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Britain's Secret Defences: Civilian saboteurs, spies and assassins during the Second World War
The narrative surrounding Britain’s anti-invasion forces has often centered on ‘Dad’s Army’-like characters running around with pitchforks, on unpreparedness and sense of inevitability of invasion and defeat. The truth, however, is very different.
Top-secret, highly trained and ruthless civilian volunteers were being recruited as early as the summer of 1940. Had the Germans attempted an invasion they would have been countered by saboteurs and guerrilla fighters emerging from secret bunkers, and monitored by swathes of spies and observers who would have passed details on via runners, wireless operators and ATS women in disguised bunkers.
Alongside these secret forces, the Home Guard were also setting up their own ‘guerrilla groups’, and SIS (MI6) were setting up post-occupation groups of civilians – including teenagers – to act as sabotage cells, wireless operators, and assassins had the Nazis taken control of the country.
The civilians involved in these groups understood the need for absolute secrecy and their commitment to keeping quiet meant that most went to their grave without ever telling anyone of their role, not even their closest family members. There has been no official and little public recognition of what these dedicated men and women were willing to do for their country in its hour of need, and after over 80 years of silence the time has come to highlight their remarkable role.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter One - Formation
Chapter Two - Role, ruthlessness and training
Chapter Three - Bunkers, equipment, explosives and weapons
Chapter Four - Changing role and stand-down
Chapter Five - Special Duties Civilian spies and wireless operators
Chapter Six - Signals and ATS
Chapter Seven - Secrecy and change of role
Chapter Eight - 'Unofficial' auxiliary unites and Home Guard guerrillas
Chapter Nine - Post-occupation SIS Section VII and industrial saboteurs
Conclusion
Top-secret, highly trained and ruthless civilian volunteers were being recruited as early as the summer of 1940. Had the Germans attempted an invasion they would have been countered by saboteurs and guerrilla fighters emerging from secret bunkers, and monitored by swathes of spies and observers who would have passed details on via runners, wireless operators and ATS women in disguised bunkers.
Alongside these secret forces, the Home Guard were also setting up their own ‘guerrilla groups’, and SIS (MI6) were setting up post-occupation groups of civilians – including teenagers – to act as sabotage cells, wireless operators, and assassins had the Nazis taken control of the country.
The civilians involved in these groups understood the need for absolute secrecy and their commitment to keeping quiet meant that most went to their grave without ever telling anyone of their role, not even their closest family members. There has been no official and little public recognition of what these dedicated men and women were willing to do for their country in its hour of need, and after over 80 years of silence the time has come to highlight their remarkable role.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter One - Formation
Chapter Two - Role, ruthlessness and training
Chapter Three - Bunkers, equipment, explosives and weapons
Chapter Four - Changing role and stand-down
Chapter Five - Special Duties Civilian spies and wireless operators
Chapter Six - Signals and ATS
Chapter Seven - Secrecy and change of role
Chapter Eight - 'Unofficial' auxiliary unites and Home Guard guerrillas
Chapter Nine - Post-occupation SIS Section VII and industrial saboteurs
Conclusion
- GenresWorld War II
256 pages, Hardcover
Published August 9, 2022
19 people are currently reading
103 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 26, 2023
An incredibly interesting book about Britain's preparation for a possible invasion from Germany. While the Germans never quite made it, they would have been met with countless surprises!
August 2, 2022
In 1940 had Britain really prepared for an invasion?
Well this book reveals that far more had been planned than most of us realise.
I won't reveal any spoilers here, but the author has revealed an incredible amount of information, despite the secretive nature of the units involved.
A really interesting read that will really surprise the reader in what the average British man & woman was trained to do.
Highly recommended reading.
Well this book reveals that far more had been planned than most of us realise.
I won't reveal any spoilers here, but the author has revealed an incredible amount of information, despite the secretive nature of the units involved.
A really interesting read that will really surprise the reader in what the average British man & woman was trained to do.
Highly recommended reading.
January 13, 2023
If you have any interest in the history of Britain or the Second World War you must read this book. It’s not often that we are able to delve into an area that has almost entirely been untouched but this is the joy with this book. Chatterton and those passionate researchers he has worked for have presented us with a greater understanding of the elaborate plans in place for a potential German invasion. Forget Dads Army, this country was ready and blood would flow. Read this book!
April 16, 2024
Read it in audiobook, good narration by Mike Cooper. The book gives an informative read on Britain's potebtial guerilla or resistance. That's about it. Very dry. Feels self-serving and not objective. (According to the brain, the brain is the most importsnt organ). The book could be 25% shorter. Annoying repetitive phrases, probably because it is not structured properly.
October 24, 2022
Britains secret defences
This book provides a lot of new information regarding Britains secret army during the second world war. The second half of the book was of particular interest because it's brought the different organisation s together and what role they would have played if the UK had been invaded.
Well researched and the author provides many sources of reference and credits to previous books on this subject.
Easy to read , well worth buying
This book provides a lot of new information regarding Britains secret army during the second world war. The second half of the book was of particular interest because it's brought the different organisation s together and what role they would have played if the UK had been invaded.
Well researched and the author provides many sources of reference and credits to previous books on this subject.
Easy to read , well worth buying
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews