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Punch "Lord Warden of the Empire" Cartoon 1942

11/19/2024

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I recently picked up a 1942 hardback book for The Pick of Punch from a charity shop. It's a compilation of articles and cartoons published throughout that year. Amongst the articles is the cartoon below of Prime Minister Winston Churchill as the "Lord Warden of the Empire". 

Also of interest is the dedication inside the book. 

"To Mr & Mrs Buttle. In sincere appreciation of much kindness and hospitality shown to me during my stay in Northampton 25.10.41—19.3.43 From Wolf Neimann"

There cannot have been that many youngsters named Wolf Neimann evacuated during the war. I believe the name is Neimann but the usual spelling of that surname is Niemann.
Dedication inside Pick of the Punch
Dedication inside Pick of the Punch
Punch
Punch "Lord Warden of the Empire" Cartoon 1942
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"Bombers Over Wales" Western Mail Mail & Echo

9/17/2024

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On the resources page is a list of publications printed before 1950 about the various bombing raids on British cities. Before today I had not heard of the "Bombers Over Wales" publication by the Western Mail and Echo. Sadly, there isn't a publishing date shown but the cover and contents do look similar to those published in the 1940s.

​If you do happen to know when this particular booklet was published, please drop me a line.
"Bombers Over Wales" Western Mail Mail & Echo
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Book Review "Behind The Cordon" by Chris Ransted

6/20/2024

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Behind the Cordon - Air Raid Precautions / Civil Defence, Emergency Services & Civilian Interactions with Unexploded Bombs in World World Two is a new book by Chris Ransted. 

“Behind the Cordon” provides an in-depth review of the dangers faced by Civil Defence personnel from German air-dropped ordnance plus the risks associated with aircraft crash sites (both Allied and German) during the Second World War. It was the job of the military to defuse bombs but it was the Civil Defence Services that reacted to reports from the general public about unexploded bombs.

An overview of German bombs and mines is provided as well as the methods employed to defuse bombs by Royal Engineers' bomb disposal teams. Of particular interest is the chapter on Bomb Reconnaissance Training that many ARP volunteers took for locating buried bombs. There are photos of the development of bomb reconnaissance insignia as well. ​

​
The book is packed with period photos and documents and is a must-have for your library if you're interested in Civil Defence during the war. The book is available from Key Publishing now.

For those interested in unexploded ordnance and V-weapons, the author has previously published Bomb Disposal in World War Two and Disarming Hitler's V Weapons: Bomb Disposal, the V1 and V2 rockets.


"Behind The Cordon" by Chris Ransted
"Behind The Cordon" by Chris Ransted (rear)
"Behind The Cordon" by Chris Ransted (page)
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Within the Island Fortress - Insignia and Uniforms of the Home Front in Britain 1939-45

4/16/2024

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'Within the Island Fortress - Insignia and Uniforms of the Home Front in Britain 1939 - 1945' by Jon Mills. This was originally a 16-page special published for the Military Heraldry Society that has now been republished for everyone to enjoy.

It contains full-colour images and research covering many home front organisations including ARP, auxiliary units, FANY, HG, WVS, WLA, youth organisations, fire services and nursing etc.

​Just £10 including shipping in the UK from Home Front Collection.
Within the Island Fortress - Insignia and Uniforms of the Home Front in Britain 1939-45
Within the Island Fortress - Insignia and Uniforms of the Home Front in Britain 1939-45
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Incident 48 - Raid on a South Coast Town 1943

4/8/2024

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I recently came across this book called Incident 48 - Raid on a South Coast Town 1943 by Angela Beleznay. The book is dedicated to a single air raid on the town of Bournemouth on 23 May 1943. It was the 48th raid recorded by the local Civil Defence controller on the town and it lasted barely a single minute, and it was the worst incident during the war in Bournemouth.

The author details the events before and after the tip-and-run raid by the Luftwaffe flying Focke-Wulf Fw 190 fighter-bombers. The air raid caused the death of 77 people with hundreds wounded. A large number of buildings were destroyed or badly damaged.

The book is incredibly well-researched. I don't think I've read a more detailed account of a single raid and it's well worth getting hold of a copy.
Incident 48 - Raid on a South Coast Town 1943
Incident 48 - Raid on a South Coast Town 1943
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  • Uniforms
    • Bluette Overalls
    • ARP Wrapover Overalls
    • Tunic, Slacks & Skirt
    • ARP Wardens' Coat
    • Battledress & Trousers
    • Greatcoats
    • Gabardine Coat
    • Waterproof Cape
    • Ambulance Uniforms
    • Nursing Uniforms
    • Women’s Voluntary Services Uniforms
    • Hats, Berets & Caps
    • Footwear & Gaiters
    • ARP & CD Buttons
  • Insignia
    • Rank Badges
    • Breast Badges
    • Beret & Cap Badges
    • Area Markings
    • Shoulder Titles / Flashes
    • War Service Chevrons
    • Armbands / Armlets
    • ARP Instructors' Badges
    • Incident Officer
    • Bomb Reconnaissance
    • Wound Stripes
    • ARP Whistle & Lanyards
    • Lapel Badges
    • Medals & Ribbons
    • Civil Defence Reserve
    • Miscellaneous ARP
  • Helmets
    • Helmets of the Home Front
  • Equipment
    • Documentation
    • First Aid
    • Gas Air Raid Warning
    • Hand-Cranked Air Raid Sirens
    • Fire Tackling
    • Anti-Gas Equipment
    • Anti-Gas Training Posters
    • Rescue Equipment
    • Goggles
    • Lamps & Torches
    • Respirators (Gas masks)
    • ARP Penknife
    • ARP Water Bottle
  • Fire Guard
    • Fire Guard History
  • Resources
    • Books
    • Re-enacting
    • Buyers' Guide
    • ARP Memo 17
    • Civil Defence ARP Pattern Numbers
    • Uniform Sizes
    • Original WW2 Photographs
    • Re-enacting Photos
    • Fake & Reproduction ARP Badges
    • Civil Defence Corps Insignia
    • Air Raid Histories
    • Links
  • Contact
    • About
  • Blog
    • Donate