1940: Myth and RealityThis history of 1940 cuts away at the myth of survival against the odds and Churchillian bravado during the first year of World War II. It shows what the real situation was, how government reacted, the reality of Anglo-American relations, and the relations between London and the Commonwealth. For the last 50 years 1940 has been regarded as Britain's finest hour. In this book, however, Clive Ponting reveals that the truth was deliberatley hidden both at the time and subsequently. This study also shows how the events and myths of 1940 have come to influence Britain's post-war history. |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
A. J. P. Taylor accepted aircraft Allied American Anthony Eden armistice asked Attlee August autumn battle Battle of Britain Beaverbrook bombers bombing Britain British government Cadogan campaign cent Chamberlain chiefs of staff Churchill Churchill's collapse Conservative continue crucial decided decision defeat defence Diary Dunkirk early East economic Empire Europe evacuation facing fight fighters fleet forces Foreign Office France French Gaulle German army German attack Halifax Harold Nicolson Hitler invasion Italian Italy Japan Japanese July June Kingsley Wood Labour Lend-Lease London Lord Luftwaffe major ment military million Ministry Mussolini Narvik naval negotiations Neville Chamberlain Nicolson operation peace pilots political ports possible pressure Prime Minister problems Rab Butler rearmament refused Reynaud Roosevelt Royal Navy Secretary September ships Soviet Union squadrons strategic summer of 1940 threat told Trondheim troops United Vichy victory wanted war cabinet World