Invisible Campaign: Bomber Command's Minelaying Operations in the Second World War
Jane Gulliford Lowes
- Region:
- Anywhere
- Notice Period:
- Emergency (maybe less than one week's notice)
- Type:
- Author and History Speaker
- Fee:
- Paid: £75 standard fee or by negotiation for small groups, plus travel expenses where appropriate
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 1st August 2023
- Tagged:
- Second World War | Bomber Command | Military History
From April 1940, in the earliest stages of the Second World War, Royal Air Force Bomber Command crews took part in an ever-increasing number of minelaying operations to target Axis merchant vessels, Kreigsmarine ships and U-Boats, in the vicinity of enemy ports and harbours, and in the sea-lanes of the North Sea, the English Channel, the Bay of Biscay, the Baltic and the Mediterranean. The effort expended by Bomber Command was not insignificant, yet both the campaign and its substantial achievements are little discussed today.
In this very brief overview, I’ll be discussing the following points:
- The technology
- The aims and implementation of the campaign
- Measuring results
- The Aircrew experience
- The historical and cultural reasons for the absence of the campaign from the historiography of Bomber Command.
About Jane Gulliford Lowes
** ONLINE/REMOTE TALKS AVAILABLE** ** TALKS AVAILABLE OUTSIDE NORTH EAST ENGLAND - ENQUIRE FOR RATES** I grew up in County Durham and have a lifelong passion for the people, places and history of North East England, as well as an obsession with the Second World War. After practicing as a lawyer for 25 years, in 2017 I published my first non-fiction book, The Horsekeeper's Daughter (Matador, 2017), which relates the true story of one of the hundreds of young women who left North East England to forge new lives in Australia via the Single Female Migrant's Scheme in the 1880s. Following the success of The Horsekeeper's Daughter, my second book "Above Us The Stars:10 Squadron Bomber Command - The Wireless Operator's Story" was published in September 2020. In October 2020, I began studying for my Masters Degree in Second World War History.
You can read about my books, my travels and my articles on North East History on my website at www.justcuriousjane.com - history and travel writing with a sense of humour!
I give talks and lectures on a wide variety of historical topics ( see the list on my profile) to local and family history groups, U3A groups, Rotary Clubs, schools and colleges, book groups and Women's Institute Meetings.
I also lecture on writing and publishing for first-time authors.
Reviews for The Horsekeeper's Daughter:
“Wow one of the best books I have read in a long time. Once started I couldn't put it down” Goodreads, 5 stars.
“Absolutely riveting from the first page to the last” Amazon, 5 stars.
“What a lovely historical read with a moving Durham-Queensland connection beautifully told by the little girl who was fascinated with a battered suitcase of old letters and photos. Highly recommended. Can't wait to read more by the author” Amazon, 5 stars.
“Absolutely cracking read, very informative and extremely well researched. A must read ... It has it all, intrigue, tragedy, adventure, excitement and filled with extremely interesting facts.” Amazon, 5 stars.
“A wonderful story of true dedication to wanting to have a better life . The dedication showed by the author in writing this book shows we have a up and coming writer and well worth looking out for.” Amazon, 5 stars.
“Beautifully written and extremely informative. A fascinating insight into life at the turn of the 20th century. Well worth reading.” Amazon, 5 stars.
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by Jane Gulliford Lowes
- The Horsekeeper's Daughter: a true story of 19th century migration from Co. Durham to Australia
- Writing and Publishing Your First Book
- Above Us The Stars - A day in the life of a Bomber Command crewman
- Writing Your Family's History
- Hobnobbing with Hitler - Lord Londonderry, Appeasement and the Prelude to War
- Above Us The Stars - A County Durham Family at War
- The Handley Page Halifax - The Forgotten Workhorse of Bomber Command
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