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Britain 1940: The Decisive Year on the Home Front
On New Year's Day 1940, the people of Britain looked back on the first four months of the Second World War with a sort of puzzled unease. Wartime life was nothing like what they had imagined. Unlike the First World War there was no fighting on the Western Front. Indeed, there was no Western Front. There had been no major air attacks. Four days into the war German bombers had approached the East Coast but no bombs were dropped. Everyone carried their gasmask but there was no poison gas. Petrol was the only commodity rationed. There was no noticeable shortage of food, which was as available now as it had been before Hitler invaded Poland. Young men called up to join the forces were largely idle. They certainly were not fighting the Germans. In January 1940, life in wartime Britain was simply an inconvenient version of life in peacetime. Even the hitherto strictly enforced blackout regulations were relaxed when it became obvious that, because of them, people were being killed in road accidents.
On New Year's Eve 1940, Britain was deep in the throes of war. In September the Germans had launched what was to be an eight-month bombing campaign that targeted every one of Britain's major cities. By the end of 1940, German air raids had killed 15,000 British civilians. The so-called Phoney War had ended in May, when Hitler attacked the Low Countries. After Dunkirk, with the Luftwaffe poised just across the English Channel, and with the very real threat of invasion, the Second World War was now anything but phoney.
On New Year's Eve 1940, Britain was deep in the throes of war. In September the Germans had launched what was to be an eight-month bombing campaign that targeted every one of Britain's major cities. By the end of 1940, German air raids had killed 15,000 British civilians. The so-called Phoney War had ended in May, when Hitler attacked the Low Countries. After Dunkirk, with the Luftwaffe poised just across the English Channel, and with the very real threat of invasion, the Second World War was now anything but phoney.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published June 19, 2020
5 people want to read
About the author
Anton Rippon
54 books3 followersAnton Rippon is a British journalist, author and publisher.
Born in Derby during the Second World War. He has spent almost all his working life in the newspaper and publishing industry. He is the author of 30 books, including an autobiographical memoir A Derby Boy, which was published in 2007.
His work has appeared in a wide range of national newspapers and magazines and he has written radio documentaries for the BBC. In 1982, he founded Breedon Books, the sports and history publisher that he sold in 2003 to resume writing full-time. In 1993, the Derby County Former Professional Players' Association elected him an honorary member. He is also a member of the Sports Journalists' Association, the International Society of Olympic Historians and the Football Writers' Association. His book Gunter Plüschow: Airman, Escaper, Explorer, was published by Pen & Sword in 2009. A collection of his columns from the Derby Telegraph – A Derby View – was published by Wharncliffe in October 2010.
Born in Derby during the Second World War. He has spent almost all his working life in the newspaper and publishing industry. He is the author of 30 books, including an autobiographical memoir A Derby Boy, which was published in 2007.
His work has appeared in a wide range of national newspapers and magazines and he has written radio documentaries for the BBC. In 1982, he founded Breedon Books, the sports and history publisher that he sold in 2003 to resume writing full-time. In 1993, the Derby County Former Professional Players' Association elected him an honorary member. He is also a member of the Sports Journalists' Association, the International Society of Olympic Historians and the Football Writers' Association. His book Gunter Plüschow: Airman, Escaper, Explorer, was published by Pen & Sword in 2009. A collection of his columns from the Derby Telegraph – A Derby View – was published by Wharncliffe in October 2010.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 1, 2020
Princess Fuzzypants here: As we all go through a trying time, it is useful to reflect on a previous time when life and death were far more tenuous than now. 1940 in Britain shows just how much 12 months can change everything. At the beginning of the year, although they had been at war since September, the people of Britain were beginning to wonder if this would continue to be a Phoney War for them. By the end of the year, they had their answer in a most devastating way.
It brought both The Battle of Britain where the two airforces fought over the skies in an attempt to clear the way for invasion and the Blitz where the targets shifted from military objectives to an attempt to break the will of the Nation. Had there not been a leader like Winston Churchill the results might have been chillingly different. As it was, with death falling from the skies, the people of Britain had their mettle tested daily. We can all give thanks that they did not break.
Unlike many of the books on this time, the author did not focus on London, which bore the brunt of the devastation. It also looks at many of the other cities and towns where bombs fell. It tells of the increasingly deadly effects of the campaign including the night when St. Paul’s stood alone amidst the blazes, proud and defiant. It also tells of the places like Coventry, Derby, Southampton, Liverpool and so many many others.
It is a story of grit and courage in the face of almost overwhelming odds. We can all learn from their bravery.
Five purrs and two paws up.
It brought both The Battle of Britain where the two airforces fought over the skies in an attempt to clear the way for invasion and the Blitz where the targets shifted from military objectives to an attempt to break the will of the Nation. Had there not been a leader like Winston Churchill the results might have been chillingly different. As it was, with death falling from the skies, the people of Britain had their mettle tested daily. We can all give thanks that they did not break.
Unlike many of the books on this time, the author did not focus on London, which bore the brunt of the devastation. It also looks at many of the other cities and towns where bombs fell. It tells of the increasingly deadly effects of the campaign including the night when St. Paul’s stood alone amidst the blazes, proud and defiant. It also tells of the places like Coventry, Derby, Southampton, Liverpool and so many many others.
It is a story of grit and courage in the face of almost overwhelming odds. We can all learn from their bravery.
Five purrs and two paws up.
April 25, 2020
This was an interesting read, with plenty of historical facts.
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2020
A fascinating look back at history.A revealing look at the average British citizen there lives in 1940 their daily existence and how they coped.#netgalley#penn&sword
February 17, 2020
"Britain 1940: The Decisive Year on the Home Front" was published in 2020 (July) and was written by Anton Rippon. Mr. Rippon has published several books.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The book relates the experiences of those who lived in 1940 Britain.
It doesn't look at the combat of the time but at the more everyday aspects of life. One chapter addressed the objections to conscription. Another with sporting events carried out in wartime. Other chapters dealt with women in the workforce, labor unrest, the Home Guard, and the internment of foreign nationals. A longer look was taken at the blitz and how that impacted the civilians. Opportunities appeared that let some shine as heroes. Others used air raids and the resulting destruction as an excuse for crime.
I enjoyed the 7 hours I spent reading this 240-page history. This was a bit of a dry read as there were a lot of facts and numbers. There were many things though that I learned from the book. It does give a different view that is common to that first full year of the war. I like the selected cover art. I give this novel a 3.9 (Rounded up to a 4) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this novel as ‘PG’ because it contains scenes of Violence. The book relates the experiences of those who lived in 1940 Britain.
It doesn't look at the combat of the time but at the more everyday aspects of life. One chapter addressed the objections to conscription. Another with sporting events carried out in wartime. Other chapters dealt with women in the workforce, labor unrest, the Home Guard, and the internment of foreign nationals. A longer look was taken at the blitz and how that impacted the civilians. Opportunities appeared that let some shine as heroes. Others used air raids and the resulting destruction as an excuse for crime.
I enjoyed the 7 hours I spent reading this 240-page history. This was a bit of a dry read as there were a lot of facts and numbers. There were many things though that I learned from the book. It does give a different view that is common to that first full year of the war. I like the selected cover art. I give this novel a 3.9 (Rounded up to a 4) out of 5.
Further book reviews I have written can be accessed at https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/.
February 18, 2020
Between essay and chronicle, this book describes what was the crucial year of the Second World War for England, the year in which, though seemingly invincible, Hitler (thank God) lost the war. It is a pity that England today has forgotten that spirit and has decided to close in on itself.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews