WWII PLANS THAT NEVER HAPPENED: 1939-45 [Hardcover]

Michael Kerrigan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2011

A Nazi scheme to capture the Pope, an IRA plan to invade Northern Ireland, a British plan to attack the Soviet Union after the defeat of Hitler or a Japanese seizure of the Panama Canal - it may sound unbelievable, but during World War II these operations and others as seemingly far-fetched were seriously considered by both the Allies and the Axis. World War II Plans That Never Happened tells the stories of some of the most secret and outrageous operations that were planned during the war, many of which could have taken place and might well have changed the course of history: from the German plan to seize bases in Spain and Portugal and invade Switzerland, to the Japanese plan to bomb the United States, to the American plan to use Marines to attack V-1 bases in Europe, and the British plan to invade Norway and Sweden in 1939/40.

On a spread-by-spread basis World War II Plans That Never Happened explains the context of each planned operation and explores whether it might have been successful, and what the impact might have been on the war if it had gone ahead. Arranged by type of operation, the book includes easy-to-read factboxes, informing the reader of the date, intended purpose and forces involved. In addition there are rare photographs, illustrations and maps to demonstrate that these were real operation actually seriously considered by the planning staffs.

Authoritatively written and with more than 250 color and black-and-white photographs, maps and illustrations, World War II Plans That Never Happened will prove fascinating to any World War II enthusiast.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Amber; First Edition edition (April 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1907446648
• ISBN-13: 978-1907446641
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #419,015 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Pop History, July 14, 2011

By 

Gordon P Orris - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: WWII PLANS THAT NEVER HAPPENED: 1939-45 (Hardcover)

This book was rather a disappointment. The format is only one to three pages of information, on average, for each war plan. I was hoping for something with a more in-depth approach. Because of the paucity of information herein, I would describe this volume as Pop History rather than a real book on history. It is possible that this book might be seen as appropriate to a high school child with attention deficit disorder, but I strongly recommend that any serious student of history look elsewhere for some other book of substance rather than this pop history pamphlet.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Poor Planning, July 26, 2011

By 

C. H. Maginniss "hardhatharry" (UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: WWII PLANS THAT NEVER HAPPENED: 1939-45 (Hardcover)

World War II Plans That Never Happened looked like a most interesting read but as the old adage goes, never judge a book by its cover. Some of the proposed operations, such as ZEPPELIN, have more than a touch of James Bond, whilst others were overtaken by events; all of them though, are worthy of exposure. The format and illustrations are clear and encompass the best part of the book: colour photocopies of extracts from archive documents and maps, relating to the plans.

The manuscript however, is a great disappointment and would be more at home in a sensational Sunday tabloid. The English is weak, the content is sometimes inaccurate, the prose is in sloppy journalese and there is no meaningful critical analysis. Such a contrast to the crisp, structured, articulate staff work, which is the meat of the planning documents. Indeed, it is difficult, based upon output, to believe the author's claim that he was educated at University College Oxford.

The subject though, is fascinating and deserves academic rigour. In this respect, the author's production will perhaps, inspire greater research into a forgotten aspect of the Second World War. On reflection, my ** rating is generous and Gordon Orris's assessment is correct.