FORTRESS BRITAIN 1940

FORTRESS BRITAIN 1940

by Andrew Chatterton.

For his second book, Andy returns to 1940 to take a much broader look at Britain's defences before the expected German invasion, Operation Sealion.

It will always be a period best remembered for the 1.6m volunteers who joined the LDV, later called the Home Guard, that answered the Government's call via radio broadcasts. 

Here readers will learn that there was far more being planned for the arrival of enemy forces.

With the vast majority of Britain's stock of military equipment & ammunition abandoned in France following the evacuation at Dunkirk, it was thought Britain only had a matter of weeks to get itself prepared for war on British soil.

In huge numbers, a variety of pillboxes were erected in strategic places, often to project airfields & the railways. 

Andy also explains the role of stop-lines further inland. These were a series of anti-tank obstructions, barbed wire, road blocks & land mines, located to slow down an advancing enemy, thus allowing for a mobile force to arrive & engage.

Once again Andy's knowledge of the Auxiliaries, Britain's own voluntary resistance force, shines through with more stories & eyewitness accounts covering their recruitment, training & what their roles would be. 

It was not just the men chosen for their knowledge of the local area, but women & children would also have an important part to play. Given extremely dangerous jobs in what would then be behind the invading forces, it would be described by many as a suicide mission.

No German invasion crossing the English Channel would ever be truly successful when faced with the size of the Royal Navy. This is a fact that has often been overlooked as the Battle of Britain took place in the skies above.

Germany's navy had already suffered significant losses during the invasion of Norway. 

When the Royal Navy then attacked the French fleet at Mers-el-Kébir, sinking several ships in the port, this was also a vital loss to the German navy. Had these ships fallen into German hands following the French Armistice, they would undoubtedly have been used against Britain & its allies.

Fighter Command & 'the few' deservedly get a huge amount of praise & respect for their role in the Battle of Britain. Throughout the following decades, books & films have constantly kept these incredible stories in the minds of the general public, but has unconsciously helped to keep in the shadows the role & sacrifices made by the men of Bomber Command. In slow & outdated bombers they constantly attacked the ports where invasion barges were gathering, as well as carrying out essential mine laying duties. The losses those bomber squadrons suffered at this time, deserves to be better known & thankfully Andy provides a timely reminder of this, along with the contributions made by the Royal Navy's submarines & the Royal Navy Patrol Service. 

As we now know, Operation Sealion was postponed numerous times. Many books & historians will say the truth is that it was never likely to be successful. In 1940 Britain could not take that chance. 

I have read a number of books on the subject around 1940, especially since learning that my great uncle was in the Home Guard. I have found a lot of new information here to savour. It is a fascinating & extremely well researched account & much like his first book, deserving of the highest praise. An excellent read.

Fortress Britain 1940 is out now in hardback, published by Casemate Publishing. 

I thank Casemate UK for this review copy.