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Fortress Britain 1940: Britain’s Unsung and Secret Defences on Land, Sea and in the Air
"Through meticulous research in archives and crumbling ventilation shafts, Chatterton paints a picture of Britain in the Second World War that turns our popular narrative on its head. This is important, shocking, and impressive.” — Dan Snow MBE, historian, broadcaster and television presenter
Alone, unprepared and weak. These are generally the words used to describe Britain’s position in 1940, part of a narrative that has been built up ever since the end of World War II. However, the reality is very different. On land, sea and in the air, Britain was prepared. It had the most powerful navy in the world; the RAF was relatively strong, but more importantly, was operating as part of a plan and a joined-up group system that was in reality never in any real danger of being defeated; even the post-Dunkirk British Army was better armed than the post-war narrative tells us. These forces were backed up by the Home Guard, and thousands of men and women in secret roles ready to help fight the invasion of the country. Even if all of this had gone wrong and the Nazis had defeated Britain militarily then a separate, highly secret civilian group were ready to become active only after the occupation had started.
One word associated more than any other during this period of the Second World War is ‘Alone’ – Churchill played upon this in his speeches but in 1940, Britain had a hugely powerful empire. Although in many cases this support was thousands of miles away, the Empire and other Allies would have played a huge role had the Germans had invaded, one that has been overlooked in many accounts.
Alone, unprepared and weak. These are generally the words used to describe Britain’s position in 1940, part of a narrative that has been built up ever since the end of World War II. However, the reality is very different. On land, sea and in the air, Britain was prepared. It had the most powerful navy in the world; the RAF was relatively strong, but more importantly, was operating as part of a plan and a joined-up group system that was in reality never in any real danger of being defeated; even the post-Dunkirk British Army was better armed than the post-war narrative tells us. These forces were backed up by the Home Guard, and thousands of men and women in secret roles ready to help fight the invasion of the country. Even if all of this had gone wrong and the Nazis had defeated Britain militarily then a separate, highly secret civilian group were ready to become active only after the occupation had started.
One word associated more than any other during this period of the Second World War is ‘Alone’ – Churchill played upon this in his speeches but in 1940, Britain had a hugely powerful empire. Although in many cases this support was thousands of miles away, the Empire and other Allies would have played a huge role had the Germans had invaded, one that has been overlooked in many accounts.
- GenresAudiobook
304 pages, Hardcover
Published August 15, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 25, 2024
A fantastic book written about the United Kingdom, when she, her mighty empire, and the free forces stood against the might of the ever expanding german empire.
Chatterton writes at length about the subject he's so very passionate about, the auxiliary units, section Vll, and other clandestine units, we know very little about.
The RAF, Costal Command, and the Royal Navy get a nod. However, this book is about the serect units set up in complete secercy in order to help throw back any german invasion.
The auxiliary units are a facainting subject, one I never tire of reading about. Chatterton really is at the top of his game when it comes to Britain's secret army.
Chatterton writes at length about the subject he's so very passionate about, the auxiliary units, section Vll, and other clandestine units, we know very little about.
The RAF, Costal Command, and the Royal Navy get a nod. However, this book is about the serect units set up in complete secercy in order to help throw back any german invasion.
The auxiliary units are a facainting subject, one I never tire of reading about. Chatterton really is at the top of his game when it comes to Britain's secret army.
September 19, 2025
A well researched account detailing of the preparations for the Germany Invasion of Britain during WWII.
Unlike a number of similar books this one takes great pains to broaden the usual remit to include preparedness and the measures taken by the Royal Navy, RAF and Coastal Command.
It sufficiently describes the static defences (stop lines etc) thrown up in the first few months of the war and the considerable forces available on land - their inception, organisation and subsequent development.
The most interesting chapters for me discussed the 'stay-behind' forces - the 'auxiliaries' and the longer term guerrilla force of Section VII, whose existence has only recently come to light.
The audio version lets itself down somewhat with a couple of easy-to-make reading mistakes (country for county, for example) and a few somewhat forgivable pronunciation fails, Bow-ving-ton for Bovington, 'Alne-wick' instead of 'Annick' - for Alnwick, and the capital crime of pronouncing Lieutenant the American way - which IS unforgivable:)
Well worth reading.
Unlike a number of similar books this one takes great pains to broaden the usual remit to include preparedness and the measures taken by the Royal Navy, RAF and Coastal Command.
It sufficiently describes the static defences (stop lines etc) thrown up in the first few months of the war and the considerable forces available on land - their inception, organisation and subsequent development.
The most interesting chapters for me discussed the 'stay-behind' forces - the 'auxiliaries' and the longer term guerrilla force of Section VII, whose existence has only recently come to light.
The audio version lets itself down somewhat with a couple of easy-to-make reading mistakes (country for county, for example) and a few somewhat forgivable pronunciation fails, Bow-ving-ton for Bovington, 'Alne-wick' instead of 'Annick' - for Alnwick, and the capital crime of pronouncing Lieutenant the American way - which IS unforgivable:)
Well worth reading.
February 4, 2025
Great topic and well researched. However, the core of the book, the preparations for partisan activity in the event of a German invasion, was repetitious with very little supporting material. I wish the book included a discussion about why so few records are available and how the government lost track of so many arms caches and where they ended up. (Speculation - some found and used in crimes and the embarrassment meant it was topic not to be discussed?)
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews