Esta web utiliza cookies propias y de terceros que nos permiten optimizar tu experiencia en el sitio web, evaluar su rendimiento, generar estadísticas de uso y mejorar y añadir nuevas funcionalidades. Mediante el análisis de tus hábitos de navegación podemos mostrar contenidos más relevantes y medir las interacciones con la web.
Puede obtener más información aquí.

Avanzado
Artículos
Portada

A GRATEFUL NATION SOON FORGOT IBD

JOHN LEE
PARAGON PUBLISHING
05 / 2023
9781399949606
Inglés

Sinopsis

'Here at the gateway to the River Thames in Southend came together more merchant shipsâÇÖ Masters and the greatest number of convoys sailed than ever in the history of the world'84,297 ships sailed in convoys from Southend Pier 1939-1945The purpose of this book is to inform with unique sources of documentary evidence a detailed contemporary account of a momentous unsung event in defence of our nation in WWII.áFor the eager reader or student wishing to add to their knowledge the author has created an historical reference work.This largely unknown part of WW II history was summed up by the great A. P. Herbert (Sir Alan Herbert) as 'A Grateful Nation Soon Forgot'.áAP, as he was known, was involved in these historic events throughout the war.áFrom 1939-1945 The Naval Control Service (NCS) controlled vital convoy operations from Southend. Many WW1 Battle of Jutland veterans descended on Southend as volunteers for convoy work.áThese men of experience included Admirals and Vice Admirals who commanded the earliest supply convoys.áMany of the NCS team in residence were well known nationally distinguished men and women.SouthendâÇÖs longest sea pier in the world, stretches for one and one third miles out into the Thames Estuary and has at its end a deep water harbour. At the gateway to The Thames and North Sea it was ideal for convoy operations.áThe Germans were aware of this and would come to destroy the facility and close The Thames in a night bombing raid by the Luftwaffe on 22nd November 1939.áThey had not expected the foresight of Capt. John Pelham Champion CBE., DSO., RN in command of the NCS.áBy his hunch in guessing when they would come, the Pier was prepared with an armed defence.áNot only was the German plan thwarted but the Thames to London stayed open for the duration of the war against the stated prediction of Winston Churchill.á