Just finished ' Keep the Memory Green' by Butler/Bradford and enjoyed it , not full of facts and figures but written in a conversational style by two people who were there, although they don't cover their own experiences but feature many others. Almost half the book is devoted to what the RAF and the BEF were doing in the eight months before the May 10th invasion and is the better for it. Craig
Two new 1940 titles from Pen and Sword due soon. Oct 2013 http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Silent-Attack/p/4177/ Due Nov 2013 : http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Road-to-Dunkirk/p/6018/
Thanks for the notification above. I've pre-ordered '5 Div on the Ypres-Comines canal'. - Looking forward to it.
Halfway through the Road to Dunkirk. Very readable but a bit light on details regarding action. I liken this to a more general overview of what was happening at Divisional and Brigade level. Every time it mentions a Private, Corporal or Sergeants act of bravery and really grabs my attention it moves on. I suspect it's just me but I like the detail and want to be with Tommy Blogs in his trench not with Rupert Blogs looking at a map. The other one isn't published now until Feb 2014 http://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/The-Silent-Attack/p/4177/
One Young Soldier by Tim Bishop. Author served in the 12th Lancers in France 1940 so interesting look at armoured cars in the BEF.
Has this been mentioned yet? http://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/shop/books---regimental/private-walker/view
All, Infantry Officer, a personal account by Anthony Irwin was I believe mentioned earlier in the thread, does anyone have a copy and if so how useful is it to get ground truth on Dunkirk? Similarly with One Young Soldier: The Memoirs of a Cavalryman. Having just completed Rex King Clarks superb book Free for a Blast, I was curious to know if he had written anymore. I believe he wrote two more books, The Battle for Kohima and Forward From Kohima, one of which may cover his time during the Dunkirk campaign yet the titles would suggest a Burma theme. Can anyone shed any light? Thanks Rusty Buckle
http://www.naval-military-press.com/actions-of-the-4th-7th-royal-dragoon-guards-may-june-1940.html Short but interesting read for those interested in the role the Vickers VIB tank played in the BEF.
Couple of new titles that showed up on my radar http://www.amazon.ca/Belgium-Second-Jean-Michel-Veranneman-Watervliet/dp/1783376074/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1400615503&sr=8-2&keywords=belgium+pen+sword http://www.amazon.ca/Panzer-III-Somua-35-Belgium/dp/1782002871/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400615666&sr=1-1&keywords=Belgium+1940 Also Stackpole is releasing two of Robert Doughty's books in cheaper paperback editions. ' http://www.amazon.ca/Breaking-Point-Sedan-Fall-France/dp/0811714594/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400615760&sr=1-1&keywords=Robert+Doughty http://www.amazon.ca/Seeds-Disaster-Development-Doctrine-1919-1939/dp/0811714608/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400615760&sr=1-2&keywords=Robert+Doughty and this has just released from Osprey: http://www.amazon.ca/Morane-Saulnier-MS-406-Aces-Kari-Stenman/dp/178200341X/ref=sr_1_32?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1400615951&sr=1-32&keywords=france+1940
Just ordered these three: Armoured Warfare and the Fall of France: Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives (Images of War) http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1848846398/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 The BEF in France 1939-1940: Manning the Front Through to the Dunkirk Evacuation (Despatches from the Front) http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1783462116/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I'd be interested to know your opinion on the BEF in France title when it arrives. My understanding of the series is that it is a collection of primary documents compiled together which could be hit or miss. So I'll hold off buying it until you give it a thumbs up!
You blasted fibber ! I mentioned it on the forthcoming thread and you even repped me for it ! http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/14294-coming-soon-to-a-bookshelf-near-you/page-8 The dodgy publicity blurb has made me hold back until some gullible fool reviews it ! :biggrin:
Anyone ever read this? L`enfer de la Dyle by Robert Pied 225 photographs suggests its a big book? Kyle
Anyone found any books being released soon for the anniversary? All I've found is http://www.amazon.co.uk/British-Expeditionary-Force-1939-40/dp/1137494190/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1429880328&sr=1-8&keywords=dunkirk
Having gone through all the last 6 pages, it seems that there is loads of books out there, along with the War Diaries from the National Archives, which are sparse in information. I t seems the only way to "fight" your way though it all is to spend s lot of money or time in the library. I would like to throw another book into the mix "A History of the 7th Field Company RE 1939 - 1946" By Thomas M J Riordan MM, (Only 600 copies were printed) A personal account from a Sapper's role, from landing in Cherbourg 1st Oct 1939 to 4th June 1940, also including their involvement in "The Battle of The Ypres Comines Canal" 27th May 1940, where the 4th Division Engineers 7, 59 and 225 Field Companies along with A Coy 6th Bn Black Watch, A, B and a dismounted C Sqn's 13th/18th Hussars, prior the the counter attack by 3rd Bn Grenadier Guards, 2nd Bn North Staff's and 2nd Bn Sherwood Forester's. I have read through the War Diaries of most of the units in the first attack, but there is very little info indicating the efforts of each other, but have managed to get an indication of who was where and who did what and their casualties. It's interesting, that there is a commemoration every year at the memorial, yet I'm unable to find out who runs it. I have emailed the committee for the museum, no reply. The REA have no idea who the RE Standard bearer this year was, even the British Legion has failed to come up with an answer, so will just have to go out there next year and see