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For those who served in the Second World War, or have a particular interest in the events of WWII, you will find Wartime News a fascinating publication.

Soon to enter its 15th year, the stories told are all first-hand accounts - written by the veterans themselves and not drawn from history books or other publications. Everyone's story is different and personal to them and that's what makes Wartime News unique!

Each account written is a true recollection of the author's experiences of a six-year war that covered defeats, victories and human tragedies. The cost was considerable and whilst every man was expected to do his bit for 'King and Country', no-one was prepared for such harsh conditions as Arctic convoys or being shot down over enemy territory and held as a PoW.

Throughout its fourteen years of publication, Wartime News has featured stories about life in the Land Army, Home Guard, and others left behind to keep the home fires burning. Men and women drafted into the Army, Navy and Air Force at 18 years of age and trained, ready for war.

World War Two was declared on 3 September 1939, by the Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain. He announced that if Germany did not stop all aggressive action against Poland and begin to withdraw from Polish territory by 11.00 am that day, then Britain and Germany would be at war. At 11.15am, Mr Chamberlain announced in a BBC Radio broadcast that "no such undertaking has been received and that consequently this country is at war with Germany".

In early May 1940, Germany rapidly invaded Holland, Belgium and France. By the end of May, the British Expeditionary Force found themselves trapped and forced to retreat to the beaches of Dunkirk. Finally rescued by an armada of small boats from England, many did, however, lose their lives in an effort to escape. In the summer of 1940, the Battle of Britain took place as the Luftwaffe attacked the airfields of southern Britain and the London docklands. Spitfires and Hurricanes took to the skies to defend Britain in a battle which was finally won in mid-September.

Drawn into war, many young servicemen and women suddenly found themselves in North Africa, Italy and Greece and other countries, not to mention the Far East, as the war quickly spread around the globe. Wartime News reflects all these aspects of the war as seen through the eyes of the veterans. Today, we can now reflect on those battles, the tragedies and, sometimes, the lighter side of life through its pages. War brings together many people and, in particular, after almost 70 years, it is encouraging to read how people overcame many obstacles as they gradually adjusted to life back in Britain after the war. It's not surprising, therefore, that through the pages of Wartime News come stories of many reunions with ex-comrades. Men who fought alongside each other and women who played important supporting roles. Such stories are frequent in Wartime News and can be attributed to the success of a publication that continues to stir the thoughts and minds of its readers.

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