Growing up in the 1970s the Second World War was ever present. Even though it had ended nearly 30 years ago, it touched almost every facet of my childhood. Comics like Battle and Victor carried story after story of the war, the few television channels we had then were filled with films about WW2, my toys were Britain toy soldiers and vehicles, Dinky and Corgi tanks and planes, and of course ours was the Airfix Generation, growing up making plastic kits and re-fighting WW2 with model soldiers. To say I was obsessed with the Second World War at that time was perhaps an understatement.
Unusually I had a father who was a WW2 veteran. In addition my grandfather had been at Dunkirk, and most of my uncles had served, so I grew up on their stories of the conflict. Like many veterans, my father never really spoke about the war much, except in general terms or relating the funny stories. He had fought in Italy and spent six months in the bridgehead at Anzio in 1944. In 1979 we nearly went back to Anzio, but he couldn’t face a return to that part of his past so instead he took me to Normandy, and a whole new level of interest in military history developed here as I climbed over tanks, went wandering around beaches and bunkers, and got to meet Major John Howard at Pegasus Bridge. This trip more than any other is probably why today I work as Head Battlefield Guide for Leger Holidays. That work has put me in touch with hundreds and hundreds of WW2 veterans and enabled me to be with them on the ground where they fought. Over the years they have taught me so much and in many respects they are the inspiration for this new site.
One other piece of popular culture that was so influential to anyone like me who grew up in the 1970s was the landmark television series The World At War. It’s incredibly opening moments at Oradour sur Glane, its haunting music and superb narration from Laurence Olivier meant that few who watched could not have been affected and inspired in some ways. It was such an important part of my understanding of the Second World War, and still is – and the title of this new website is a clear nod, a direct acknowledgement of that.
So what will World At War be all about? And why another WW2 website? Well, there is a huge amount of material out there but I want to build a new community here based on good but accessible history. So the articles on the site will be magazine style, focussing on many well known subjects but also some lesser known ones, and there will be new and unique content in the form of veteran accounts and never before published images.
The Second World War was arguably the most important event of the twentieth century. We still live in its shadow; join us at World At War to remember and understand a conflict that touched us all.
So excited for this Paul 😊 being a 70’s child also I think it is our blood. And shaped us as
children. Also the tv series World at War was truly amazing for its time and when I pluck my
box set out now it still gives me shivers
Thanks Stuart – and absolutely. It was a landmark series that inspired so many of us to have an interest in the Second World War.
Good luck with this project, I’ll be following the development closely! 80s kid here, but equally
fascinated by the whole era (My wife would probably say too much so) Looking forward to
seeing where this leads.
Thanks Dave, much appreciated.
Looking forward to seeing articles on here. As you said World At War gave the 70s kids an
insight into the war. I love reading people’s stories from this period so I am really glad my son
told me about this sight.
Thanks Carol. I hope you find the site of interest.
I very much look forward to revisiting this website in the weeks, months & years ahead. Knowing the passion and
attention to detail that you have for your subject matter, I am certain it will become another essential resource in
helping our understanding of this hideous conflict.
Thanks for your kind comments, Sam.
We are a direct line to the
generation which fought in WW2 and
most of our parents are now gone and
with them their memories, a sad fact
of life and a milestone we all must
navigate past.
On a lighter note so much of the
material in the introduction “Victor
” comics, “Airfix” kits so much part
of growing up and an almost
prerequisite to more serious reading
and a deeper undertanding of what was
the eefining event of the 20th century.
I can still see through the eyes of
an eight year old my Dad rpocking
with laughter as he read “Captain
Hurrinace in “The Valiant” comic.
Looking forward to visiting the website regularly.
I still use the World at War frequently with my pupils. It helped influence me in becoming a
History teacher (another child of the 70s). Combination of footage, some extraordinary
interviewees, music and that narration still sets it apart.
Thanks Simon. Good to hear you use that excellent series in the classroom. It has stood the test of time so well.
Good luck with this project, I too grew up in the 70’s and had a veteran as a father and regularly
watched world at war together.
Will check back on a regular basis
Thanks Andrew.
Nice site Paul, and an excellent intro article. Full of memories and
introducing history as it should be read, informative yet accessible
Thanks mate.
So many memories from my 1970s childhood..Airfix, the comics, the movies and especially watching the haunting
World at War series as a 10-12 year-old on gloomy Sunday afternoons. I loved Colditz too (the board game and the
BBC series) and I eventually realised one of my dreams by visiting the castle last year: wonderfully moving.
Good luck with the website.
Thanks Aidan. Seems so many of us had the same sort of journey!
I like your site. Good luck with it!
Being born and grown up in the village in the south of in the Netherlands in the 60s and 70s memories of WW2 were
never far away. I remember the many bunkers in and around our village, many destroyed by now. Being at the mouth
of the river Schelde, the waterway to Antwerp, our area saw a lot of heavy fighting. Our village was heavily bombed on
in 1944, over 200 inhabitants were killed, many wounded. Many buildings destroyed. Emergency housing still there
when I was very young.
Today there’s still a lot of ammunition in the ground in the area. We are never surprised when we hear about people
being evacuated again when another huge WW2 bomb is found and removed. And there’s also lots of small ammo
around. And sometimes this still claims lives. Just over 2 months ago another live was lost due to WW2 ammo. A
teenage boy. My nephew…
Oh gosh, that’s terrible. But it shows how the echoes of WW2 never fade, often with tragic results.
Very best wishes for the new website… I
had a real “rememberance of things past”
when I saw the DDay transfers and Battle!
Did anyone else collect the World at War A-
Z from the TVTimes? My WW2 was stories
from my parents of the Birmingham Blitz
etc – I recall Mum’s story of a visit to
Tewkesbury as a child with the road
jammed with invasion traffic headed
south…
The Transfer books by Derek Knight were just fantastic. Echoes of a simple but meaningful childhood.
Congratulations! Will you admit a
Yank and native California to your
most interesting project? I was born
in late September 1940, by
coincidence between the Battle of
Britain and the beginning of the
Blitz. While I’ve always been a
historical follower of all theaters
of WWII, perhaps because of the
timing of my birth and my name, I’ve
a special affinity for the struggles
of the British and Commonwealth
forces during that period. In my
visits to London, I’ve spent more
time at the Imperial War Museum, the
RAF Museum at Hendon, and quiet
reflection at St. Clement Danes than
at the Tate or Westminster Cathedral.
I am particularly drawn to the
history of Fighter and Bomber
Command. I’m looking forward to your
blog and photos.
Of course Jim! My father served with US soldiers at Anzio and has many fond memories of being with them.
I have a bookstore that specializes on History, very much interested in the WW II since my
deceased father in law was an officer in the 82nd Airborne who made the Normandy and
Holland jump. He spoke German, received a Silver Star in Normandy and met with the under
ground in Holland with two other 82nd soldiers , one spoke Dutch and the other French.His
name was Alfred Landgraff from Milwaukee.
Thanks Guy, amazing story of your father-in-law!
Looking forward to this site becoming the WW2 equivalent of your Old Front
Line site, which has been of tremendous help to me (and others no doubt )
over the years.
Fortunately my father had, as he put it, a “cushy” war at RAF training bases in
Rhodesia – or I might not be here!
Thanks Jed.
First chance to have a look at this, brilliant stuff. I watch the series over and over again.
Hi.
Good to see a new project on WWII.
My dad was in Italy in ’44 with R.E.M.E and ended up in the Occupation Army in Vienna.
Six months after he died in 2004 I was touring Belgium with a group and found the grave of his
best mate, Harold, who was killed 25/09/1944 – the day the paras pulled back across the Rhein
near Arnhem.
Finding that grave changed my life completely. I had no interest in history before that day in the
cemetery (which happened to be on the 60th anniversary of Harold’s death) and I’m now a
history buff with a particular interest in WWII. I wrote a book about the experience which helped
me come to terms with Dad’s death.
I find it very sad that generation is all but gone.
Good luck!
Wow, what a story Bruce!
Thanks. It was an adventure from start to finish…not that it has finished as you can
see from my interest in your site! Best, Bruce
Thanks. It was an adventure from start to finish…not that it has finished as you can see from my
interest in your site! Best, Bruce
Congrats on the website. I too am a
child of the 70’s. A lot of my
childhood was influenced by ex
soldiers..teachers, Scout leaders etc.
My Grandad was involved with D-day
in the Guards. He spoke little about
the war. My Dad has his tunic &
medals..he was a very brave man &
an inspiration to me to this day.
Thanks Carl, so many of us have become interested like this. Important we make sure WW2 is never forgotten.
Hi Paul. Well done on the new website chap, another child of the 70’s and have always been
interested in the war, especially with a lot of my ancestors in service during those dark days
(grandfather was a Commando in North Africa & Burma). Keep the good work up, always
something of quality when you are involved, looking forward to your posts on social media and
updates on the website, keeping the memories alive and being informative to the newer
generations. All the best.
Thanks, Darren.
Same for me My father fought at Anzio
with the Grenadier guards was wounded
and taken prisoner. I went back to
lay flowers on his opo’s grave some
years back very emotional. My parents
had me late so everyone of my
relatives had fought in Burma italy
and africa 8th army, RAF wellington
and a alive at Arnhem who never made
it to the ground alive.
Both Grand parents fought in the
first world war and a great grandad
in the boer War
Many happy our is company of old
comrades that had nothing to prove in
live and since then found out a VC
and George cross holder amounst these
simple and modest men.
Thanks Graham. Anzio is often a forgotten battle, isn’t it?
This seems a great idea! I also grew up in the 70’s, i remember the world at war series, it was
really good. I loved watching programmes like secret army of which i never missed an episode
and i still have my collection of commando comics!