Product Description

One of the most remarkable and persistent legends of World War Two, the story of German forces landing on the coast of Suffolk in September 1940 has inspired numerous works of fiction. But the conviction that the invasion plan, code-named 'Operation Sea lion,' was more than just a rumour has never been fully investigated, until now. Using recently declassified documents, information from local and national newspapers and magazines, and eyewitness accounts, Haining's book is lucid and gripping. It reveals East Anglia's historic vulnerability to invasion, the region's logistical importance as a testing ground for weapons of mass destruction, the true identity of 'the burnt drowned corpses,' and the bizarre defensive weaponry of The Wizard War.' 'Where The Eagle Landed' provides the solution to an enduring mystery and sheds light on a fraught period of Britain's wartime history.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #582398 in Books
• Published on: 2004-10-21
• Format: Illustrated
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 256 pages

About the Author
Peter Haining is a former newspaper reporter, magazine editor and publishing executive who now writes extensively on British history. He is the author of the successful Robson books 'The Flying Bomb War" (1861055811), 'Sweeny Todd' (1861055870) and the forthcoming 'The Jail That Went To Sea' (186105727X). He lives in Boxford, Suffolk.

Customer Reviews

Oh dear.
The exciting, enduring mystery of what, if anything, happened on the East Anglian coast in 1940 is one that has lasted for over 60 years and will no doubt continue. But this book provides no answer. After several chapters of thin padding, the author reveals his answer to the mystery: a tale some bloke down the pub told him - literally! Without spoiling the tale (if that's possible) some bloke told him in the 1960's he found a German cap on a Suffolk beach during the war. Except he didn't have it anymore, because he sold it after the war at an (un-named) auction. Hardly concrete evidence that would stand up in court is it? If you want a much better and fact-based investigation into the story, try 'The Bodies on the Beach: Sealion, Shingle Street and the Burning Sea Myth of 1940' by James Hayward.

All told, a tall tale well-told
It may be hard to believe, but to this day there are people convinced that the east coast of England was invaded by the Germans in 1940. The story is that the invaders were repulsed, with the British using some kind of secret flame weapon, and for some reason the British covered this up. This story, often placed at Shingle Street in Suffolk, is the basis for this book by Peter Haining.

The core of the book, the invasion rumour, is a fascinating subject. A quick Google shows that there really are websites set up to try and prove this story is true. However, Haining entertainingly debunks the myth here. A mixture of stories about bodies washed up on beaches (probably the result of air attacks on ships in the Channel) and rumours about the testing of flame throwers (which did take place) can lead to these kinds of stories in a situation where official information is heavily censored, and people are encouraged not to talk about almost anything, for fear of giving information to the enemy.

What Haining has here is the basis for an excellent article, or a series of articles. Instead he has filled it out with background information on previous invasion attempts on the east coast. This does make for a reasonably diverting read, but there's no doubt that it's been padded out to fill a whole (albeit short) book.

Haining finishes the book with his big revelation - that a small group of Germans did land in England, but they were members of an E-boat crew and they stopped only briefly. According to the author, this story was told to him by a friend in a pub, who collected some German equipment on a beach and took it home with him. He told no-one at the time and no longer has the evidence. Unfortunately, in recounting this story as proof of a German landing, the author comes across as somewhat gullible. It's difficult to believe that in 1940, when the nation was faced with the constant threat of invasion, anyone could find evidence of Germans having landed in England, take it home and not tell anyone! Which probably goes to show that a story told to you by a man in a pub isn't really the most reliable source of information.

1940 and all that
This book is really about how Britain faced the threat of invasion from the dark ages up to 1940. I do not wish to detract from it since it is a jolly good read however,many may find that the "big bang" of the title turns into a damp squib.That being said Mr Haining has a lively style and lovingly recreates the world of"dads army" mad "boffins" and false invasion alarms. Whilst i am on the subject i would heartily recommend this authors companion work "The Chianti Raiders" which deals with the little known subject of Italian air raids on East Anglia in 1940.l