Essex at War, 1939–45

Essex at War, 1939–45 PDF

Author: Frances Clamp

Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Published: 2017-06-30

Total Pages: 189

ISBN-13: 1473860431

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Although much maligned, Essex is a vibrant county with a long and exciting history. Being close to the Continent and with one of Britains longest coastlines, it was an obvious target for invasion as the threat of war grew. Many defensive structures were built by the sea and to protect major routes across the county. The remains of pill boxes can still be seen.Essex at War 1939–1945 tells how war greatly affected the county: children were evacuated both to and from Essex; being close to London the county suffered from regular air attacks; farming was important and the Womens Land Army arrived in force. Accounts of Essex airmen and sailors who supported those escaping from Dunkirk are told, and once the USA entered the war there was a new type of invasion in the county when their servicemen arrived and were welcomed at many of the countys airfields.Memories of children growing up during those difficult years are recalled. These include nights spent in cold, damp Anderson shelters, sleeping under solid tables or in claustrophobic Morrison shelters. We learn about disrupted school lessons and the fear felt when the air raid siren wailed. When the V-1 and V-2 unmanned flying bombs were launched in 1944, many still remember listening for the engines to switch off and counting the seconds until they fell to earth.

Under Fire

Under Fire PDF

Author: Paul Rusiecki

Publisher: Essex Publications

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781909291287

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

In this meticulous study of the impact of total war on the civilian population of Essex between 1939 and 1945, Paul Rusiecki examines how people coped with the immense stress caused by heavy bombing, the fear of invasion and other anxieties while so much was demanded of them by the authorities. The book brings into focus the social, economic, political, and religious strains caused by the war. Education was forced to adapt in the face of massive disruption and industry too; the contribution to victory made by firms that switched to war work is analyzed. A picture emerges through the records kept by individuals of how Essex people viewed wartime events both at home and much further afield--the successes and failures of their own government and the actions of both allies and enemies. The experience of war also encompasses aspects that are at odds with traditional views of wartime Britain and the so-called "Dunkirk spirit." Rusiecki recounts the hostility faced by conscientious objectors, as well as the undercurrents of political disaffection circulating by 1942 which produced a sensational by-election result at Maldon. The murkier aspects of the war in Essex--crime and a supposed crisis in morality--are also dealt with in depth. Faced with the most appalling circumstances, most nonetheless found ways of keeping their spirits up, whether that meant reading in air-raid shelters, continuing to flock to the theater and cinema, or playing football for their factory team. This is the story of how the people of Essex survived the most extraordinary challenges they had ever faced, ultimately emerging with a sense of having earned the right to eradicate the gross inequalities that had marred society for so long.

City of London at War 1939–45

City of London at War 1939–45 PDF

Author: Stephen Wynn

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military

Published: 2020-03-30

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 1526708337

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

The City of London was always going to be an obvious target for German bombers during the Second World War. What better way for Nazi Germany to spread fear and panic amongst the British people than by attacking their capital city?Although not vastly populated in the same way that a bigger city or larger town would be, there were still enough people working there during the day for attacks on it to take their toll. The city’s ancient and iconic buildings also bore the brunt of the German bombs, including churches designed by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire in 1666. The book looks at the effects of war on the City of London, including the damage caused by the 8 months of the Blitz between September 1940 and May 1941. The most devastating of the raids took place on 29 December 1940, with both incendiary and explosive bombs causing a firestorm so intense it was known as the Second Great Fire of London. It also looks at the bravery of the staff at St Bart's Hospital, which was one of the medical facilities that remained open during the course of the war. Other stories include the sterling work carried out by the City’s civilian population and the different voluntary roles that they performed to help keep the city safe, including the Home Guard and the Fire Watchers, who spent their nights on the city’s rooftops looking out for incendiary devices dropped by the German Luftwaffe. Despite the damage to its buildings and its population, by the end of the war the City of London was able to rise, like a phoenix, from the flames of destruction, ready to become the vibrant and flourishing borough that it is today.

Cambridgeshire at War 1939–45

Cambridgeshire at War 1939–45 PDF

Author: Glynis Cooper

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military

Published: 2020-03-20

Total Pages: 120

ISBN-13: 1473875862

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

Few could believe that within twenty years of the war to end all wars being won the world was once again at war. Veterans of the Great War feared going through the same thing again and, even worse, many knew that this time their children would also be involved in the fighting. What had all the sacrifice been about? Cambridgeshire, the city of Cambridge and the University of Cambridge were badly hit by the Great War with many lives lost, families ripped apart and a way of life that had changed forever. Building and economic recovery had been hindered by the Great Depression. The county was not ready to face another war nor for the problems of warfare in the air. Yet somehow the county, the city and the university all found the strength to unite against the enemy once more and ensure that Germany would never win the war. The book chronicles life on the Home Front during the Second World War, which itself reached into every home and affected every citizen, changing the life and the face of the county. It is also a timely reminder of the difficulties, hardships, restrictions and morale faced by the city as the war dragged on, and how the local community overcame the odds that were stacked against them.

Essex Class Aircraft Carriers, 1943–1991

Essex Class Aircraft Carriers, 1943–1991 PDF

Author: Leo Marriott

Publisher: Pen and Sword Maritime

Published: 2020-12-02

Total Pages: 277

ISBN-13: 1526772159

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

A photographic history of the US Essex-class aircraft carriers of World War II—including the USS Intrepid that now serves as a New York City museum. Essex-class aircraft carriers played an essential role in the victory of the United States over Japan in the Second World War, and Leo Marriott’s photographic history is a fascinating introduction to them. Without these remarkable ships, the island-hopping campaign of American forces across the Pacific towards Japan would not have been possible. They also took part in the Korean and Vietnam wars that followed. During the Second World War they were at the center of the powerful task groups that could put up hundreds of aircraft to support forces on the ground. They were also prime targets for Japanese air attacks, in particular the kamikaze suicide missions. A total of twenty-four were eventually commissioned including several after the end of the war. The selection of rare photographs and the expert text cover the evolution of US aircraft carrier design prior to the Second World War and look at the factors which shaped the design and construction of the Essex class. Included are dramatic action shots of the new breed of naval aircraft that was launched from their flight decks, including Hellcat and Corsair fighters that took on the Japanese and the carrier-borne jets that flew over Korea and Vietnam. “An outstanding book.” —Anchorwatch “A book that will surely delight all naval history enthusiasts because it well illustrates the importance that the aircraft carrier had in changing the way warfare is waged at sea.” —On the Old Barbed Wire

York at War, 1939–45

York at War, 1939–45 PDF

Author: Craig Armstrong

Publisher: Pen and Sword Military

Published: 2022-05-05

Total Pages: 130

ISBN-13: 1526704757

DOWNLOAD EBOOK →

York has often been overlooked when it comes to Britain’s wartime experience. The city was not though to have many industries of great wartime importance and it was not a part of the initial evacuation scheme. Yet this does not accurately reflect the wartime contributions of the city, as several of its large confectionary factories were converted to wartime use, while it was also a key rail hub, forming a vital link in the national network. Unbeknownst to the people of the city, York had been selected as the latest target in the Luftwaffe’s Baedeker Raids. In a short, sharp, blitz raid in the early hours of 29 April 1942, more than 3,000 houses were destroyed or damaged and almost 100 people killed while others were left seriously injured. Wartime York had a particularly close connection with the RAF as the city was surrounded by airbases. People became very used to seeing the uniforms of men and women from Bomber Command and the city was to prove very popular with airmen seeking relaxation. Places such as Betty’s Bar became infamous as airmen of almost every Allied nationality came to blew off steam. The nearby presence of the airfields also meant that the people of York and the surrounding area were witnesses to tragedies when aircraft crashed on their return to the bases.

Lanterna Rally - Theme by Grace Themes