The purpose of this book is to inform with unique sources of documentary evidence a detailed contemporary account of a momentous unsung event in defence of our nation in WWII. For the eager reader or student wishing to add to their knowledge the author has created an historical reference work. This largely unknown part of WW II history was summed up by the great A. P. Herbert (Sir Alan Herbert) as “A Grateful Nation Soon Forgot”. AP, as he was known, was involved in these historic events throughout the war. From 1939-1945 The Naval Control Service (NCS) controlled vital convoy operations from Southend. Many WW1 Battle of Jutland veterans descended on Southend as volunteers for convoy work. These men of experience included Admirals and Vice Admirals who commanded the earliest supply convoys. Many of the NCS team in residence were well known nationally distinguished men and women. Southend’s longest sea pier in the world, stretches for one and one third miles out into the Thames Estuary and has at its end a deep water harbour. At the gateway to The Thames and North Sea it was ideal for convoy operations. The Germans were aware of this and would come to destroy the facility and close The Thames in a night bombing raid by the Luftwaffe on 22nd November 1939. They had not expected the foresight of Capt. John Pelham Champion CBE., DSO., RN in command of the NCS. By his hunch in guessing when they would come, the Pier was prepared with an armed defence. Not only was the German plan thwarted but the Thames to London stayed open for the duration of the war against the stated prediction of Winston Churchill.

Using official records from the National Archives personal accounts from the Imperial War Museum and other sources, Coastal Convoys 1939 1945: The Indestructible Highway describes Britains dependence on coastal shipping and the introduction of the convoy system in coastal waters at the outset of the war. It beings to life the hazards of the German mining offensive of 1939, the desperate battles fought in coastal waters during 1940 and 1941, and the long struggle against German air and naval forces which lasted to the end of the Second World War. Reference is also made to the important role played by coasters during the Dunkirk evacuation in 1940 and the Normandy landings in 1944.

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record began publication in 1873. Debates for sessions prior to 1873 are recorded in The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States (1789-1824), the Register of Debates in Congress (1824-1837), and the Congressional Globe (1833-1873)

As a dedicated Native American advocate since the age of 20, author Major Israel McCreight saw the sad plight of the Indians in the period following the Custer Fight and the Battle of Wounded Kane. This book, first published in 1947, is the account of the versions of U.S. history according to the old Sioux Chief, FLYING HAWK. Flying Hawk, who was a nephew of Sitting Bull and fought with Crazy Horse at Little Big Horn, dictated his narrative to McCreight, thus making this an account not from the perspective of “the white man”—but as it really happened... A fascinating read!

This book describes the history of Patagonia from its discovery by Magellan to recent times. Since its early exploration Patagonia has been associated with conditions of extreme hardship and suffering. Men and ships were lost in the dangerous waters of the Straits of Tierra del Fuego, giving rise to tales of mysterious cities populated by the shipwrecked sailors, survivors of the many failed expeditions. Early Spanish attempts to colonize Patagonia ended in failure and the region remained largely uninhabited until the arrival of the Welsh in 1865. Their peaceful coexistence with the natives ended abruptly when the Argentine Army entered Patagonia and took over the Indian lands, which were promptly distributed to new settlers. As a new frontier society, Patagonia could not fail to attract its share of desperadoes and adventurers, the most notorious of whom are described in the book, including gold prospectors, hunters and bandits such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. The volume also narrates the anarchist’s struggles that took place in Patagonia at the beginning of the 1900s and the unsuccessful attempt by Perón’s government to convert Argentina into a nuclear power. In the early 1800’s the French traveller and explorer D’Orbigny said, " Perhaps there is no region within the world of which so much has been said, but so little is known." Patagonia is still a largely unknown and uninhabited place, but it does have a rich history as described in this book.