Bernard Lewis said:
“Until now most books about Second World War Swansea have
mainly concentrated on images of the bomb-damaged town centre or personal
recollections of those who lived through the ordeal. I’ve taken a broader
approach when researching in both local and national archives to include
information about the extensive civil defence organisation that sprang up from
almost nothing and I’ve also looked at how the town was fortified against
attack from the air or invasion. As such, I describe the activities of the
regular army, Home Guard, anti-aircraft batteries and the balloon defence units
that tried to protect the town as well as the extensive efforts that saw air
raid shelters, pill boxes, tank traps, minefields and other defensive
structures being created in and around the town in an effort to keep the enemy
at bay.”
The defining moment of the town’s experience of the Second
World War was undoubtedly the “Three Nights’ Blitz” of 19-21 February 1941 when
Swansea was heavily bombed over three consecutive nights, leaving the town
centre a pile of smouldering rubble accompanied by a lengthy casualty list.
“Naturally, the effect of the 40 air raids are detailed in
the book but the “Three Nights’ Blitz” was absolutely devastating. The
situation arose partly as a result of the fact that for around 40 minutes on
the final night of attacks the anti-aircraft guns were ordered to cease firing –
giving the enemy a free run at the town with disastrous consequences in terms
of physical damage and loss of life. My research in the anti-aircraft
regiment’s war diary has revealed how this incident occurred and – suffice it
to say – Swansea’s air raid precautions controller (the Town Clerk) was
absolutely furious and made his views forcibly known to the military.”
In amongst the regular and terrifying air raids, life in
Swansea had to continue, and Bernard Lewis has thrown new light on many aspects
of the town under war-time conditions:
“Food rationing and the metal railings salvage campaign
often spring to mind when discussing the Home Front in the Second World War
but, beyond that, the war affected people in lots of other ways including the
conscription of women, dealing with conscientious objectors, the mass
evacuation of children in May 1941 and the arrival of the Americans in 1943.
It’s a compelling story of terror, courage and fortitude that deserves to be
told.”
Swansea and the Second World War by Bernard Lewis (£14.99, Y Lolfa) is
available October 2024.
