Buddhism in Thailand

By Frances Hawker

Book Overview

At a time when fewer people who lived through the Second World War are still alive comes these reminiscences from a child as she, in those troubled times, grew into a teenager. Here is an engaging book involving many elements: poverty; selfishness; friendships; neglect; billeting; World War II bombing; near death experience; homelessness; and romance. Clydebank was famous for shipbuilding, prime examples being the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth. The great Singer Sewing Machine Factory produced munitions, the Royal Ordnance Factory was here, and various engineering works. Elizabeth's parents recalled her to the danger zone in spite of the fact that authorities had evacuated her to the countryside where she was safe and happy with the Thompsons. The Clydebank Blitz is an event in World War II history that did not get over hyped. From a strategic point of view the British government chose to downplay the event, delay damage reports and restrict much information to and from the media. In a word, "suppressed." The implied reasons seemed to be to discourage the Nazi Luftwaffe from coming back and finishing the job in a very important area that was heavily industrialized and geared to making munitions, heavy equipment and building ships for the Allied cause. The main targets were John Brown and Company, a large shipyard; the Royal Ordnance Factory; the large Singer Complex; and Beardmore Diesel Works. These targets received little damage while the community took the main hits. The only factory being completely destroyed was the Strathclyde Hosiery Company. The air raids occurred in the evenings of March the 13-14, and 14-15, in 1941. It is said the City of Clydebank was nearly destroyed. 439 Luftwaffe bombers dropped over 1000 bombs. The Royal Air Force shot down 2 aircrafts and the anti-aircraft guns had no recorded hits, the bombers flew too high. The resulting damage from this severe pounding: 528 dead, 617 seriously wounded and hundreds more from flying shrapnel. In a survey of damage, about 12,000 houses were involved, 4,000 were completely destroyed and 4,500 were severely damaged. Over 35,000 people were left homeless. Elizabeth O'Neill Campbell, the author, and her family were among this group left homeless. Sources listed in www.hellostoriesfromthepast.com

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 077875023X
• ISBN13: 9780778750239
• Release Date: January 2009
• Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 9.0" x 9.5"
• Age Range: 7 to 10 years
• Grade Range: Grades 2 to 5