Tynemouth and Wallsend at War 1939–45

Nonfiction, History, British, Military, World War II
Cover of the book Tynemouth and Wallsend at War 1939–45 by Craig  Armstrong, Pen and Sword
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Craig Armstrong ISBN: 9781473867567
Publisher: Pen and Sword Publication: November 30, 2017
Imprint: Pen and Sword Military Language: English
Author: Craig Armstrong
ISBN: 9781473867567
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication: November 30, 2017
Imprint: Pen and Sword Military
Language: English

Tynemouth and Wallsend were key communities in the national war effort despite their relatively small size. Located on the key East Coast they played a significant military and civil role in the war. Tynemouth was situated at the key entry to the strategically important River Tyne and was well defended against enemy attack with several forts and other measures in place. The scenic seaside town saw a large military buildup with several different army and naval units rotating through the area to man defenses and to train whilst the local Home Guard unit was voted one of the best in the country and was asked to give a radio broadcast on its methods (despite some comic accidents along the way).

Wallsend, a largely urban industrial community, was home to key wartime industries with its shipbuilding yards (including Swan Hunters) building and repairing huge numbers of vessels, both naval and merchant, throughout the war. This made the town a significant target for the Luftwaffe and several determined raids were made which inflicted heavy casualties, especially during 1941.

The area also hosted a large number of heavy and light industrial works which made significant contributions to the war effort. The fishermen of the North Shields fishing fleet also played a dangerous role during the war (many, including one of the author’s grandfathers served in the Royal Naval Reserve) when supplying fresh fish, already a dangerous task, to a near-starving wartime population was made more dangerous through enemy action.

The book also looks at the considerable contribution made by the men and women who volunteered for the ARP and Civil Defence Services. The heavy raids resulted in great loss of life, including the most deadly single attack outside of London when over 100 people were killed when a North Shields shelter took a direct hit in 1941, and the men and women of the emergency services were faced with horrifying scenes (the author’s other grandfather was a regular fireman and ambulanceman who had a particularly lucky escape when his fire engine was blown into a shell crater during a raid) which they had to overcome and work through.

No member of the community was left untouched by the war whether they were evacuees (the author’s father was one of them), workers, servicemen or just civilians struggling to maintain a home in wartime Britain.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Tynemouth and Wallsend were key communities in the national war effort despite their relatively small size. Located on the key East Coast they played a significant military and civil role in the war. Tynemouth was situated at the key entry to the strategically important River Tyne and was well defended against enemy attack with several forts and other measures in place. The scenic seaside town saw a large military buildup with several different army and naval units rotating through the area to man defenses and to train whilst the local Home Guard unit was voted one of the best in the country and was asked to give a radio broadcast on its methods (despite some comic accidents along the way).

Wallsend, a largely urban industrial community, was home to key wartime industries with its shipbuilding yards (including Swan Hunters) building and repairing huge numbers of vessels, both naval and merchant, throughout the war. This made the town a significant target for the Luftwaffe and several determined raids were made which inflicted heavy casualties, especially during 1941.

The area also hosted a large number of heavy and light industrial works which made significant contributions to the war effort. The fishermen of the North Shields fishing fleet also played a dangerous role during the war (many, including one of the author’s grandfathers served in the Royal Naval Reserve) when supplying fresh fish, already a dangerous task, to a near-starving wartime population was made more dangerous through enemy action.

The book also looks at the considerable contribution made by the men and women who volunteered for the ARP and Civil Defence Services. The heavy raids resulted in great loss of life, including the most deadly single attack outside of London when over 100 people were killed when a North Shields shelter took a direct hit in 1941, and the men and women of the emergency services were faced with horrifying scenes (the author’s other grandfather was a regular fireman and ambulanceman who had a particularly lucky escape when his fire engine was blown into a shell crater during a raid) which they had to overcome and work through.

No member of the community was left untouched by the war whether they were evacuees (the author’s father was one of them), workers, servicemen or just civilians struggling to maintain a home in wartime Britain.

More books from Pen and Sword

Cover of the book From Dogfight to Diplomacy by Craig  Armstrong
Cover of the book SS Polizei at War 1940–1945 by Craig  Armstrong
Cover of the book Once a Hussar by Craig  Armstrong
Cover of the book The Handley Page Victor by Craig  Armstrong
Cover of the book The Spitfire by Craig  Armstrong
Cover of the book Oradour by Craig  Armstrong
Cover of the book Meteor from the Cockpit by Craig  Armstrong
Cover of the book The Great War Illustrated - The Home Front by Craig  Armstrong
Cover of the book Regina Diana by Craig  Armstrong
Cover of the book Sunderland in the Great War by Craig  Armstrong
Cover of the book Narrow Gauge Railway Stamps by Craig  Armstrong
Cover of the book Seaforth World Naval Review 2011 by Craig  Armstrong
Cover of the book Roman Republic at War by Craig  Armstrong
Cover of the book Gladiators and Beast Hunts by Craig  Armstrong
Cover of the book Douglas A-4 Skyhawk by Craig  Armstrong
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy