Gustav Milne – författare

Between 1940 and 1945 London suffered 101 daylight and 253 night-time air raids from the Luftwaffe and V1 and V2's. There were 80,000 fatalities or serious injuries and appalling devastation. Well documented as these horrific events are, there was another major threat - the all too real possibility of widespread flooding whenever the Nazi onslaught breached the Thames' river defences.This superbly researched and illustrated book describes the vital role and unsung achievements of the London County Council emergency repair teams ably led by Chief Engineer Thomas Peirson Frank. Three rapid response units were formed and, in the event, undertook repairs to over 100 breaches of the flood defences, thus saving the Capital from drowning.We also learn of the fate of London's docks and bridges and of the ships, boats and barges lost in the estuary and tideway.This fascinating account has been compiled by the Thames Discovery Programme team and, 80 years on, pays tribute to the non-combatants who kept the major port running and saved London.

This illustrated WWII history pays tribute to the engineers and emergency repair teams who saved London from flooding during the relentless air raids.Between 1940 and 1945 London suffered persistent Nazi air raids, bringing widespread destruction both day and night. Meanwhile, there lurked another devastating threat: the possibility of widespread flooding if the Nazi onslaught ever breached the Thames'' river defenses.The Thames at War sheds light on the vital role of the London County Council emergency repair teams and the unsung achievements of their leader, Chief Engineer Thomas Peirson Frank, who time and again saved the capital from drowning. Historian Gustav Milne also explores the fate of London''s docks and bridges, as well as the ships, boats and barges lost in the estuary and tideway.

Between 1940 and 1945 London suffered 101 daylight and 253 nighttime air raids from the Luftwaffe and V1 and V2''s. There were 80,000 fatalities or serious injuries and appalling devastation. Well documented as these horrific events are, there was another major threat – the all too real possibility of widespread flooding whenever the Nazi onslaught breached the Thames'' river defenses. This superbly researched and illustrated book describes the vital role and unsung achievements of the London County Council emergency repair teams ably led by Chief Engineer Thomas Peirson Frank. Three rapid response units were formed and, in the event, undertook repairs to over 100 breaches of the flood defenses, thus saving the Capital from drowning. We also learn of the fate of London''s docks and bridges and of the ships, boats and barges lost in the estuary and tideway. This fascinating account has been compiled by the Thames Discovery Programme team and, 80 years on, pays tribute to the noncombatants who kept the major port running and saved London.