Dover in the Second World War - Couverture souple

Sutton, Derek

 
9780750969796: Dover in the Second World War
Couverture souple
ISBN 10 : 0750969792 ISBN 13 : 9780750969796
Editeur : The History Press, 2016

Synopsis

This book tells in detail what it was like to live in an English town constantly under siege from enemy guns in the Second World War. Many towns in Britain suffered from enemy action during the 1939-45 war but none endured the almost daily explosions of shells fired from huge German guns on the French coast, some 21 miles away. Not only that for there were regular bombing raids while Luftwaffe pilots machine gunned people in the streets. Many of those who lived in Dover during the bombing and shelling are no longer with us but the authors have captured the memories of more than a score of survivors, some of whom have since died.This fully illustrated book reveals how the military authorities planned to demolish homes on the seafront to provide clear lines of fire to cut down any invaders coming ashore at the port. And how a scheme was developed to evacuate thousands from the depleted population in trainloads of 800 at a time. Those who remained were to be herded into deep shelters in the cliffs and chalk hills so that the defending troops in the ancient Dover Castle and the Napoleonic fortifications on the Western Heights could pour firepower down into the centre of the town.In early 1939 the busy ferry port of Dover had a population of more than 40,000 but with the enemy 21 miles away preparing to invade, the population dwindled in 1940 to an estimated 16,500 and the borough council feared widespread bankruptcy. But while there was an outflow of civilians from the town, hundreds of Royal Navy personnel and soldiers arrived in Dover to hit back at the enemy whose fortifications, on a clear day, could be seen on the cliffs of Calais.Gradually, with the threat of invasion reducing, there was a drift back of many of those who had evacuated the town but, once again, there was a rush to depart in September 1944 when German gunners fi red relentlessly on Dover in an effort to use up all their shells before the Canadians fought their way into their heavily fortified gun emplacements on the cliffs of Pas-de-Calais.

Les informations fournies dans la section « Synopsis » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Présentation de l'éditeur

This book tells in detail what it was like to live in an English town constantly under siege from enemy guns in the Second World War. Many towns in Britain suffered from enemy action during the 1939-45 war but none endured the almost daily explosions of shells fired from huge German guns on the French coast, some 21 miles away. Not only that for there were regular bombing raids while Luftwaffe pilots machine gunned people in the streets.

Many of those who lived in Dover during the bombing and shelling are no longer with us but the authors have captured the memories of more than a score of survivors, some of whom have since died.

This fully illustrated book reveals how the military authorities planned to demolish homes on the seafront to provide clear lines of fire to cut down any invaders coming ashore at the port. And how a scheme was developed to evacuate thousands from the depleted population in trainloads of 800 at a time. Those who remained were to be herded into deep shelters in the cliffs and chalk hills so that the defending troops in the ancient Dover Castle and the Napoleonic fortifications on the Western Heights could pour firepower down into the centre of the town.

In early 1939 the busy ferry port of Dover had a population of more than 40,000 but with the enemy 21 miles away preparing to invade, the population dwindled in 1940 to an estimated 16,500 and the borough council feared widespread bankruptcy. But while there was an outflow of civilians from the town, hundreds of Royal Navy personnel and soldiers arrived in Dover to hit back at the enemy whose fortifications, on a clear day, could be seen on the cliffs of Calais.

Gradually, with the threat of invasion reducing, there was a drift back of many of those who had evacuated the town but, once again, there was a rush to depart in September 1944 when German gunners fi red relentlessly on Dover in an effort to use up all their shells before the Canadians fought their way into their heavily fortified gun emplacements on the cliffs of Pas-de-Calais

Les informations fournies dans la section « A propos du livre » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Éditeur
The History Press
Date d'édition
2016
Langue
anglais
ISBN 10 
0750969792
ISBN 13 
9780750969796
Reliure
Broché
Nombre de pages
160
Coordonnées du fabricant
non disponible
Personne responsable
non disponible

Autres éditions populaires du même titre

9781860776199: Dover in the Second World War

Edition présentée

ISBN 10 :  1860776191 ISBN 13 :  9781860776199
Editeur : Phillimore & Co Ltd, 2010
Couverture rigide