Myths and Legends of the Second World War

by JamesHayward (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2009

  $3.47

  The Second World War gave rise to a rich crop of legends, many of which persist in the public consciousness today. Some are well known, such as the escape of an undead Hitler to South America, Allied aircraft buzzed by 'Foo Fighters' and UFOs, German parachutists dressed as nuns, and a failed German invasion of Suffolk in 1940. Others are more subtle, such as the vaunted Dunkirk spirit, which portrayed the disaster of 1940 as a victory, and the conspiracy theories surrounding Rudolf Hess. Did he fly to Scotland to negotiate a peace treaty with memebers of the Royal Family? Was the aged prisoner who died in Spandau Prison a double? From tales of betrayal at Dieppe and Arnham to Hitler's obsession with the occult and Nazi U-boat bases in Ireland, James Hayward offers a refreshing and intriguing perspective on the myths, legends and folk memories of the Second World War.

• Used

  Paperback
  2004

  $3.47

  As with the Great War, the Second World War gave rise to a rich crop of legends, many of which persist in the public consciousness even today. Some are well known, like the Dunkirk story, which portrayed the disaster of 1940 as a victory. Others are more obscure like the rumours of a German invasion attempt on the beaches of Norfolk in 1940, a myth that resurfaced in 1992. There are stories of the 'Manston Mutiny' during the Battle of Britain, espionage myths that surround the sinking of the battleship Royal Oak at Scapa Flow, the falsehood that no German spies in Britain operated outside MI5's double-cross system, and the real story behind 'the man who never was' (first revealed in 1996). Also covered are the Rudolf Hess story, myths about the nature and true effectiveness of the Resistance movements in Europe, and the true extent of Hitler's belief in astrology and his quest for the Holy Grail. Myths on land, sea and air are also discussed including the 'betrayal' at Dieppe, Nazi U-boat bases in Ireland. Weaving his narrative around a wide range of contemporary documentary sources, James Hayward presents an objective and rigorous analysis of the main myths, legends and popular falsehoods of the Second World War. The result is a new and refreshing perspective on the popular image of the Second World War. Related title, Myths and Legends of the First World War, 0750928654. HB ISBN 0750930470

• Used

  Hardcover
  2003

  $3.47

  As with the Great War, World War II gave rise to a rich crop of legends, many of which persist in the public consciousness even today. Some are well known, like the Dunkirk story, which portrayed the disaster of 1940 as a victory. Others are more obscure like the rumours of a German invasion attempt on the beaches of Norfolk in 1940. There are stories of the Manston Mutiny during the Battle of Britain, espionage myths that surround the sinking of the battleship Royal Oak at Scapa Flow in 1939, the falsehood that no German spies in Britain operated outside MI5's double-cross system, and the real story behind the man who never was . Also covered are the Rudolf Hess story, myths about the nature and true effectiveness of the Resistance movements in Europe, the occult at war and the true extent of Hitler's belief in astrology and his quest for the Holy Grail. Myths on land, sea and air are also discussed including the betrayal at Dieppe, Nazi U-boat bases in Ireland, and the death of Glenn Miller. Weaving his narrative around a wide range of contemporary documentary sources, James Hayward presents an analysis of the main myths, legends and popular falsehoods of World War II.