VE Day 75 years later: The real story of how Britain won WW2

Britain played a far more dominant and skillful role in the Second World War than we often give ourselves credit, and with a pragmatic ruthlessness that is rarely appreciated

There is a persistent myth about Britain’s part in the Second World War that goes something like this: at Dunkirk, the Army was saved by the skin of its teeth and not least by plucky civilians hurrying across the Channel in their Little Boats.

With our backs to the walls, the Few – the Spitfire and Hurricane pilots of the RAF – then kept the mighty Luftwaffe at bay, Blitz spirit kept us going through the dark days of enemy bombing and, although we stood alone, David held back Goliath until the Americans finally joined in with their enormous material might.

It was all a bit amateurish and Captain Mainwaring, but we stuck it out to the bitter end, although we’ve been paying for it pretty much ever since. Lend lease repayments finished only during Gordon Brown’s time as Prime Minister.

It might surprise a few to know that almost every bit of what is written above is wrong. Rather, we British played a far more dominant and skilful role in the war than we often give ourselves credit and with a pragmatic ruthlessness that is rarely appreciated.

TALLY HO CHAP

War Stories For The Discerning Chap

VE Day 75 years later: The real story of how Britain won WW2

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