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Bletchley Park's Secret Source: Churchill's Wrens and the Y Service in World War II
The World War II codebreaking station at Bletchley is well known and its activities documented in detail. Its decryption capabilities were vital to the war effort, significantly aiding Allied victory. But where did the messages being deciphered come from in the first place?
This is the extraordinary untold story of the Y-Service, a secret even more closely guarded than Bletchley Park. The Y-Service was the code for the chain of wireless intercept stations around Britain and all over the world. Hundreds of wireless operators, many of them who were civilians, listened to German, Italian and Japanese radio networks and meticulously logged everything they heard. Some messages were then used tactically but most were sent on to Station X – Bletchley Park – where they were deciphered, translated and consolidated to build a comprehensive overview of the enemy’s movements and intentions.
Peter Hore delves into the fascinating history of the Y-service, with particular reference to the girls of the Women’s Royal Naval Service: Wrens who escaped from Singapore to Colombo as the war raged, only to be torpedoed in the Atlantic on their way back to Britain; the woman who had a devastatingly true premonition that disaster would strike on her way to Gibraltar; the Australian who went from being captain of the English Women’s Cricket team to a WWII Wren to the head of Abbotleigh girls school in Sydney; how the Y-service helped to hunt the German battleship Bismarck in the North Atlantic, and how it helped to torpedo a Japanese cruiser in the Indian Ocean. Together, these incredible stories build a picture of World War II as it has never been viewed before.
This is the extraordinary untold story of the Y-Service, a secret even more closely guarded than Bletchley Park. The Y-Service was the code for the chain of wireless intercept stations around Britain and all over the world. Hundreds of wireless operators, many of them who were civilians, listened to German, Italian and Japanese radio networks and meticulously logged everything they heard. Some messages were then used tactically but most were sent on to Station X – Bletchley Park – where they were deciphered, translated and consolidated to build a comprehensive overview of the enemy’s movements and intentions.
Peter Hore delves into the fascinating history of the Y-service, with particular reference to the girls of the Women’s Royal Naval Service: Wrens who escaped from Singapore to Colombo as the war raged, only to be torpedoed in the Atlantic on their way back to Britain; the woman who had a devastatingly true premonition that disaster would strike on her way to Gibraltar; the Australian who went from being captain of the English Women’s Cricket team to a WWII Wren to the head of Abbotleigh girls school in Sydney; how the Y-service helped to hunt the German battleship Bismarck in the North Atlantic, and how it helped to torpedo a Japanese cruiser in the Indian Ocean. Together, these incredible stories build a picture of World War II as it has never been viewed before.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2022
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June 18, 2022
BLETCHLEY PARK’S SECRET SOURCE
This is an extremely detailed and informative book about the British Wrens (Women’s Royal Naval Service) during WWII. The “Y Service”, or wireless and radio intercept service, was established to monitor German communications - mainly from enemy convoys and U boats along the English coast.
“We spent our war years on windswept cliffs overlooking the English Channel”.
Scattered all along the English Coast in hotels, cottages, huts, mansions, underground bunkers, golf courses, clubhouses and vans, these intelligent women with linguistic and math skills, and determination, patiently spent long hours carefully dialing into noises and sounds - gathering messages to be forwarded to Bletchley Park for decoding. They also worked on Directional Finding to determine the location of the transmissions, helping to locate enemy ships.
There was a ton of information on recruiting these women, skills needed, where they lived and what their uniforms looked like. Their social lives, which included parties and dances with the servicemen, seemed in many cases plentiful and a needed diversion from the pressures of war work.
There was also danger involved in being located near the cliff’s edge, including air raids, blackouts, and shelling from the British and the Germans occurring over their heads. Later in the war as Wrens were sent to provide Y services at places including Gibraltar, Ceylon, and Singapore, terrible accidents also occurred at sea.
Because of the secretive nature of their duties, many times these women never knew if their work contributed to the war effort. But, British military history shows that many victories for the Allies owe much to the Wrens’ contributions, and several of these successes are described in great detail.
Extensive notes, references, index and terrific photos are included. A great deal of effort was put into the preparation of this book and it is a valuable resource and a tribute to the women of the British Women’s Royal Navy Service. I was very impressed and grateful for how much I learned through reading this work. I would like to thank NetGalley, Peter Hore, and Greenhill Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This is an extremely detailed and informative book about the British Wrens (Women’s Royal Naval Service) during WWII. The “Y Service”, or wireless and radio intercept service, was established to monitor German communications - mainly from enemy convoys and U boats along the English coast.
“We spent our war years on windswept cliffs overlooking the English Channel”.
Scattered all along the English Coast in hotels, cottages, huts, mansions, underground bunkers, golf courses, clubhouses and vans, these intelligent women with linguistic and math skills, and determination, patiently spent long hours carefully dialing into noises and sounds - gathering messages to be forwarded to Bletchley Park for decoding. They also worked on Directional Finding to determine the location of the transmissions, helping to locate enemy ships.
There was a ton of information on recruiting these women, skills needed, where they lived and what their uniforms looked like. Their social lives, which included parties and dances with the servicemen, seemed in many cases plentiful and a needed diversion from the pressures of war work.
There was also danger involved in being located near the cliff’s edge, including air raids, blackouts, and shelling from the British and the Germans occurring over their heads. Later in the war as Wrens were sent to provide Y services at places including Gibraltar, Ceylon, and Singapore, terrible accidents also occurred at sea.
Because of the secretive nature of their duties, many times these women never knew if their work contributed to the war effort. But, British military history shows that many victories for the Allies owe much to the Wrens’ contributions, and several of these successes are described in great detail.
Extensive notes, references, index and terrific photos are included. A great deal of effort was put into the preparation of this book and it is a valuable resource and a tribute to the women of the British Women’s Royal Navy Service. I was very impressed and grateful for how much I learned through reading this work. I would like to thank NetGalley, Peter Hore, and Greenhill Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.
March 10, 2021
Decoding is a compelling subject and this book describes it in meticulous detail, often in the words of those women who did it. In WWII the women decoders, Wrens (many specialties of Wrens), were responsible for so much yet their stories are rarely acknowledged and told and far less common than others who were involved in war efforts. In fact, they often saw more action than many. Some of the duties must have been incredibly difficult (forcing alertness on night shifts) and safety but others thrilling according to documentation. Wrens only numbered in the hundreds so the job was prestigious and highly secret and the women were justifiably proud. Training was tough so only the best were successful. Bletchley Park (Station X) was at the hub and where messages were deciphered. Talk about a fascinating process!
The author describes the experiences of several women throughout the book and what happened to some after the war. He describes the (mostly awful) uniforms, samples of actual codes (one incorrect/missing word could make ALL the difference), who was sought (linguists), the history of Morse code, Churchill's involvement and scary night watch stories. One of my favourite night watch stories was that of a woman who had to go to a tower to take bearings at night. Between her and the tower was no lighting at all (she couldn't use a torch outside, either) and ditches with wires she had to navigate on her hands and knees. In daylight she saw just how dangerous of a mission it was. Another woman sometimes got back to her accommodations to find her bed was warm, obviously slept in.
Heartbreakingly, ships and boats were torpedoed and sank, including the sinking of the Empress of Canada. Stories are told of men who swallowed too much oil in the water, others clinging together and some jumping off ships and swimming away as quickly as they could to avoid being sucked under. So many harrowing experiences, all real.
Read this book told from a completely different perspective. The amount of information I learned is unreal. The photographs are great!
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the privilege of reading the early ARC of this exceptional book.
The author describes the experiences of several women throughout the book and what happened to some after the war. He describes the (mostly awful) uniforms, samples of actual codes (one incorrect/missing word could make ALL the difference), who was sought (linguists), the history of Morse code, Churchill's involvement and scary night watch stories. One of my favourite night watch stories was that of a woman who had to go to a tower to take bearings at night. Between her and the tower was no lighting at all (she couldn't use a torch outside, either) and ditches with wires she had to navigate on her hands and knees. In daylight she saw just how dangerous of a mission it was. Another woman sometimes got back to her accommodations to find her bed was warm, obviously slept in.
Heartbreakingly, ships and boats were torpedoed and sank, including the sinking of the Empress of Canada. Stories are told of men who swallowed too much oil in the water, others clinging together and some jumping off ships and swimming away as quickly as they could to avoid being sucked under. So many harrowing experiences, all real.
Read this book told from a completely different perspective. The amount of information I learned is unreal. The photographs are great!
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the privilege of reading the early ARC of this exceptional book.
April 28, 2021
Author, biographer, and obituarist Peter Hore (https://www.peterghore.co.uk) published the book Bletchley Park's Secret Source: Churchill's Wrens and the Y Service in World War II on March 23, 2021.
I received an ARC of this novel through https://www.netgalley.com in return for a fair and honest review. I categorize this book as ‘G’. The book tells the story of the British Wrens who worked in the Y Service during WWII.
The part that Bletchley Park played in WWII is now well known. Their ability to decrypt Axis messages gave the Allies a huge advantage. This book looks at the source of many of those messages. Specifically, that is the Y Service or Radio Intercept Service. The Y Service was the code name for the British radio intercept stations. Most were located along the British coast, but some were located in remote spots around the world.
Most of the staff responsible for capturing and taking down the messages were young WRNS. The WRNS pronounced 'wrens' was the Women's Royal Naval Service. WWI saw the creation of the WRNS but it was disbanded after the war. In 1939 the WRNS were revived at the beginning of WWII.
Intercepted Axis messages captured by the Y Service as well as from hundreds of civilian volunteers. The messages were then forwarded to Station X - Bletchley Park for decoding.
The book talks about the Wrens' recruitment and their struggle with uniforms in the early days of the way. Wrens with language fluency were recruited for Special Duties at the intercept stations. Some lived with civilian families or in hotels. Others in a Wrennery - a dormitory for the Wrens. Some stations were in or near large towns while others were on the remote coastline of Brittain.
The book follows the wartime career of a few individual Wrens. Most made it through the war, but the Wrens did suffer casualties. The book tells how girls in their late teens and early twenties left home for months. They worked in isolation because of the Official Secrets Act. The Wrens received little recognition for their years of service. They were significant contributors to the Allied success in WWII. This book gives them their much-needed recognition.
I enjoyed the 8 hours I spent reading this 324-page WWII history. This was a very interesting book. I learned a lot about the Y Service. I like the selected cover art. I give this book a 4 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( 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 book as ‘G’. The book tells the story of the British Wrens who worked in the Y Service during WWII.
The part that Bletchley Park played in WWII is now well known. Their ability to decrypt Axis messages gave the Allies a huge advantage. This book looks at the source of many of those messages. Specifically, that is the Y Service or Radio Intercept Service. The Y Service was the code name for the British radio intercept stations. Most were located along the British coast, but some were located in remote spots around the world.
Most of the staff responsible for capturing and taking down the messages were young WRNS. The WRNS pronounced 'wrens' was the Women's Royal Naval Service. WWI saw the creation of the WRNS but it was disbanded after the war. In 1939 the WRNS were revived at the beginning of WWII.
Intercepted Axis messages captured by the Y Service as well as from hundreds of civilian volunteers. The messages were then forwarded to Station X - Bletchley Park for decoding.
The book talks about the Wrens' recruitment and their struggle with uniforms in the early days of the way. Wrens with language fluency were recruited for Special Duties at the intercept stations. Some lived with civilian families or in hotels. Others in a Wrennery - a dormitory for the Wrens. Some stations were in or near large towns while others were on the remote coastline of Brittain.
The book follows the wartime career of a few individual Wrens. Most made it through the war, but the Wrens did suffer casualties. The book tells how girls in their late teens and early twenties left home for months. They worked in isolation because of the Official Secrets Act. The Wrens received little recognition for their years of service. They were significant contributors to the Allied success in WWII. This book gives them their much-needed recognition.
I enjoyed the 8 hours I spent reading this 324-page WWII history. This was a very interesting book. I learned a lot about the Y Service. I like the selected cover art. I give this book a 4 out of 5.
You can access more of my book reviews on my Blog ( https://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/).
July 28, 2021
Bletchley Park's Secret Source details the establishment of the Y Stations during World War II, which were staffed by WRNS (WRENS). These women came from all walks in life: from linguists, to mathematicians, to those with a talent for foreign languages. The WRNS listened, intercepted, and passed along messages to Station X for decryption.
I am a big fan of history, especially World War II, so I was excited to read this book. Unfortunately, the information is presented in a way that is dry and uninteresting. History does not come to life throughout these pages and thinking back, I find that I do not remember much of what I read. Part of the issue that I have with the book is its lack of organization, as the author does not follow a linear path. Compiled from a number of sources, including biographies, autobiographies, and other documentation, the book reads more like a thesis than an actual history book. As many have written about Bletchley Park, I would not recommend Bletchley Park's Secret Source: Churchill's Wrens and the Y Service in World War II to other readers.
Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Bletchley Park's Secret Source: Churchill's Wrens and the Y Service in World War II by NetGalley and the publisher, Greenhill Books. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.
I am a big fan of history, especially World War II, so I was excited to read this book. Unfortunately, the information is presented in a way that is dry and uninteresting. History does not come to life throughout these pages and thinking back, I find that I do not remember much of what I read. Part of the issue that I have with the book is its lack of organization, as the author does not follow a linear path. Compiled from a number of sources, including biographies, autobiographies, and other documentation, the book reads more like a thesis than an actual history book. As many have written about Bletchley Park, I would not recommend Bletchley Park's Secret Source: Churchill's Wrens and the Y Service in World War II to other readers.
Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Bletchley Park's Secret Source: Churchill's Wrens and the Y Service in World War II by NetGalley and the publisher, Greenhill Books. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.
March 7, 2024
This edition large print 2021 by Isis, not available to choose. I had become interested in the subject after reading a fairly unsatisfactory fiction novel. This book seems to be a collection of reminiscences interspersed with the results of the author's research. There's a rather general acknowledgement of sources in the preface but no detailed footnotes. Although some of the contents are interesting and informative, there's also a lot that is confusing. The material almost seems to be randomly organised, as it often jumps chronologically backwards and forwards. Although there are a few recurring characters, there are also many who appear briefly and are then forgotten. Even the recurring characters are just words on a page; we don't get to really know them. But I suppose that the people who worked in this environment were so steeped in secrecy that even their close relatives may never have really known them, except superficially. Although it was obviously not intended as a pictorial work, nevertheless the lack of pictures is a major disadvantage.
I would say that one of the major takeouts of this work is the appalling disrespect that was held for the WRENs, who worked their guts out for their country, only to be treated very poorly by their superiors. They never received the recognition that was due to them for their efforts. It's also impossible not to notice how many of these people were from the middle to upper classes. Maybe they were more willing to be persuaded of the "for your country" motivation.
All in all I was not very satisfied with this book, and would not particularly recommend it - I'm sure there will be better ones out there. I have awarded 3.2.
I would say that one of the major takeouts of this work is the appalling disrespect that was held for the WRENs, who worked their guts out for their country, only to be treated very poorly by their superiors. They never received the recognition that was due to them for their efforts. It's also impossible not to notice how many of these people were from the middle to upper classes. Maybe they were more willing to be persuaded of the "for your country" motivation.
All in all I was not very satisfied with this book, and would not particularly recommend it - I'm sure there will be better ones out there. I have awarded 3.2.
June 6, 2021
Princess Fuzzypants here: I am a fan of books about WWII. I find the many unsung heroes often tell better stories than the ones at the forefront. I think the work done at Bletchley Park is phenomenal. When you think how long the stories swirling around those people and events stayed secret, it is with even greater awe you realize how humble and brave they were.
I had expected the stories about the people, mainly women, who through their tireless effort, provided the bright lights at Bletchley with the raw information. Often, their posts were right at the edge of the coast, sitting targets for overhead planes and shells. Yet, despite being so close to the action and for providing irreplaceable information under trying circumstances, the books is drier than I imagined it would be. The facts are interesting but unlike some of the books I have read about this time, it lacked the immediacy and spark. I think it did a disservice to the people who put all on the line.
Three purrs and one paw up.
I had expected the stories about the people, mainly women, who through their tireless effort, provided the bright lights at Bletchley with the raw information. Often, their posts were right at the edge of the coast, sitting targets for overhead planes and shells. Yet, despite being so close to the action and for providing irreplaceable information under trying circumstances, the books is drier than I imagined it would be. The facts are interesting but unlike some of the books I have read about this time, it lacked the immediacy and spark. I think it did a disservice to the people who put all on the line.
Three purrs and one paw up.
September 16, 2024
Rounded up from 2.5 stars. I love reading women's history, especially from eras or areas where women were marginalized. But this book was a bit of a slog to read through. For an account of women conducting secret spy work, the writing was dull and dry. The best chapters addressed women's personal stories: overcoming hardships, why they volunteered, or how they had learned German before the war began.
There are some great military histories about women out there. For me, this one missed the mark.
There are some great military histories about women out there. For me, this one missed the mark.
November 25, 2021
Whilst there was lots of interesting information in here I found it difficult to follow. I think it was supposed to go chronologically but this only really became clear in the last few chapters. I kept losing track of who was who.
October 25, 2023
Really interesting. I didn't realise the Wrens decoded so many messages which were then sent to Bletchley Park. They early were a 'Secret Weapon' and never received due recognition for the part they played.
March 2, 2025
Very technical and not really written for the casual reader. Reads more like a list of facts strung together than a narrative structure.
March 12, 2021
Peter Hore, Secret Source Churchill’s Wrens and the Y Service in World War 11, Greenhill Books, 2021
Thank you, Net Galley, for this copy for review.
I am not a reader of war books and before reading Secret Source my knowledge of women’s contribution to this aspect of the war was through novels; my research on Barbara Pym who was a Wren, but in a far more peaceful job than the wrens in the Y Service, in Bristol; and a visit to Bletchley Park. I cannot recall whether the historical records on display at the latter included any reference to the women Peter Hore writes about in Secret Source, but they should. As Hore finishes his book, he acknowledges the lack of publicity and recognition given to the women about whom he writes. He also gives some of them the opportunity to air some anger at their treatment, particularly after their work was completed. But, at the same time, Hore also gives the women voice to say, ‘We all loved our part in it’.
Hore’s commitment to giving women a voice shines throughout this book. So many names, so many activities, so many anecdotes, so many thoughts: and they belong to women. How grateful I am that I chose this book to review. I began on the basis that I would like to improve my knowledge beyond that of the novel and ended having done so. What I could not imagine was having so much enjoyment while reading about women whose stories are usually open ended, with only glimpses into their work and social occasions. They begin with their similar ability to speak German which result in their induction into the Y Service, some marry, some die, some are bereaved, but these events are a small part of their story. Usually the women appear, demonstrate some of the activities with which the Wrens were associated, and then another takes her place: there is little of the satisfying resolution offered by fictional interpretations. However, resolved (as some were) or not, the women’s stories resonate. The glimpses through their words and the context provided by Hore are satisfying in their own way. Hore’s clever juxtaposition of context, the role of male protagonists in the training and recruitment, and the women’s voices, together with action and events is worthy of any fiction lover’s attention. The women’s stories, while vignettes of their lives, make a satisfying whole. This is indeed a history of a group of women with special abilities who as individuals and part of a group made an important contribution to the more well-known Bletchley successes.
Hore has also written a book that will satisfy the academic historian. He gives the women their voices, but where there is the possibility that there is an alternative interpretation of events it is included. His attention to the importance of memory, interpretation, and exaggeration, while never dismissing what he is told by the women involved is the work of a historian for whom the reader is also important. Some of the comments he makes in this context are delightful – both illuminating and sympathetic to the underlying motivations of the speaker. In the context of the academic reader, there are citations for each speaker and event, a strong bibliography, and an index. The last section of the book comprises well captioned photographs.
Peter Hore has written an account of the way in which many women contributed to the war effort as part of the Y Service, and in some cases, after hostilities with Germany ended. It is both academic and accessible to a wider audience. I enjoyed both aspects of the book, wearing both my historian and fiction lover hats very happily as I read this genuinely satisfying account.
Thank you, Net Galley, for this copy for review.
I am not a reader of war books and before reading Secret Source my knowledge of women’s contribution to this aspect of the war was through novels; my research on Barbara Pym who was a Wren, but in a far more peaceful job than the wrens in the Y Service, in Bristol; and a visit to Bletchley Park. I cannot recall whether the historical records on display at the latter included any reference to the women Peter Hore writes about in Secret Source, but they should. As Hore finishes his book, he acknowledges the lack of publicity and recognition given to the women about whom he writes. He also gives some of them the opportunity to air some anger at their treatment, particularly after their work was completed. But, at the same time, Hore also gives the women voice to say, ‘We all loved our part in it’.
Hore’s commitment to giving women a voice shines throughout this book. So many names, so many activities, so many anecdotes, so many thoughts: and they belong to women. How grateful I am that I chose this book to review. I began on the basis that I would like to improve my knowledge beyond that of the novel and ended having done so. What I could not imagine was having so much enjoyment while reading about women whose stories are usually open ended, with only glimpses into their work and social occasions. They begin with their similar ability to speak German which result in their induction into the Y Service, some marry, some die, some are bereaved, but these events are a small part of their story. Usually the women appear, demonstrate some of the activities with which the Wrens were associated, and then another takes her place: there is little of the satisfying resolution offered by fictional interpretations. However, resolved (as some were) or not, the women’s stories resonate. The glimpses through their words and the context provided by Hore are satisfying in their own way. Hore’s clever juxtaposition of context, the role of male protagonists in the training and recruitment, and the women’s voices, together with action and events is worthy of any fiction lover’s attention. The women’s stories, while vignettes of their lives, make a satisfying whole. This is indeed a history of a group of women with special abilities who as individuals and part of a group made an important contribution to the more well-known Bletchley successes.
Hore has also written a book that will satisfy the academic historian. He gives the women their voices, but where there is the possibility that there is an alternative interpretation of events it is included. His attention to the importance of memory, interpretation, and exaggeration, while never dismissing what he is told by the women involved is the work of a historian for whom the reader is also important. Some of the comments he makes in this context are delightful – both illuminating and sympathetic to the underlying motivations of the speaker. In the context of the academic reader, there are citations for each speaker and event, a strong bibliography, and an index. The last section of the book comprises well captioned photographs.
Peter Hore has written an account of the way in which many women contributed to the war effort as part of the Y Service, and in some cases, after hostilities with Germany ended. It is both academic and accessible to a wider audience. I enjoyed both aspects of the book, wearing both my historian and fiction lover hats very happily as I read this genuinely satisfying account.
March 10, 2021
Decoding is a compelling subject and this book describes it in meticulous detail, often in the words of those women who did it. In WWII the women decoders, Wrens (many specialties of Wrens), were responsible for so much yet their stories are rarely acknowledged and told and far less common than others who were involved in war efforts. In fact, they often saw more action than many. Some of the duties must have been incredibly difficult (forcing alertness on night shifts) and safety but others thrilling according to documentation. Wrens only numbered in the hundreds so the job was prestigious and highly secret and the women were justifiably proud. Training was tough so only the best were successful. Bletchley Park (Station X) was at the hub and where messages were deciphered. Talk about a fascinating process!
The author describes the experiences of several women throughout the book and what happened to some after the war. He describes the (mostly awful) uniforms, samples of actual codes (one incorrect/missing word could make ALL the difference), who was sought (linguists), the history of Morse code, Churchill's involvement and scary night watch stories. One of my favourite night watch stories was that of a woman who had to go to a tower to take bearings at night. Between her and the tower was no lighting at all (she couldn't use a torch outside, either) and ditches with wires she had to navigate on her hands and knees. In daylight she saw just how dangerous of a mission it was. Another woman sometimes got back to her accommodations to find her bed was warm, obviously slept in.
Heartbreakingly, ships and boats were torpedoed and sank, including the sinking of the Empress of Canada. Stories are told of men who swallowed too much oil in the water, others clinging together and some jumping off ships and swimming away as quickly as they could to avoid being sucked under. So many harrowing experiences, all real.
Read this book told from a completely different perspective. The amount of information I learned is unreal. The photographs are great!
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the privilege of reading the early ARC of this exceptional book.
The author describes the experiences of several women throughout the book and what happened to some after the war. He describes the (mostly awful) uniforms, samples of actual codes (one incorrect/missing word could make ALL the difference), who was sought (linguists), the history of Morse code, Churchill's involvement and scary night watch stories. One of my favourite night watch stories was that of a woman who had to go to a tower to take bearings at night. Between her and the tower was no lighting at all (she couldn't use a torch outside, either) and ditches with wires she had to navigate on her hands and knees. In daylight she saw just how dangerous of a mission it was. Another woman sometimes got back to her accommodations to find her bed was warm, obviously slept in.
Heartbreakingly, ships and boats were torpedoed and sank, including the sinking of the Empress of Canada. Stories are told of men who swallowed too much oil in the water, others clinging together and some jumping off ships and swimming away as quickly as they could to avoid being sucked under. So many harrowing experiences, all real.
Read this book told from a completely different perspective. The amount of information I learned is unreal. The photographs are great!
My sincere thank you to Pen & Sword and NetGalley for the privilege of reading the early ARC of this exceptional book.
March 26, 2021
Meticulously researched, drawing on lots of interviews with those who survived. This book aims to be the definitive history of the women who helped win the war.
The first part of the book, somewhat oddly, focuses on the men who set up the Y Service. While the background is important – I’m not sure there needs to be quite so much of the thrilling-adventures-of-manly-men.
There are amazing tales of high adventure and low skulduggery. But what interested me most was the way that sexism almost completely collapsed the war effort. From refusing to accept women, to preventing them from having uniforms, it seems like the British military did everything in its power to reduce its strength by 50%. When women travelled overseas to help the war effort, some were simply shipped back!
Frankly, it seems improbably that the British won the war. Everything was done on a shoestring budget, there was very little co-ordination, and it was led by lots of posh men who couldn’t see past their own blinkered existence.
There are some lovely personal stories tales in the book. From women falling in love, to single-handedly delivering crucial signals intercepts – it really is a glorious romp.
It does descend slightly into a list of events – battles, telegrams, and executive orders. And some of the military terminology – and outmoded British slang – is a bit dense to wade through. But, overall, it’s a great retelling of the experiences of a group of people who have been overlooked for too long.
At its core is a story of the power of appreciation.
Even in wartime, the SD Wrens were under-appreciated, and it is a common theme in their memoirs that they were kept in the dark, Rosemary Lyster joining the chorus of women who grumbled ‘No one, of course, told us if our work was valuable – we did not need to know!’
How do you keep up morale when you never tell people how vital their work has been? How do you encourage the next generation if you can never tell the story of success? How do you honour people when their existence is both sacred and scandalous?
This book goes some way to setting the record straight.
The first part of the book, somewhat oddly, focuses on the men who set up the Y Service. While the background is important – I’m not sure there needs to be quite so much of the thrilling-adventures-of-manly-men.
There are amazing tales of high adventure and low skulduggery. But what interested me most was the way that sexism almost completely collapsed the war effort. From refusing to accept women, to preventing them from having uniforms, it seems like the British military did everything in its power to reduce its strength by 50%. When women travelled overseas to help the war effort, some were simply shipped back!
Frankly, it seems improbably that the British won the war. Everything was done on a shoestring budget, there was very little co-ordination, and it was led by lots of posh men who couldn’t see past their own blinkered existence.
There are some lovely personal stories tales in the book. From women falling in love, to single-handedly delivering crucial signals intercepts – it really is a glorious romp.
It does descend slightly into a list of events – battles, telegrams, and executive orders. And some of the military terminology – and outmoded British slang – is a bit dense to wade through. But, overall, it’s a great retelling of the experiences of a group of people who have been overlooked for too long.
At its core is a story of the power of appreciation.
Even in wartime, the SD Wrens were under-appreciated, and it is a common theme in their memoirs that they were kept in the dark, Rosemary Lyster joining the chorus of women who grumbled ‘No one, of course, told us if our work was valuable – we did not need to know!’
How do you keep up morale when you never tell people how vital their work has been? How do you encourage the next generation if you can never tell the story of success? How do you honour people when their existence is both sacred and scandalous?
This book goes some way to setting the record straight.
April 4, 2021
The book tells the story of the women in the WRNS (WRENS) who worked in the Y Service during WWII. Everyone has heard of Bletchley Park – Station X - & the role it played in the code-breaking activities, but less well known are the activities of the Y stations. The Y stations, staffed by young Wrens, were the one who listened for & intercepted the messages which were then passed over to station X for decryption.
The book starts with the establishment of the Y service, and moves quickly on to how the Wrens were recruited (fluent German speakers, linguists, mathematicians – not uneducated young women!) and trained. It mentions the difficulties with uniform, the difficulties of not being able to explain what you were doing and the realities of the accommodation.
The book does jump around a bit, a result of the way it is compiled from a number of biographical/autobiographical sources and documentation. However the personal stories do make it very real and easy to read. So many stories of what women did during the war have never been told. It is often thought to have been menial work, secretarial etc, and it is important that we continue to uncover the role they played – which was often highly skilled, even if their training had to be done at night because the men were being trained during the day!
The stories are varied, at times heartbreaking. The story of the sinking of the Empress of Canada ship is sensitively written but harrowing.
I am very glad that I read this book, but was slightly disappointed to find that this was only focussed on the Naval station Y’s in the south & east – there was a number of others that are rarely mentioned especially those in the Midlands!
Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book free via NetGalley. Whilst thanks go to the publisher for the opportunity to read it, all opinions are my own.
#BookReview #BletchleyParksSecretSource #NetGalley
The book starts with the establishment of the Y service, and moves quickly on to how the Wrens were recruited (fluent German speakers, linguists, mathematicians – not uneducated young women!) and trained. It mentions the difficulties with uniform, the difficulties of not being able to explain what you were doing and the realities of the accommodation.
The book does jump around a bit, a result of the way it is compiled from a number of biographical/autobiographical sources and documentation. However the personal stories do make it very real and easy to read. So many stories of what women did during the war have never been told. It is often thought to have been menial work, secretarial etc, and it is important that we continue to uncover the role they played – which was often highly skilled, even if their training had to be done at night because the men were being trained during the day!
The stories are varied, at times heartbreaking. The story of the sinking of the Empress of Canada ship is sensitively written but harrowing.
I am very glad that I read this book, but was slightly disappointed to find that this was only focussed on the Naval station Y’s in the south & east – there was a number of others that are rarely mentioned especially those in the Midlands!
Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book free via NetGalley. Whilst thanks go to the publisher for the opportunity to read it, all opinions are my own.
#BookReview #BletchleyParksSecretSource #NetGalley
March 28, 2021
I would imagine many hours of research, fact finding combined with first hand accounts of what happened during the years of listening in on radio messages made this book a labour of love. Promoting the work of women during the war, often disregarded as menial work this book really explains the sacrifice and study required to ensure this vital work is reported accurately. Explained the structure of the Y stations and global network of radio signals used during the famous war battles. Named individual Wrens whose secret efforts went unnoticed by senior hierarchy, and gave good descriptions of life at the time. This book will be wonderful for the families of those women who served their country, to understand what their previous generation achieved in what was a male world. Thankfully things have moved on and girls can aspire to be who they want to be. Thank you #NetGalley for the advanced copy.
March 2, 2021
For anyone who likes historical fiction this is a must read. Bletchley Park code breaking activities are well recorded. This read is about the Y service, one of the biggest guarded secrets. It is both fascinating and captivating to read the story of the wireless operators, many of whom were civilians, and how they passed what they heard to intercept stations across the world. An enjoyable and insightful account of how some messages were decoded and used to track the enemy. The individual stories are moving and emotional, the strength and bravery of individuals is palpable across the pages. Well written, enjoyable and informative.
April 27, 2022
Peter Hore successfully blends the personal stories of some of the remarkable women who captured enemy wireless transmissions with the wider strategic and tactical framework in which they operated. The book is readable and well produced, containing some insights that I for one found surprising. A solid four-star read.
January 25, 2024
I find this whole period and the role of these women absolutely fascinating. This is a terrific, well-researched book which I listened to as an audiobook wondering why it was read by a man. Still, plenty to think about and I will probably return to this in book form one day (especially with pictures).
October 17, 2022
I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A great historical novel. Highly recommend
March 26, 2024
A excellent book on a little known bit of history. The ladies involved are amazing.
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