BRITISH HOME DEFENCES 1940-45
Bernard Lowry, illustrated by Chris Taylor & Vincent Boulanger
OSPREY FORTRESS No 20
Another in this rapidly burgeoning Osprey series and one that can easily be used on the ground. In many ways this is more than just an account of the physical fortifications covering the whole organisation of the Home Defence effort from 1940 until their "standing down" at the end of the war.
It covers the land defences developed when the BEF was driven out of France and Operation Sealion was a real threat. Sealion itself is covered in the first chapter of the book, including a copy of one of the German operational maps for the invasion.
The development of the Home Guard is covered, together with information on their weapons and tactics as they gradually developed. The role of the Regular Army is also considered.
Next the book moves on to consider the coastal defences, including those batteries that could actually reach the French Coast. Air defence is covered in the next chapter, following the story through from 1940 to the Baedeker Raids of 1942.
An interesting chapter deals with "The enemy within" looking at the possibility of a 5th column, but also dealing with the existence of the various covert groups set up within the Home Guard structure to harass the invader after he had occupied an area. This has, until recently been a fairly closely guarded secret, but is now being mentioned in books lite this and a recent TV Programme.
A substantial section covers "A nation at war" covering issues such as civil defence, evacuation and the economy.
The final sections cover the period of the V weapons and "the Aftermath" which looks at an assessment of the possible impact of the defences and what can still be seen today. Web links are also provided for several relevant study groups.
The book is well illustrated with a mixture of period and modern day photographs as well as cutaway drawings of some sites. As well as the map referred to earlier the illustrations include posters, cigarette cards and a set of German postage stamps to illustrate aspects of Blitzkrieg. All are useful, except perhaps the drawing of "The morning after an air raid" which conveys less that a photograph would have done.
The book offers lots of information and ideas, particularly for those gamers who want to move beyond "Dad's Army" scenarios for Home Guard and Home Defence games. However the book perhaps takes on too wide a field for the Osprey format and limited number of pages leaving me wanting more on a number of the topics. Still the bibliography is comprehensive enough to aid further study.
Jeff Fletcher
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