WW II was a people's war and Gary Dobbs describes its impact on the docks and the South Wales coal mining communities. In the initial months of the war German bombers and tanks over-ran Norway, France, and Belgium, destroying their armies, quickly followed by the Japanese capture of Singapore, capturing more than 90,000 Allied troops. German troops stood poised on the channel ports, ready to invade Britain. German bombers stationed in France were within minutes flying time for targets in Britain. Including Welsh ports along the Bristol Channel and the munition factories re-equipping army losses in ill-fated battles.

With men in the armed forces factory benches were manned by women. Britain's defence rested on a volunteer force of WW1 veterans a 'Dad Army' of Home Guard. Many would become part of a secret unit formed to attack German line of communication, WHEN not if, they invaded. The Womens' Voluntary Services and
a volunteer army of nurses were in the forefront of the people's war. Ships and power stations required coal dug out of pits in the South Wales valleys.

Gary Dobbs weaves an interesting social impact of women having their own money, not dependant on their husband's hand-outs. The social discontent when wives pay packets were more than their husbands earned, brought strikes for equal pay. Then the American soldiers came endearing themselves with chewing gum and silk stockings.

Gary Dobbs 'Cardiff & the valleys at war', published by PEN AND SWORD MILITARY BOOKS , is a page turner. The book is supported by photographs' and useful list of dates of bombing raids over Cardiff, Swansea, and the welsh valleys.

Richard Gough, author and historian

I love that this book has a focus on local history, rather than a generalised national history, as I find local histories so much more relatable as I can recognise the names of places and maybe even people! Whilst I'm not from the Valleys myself, I do live quite nearby to Cardiff so it's great to learn more about the history of South Wales. This book is part of a series published by Pen and Sword called 'Your Towns and Cities in World War Two', so there might even be a book focused on your local area too!

This book is great for those with a general interest in the history of South Wales and WW2, but also for those studying the subject. For example, chapter 1 covers the impact of the Blitz on South Wales and includes some personal stories about families who were affected; but also includes a timeline of notable Luftwaffe attacks on South Wales which would make a great revision aid for students and is an easy way to find factual information.

Read the full review here

That Herstorian

Will be of interest to anybody that resides or did reside in the Cardiff and surrounding areas. It is a fascinating offering of how life was like during the Second World War.

Cardiff Times, May 2019

Article: 'New book details life in the city and valleys during wartime' as featured by

South Wales Echo, 22nd February 2019 – words by Brian Lee