Fifty Years After

Sidney Allinson is the editor at the Royal Canadian Military Institute
and author of The Bantams: The Untold Story of World War I.

This collection of reminiscences by 40 veterans of World War II was
researched by Jack Gardham, a career soldier with 42 years’ service.
His military background was obviously useful in gaining his
interviewees’ confidence while drawing out their personal stories.
Each brief helps illuminate some aspect of the war. Gardham’s subjects
speak with modesty and humor, whether about a fierce moment in combat or
a more prosaic but nonetheless important support role. Through them, we
share insights into how it was, for example, to be a lowly airman
huddled on guard in a freezing prairie night; a volunteer canloan
officer fighting at the “sharp end” in a British infantry regiment;
a valiant Spitfire pilot; or one of the unsung young Canadian women who
were part of Sir William Stephenson’s secret service. The stories are
well organized, cover all three armed services, and have been checked
against official sources for authenticity.