content

The book is broken down into three basic sections. The first deals with the coming of war, preparations, Dunkirk, labour and production, the conscription of women, wartime romance, (we had several “war brides” in my neighbourhood when I was a kid growing up, and they always had interesting stories about the “Blitz”). Rationing food, clothing, and domestic goods, fuel. The “black market”, looting, and evacuation, wrap up this section.

The next section deals with the campaign against England, the Blitz, later phases of the air raids, the arrival of the V-weapons, the dropping of anti-personnel bombs, and of course the casualties.

The final section covers the “Home Front Services” that were mentioned in the earlier sections of the books. Each is covered with a brief history, and the duties and services they performed.

sections

The services covered are as follows:

Air Raid Precautions & Civil Defense

Home Guard

Auxiliary Fire Service & National Fire Service

Supplementary Fire Services

Women’s Voluntary Service

Women’s Land Army & Women’s Timber Corps

Police

Royal Observer Corps NAAFI & ENSA

Women’s Legion

Women’s Transport Service (First Aid Nursing Yeomanry)

Motor Transport Corps

Air Transport Auxiliary

Following the usual Osprey format, there are clear photographs throughout the book, each clearly identifying the wearer’s clothing/uniform and service. Several photographs of impressed vehicles, along with their rather proud crews are scattered among the collection. As always the excellent colour centre section illustrations are presented. For anyone interested in this time frame of British history and subject matter, leaning more toward civilian life, or for the figure modeller looking for an unusual uniform, or figure to do, or even the vehicle modeller looking for something to do with a British civilian vehicle of this era or conversion, and for the diorama builder, there are plenty of shots of bombed out buildings. In all, there’s a little something for everyone.

conclusion

As I said in my summary, I enjoyed this book, Martin J. Brayley's fluid writing style, the interesting photographs, and Malcolm McGregor's illustrations make for an interesting, and relaxing change of pace. It still hasn't made me an expert, but these books continue to add to the oldman's data base.

Contact details

Osprey Direct
PO Box 140
Wellingborough
Northants, NN8 2FA
United Kingdom

(01933) 443 863

Thank you to Osprey Publishing for kindly supplying the review sample.