War Plan UK: The Truth About Civil Defence In Britain

by Duncan C. Campbell

product_description

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Politics, Military Fiction

488 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1982

About the author

Duncan Campbell was a British journalist and author who worked particularly on crime issues. He was a senior reporter/correspondent for The Guardian from 1987 until 2010, and authored several books.

Reviews

[Keith Schnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

As an academic and historical document about British Civil Defense preparations and policies of the Cold War, War Plan UK may never be equaled: by the time the relevant documents become unclassified, the subject may have become so moot as never to inspire the kind of passionate investigation that Mr. Campbell brings to it. In writing a work of political advocacy aimed at 1980s Britain, however, he seems to have ironically run into the same conundrum that prevented the British Government from developing a coherent or meaningful policy on Civil Defense during the Cold War years: the sheer destructive potential and inherent insanity of nuclear war makes nearly any policy appear unacceptably bad in the right light. Mr. Campbell, despite his unquestionable chops as an investigative journalist, is no closer to coming up with a good one than two generations of British ministers and civil servants were.

[Steve Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A copy of this was difficult to get hold of. Having moved house to a quiet location very close to a recently decomissioned (regional government) nuclear bunker that is now open as a museum, I was keen to lear a lot more about the facts behind the rumours.

Duncan Campbell emphasises from the outset that the UK government of the time made provision only for the protection of select high ranking officials and not the general public in the event of a nuclear exchange with Soviet Russia.

Meticulously researched with countless facts about the (often flawed) plans and exercises that went on unbeknown to the public, Campbell exposes locations, architecture, transport plans and even the personnel who would be supposedly in charge of a post apocalyptic UK.
Quite what would be left to govern in unthinkable.

Interestingly "Citadels" is a word he uses throughout instead of "bunkers."

I wished that I had read this in 1982 when it was originally published but I would have been far too terrified.

Chilling.

My question is, "After the Cold War, these weapons haven't disappeared. Where is all this going on NOW?"


Good luck in finding a copy.

[Mervyn Whyte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well researched, but undermined somewhat by the tendentiousness of the narrative. The author seems put out that those in charge only made provision for their own survival while neglecting the rest of us. But 1. it's hardly a surprise; 2. if the author's research is accurate, even those provisions put in place for the great and the good didn't add up to very much and probably wouldn't have survived first contact; and 3. who would want to survive anyway? Obviously much of the information is outdated now. And I wouldn't say it was a riveting read. Nevertheless, as a historical document it provides interesting insight into the mindset of those whose job it was to plan such things.

[Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a bit dated, but a fascinating read.

[RC · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that confirms our suspicions only the privileged would be saved...

[Aaron Makepeace · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well researched book on topics that prove difficult to get any information on.
Full of photos & maps detailing locations of various bunkers throughout history as well as their timelines.
A particular area of interest for me was Corsham & this book has plenty of information on it.

[BillyWhy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As brilliant as it is chilling.

[John Bleasdale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very useful