Who was Henrietta Barnett?

Introduction Air Commandant Dame Mary Henrietta Barnett DBE (16 February 1905 to 11 September 1985), known as Henrietta Barnett, was a senior officer of the Women’s Royal Air Force (WRAF). From 1956 to 1960, she served as its director. Military Career In 1938, Barnett joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service as a volunteer (IE private), and… Read More

What was the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force?

Introduction The Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), whose members were referred to as WAAFs, was the female auxiliary of the Royal Air Force during World War II. Established in 1939, WAAF numbers exceeded 180,000 at its peak strength in 1943, with over 2,000 women enlisting per week. Brief History A Women’s Royal Air Force had… Read More

What is an Irregular Military?

Introduction Irregular military is any non-standard military component that is distinct from a country’s national armed forces. Being defined by exclusion, there is significant variance in what comes under the term. It can refer to the type of military organisation, or to the type of tactics used. An irregular military organisation is one which is… Read More

What where the National Congress Battalions?

Introduction The National Congress Battalions (Italian: Battaglioni del Congresso Nazionale, Maltese: Battaljuni tal-Kungress Nazzjonali), also known as the Truppe di Campagna, was an irregular military set up in Malta just after the Maltese rebellion against French rule in September 1798. It existed for two years before being disbanded on 11 September 1800. The battalions were… Read More