Berliner Zinnfiguren/Books & Media/Books/1933-1945 (WW II)/Great Britain products

Somerville, Michael: Sherwood Boys 32,95 €

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:30:08 +0200

This is the story of the 2/5th Sherwood Foresters Battaliona Territorial Army unit that evolved during the Second World War from a group of untrained young men from Derbyshire into a battle-hardened force of veterans from across Britain, capable of confronting and defeating the might of the Wehrmacht. Drawing on over 150 personal accountsboth oral and writtenas well as official documents, the work offers a unique insight into the British Army through the lens of this single battalion. The first volume chronicled the battalions journey from its formation in 1939, through its baptism of fire at Dunkirk and subsequent reorganization in Britain, to victory in North Africa. This second volume continues the narrative with the landings at Salerno and the ensuing battles in Italy. It concludes in a post-war Europe drifting toward the Cold War, as the veterans who had fought the Nazis found themselves facing communist forces in Eastern Europe. Together, the two volumes depict the rigors of training, the horrors of combat, the hardships of captivity, and the challenges of peace. "Sherwood Boys" is an epic account of the battalion, researched, compiled, and written for readers who wish to understand the Second World War from the perspective of the ordinary British soldier.

Randall, Andrew: The Rise of Fascism in Britain 26,95 €

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:30:08 +0200

This book recounts how dangerously close fascism came to gaining a foothold in Great Britain. The story begins with the "White Feather Brigade"women from the suffragette movement who, having been abandoned by Emmeline Pankhurst after the outbreak of the First World War, channeled their energy into pressuring men to enlist. When peace returned and these women remained (largely) denied the vote, many were drawn to a new ideology that promised recognition and a sense of purpose: British fascism. From the early days of the "British Fascisti" to the turmoil of the General Strike, the book traces the path that propelled Oswald Mosley to political prominence; it sheds light on his close ties to Hitler and the British Royal Family, and chronicles his ultimate political downfall with the outbreak of the Second World War. At once authoritative and accessible, the work explains how the interplay of the fear of socialism, national trauma, and misguided patriotism created a breeding ground for authoritarian ideasand why fascism ultimately failed in Britain.

Bentley, Nicholas: Mary O'Shaughnessy 32,95 €

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:30:08 +0200

In a quiet corner of Jubilee Park in Ashton-in-Makerfield stands a bench commemorating Mary OShaughnessya woman whose courage and determination played a pivotal role in the Allied war effort during World War II. Born in 1898, Mary overcame poverty, a lack of formal education, and the loss of her left hand to risk everything in the fight against Nazi occupation. She had originally moved to France to work as a governess; however, following the outbreak of World War II, she secretlyand at her own expenseassisted stranded Allied airmen and supplied vital intelligence to British forces. In doing so, she collaborated with MI5, MI6, and the SOE, despite never holding an official position. Captured in 1944, she endured torture and ten days of interrogation before being deported to the notorious Ravensbrück women's concentration campwhere she was one of the few British survivors. After the war, she testified at the war crimes trials in Nuremberg and Hamburg; her composed testimony helped ensure that justice prevailed. Mary later found solace in Africa, building a new life and new friendships there, while her extraordinary heroism went largely unnoticed in Britain. Eight decades later, her remarkable story of courage, sacrifice, and resilience can finally be told.

Hawthorne, Peter: Colditz 32,95 €

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 06:20:08 +0200

This book provides the first comprehensive account of all the daring escape attempts from Oflag IV-C, Colditz Castle. Following the German *Blitzkrieg* offensive of 1939, large numbers of prisoners of war had been interned in fortresses and specially constructed camps. For determined escape artists, this presented an initial challenge; while many officers found it relatively easy to regain their freedom, the journey to safety was arduous, and attempts often ended in recapture. Over time, the Allied officers became such persistent escape planners that the German High Command required an escape-proof prison deep within eastern Germany. With its eventful history and imposing walls, Colditz Castle offered the ideal location. The first prisoners at Colditz included Poles. On November 7, 1940, the first British contingent arrived, joining the men already stationed at Oflag IV-Camong them the "Laufen Six," led by Major Pat Reid. Gradually, other Allied officers joined themBelgians, French, and Dutchall of whom were classified as "troublesome or persistent escapees." They formed a community of determined officers bent on escape, possessing a wide range of skills that they shared and refined among themselves; Dr. Biren Mazumdar, an Indian national, also succeeded in escaping. The inmates also included so-called "Prominente" (prominent figures)political prisoners such as Giles Romilly, a nephew of Winston Churchill. These men were among the bravest soldiers of the Second World War, risking everything to disrupt the German war machine as much as possible. Over the next four years, 183 escape attempts were recorded. Reinhold Eggers, the security officer at Colditz, established a museum within the castle featuring exhibits, disguises, and forged identity papers in order to train his guards and prevent further escapes. Guarding these men tied up significant resources; moreover, the time, expense, and effort involved in searching for escapees hampered Germany's war effort.

Richardson,: MI9 and the Secret War in Greece 1941–1945 32,95 €

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 06:20:08 +0200

World War II transformed Frank Macaskies life and gave him a new purpose. After fighting bravely alongside the 2nd Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment on Cretewhere he was taken prisonerhe witnessed Greeces plight under brutal Nazi occupation. Following a daring escape, he was recruited as an agent by British intelligence. Although his life was cut short, Macaskie left an enduring mark on Greece, both during the liberation and in the turbulent early years of the Cold War. This book traces his extraordinary story: from child to soldier, from escaped prisoner to highly decorated hero. It sheds light on the legacy of a man whose deeds remained in the shadows for decades.

Rawson, Andrew: Britain's Munitions Industry in the Second World War 32,95 €

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 09:45:07 +0200

This is the story of the British armaments industry during the Second World War. It begins with pre-war rearmament and describes how a "shadow industry" was established in response to German aggression. Discover how the industry was organized and planned, and learn about the processes involved in the research, design, and development of armaments. The account also sheds light on the management of recruitment, the deployment of skilled labor, and the relaxation of manufacturing skill standards to enable tens of thousands of unemployed men and women to join the workforce. The narrative explains the significance of the coal and oil industries as well as the development of the metals sector. It also addresses the immense need for imports and merchant shipping, alongside the American Lend-Lease Act. Follow how factories equipped the Royal Air Force for the Battle of Britain and re-equipped the British Army following the disaster at Dunkirk. Learn how shipyards worked around the clock on warships and merchant vessels, enabling the Royal Navy to defend the country and protect supply convoys. See how battlefield insights helped refine early factory designs for practical application. Discover how the war transformed relationships between the government, employers, trade unions, and the workforce. Learn how conflicts could lead to widespread industrial unrest as the cost of living rose and regulations tightened. The text also highlights how the drive to increase production led to improvements in workplace safety and welfare measures, as well as advancements in management and human resources. Finally, the Luftwaffe's attempt to cripple British industry through air raids is also covered. The story ends with a nation that had been stretched to its limits for the second time in thirty years before suddenly demobilizingleaving the British people once again facing the question of what the future held in store for them.

Johnson, Christopher: Box of Lions 32,95 €

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 09:45:07 +0200

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Japanese Armys "March on Delhi" during World War II, this book recounts the little-known yet extraordinary battle fought on the plains of Imphal. When Japanese troops targeted a crucial British supply depotcodenamed "Lion Box"stocked with food and military supplies, they anticipated little resistance. Instead, they encountered an unexpected and determined defense. These so-called "admin soldiers" from Britain, India, Nepal, and Africanot battle-hardened infantrymen, but drivers, clerks, pioneers, and warehouse workerssuddenly found themselves thrust into frontline combat. Over three days of fierce fighting, they halted a professional invasion force, bought the Allies time to evacuate vital supplies, and shattered the confidence of the Japanese troops. Written by the son of a veteran who fought on the front lines, this account draws on thirty years of research, interviews with eyewitnessesincluding Japanese survivorsand numerous visits to the battlefield. Rich in personal testimony and deep emotion, *Box of Lions* brings to life the courage, fear, and resilience of ordinary men caught up in extraordinary circumstances.

Mainwaring, Jes: Normandy, the Bocage to Belsen 32,95 €

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 09:45:07 +0200

In 1989, Major Harry Mainwaringa veteran of two wars and a career officer in the Royal Artilleryrecorded six hours of recollections covering some of the 20th century's pivotal military events. This book combines those recordings with the informed perspective of his son, creating a first-hand account that illuminates both the frontline experiences of a British artillery officer and the broader strategic developments of the Second World War and the post-war era. Commissioned in March 1940, Harry served throughout the war with the 53rd Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery; this unit provided the long-range firepower that played a decisive role in military operations ranging from the breakout from Normandy to the advance through Northwest Europe. His narrative follows the regiment through the years of British war preparations and coastal defense, as well as the transition to mobile, mechanized warfare. After landing in France shortly after D-Day, Harry experienced the brutal artillery duels in the *bocage* country, the arduous advance through Belgium and the Netherlands, and the final push into Germanyeleven months of continuous combat that tested the full range of an artillery officer's skills. Yet Harrys military career did not end in 1945. Amid the uncertainty of Britains post-war decline, he returned to active service with the Royal Army Education Corpsonly to be deployed once more, this time to the Korean War, where British forces took part in some of the most challenging campaigns of the Cold War. By combining operational details with candid personal accounts, this work offers readers interested in military history invaluable insight into artillery warfare, command under fire, and the lived experience of a soldier shaped by two world wars.

Whiteside, Bill: Operation Catapult 39,95 €

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 07:30:08 +0200

In July 1940, just weeks after France signed an armistice with Germany, Winston Churchill made one of World War II's most shocking and controversial decisions: he ordered the Royal Navy to open fire on the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir, killing more than 1,200 of Britain's recent allies. The Associated Press called it "the strangest of all naval actions in the world's history". Churchill feared that Hitler would seize the powerful French fleet and turn it against Britain, so when French commanders refused British demands to move their ships to Allied ports, he gave the order to strike. The bombardment stunned the world, strained relations between Britain and France, and resonated through Churchills speech to Parliament, which, according to one observer, "echoed like no other ever heard in its ancient halls". The fallout reached far beyond the Algerian coast. In Alexandria, British and French admirals negotiated a fragile truce, but trust between the two navies was shattered. Many Royal Navy officers were tormented by the attack, forced to fire on men they had fought alongside only weeks earlier. Even Churchill, who deeply admired France, was anguished by his decision. Through the intertwined stories of French admiral Jean Louis Xavier François Darlan and British vice admiral Sir James Somerville - leaders tested by loyalty, duty, and the chaos of war - this dramatic episode reveals the tension, sacrifice, and unflinching resolve that defines Churchills wartime leadership.

Forsdike, Mark: From Longstop Hill to the Gothic Line 32,95 €

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 09:45:07 +0200

Few units in the Second World War earned as much praise as the 142nd Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps (142 RAC). Formed in 1941 through the conversion of the 7th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, into an armoured unit, the 142 RAC retained the traditions, loyalty, and pride of its infantry roots, earning the affectionate nickname "Suffolk Tank Regiment." Although the 142 RAC was never officially designated as part of the Suffolk Regiment, the men remained deeply loyal to their original unit; they proudly wore their predecessor unit's badge and kept them informed of their operations. Their wartime service was defined primarily by support roles. The regiment's squadrons often operated independently, supporting infantry in Tunisia and Italyfrequently during decisive yet little-publicized operations. Despite their indispensable contributions, their deeds receive scant mention in post-war literature; few eyewitness accounts exist, and there are hardly any photographs of their service. Yet their bravery did not go unnoticed at the time: the unit received more awards for gallantry than any other formation of the Suffolk Regiment and earned the admiration of their Canadian allies during the breakthrough of the Hitler Line in May 1944. This long-overdue account brings the story of the 142 RAC back into the public eye, honoring a unit whose service was defined by camaraderie, dedication, and a strong sense of unity. From the dusty battlefields of North Africa to the rugged landscape of Italy, this book pays tribute to the men of the 142 RAC.

O'Carroll, Brendan: The Long Range Desert Group in North Africa 24,95 €

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 07:40:06 +0200

The Long Range Desert Group (LRDG) was formed in July 1940 for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering behind enemy lines, becoming the first British special forces unit. The LRDG quickly earned a remarkable reputation for patrols that penetrated deep into German and Italian territory. Their successes during prolonged operations across rugged terrain and in extreme climatic conditions were extraordinary given the unit's small size. Personnel of all ranks were required to possess extensive military skillsincluding exceptional navigation techniquesand to meet the highest standards of discipline and leadership. Many of the previously unpublished and well-captioned images in this comprehensive, well-researched book come from the collections of LRDG veterans. They showcase the weapons, equipment, uniforms, and insignia used, andcombined with personal accountsbring the legendary unit's extraordinary achievements to life. The result is a fascinating account of the LRDG's contribution to the Allied victory in North Africa.

Simpson: Jack's War 13,95 €

Sun, 05 Jul 2026 09:35:08 +0200

John Henry (Jack) Simpson was conscripted in late 1939 and served as a truck driver in the Royal Army Service Corps. After witnessing parts of the Battle of Britain while stationed in Kent, he was assigned to a convoy bound for the Middle East but was diverted to Singapore en route. Just weeks later, he was taken prisoner by the Japanese following the fall of Singapore in February 1942. Suffering from beriberi, dysentery, and delirium, he survivedalbeit narrowlythe grueling conditions endured while building the "Death Railway" (the Burma-Thailand Railway). He eventually recovered and, on the advice of an Allied doctor, volunteered for transport to Japan, partly because he knew his mother longed to see him again. In September 1944, the ship carrying him and other Allied POWs to forced labor in Japan was mistakenly torpedoed by the US Navy in the South China Sea. After spending 36 hours in the waterhaving initially been left by the Japanese to face certain deathhe was finally rescued; he was among the few survivors. Following a harrowing voyage aboard a Japanese-controlled former whaling ship, he finally arrived in Moji, Japan, where the next chapter of his captivity began. He was taken to Sakata in northeastern Japan, wheresome 400 miles from the actual siteshe witnessed the hysteria and shock that followed the dropping of the two atomic bombs further south. Jack returned to his hometown of Nottingham in the middle of the night, where his mother greeted him with the words: "Where have you been, you naughty boy?" Against all odds, he lived on into the 21st century. However, due to ongoing health issues, his personal war lasted a lifetime. The story of this unassuming man deserves to be shared with a wider audience. In 1991, he sat down in front of the camera with his nephew to record his story for posterity. Thirty-five years later, his nephew John turned it into a book.

Greenberg, Joel: Alan Turing and the Enigma Code 32,95 €

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:30:09 +0200

For years, early accounts of the codebreaking work at Bletchley Park during World War II contained numerous factual errors. This was entirely understandable: many of the authors were veterans who lacked access to official records. They relied solely on their recollections of events that had taken place more than thirty years earlier. As secrecy restrictions were relaxed, more and more Bletchley Park veterans wrote their own accounts. Some historians studying British wartime intelligence adopted a number of these questionable stories. These tales gradually became part of the Bletchley Park mythosappearing in print media as well as in stage and film productionsand persist to this day. In his book *Alan Turing and the Enigma Code*, Joel Greenberg selects twenty of the most widespread myths about Bletchley Park during World War II (such as the claim that thousands of carrier pigeons were used there to transmit secret messages to British troops in France). With impressive attention to detail, he describes the origin of each mythas well as the inaccuracies, secrets, and sometimes even lies that kept it alive over the yearsbefore finally revealing the truth behind the story. The book offers a completely fresh perspective on Bletchley Park; no other work on the subject tells the story in quite this way, and it is sure to be of great interest to anyone fascinated by the world of wartime intelligence.

Fisher, John: Sherman Tank Crewman 29,95 €

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:30:09 +0200

On the afternoon of June 6, 1944D-Daythe men and Sherman tanks of the "4th County of London Yeomanry" (known as the "Sharpshooters") waited in their landing craft just off the Normandy beaches, ready to make the dash ashore. Around sunrise the following morning, they began landing on the expansive sands of "Gold Beach." From there, the Sharpshooters immediately advanced inland to support the expanding Allied bridgehead. Over the next few days, the regiment (4 CLY) pushed south toward Tilly-sur-Seulles, fighting alongside the 50th (Northumbrian) Division in the challenging *bocage* landscape, a terrain crisscrossed by dense hedgerows. On June 13, the regiment became embroiled in the dramatic Battle of Villers-Bocage, one of the most famous tank engagements of the Normandy campaign. During the course of the day, "A Squadron" was ambushed by the Tiger I tank commanded by SS-Obersturmführer Michael Wittmann and suffered heavy losses. John Fisher was among the men of "A Squadron"specifically, "1 Troop." After enlisting in the army in Derby in 1943, John was eventually assigned to the "4th County of London Yeomanry" as a Sherman tank crewman. Having survived the initial whirlwind of Operation Overlord, Johnlike the rest of the regimentremained in action throughout the Normandy campaign. After participating in Operation Bluecoat, an offensive against German forces in the Caen area, the survivors fought their way across northern France. Having driven the enemy back across the Seine, they advanced through Belgium and into the Netherlands. In 1945, John took part in the final assault on Germany and supported the advances across the Rhine. By the time of the Third Reichs surrender in May 1945, the Sharpshootersand John along with themhad reached the Elbe River and the city of Hamburg. *Sherman Tank Crewman* is his personal account of his contribution to the liberation of Europe.

Grehan, John: The Death Railway in Numbers 19,95 €

Wed, 15 Jul 2026 07:30:09 +0200

Between May 1942 and October 1943, Allied prisoners of war built a railway line connecting the rail networks of Thailand and Burma, and later assisted in its maintenance. But how many prisoners worked on the line, and how many lost their lives during its construction? How long was the line? How many stations and labor camps were situated along the route? How often was the railway attacked by Allied bombers, and how often were Imperial Japanese Army soldiers attacked by elephants? The answers to these questionsalong with the wealth of fascinating facts and figures in this bookreveal not only how the railway was built and used, but also the suffering and misery the prisoners endured: they toiled under the brutal supervision of Japanese railway engineers and were subjected to cruel, merciless treatment by the camp guards. How deep was the mud through which prisoners had to struggle to reach their work sites during the monsoon season, and what distances did they have to cover? How many hours a day did the prisoners work during the grueling "Speedo" phase, and what volumes of earth had to be moved during jungle clearing before they were allowed to return to camp? Of course, there were lighter moments, too: how far did POWsdressed as women for an eventchase a deeply embarrassed Japanese guard? How many high-ranking officers were invited by the Japanese to a lavish multi-course meal while the other prisoners struggled to survive on starvation rations? *The Death Railway in Numbers* sheds light on the stories behind the figuresoften told by those who took part in the construction and subsequent maintenance of the line. The details are fascinating, yet the figures paint a harrowing picture of one of the most shocking episodes of the 20th century.

Dawson, Paul L.: The Dunkirk Evacuation 32,95 €

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 09:40:08 +0200

On May 10, 1940, Hitler unleashed his *Blitzkrieg* in the West. As German troops advanced, the British Expeditionary Force, the French First Army, and the Belgian Army were pushed into a narrow corridor between Lille and Dunkirk. By May 24, 400,000 soldiers were trapped there; their only chance of survival lay in evacuation. Somehow, the beleaguered Allied troops had to withstand the superior German force long enough to save the majority of the British, French, and Belgian soldiers. Day after day, the Germans attacked the defensive perimeter, yet the defenders held firm. "Even in defeat," a German commander wrote on May 29, "the French fight like lions... the BEF is in a state of complete disintegration. It has simply abandoned all vehicles and equipment and is fleeing to the sea." As troops were evacuated from the beaches and the port of Dunkirk, fewer and fewer men remained to defend the increasingly thin and shrinking perimetera sector held entirely by French troops. When the last ship finally departed Dunkirk on June 4, some 40,000 French soldiers were the only ones left holding the line. Eventually, at 8:00 a.m. on June 4, German troops reached the French naval headquarters in Dunkirk. There, General Barthélemy formally surrendered. "No event in the epic of Dunkirk," noted the French historian who studied the battle, "was more heart-rending" than the sight of Dunkirks brave defenders marching into captivity. Their sacrifice did not go unnoticed by Churchill, either; He acknowledged: These troops thus made a magnificent contribution to the safety of their more fortunate comrades and of the British Expeditionary Force. Drawing on archival sources from France and Belgiummuch of which had not previously been published in EnglishPaul Dawson sheds new light on a little-known aspect of one of the most famous events of the Second World War. Had the French troops not been willing to make this sacrifice, Britains situation in the summer of 1940as Hitlers forces advanced toward the Channel coastcould have become far more precarious.

Holden, Clive: Subterfuge and Sabotage During Hitler's Blitzkrieg 32,95 €

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 09:40:08 +0200

In September 1939, Great Britain was once again at war with Germany. In Whitehall, Prime Minister Chamberlain entrusted a senior cabinet minister with the delicate task of coordinating plans to deny Germany access to the vital economic resources of the neutral Netherlands and Belgium, should Hitler invade those countries. Chief among these crucial resources were the local oil stocks; these had to be destroyed to prevent them from falling into German hands. This task would ultimately fall to a group of former cement workers who had been assigned to the Royal Engineers as a Territorial Army unit. Little did they know at the time that, just nine months later, some of them would be carrying out dangerous demolition missions under enemy fire on the other side of the North Sea. Preparations for these operations continued into 1940, encompassing intelligence gathering, covert reconnaissance missions, and weeks of intensive training for Navy and Army demolition squads. The German offensive in the West began in May 1940, and four Royal Navy destroyers sailed from Dover to transport demolition teams to their operational sites in Dutch and Belgian ports. Upon arrival, they immediately faced major challenges, including constant air raids and the need to cooperate with hesitant local authorities. In the ports, the Royal Navy was also involved in evacuating British civilians and officials, as well as members of the Dutch royal family, and had to retrieve gold reserves from bank vaults within the war-torn city. Amidst this chaos, the demolition teams accomplished their missions and returned to Englanddemonstrating patience, perseverance, courage, and sheer tenacity. The full story behind the background, planning, and execution of these little-known yet dramatic operationsas well as the associated eventsis recounted here in greater detail than ever before.

Nissenthall, Jack/Samuels, Basil: Radar's Role in Defeating the Nazis 29,95 €

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 09:40:08 +0200

During the Second World War, a silent battle was waged between the Allies and the Third Reich: the war of the airwaves. As a radar expert, Jack Nissenthall played a central role in developing methods for radar detection and jamming. Jack had been involved in radar development as part of Robert Watson-Watts team since 1936; this work led to the creation of the "Chain Home" system, which was crucial to the RAF's success during the Battle of Britain. Later, he was a key figure among the British and Canadian forces that carried out the infamous Operation Jubileethe raid on Dieppein August 1942. His mission was to infiltrate the radar station at Pourville and obtain vital information about the new German "Freya" radar. Although he did not succeed in entering the station itself, he managed to cut the facility's telephone lines, forcing the German operators to rely on radio communication. These radio transmissions were intercepted by listening stations in England, yielding valuable intelligence. After returning from Dieppe, Jack continued his important work in the field of radar technology. He believes thatin contrast to the countless books written about the D-Day landings and the subsequent fightingthe achievements in radar technology have received relatively little attention to date. In this account, Jack offers the reader insight into the ingenuity of those involved and describes how they sought solutions to the daunting challenges of an amphibious landing on a heavily defended coast. He details how, through meticulous planning, absolute secrecy, resourcefulness, collaboration, ruse, and deception, they achieved what most had deemed impossible. Writing about the Normandy landings, Jack said: If there was a miracle on the morning of June 6, 1944, it was one that had been carefully planned by the Allies. By finding solutions and thoroughly testing their developments, they made it possible. At last, I can tell the whole story.

Morris, Matt: From D-Day to a Defeated Germany 32,95 €

Sun, 12 Jul 2026 09:40:08 +0200

Pete Morris was twenty years old when he joined the Royal Signals Corps in 1939. He was, in his own words, catapulted into adulthood without the luxury of making even a single mistake. Yet, the war turned out relatively well for him. Thanks to his existing knowledge of Morse code, he was promoted to Lance Corporal almost immediately and took command of a signals team attached to a Royal Artillery unit; together, they made the long journey from the training center in Prestatyn across Europe. Petes account of Operation Overlord begins with the training and equipment for the D-Day landingsincluding the famous "Hobarts Funnies" (specialized tanks). On June 6, 1944, his unit went ashore at 06:00 hours in the Jig sector of Gold Beach; his description of the events of that historic day is just one of the highlights of this multifaceted narrative. In the months that followed, Pete was part of the spearhead of the Allied advance into the territory of the Third Reich. He recounts the failed Operation Market Garden from the perspective of an ordinary soldier and also describes his experiences on German soil. In his memoirs, Pete captures not only the daily life of a soldier but also the harrowing intensity of the events. Some anecdotes are technical in naturesuch as when he describes repairing a clock tower or solving the problem of charging radio batteries while on the move during active service. Others are marked by dry humor, like the story of how excessive cider consumption led to such severe nettle stings that he was suspected of having inflicted the injury on himself. Yet, given the nature of war, tragic moments are not overlooked: starving civilians in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as the stench of death in the Falaise Pocket and at the Bergen-Belsen camp, which Pete saw just days after its liberation. Although Pete emphasizes that his memoirs focus solely on the life of a soldier, this extraordinary document also offers profound insights into the man behind the soldier; it tells the compelling story of a man whoshaped by both camaraderie and horrorattains a maturity that came too soon, yet was hard-won.

Prior, Robert: Conquer We Must 18,95 €

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 07:55:09 +0200

A major new account of Britains military strategy between 1914 and 1945, including the two world wars and everything between.

The First and Second World Wars were separated by a mere two decades, making the period 191445 an unprecedentedly intense and violent era of history. But how did Britain develop its complex military strategy during these wars, and how were decisions made by those at the top?

Robin Prior examines the influence politicians had on military operations, in the first history to assess both world wars together. Drawing uniquely on both military and political archives and previously unexamined sources Prior explores the fraught relationships between civilian and military leaders: from Lloyd Georges remarkably interventionist stance on military tactics during the First World War to Churchills near-constant arguments with American leaders during the Second. Conquer We Must tells the complex story of this military decision-making, revealing how politicians attempted to control strategybut had little influence on how the army, navy, and air force actually fought.