'Drive for Freedom' sounds good, not seen that one. Hodder and Stoughton, London for Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, ND (c1944), 1st edn., 136pp, paperback, numerous half tone photo ills., stapled col'd pictorial wrappers, 9 x 7 inches, the story of the conversion of the British motor industry to a war footing, changing production from everyday domestic motor cars to trucks, tanks, aircraft, munitions and landing craft, changing the workforce from the men who left for war to women, the setting up of 'shadow' factories and covering some of the effects on domestic transport,
'Drive for Freedom' sounds good, not seen that one. I can recommend it very highly. It is not quite an HMSO, but close enough to be included.
Thanks for these posts. Had obtained some of them just recently - concentrating on North Africa & Med... and now I have some more titles to search for.
So good to see a healthy interest in this "series" of publications. I started collecting them about 5 years ago and managed to accumulate about 60 of the set of 70 in fairly short order and for what I consider a reasonable price. The final few were quite a challenge though! Another issue is obtaining copies in decent shape. In the main they were printed on utility grade paper with unplated staples. The paper by it's nature being hygroscopic establishes ideal conditions for the rusting of the staples and early disintergration of the cover and contents. Every now and again you do come upon an issue which is approaching "mint" condition and this is indeed a red letter day! I find it interesting to ponder upon the history and travels of each copy. Living in Canada poses a bit of a challenge as most copies are found in the UK of course. However the very rarest I have manged to source in North America or Australia for some very odd reason. I now have two complete sets and have just about finished the extended set of 120 publications. I have scanned the prime set and turned it into a montage which I am posting with these notes. I trust it is not too large an image for the system to handle. It goes without saying that if I can be of any help to any fellow collectors please feel free to contact me. John
I've got three on 1940 France/Belgium: The Highland Division The Defence of Calais The Battle of Flanders. Are there anymore from this era?
there is a guide here not sure of its content WW2 HMSO Paperbacks Collectors' Guide: Amazon.co.uk: A.R. James: Books interesting link LHCMA Summary Guide: HMSO and Ministry of Information publications, World War Two
So good to see a healthy interest in this "series" of publications. I love them. I'm still collecting my first set, well done on doing it twice! Are the two 'Canadian Army at War' ones easy to find out there? I have never seen one here. Bod
I've got three on 1940 France/Belgium: The Highland Division The Defence of Calais The Battle of Flanders. Are there anymore from this era? There are about 20 publications in the series from the era but the three you mention are the only ones from the theatre I believe. However, do not let that put you off collecting the series. It is a truly splendid adventure. The contemporary accounts of events written in the "British Manner" are priceless.
Thanks...I daren't look at another subject for WW2 for fear of taking on another 'interest/obssession'. Nice collection you have there by the way.
there is a guide here not sure of its content WW2 HMSO Paperbacks Collectors' Guide: Amazon.co.uk: A.R. James: Books interesting link LHCMA Summary Guide: HMSO and Ministry of Information publications, World War Two Thanks so much for the links. I can also heartily recomend the following publications. All are very reasonable in price and should be quite easy to find. A Bibliography O WW2 HMSO Paerbacks. A.R. James 1993 WW2 HMSO Paperbacks Collectors Guide. A.R. James 1995 Informing The People. A.R. James HMSO Persuading The People. HMSO 1995
As far as I know there are just three publications of "The Canadian Army At War" I seem to recall locating these in Nova Scotia and I am enclosing scans of them.
As far as I know there are just three publications of "The Canadian Army At War" I seem to recall locating these in Nova Scotia and I am enclosing scans of them. Excellent, thanks. I did not know about the third volume at all.
Excellent, thanks. I did not know about the third volume at all. These little discoveries are one of the driving forces in the quest! Mr. James, (Informing The People page 102) heard that a third volume, Normandy, was in the works for the UK but could find no reference reflecting it's publication. Note that the copy I have is the Canadian release. If there is an interest I will compile another montage of the expanded collection. Not a five minute job but it may be of interest to give the reader a visual image for "spotting" purposes. John
Hello Oldarm, Does No 3 “Canada’s Battle in Normandy” cover just the Army side of the battle or does it include coverage of the Canadian Navy Landing Craft ? Regards Danny
Hello Oldarm, Does No 3 “Canada’s Battle in Normandy” cover just the Army side of the battle or does it include coverage of the Canadian Navy Landing Craft ? Regards Danny Yes, Canada's Battle For Normandy does indeed cover some details regarding the landing craft. There is in fact a rather good, full page, photo of 9th. Canadian Infantry Brigade troops landing from ICL 299 at Bernieres "before noon" on D Day. Also an image of a "Rhino Ferry" (scary) approaching the beach. John
Hello John, Thanks very much for that information. I will start looking for a copy now along with one or two of the other books mentioned. Regards Danny
I have found this thread very interesting. I didn't realise there were so may titles in the series, until today I had The Battle Of Britain, Air Battle Of Malta, Bomber Command and Bomber Command Continues, There's Freedom In The Air and One Of Our Aircraft Is Missing. After a visit to my local secondhand bookshop today I picked up Combined Operations,Atlantic Bridge, Before We Go Back, The Mediterranean Fleet, His Majesty's Minesweepers, Merchantmen At War, The Eighth Army and The Campaign in Burma, all in excellent condition. So I am very happy
I have found this thread very interesting. I didn't realise there were so may titles in the series, until today I had The Battle Of Britain, Air Battle Of Malta, Bomber Command and Bomber Command Continues, There's Freedom In The Air and One Of Our Aircraft Is Missing. After a visit to my local secondhand bookshop today I picked up Combined Operations,Atlantic Bridge, Before We Go Back, The Mediterranean Fleet, His Majesty's Minesweepers, Merchantmen At War, The Eighth Army and The Campaign in Burma, all in excellent condition. So I am very happy That's great! You are off to a good start in your mission. I think you will find just about all the books to be most interesting and very difficult to put down and just the right size for bedtime reading. This contemporary reading confirms just how much we owe and how little we have done. Good luck with the rest of the hunt. John
