This is an important first book on the major pivotal role Hampshire played in World War II. You will find principal details of the genesis for D-Day and how the Battle for Britain happened on a day by day basis. The author highlights the people s experience of total war from the blitz in Portsmouth, Gosport and Southampton and raids throughout Hampshire. Whilst, at sea and in the dockyards you will find details of the Royal Navy s role. As well as saluting the role of civilians creating and building Spitfires and Hurricanes, _Hampshire at War 1939 - 1945_ places a rightful spotlight on the role Hampshire's women played in the final victory. Hampshire s major effort towards final victory arose from the towns and hamlets of the County set out in this unique book. Training for the secret war and espionage took place in Beaulieu and the training for the Cockleshell Heroes took place around Southsea. Hampshire s War involved the arrival of men and women from all over the world but in particular from Canada and America with important cultural changes for everyone living there. In 1940, when invasion was threatened, a defence of Britain had to be oganised and Hampshire's coast was particularly vulnerable. Details of how German troops would be resisted after landings in the Solent and along Hampshire s coast are also explored. _Hampshire at war 1939 - 1945_ traces the progress of evacuating its children from vulnerable cities such as Southampton and Portsmouth and records the experience of children themselves. But most importantly, Murray Rowlands provides the experience of living through WWII, as it happened.

The Battle of Britain from July to September 1940 is one of the finest moments in our Nation's history. While credit rightly goes to 'The Few', victory could never have happened without the inspirational command and leadership of New Zealander Keith Park. He and Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding ensured that Fighter Command was prepared for the Nazi onslaught. Promoted to Air Vice Marshal, Park took over No 11 Group, responsible for the defence of London and South East England in April 1940\. A shrewd tactician and hands-on commander, Park carefully husbanded his limited resources and famously wore down Goering's Luftwaffe, thus forcing Hitler to abandon his invasion plans. Shamefully Dowding and Park were dismissed from their commands in the aftermath of victory due to internal RAF politics. Fortunately, Park's career was far from over and his management of the defence of Malta made significant contribution to victory in the Mediterranean. This balanced and well overdue account hopefully ensures that Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park receives the credit for victory that he so richly deserves.

The Battle of Britain from July to September 1940 is one of the finest moments in our Nation's history. While credit rightly goes to The Few', victory could never have happened without the inspirational command and leadership of New Zealander Keith Park. He and Air Chief Marshal Sir Hugh Dowding ensured that Fighter Command was prepared for the Nazi onslaught. Promoted to Air Vice Marshal, Park took over No 11 Group, responsible for the defence of London and South East England in April 1940\. A shrewd tactician and hands-on commander, Park carefully husbanded his limited resources and famously wore down Goering's Luftwaffe, thus forcing Hitler to abandon his invasion plans. Shamefully Dowding and Park were dismissed from their commands in the aftermath of victory due to internal RAF politics. Fortunately, Park's career was far from over and his management of the defence of Malta made significant contribution to victory in the Mediterranean. This balanced and well overdue account hopefully ensures that Air Chief Marshal Sir Keith Park receives the credit for victory that he so richly deserves.

In 1916 two young New Zealanders are transported across the world to the killing fields of Passchendaele. Both are in continual conflict with military authority. We follow their experiences of the War that changes their lives utterly. This includes the conflict over Helen a beautiful woman with whom they both fall in love. Ernie is a highly gifted artist and Chris a politically engaged wordsmith. When the War ends for them life is no less dramatic when they return to New Zealand.