'Anyone who wishes to learn about human courage, and
human endurance, should read this account. It is more powerful than any drama,
more convincing than any fiction ...' - Peter Ackroyd
Drawing material from London's Imperial War Museum's
extensive aural archive, Joshua Levine brings together voices from both sides of
the Blitz and the Battle of Britain to give us a unique, complete and compelling
picture of this turbulent time.
In June 1940, British citizens prepared for an imminent German onslaught.
Hitler's troops had overrun Holland, Belgium and France in quick succession, and
the British people anticipated an invasion would soon be upon them. From July to
October, they watched the Battle of Britain play out in the skies above them,
aware that the result would decide their fate. Over the next nine months, the
Blitz killed more than 43,000 civilians. For a year, the citizens of Britain
were effectively front-line soldiers in a battle which united the country
against a hated enemy.
We hear from the soldiers, airmen, fire-fighters, air-raid wardens and
civilians, people in the air and on the ground, on both sides of the battle,
giving us a thrilling account of Britain under siege. With first-hand
testimonies from those involved in Dunkirk and the Battle of Britain, Black
Saturday on 7th September 1940 when the Luftwaffe began the Blitz, to its climax
on the 10th May 1941, this is the definitive oral history of a period when
Britain came closer to being overwhelmed by the enemy than at any other time in
modern history.
Contents:
Author's Preface
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Part 1: Dunkirk and the Threat of Invasion
Dunkirk
The Essence of Leadership
Threat of Invasion
The Defence of Britain
The Home Guard
The British Resistance
Part 2: The Battle of Britain
A Call to Arms
Hurricanes and Spitfires
The Air Defences
The Start of the Battle: 'The Channel War'
In the Air
On the Ground
Supporting Roles
The Second Phase: Radar and Airfield Attacks
The Beginning of the Blitz
Big Wing
The Luftwaffe Resisted - September 15, 1940
The Battle Plays Out
Aftermath
Part 3: The Blitz
The Night Skies
Bombs and Sappers
Taking Shelter
The Human Cost
Blitz Spirit
Brave New World
The Climax of the Blitz
Index of Contributors
General Index
