The New Forest at War - John Leete

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Résumé :
The New Forest at War documents aspects of the social and military history of this unique area of Britain during the years of the Second World War.

The Forest was on the front line of the massive build-up and launch of D-Day in June 1944. Although many parts of Britain contributed to the final assault, it was this part of Hampshire that was used as the primary assembly and departure point. There were over 100,000 troops under canvas and thousands of military vehicles parked in the quiet country lanes throughout the area. There were also many thousands of ships off the Forest coastline in the waters of the Solent.

First published in 2004 this updated edition of The New Forest at War contains additional images and anecdotes which will add both to the reading experience and to visits to the Forest. This highly acclaimed book tells the story of the area during WW2 and its heritage, underpinned now by the New Forest National Park Authority which has implemented and hosts an area wide preservation scheme.

The book contains many photographs with first-hand accounts of the Forest during WW2 with reminiscences from military sources as well as civilians. It provides a fascinating snapshot of life at this critical time in the nation's history and it will be of interest to everyone who visits, lives or works in the Forest and to all those with an interest in Britain's wartime heritage.

Biographie:
The author's interest in the New Forest and its wartime history evolved from a chance meeting with a veteran in Ringwood. The veteran, who had travelled from the USA and was visiting his former wartime airfield at Stoney Cross, told stories of his experiences and how important it was to remember those who never returned. The New Forest at War was John Leete's first book and he has since written several well respected titles on the theme of Britain's Home Front during World War II. He is a Hampshire based Historian and he enjoys collecting and displaying Home Front memorabilia as well as writing about and giving Talks on the subject of wartime Britain.

Sommaire:
Foreword by Lord Montagu of Beaulieu 4 Introduction by Dr Julian Lewis 6 1 The Dawn of War 8 2 Recollections of D-Day 38 3 We Did Our Bit 51 4 RAF Ibsley: Spitfire Days 58 5 Typhoon Tales 70 6 Pylewell's War Effort 77 7 The Secret Forest 90 8 The Beaulieu Estate at War 94 9 Exbury in Military Service 104 10 Waterside's War 114 11 Stoney Cross: Memories of a Teenager 124 12 Through the Eyes of the Children 131 13 Cake, Church & Cricket 148 14 Breamore:The Patton Connection 153 15 A Soldier Remembers 164 Epilogue:The Legacy Lives On 176