The Military History Club

Welcome 

Founded in 2021 by historian and broadcaster Saul David – described by Simon Heffer in the Daily Telegraph as ‘peerless now among our military historians’ – the MHC is an exclusive club for lovers of military history with various tiers of membership to suit different levels of involvement.

The benefits include:

• Guest lectures and dinners with celebrated military historians and practitioners at a top London venue
• Invite to the founder’s book launches
• The opportunity to write articles for the MHC’s publication Militaria
• Monthly newsletter with book recommendations
• Ten classic military history titles in eBook format
• Monthly podcast interview with a leading military historian
• Monthly video discussion of ‘Great Battles in 10 Minutes’
• Subscription to Aspects of History magazine
• An invite to the MHC’s annual history tour

Location: The Caledonian Club, 9 Halkin Street, Belgravia, London, SW1X 7DR. Tel. 020 7333 8726.

The lectures take place in the Stuart Room, followed by dinner in the Selkirk Room. Dress code: lounge suit or tailored jacket and tie, and the equivalent dress for women.  The use of mobile phones in the Club is forbidden except in certain designated areas.

A limited number of bedrooms are available at the Caledonian Club – on a first come, first served basis – for those MHC members who would like to stay overnight. To book a room, please contact: Reception ([email protected]).

Members have first access to the MHC Podcast, a monthly interview with a leading military historian. The first episode, released to members on 1 January 2022, features founder Saul David in discussion with Professor Richard Overy, one of the world’s leading authorities on the history of Nazi Germany and the Second World War. His many critically-acclaimed and prize-winning books include Russia’s War, The Dictators, The Bombing War and, most recently, Blood and Ruins. Other historians who will appear on the MHC Podcast in 2022 include Patrick Bishop, James Holland, Sir Hew Strachan and Richard B. Frank.

Members have exclusive access to a monthly video of club founder Saul David discussing a ‘Great Battle in Ten Minutes’. The battles covered in 2022 will include Isandlwana, The Charge of the Light Brigade, Teutoberger Wald, Bannockburn, Blenheim, Quebec, Waterloo, Custer’s Last Stand, the First Day on the Somme and Stalingrad.

Saul will analyse each battle by answering five key questions: When? Where? Why? What happened? What was the outcome?

Introduction:

The tour will be led by Prof Matthias Strohn, Visiting Professor of Military Studies at the Humanities Research Institute at the University of Buckingham, and, as Senior Associate Fellow, Head of Historical Analysis at the British Army’s think tank, CHACR. Matthias holds a commission in the German Army and has, among other deployments, served on the defence attaché staffs at the German embassies in Paris, London and Madrid. He has led over 100 battlefield tours and staff rides. 

9 Oct:

0735hrs: Meet at London Gatwick (North Terminal). Depart on Easyjet Flight EJU8351 to Naples at 0935hrs. Arrive Naples International Airport at 1320hrs. Tour of Pompeii. Travel to Hotel Rocca in Monte Cassino: 

10 Oct:

11 Oct:

We will analyse the other 3 battles of Monte Cassino. We will examine the fighting in Cassino itself, and visit the museum dedicated to the battle. We will explore the remaining ruins (that hardly anybody knows about) of the old Monte Cassino, visit Castle Hill and the Monastery, which was bombed by the Allies during the second battle. We will explore the history of Cavendish road, the failed first tank attack through the mountains and the successful Polish attack here during the last battle. At the Polish cemetery we will discuss the Polish contribution to the battle and the enduring political importance of the battle within Poland.

12 Oct:

We will travel to Anzio to analyse the Allied landings during Operation Shingle and the heavy fighting and followed. We will visit the American cemetery, the landing beaches, the military museum, and we will explore the fighting further inland, where the Allies were defending against ferocious German attacks.

13 Oct:

Return to the UK, departing Naples International Airport on Easyjet Flight EZY8340 at 1035hrs. Arrive London Gatwick (North Terminal) at 1230hrs.

Praise for Saul David and Matthias Ströhn’s previous tours

Madrid and The Battlefields of the Spanish Civil War, 20-24 October 2021:

Jeremy Archer: ‘Rack my brain as I might, I cannot think of a single thing that I would have done differently. Our trip was a truly excellent balance between warfare, culture and rest and recuperation. Matthias, I really don’t know how you manage to remain completely unflustered, “keeping your head when all about you are losing theirs …” Thank you particularly for making, re-making and then re-re-making the arrangements under such challenging circumstances.’

Jim Ferguson: ‘Thank you again for another excellent tour. Battlefield tours just would not be the same without your knowledge, perspective and unerring instinct for an excellent restaurant! Already looking forward to 2022.’

Jonathan Skan: ‘Seeing the places where actual events took place really brought everything to life and I shall always remember standing on the Republican start-line overlooking Brunetta and viewing the countryside where all-arms warfare was put into practice for the first time.  I can only imagine how many hours you had to spend organising our four days in Madrid, but I enjoyed it hugely and look forward to next year’s adventure.’

If you have a query about any aspect of the Military History Club, or would like help with the application form, please fill in your contact details and leave a message. Don’t forget to click the red ‘Submit’ button. Saul or one of his assistants will respond as soon as they can.