Paul Ableman Libri

'This log is intended for field commanders trying to force a ruthless fighting unit. It therefore deals with war and weapons and how to turn ordinary chaps into tough as steel soldiers. It is unsuitable for civilians.'These are the words of Captain George Mainwaring who commanded the Walmington-on-Sea platoon of the Home Guard during the Second World War. When Arthur Wilson, M.A., the nephew of Mainwaring's platoon sergeant, was asked to write a book marking the anniversary of the outbreak of war in 1939, he travelled to Walmington in search of inspiration. There he discovered a rich treasure for, in addition to his daily log, Mainwaring had collected a huge dossier of journals, notebooks, letters, clippings and much else about his platoon's wartime activities.From this abundance, Arthur Wilson M.A. has produced a superb book, interwoven with the human and humorous exploits of Mainwaring himself, Sergeant Wilson, L/Cpl. Jones, Walker, Frazer, Pike and other fascinating characters.The book is fully illustrated with images redolent of the war years, many showing the platoon defending Walmington. It will, contrary to Mainwaring's stern warning, prove a feast for almost everyone.