Swansea and the Second World War

An overview of Swansea's experience during World War II, set out in a single volume for the first time. The port and industries of Swansea were key targets for the Nazis. From the start, the town prepared for the worst with air-raid shelters, anti-aircraft guns, barrage balloons and efforts to fortify against attack by sea or air. With Britain heading into total war, this book looks at the impact of conscription on both men and women, food rationing, how Jewish refugees to Swansea and Swansea children evacuated to safer areas fared, and the war's effects on schooling, crime and healthcare in the town. The consequences of the numerous air raids and especially the searing attacks of February 1941 are investigated, as is the response to the ensuing emergencies, including sometimes deadly bomb-disposal work. Researched in both local and national archives, this book is a comprehensive testament to the lives of the people of Swansea, at home and overseas, over the course of the conflict, including many personal experiences.