his extensive small arms knowledge to demonstrate how period weapons functioned.  He is also a volunteer for Shoreham Fort.
URL:https://sussexmilitary.com/event/courage-under-fire-the-2-5th-queens-royal-regiment-bef-may-1940-by-nigel-shearsmith/
LOCATION:Lewes Town Hall\, High Street\, Lewes\, East Sussex\, BN7 2QS\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sussexmilitary.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/large_000000-e1774875371482.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Sussex Military History Society":MAILTO:enquiries@sussexmilitary.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260617T200000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260617T213000
DTSTAMP:20260416T073457
CREATED:20260330T131207Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260330T131207Z
UID:112-1781726400-1781731800@sussexmilitary.com
SUMMARY:Show and Tell
DESCRIPTION:The first of the year. Please bring in any military artefacts if you have them and talk for a few minutes about them\, and pass them around if you wish to do so. If you do not have such items\, do still come along and enjoy the evening. The laptop and projector will be set up if anyone wants to use it.
URL:https://sussexmilitary.com/event/show-and-tell/
LOCATION:Lewes Town Hall\, High Street\, Lewes\, East Sussex\, BN7 2QS\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Show and Tell
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sussexmilitary.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Wehrmacht_Heer_WW2_German_Army-e1774876314138.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Sussex Military History Society":MAILTO:enquiries@sussexmilitary.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260715T200000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260715T213000
DTSTAMP:20260416T073457
CREATED:20260403T112004Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T112004Z
UID:443-1784145600-1784151000@sussexmilitary.com
SUMMARY:Storming Suez: Inside Operation Musketeer’ - by George Hoad
DESCRIPTION:A talk by George Hoad\, a local amateur historian. \nOperation Musketeer was the Anglo-French plan for the invasion of the Suez canal zone to capture the Suez Canal during the Suez Crisis in 1956 and return it to Anglo-French control and operation. Israel\, which invaded the Sinai Peninsula\, had the additional objectives of opening the Straits of Tiran and halting Fedayeen incursions into Israel. The Anglo-French military operation was originally planned for early September\, but the necessity of coordination with Israel delayed it until early November. However\, on 10 September British and French politicians and Chiefs of the General Staff agreed to adopt General Charles Keightley’s alterations to the military plans with the intention of reducing Egyptian civilian casualties. The new plan\, renamed Musketeer Revise\, provided the basis of the actual Suez operation. \nGeorge writes: “The Suez Crisis was one of the defining moments of the 1950s. I take us behind Operation Musketeer\, the codename for the Anglo-Israeli invasion of Egypt”.
URL:https://sussexmilitary.com/event/storming-suez-inside-operation-musketeer-by-george-hoad/
LOCATION:Lewes Town Hall\, High Street\, Lewes\, East Sussex\, BN7 2QS\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sussexmilitary.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/HMS_Theseus_R64_with_helicopters_during_Suez_Crisis_1956-e1775215184270.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Sussex Military History Society":MAILTO:enquiries@sussexmilitary.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260718T120000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260830T130000
DTSTAMP:20260416T073457
CREATED:20260401T125707Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T181354Z
UID:420-1784376000-1788094800@sussexmilitary.com
SUMMARY:Cuckfield Royal Observer Corps Post - Open Days
DESCRIPTION:Open only on 18/7/26: 1200-1600\, 19/7/26: 1000-1300\, 29/8/26:1200-1600\, 30/8/26: 1000-1300\nNB: The post is locked and secure at all other times and no equipment is stored inside.\n\nStep back into the Cold War at the Cuckfield ROC Post\, one of the few surviving and fully restored Royal Observer Corps nuclear monitoring bunkers in the UK. This rare underground relic offers a unique “time capsule” experience\, preserved exactly as it would have looked when observers stood ready to track nuclear bursts and fallout.\n\nWhy Visit?\n\nAuthentic Atmosphere: Descend the 15-foot ladder into a cramped\, high-stakes environment filled with original equipment\, maps\, and mid-century communications gear.\nLiving History: Passionate volunteers bring the site to life\, explaining how ordinary citizens were trained to be the nation’s “eyes and ears” during a nuclear conflict.\nHidden Heritage: Located beneath a quiet field in West Sussex\, it’s a powerful reminder of a secret history that once existed right under our feet.\n\nIt’s an evocative\, thought-provoking trip for history buffs and families alike\, offering a glimpse into a world of “Protect and Survive” that defined a generation.\n\n\nVisitor Information\n\nLocation: The bunker is located on Newbury Lane\, Cuckfield\, West Sussex.\nEntry: No pre-booking is required; visitors can just turn up.\nWait Times: Be prepared for a short wait on the surface during busy periods\, as only a limited number of people can go underground at once.\nFacilities: There are no toilets or parking at the bunker site. Visitors are advised to park and use facilities in Cuckfield village.\nDonations: Entry is typically supported by donations to help maintain the site\, which has been restored to its Cold War-era appearance\n\n 
URL:https://sussexmilitary.com/event/cuckfield-royal-observer-corps-post-open-day/
LOCATION:Cuckfield Royal Observer Corps Post\, Newbury Lane\, Cuckfield\, West Sussex\, RH17 5AA\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Event,Non-SMHS Event,Visit
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sussexmilitary.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/1552696999-988303920-008001pic64cuck20155-e1775048220246.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260819T200000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260819T213000
DTSTAMP:20260416T073457
CREATED:20260403T112406Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T181152Z
UID:447-1787169600-1787175000@sussexmilitary.com
SUMMARY:Operation HUSKY: the largest amphibious invasion of the Second World War? - Graham Moore
DESCRIPTION:Up to June 1944\, Op Husky was certainly the largest amphibious invasion of WW2. Op HUSKY was the invasion of Sicily in July 1943 by the western Allies. Some historians contend that it was larger than Op OVERLORD but based on the number of divisions landed on Day and the size of the Landing Zone.
URL:https://sussexmilitary.com/event/operation-husky-the-largest-amphibious-invasion-of-the-second-world-war-graham-moore/
LOCATION:Lewes Town Hall\, High Street\, Lewes\, East Sussex\, BN7 2QS\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sussexmilitary.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Italian_POWs_march_to_waiting_landing_craft_during_the_Allied_invasion_of_Sicily_July_1943._A17913-e1775215406364.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Sussex Military History Society":MAILTO:enquiries@sussexmilitary.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260829T000000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260831T235959
DTSTAMP:20260416T073457
CREATED:20260403T115821Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T181329Z
UID:458-1787961600-1788220799@sussexmilitary.com
SUMMARY:Festival of Transport
DESCRIPTION:The Hellingly Festival of Transport is a laid-back day out for anyone who loves vehicles and history. Alongside classic cars and transport exhibits\, the festival features a fascinating collection of military vehicles. It’s a great opportunity to see these vehicles up close\, learn about their history\, and enjoy a friendly\, informal atmosphere with fellow enthusiasts. Perfect for a leisurely day exploring the stories behind the steel.
URL:https://sussexmilitary.com/event/festival-of-transport/
LOCATION:Broad Farm\, Church Road\, Hellingly\, East Sussex\, BN27 4DU\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Event,Non-SMHS Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sussexmilitary.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Victory_show_Cosby_Leicestershire_UK_2011-09-03_zaphad1_IMG_3600_Reenactment_WWII_British_single-seat_folding_Welbike_motorycles_parachute_airdrop_container_Jeep_military-e1775217482914.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Eastbourne Historic Vehicles Club":MAILTO:jim.fitton@btinternet.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260916T200000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260916T213000
DTSTAMP:20260416T073457
CREATED:20260403T113545Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T181505Z
UID:450-1789588800-1789594200@sussexmilitary.com
SUMMARY:The Camps of Seaford – The History and Archaeology of Army Training Camps in Seaford - Luke Barber
DESCRIPTION:Confirmed title and synopsis to follow. \nSeaford was an army training base before and during the First World War\, with two massive army camps north and south of the town. \n[Placeholder image]
URL:https://sussexmilitary.com/event/the-camps-of-seaford-the-history-and-archaeology-of-army-training-camps-in-seaford-luke-barber/
LOCATION:Lewes Town Hall\, High Street\, Lewes\, East Sussex\, BN7 2QS\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sussexmilitary.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Pontville_Brighton_Australian_army_camp_in_Tasmania_-_WW1_13972505810-e1775216125560.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Sussex Military History Society":MAILTO:enquiries@sussexmilitary.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20260926T110000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20260926T170000
DTSTAMP:20260416T073457
CREATED:20260330T221501Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T181317Z
UID:206-1790420400-1790442000@sussexmilitary.com
SUMMARY:Shoreham Fort - Heritage Open Day
DESCRIPTION:Hosted by Shoreham Fort: As part of England’s largest festival of history and culture\, Shoreham Fort is open to all. Admission is free.
URL:https://sussexmilitary.com/event/shoreham-fort-heritage-open-day/
LOCATION:West Sussex
CATEGORIES:Event,Non-SMHS Event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sussexmilitary.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/shorehamfort-aeri-e1774908895828.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261021T200000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261021T213000
DTSTAMP:20260416T073457
CREATED:20260403T114509Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T180657Z
UID:453-1792612800-1792618200@sussexmilitary.com
SUMMARY:The Battle of Dorking - Nick Cook
DESCRIPTION:TBC \nThe Battle of Dorking (1871) by George Tomkyns Chesney is one of the most influential works of early invasion literature—a vivid and unsettling fictional account of Britain’s sudden defeat by a technologically advanced European power. Written in the aftermath of the Franco-Prussian War\, it captured contemporary anxieties about national preparedness\, military reform and the vulnerability of even the most powerful empires. Presented as a retrospective narrative from an ordinary volunteer\, the work combines strategic speculation with human perspective\, offering a stark warning about complacency in matters of defence. \nThe book remains strikingly relevant: it reflects enduring questions about deterrence\, readiness\, and the relationship between technological change and national security—issues that continue to resonate in modern strategic thinking. More than a piece of speculative fiction\, The Battle of Dorking helped shape public debate in Victorian Britain\, influencing defence policy discussions and inspiring a genre that persists to this day.
URL:https://sussexmilitary.com/event/the-battle-of-dorking-nick-cook/
LOCATION:Lewes Town Hall\, High Street\, Lewes\, East Sussex\, BN7 2QS\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sussexmilitary.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/The-Battle-of-Dorking-promotion.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Sussex Military History Society":MAILTO:enquiries@sussexmilitary.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261118T200000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261118T213000
DTSTAMP:20260416T073457
CREATED:20260403T180935Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T180935Z
UID:465-1795032000-1795037400@sussexmilitary.com
SUMMARY:Title and synopsis to follow - Richard Shenton
DESCRIPTION:A talk by Richard Shenton. Title and synopsis to follow
URL:https://sussexmilitary.com/event/title-and-synopsis-to-follow-richard-shenton/
LOCATION:Lewes Town Hall\, High Street\, Lewes\, East Sussex\, BN7 2QS\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Talk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://sussexmilitary.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SMHS-meeting-e1774879334889.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Sussex Military History Society":MAILTO:enquiries@sussexmilitary.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Europe/London:20261216T200000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/London:20261216T213000
DTSTAMP:20260416T073457
CREATED:20260403T114648Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260403T114648Z
UID:456-1797451200-1797456600@sussexmilitary.com
SUMMARY:Show and Tell
DESCRIPTION:The second of the year. As mentioned before\, please bring in any military artefacts if you have them and talk for a few minutes about them\, and pass them around if you wish to do so. If you do not have such items\, do still come along and enjoy the evening. The laptop and projector will be set up if anyone wants to use it.
URL:https://sussexmilitary.com/event/show-and-tell-2/
LOCATION:Lewes Town Hall\, High Street\, Lewes\, East Sussex\, BN7 2QS\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Show and Tell
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://sussexmilitary.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Wehrmacht_Heer_WW2_German_Army-e1774876314138.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Sussex Military History Society":MAILTO:enquiries@sussexmilitary.com
END:VEVENT
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