Book: "The Second World War" by Antony Beevor

An Excellent "Overall, World-wide View" of Changing Tides

Where, Why, When, Who and How Much (783 Pages)

Very comprehensive coverage of changing war fronts, globally

Introduction:

The book by Antony Beevor is not related specifically or in a really significant way to Canadians in Combined Operations, i.e., my chief area of interest, as regular visitors to this site already know. But as I read it I gained more insight into the immensity of the war, its scope globally, its ultimate costs, its causes and ongoing affects and much more. As well, in certain chapters and passages I learned a bit more about the conditions in various theatres of war faced by my father and his 1,000 Canadian mates (approx.; they'd volunteered to join Combined Operations beginning in late 1941, and manned landing crafts during the Dieppe raid and subsequent invasions of N. Africa, Sicily, Italy and Normandy; some also acted as skilled trainers re use of cutters and landing craft on Vancouver Island from 1944 - 45).

The chapter headings listed in the table of contents reveal the breadth and width of Beevor's undertaking:

The quality of Beevor's research, as he walks readers from one theatre of war to another, chronologically, is continually evident. Poignant passages and close up views of action and devastation are gripping.

The quality of the writing is excellent as the following early paragraphs reveal:

Excerpt is from page 27

Excerpt is from page 28 

Several useful maps and dramatic photographs appear as the pages turn:

From page 23:

After page 274:

Dunkirk, rescue of survivors from the destroyer Bourrasque

I found many, many significant details that reminded me that World War II was, in part, an amphibious war; 1000s of ships of various descriptions and uses would be required by all participants. I read that two of the most well-known leaders, e.g., Hitler and Churchill, faced the same "almost impossible task of assembling enough ships and craft" to accommodate their armies' transport needs.

In the book by Antony Beevor we read:

... Hitler came to a decision. Having mulled over possible strategies against Britain and discussed an invasion with his commanders-in-chief, he issued 'Directive No. 16 for Preparations of a Landing Operation against England'.... Grossadmiral Raeder had insisted that an invasion could be attempted only after the Luftwaffe had achieved air superiority. Hadler, for the army, urged that an invasion should be a last resort.

The Kriegsmarine faced the almost impossible task of assembling enough ships and craft to transport the first wave of 100,000 men with tanks, motor transport and equipment across the Channel. It also had to consider its decided inferiority in warships against the Royal Navy...

Pages 126 - 127, June - November 1940

A few fine books and websites provide information about how the Combined Operations organization began in the UK and how Canadian involvement in it originated. The book A Watery Maze by Bernard Fergusson, copyright 1961, is one such fine resource.

In it one finds the following passages that reveal that Hitler and Churchill thought along the same lines at times. For example, Churchill's verbal briefing (with Lord Louis Mountbatten, in October, 1941) ran something like this:

I want you to succeed Roger Keyes in charge of Combined Operations. Up to now there have hardly been any Commando Raids. I want you to start a programme of raids of ever-increasing intensity, so as to keep the whole of the enemy coastline on the alert from the North Cape to the Bay of Biscay. But your main object must be the re-invasion of France.

Mountbatten: Photo Credit - A Watery Maze

You must create the machine which will make it possible for us to beat Hitler on land. You must devise the appurtenances and appliances which will make the invasion possible. You must select and build up the bases from which the assault will be launched. Before that you must create the various Training Centres at which the soldiers can be trained in the amphibious assault. I want you to bring in the Air Force as well, and create a proper inter-Service organisation to produce the technique of the modern assault. I want you to consider the great problem of the follow-up, and finally, I want you to select the area in which you feel the assault should take place and start bending all your energies towards getting ready for this great day...

All other headquarters in the United Kingdom are at present on the defensive. Your headquarters are being created to be on the offensive. You are to give no thought to the defensive. Your whole attention is to be concentrated on the offensive. (Pages 87 - 88)

Just a few pages later we read:

Obviously two of the most urgent problems were the provision of landing ships and craft, and the crews to man them... As an illustration of the magnitude of the crew problem, the Joint Planners, in the very month of Mountbatten's appointment, had persuaded the Chiefs of Staff that our requirements in LCTs alone (i.e. landing craft for tanks) for the eventual invasion would be 2,250 - a figure to daunt almost anybody. And where were the crews to come from? Canada made an offer, which was gratefully accepted, of 50 officers and 300 ratings, but this was a drop in the bucket. (Page 93)

Photo Credit - A Watery Maze

My father, Doug Harrison (left) and Buryl McIntyre, both of Norwich, ONT

were among the first members of Canada's 300 Comb. Ops ratings

Photo from November 1941, HMCS Stadacona, Halifax

The Effingham Division, in Halifax, Canada, 1941. Almost to

a man, this group was the first to join Combined Operations

There are several other passages from A. Beevor's fine book that reveal details indirectly connected in some way to the Canadians in Combined Operations as well, along with details re Hitler and Churchill and certain plans of war that did not hold water in some situations.

I have listed a few poignant passages concerning the Battle of Britain here: Passages... by A. Beevor.

I recommend the book to my readers. I've seen Beevor's account re WWII in both new and used condition in local stores in my home city, London ONT. I hope interested readers can find it as easily. Happy hunting, I say.

Please link to several details re another good read, "One Day In August" by David O'Keefe .

Unattributed Photos GH