British Jewry in Battle and in Blitz

Description

This booklet is entitled ‘British Jewry in Battle and Blitz’, 1942. Published by Cardinal Press during the war it was made to give ‘an interim picture of what Jews are doing in the present war’. It lists many varied ways Jewish people served. There are pages on Jewish contribution to the armed forces and awards and medals that have been presented. There are also pages on service in ‘The Blitz’ which covers Jewish contribution on the Home Front. For example Harry Errington, a firefighter, who was awarded the George Cross, is included. This medal is currently in our collection.

This booklet is the third edition. Even though more names have been added it begins by stating that it makes ‘no claim to be anything like complete’ as ‘in a war which literally covers the whole globe, the recording of individual deeds of heroism presents the greatest difficult’. The author is particularly concerned about how hard it is to get news from remote battle fields. And the author has ‘melancholy pride’ that many of those mentioned in the first and second edition for their acts of bravery have since made ‘the last sacrifice’.