The turn of the tide, 1939-1943

Contains

Canonical title

The turn of the tide, 1939-1943

Original title

The turn of the tide : a history of the war years based on the diaries of Field-Marshal Lord Alanbrooke, chief of the Imperial General Staff; The turn of the tide, 1939-1943

Alternate titles

The turn of the tide, 1939-1943 : a study based on the diaries and autobiographical notes of Field Marshal the Viscount Alanbrooke, K.G., O.M.

Original publication date

1957

People/Characters

Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke; Winston Churchill

Important places

Dunkirk, Hauts-de-France, France; France

Important events

World War II (1939-1945); Fall of France (1940-05-10-1940-06-22); Battle of Dunkirk (1940-05-26-1940-06-04)

Epigraph

My long experience in these matters had taught me that a Minister of Defence must work with and through responsible advisors - that is to say, war chiefs who can give effect to the decisions taken and are accountable for t... (show all)he results.
WINSTON CHURCHILL

Dedication

To Alanbrooke, whose war diaries are the jewel for which this book is the setting

First words

On the September night that saw the completion of Hitler's conquest of Poland, a British lieutenant-general, crossing from Southampton to Cherbourg, began to keep, for the wife to whom he had just bidden farewell, a private d... (show all)iary of his thoughts and experiences.

Prelude.

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When on September 3rd, 1939, Britain, carrying with her a deeply-divided and hesitant France, met Hitler's invasion of Poland by war, the bulk of her Battle Fleet had been rearmed against air attack and the first of the great... (show all) ships laid down in 1936 was within a year of completion.

Chapter one. Defenceless island.

Last words

(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)The Axis attack had been defeated, the initiative won, and the road to victory built.

Original language

English