Martin Sugarman

Here, for the first time, is the account of the essential part played by Jewish personnel in Britain's Fire Service during World War II. Ever civic minded, British Jews from all social backgrounds were pre-war volunteers to be trained for dealing with the expected mass bombing of cities by the Germans. After war was declared, by 1940/41, many younger Jewish men and women volunteered or were called up to the armed services, while many who were too old or unfit for the military stayed on with the Fire Service. A considerable number of Jewish men and women played a major role in the civil defense of Britain. Some won bravery awards, including the only George Cross - the highest civilian award for courage - won by a London Fireman during the war. Many gave their lives; this is their story. Through the use of archival material, books, and personal 'Last Voice' interviews, the book has captured part of this extraordinary contribution of daring, effort, and suffering. Numerous, never-before-published photographs illustrate and illuminate the text. *** Librarians: ebook available [Subject: History, Military Studies, Jewish Studies, World War II]

For those who served in the Merchant Navy in the World War II there has always been some resentment that they were disregarded as the 'forgotten 4th service,' yet the extremely dangerous job they did on the front line was crucial to the war effort. Their slow, vulnerable, and poorly defended vessels were open to attack by land, sea, and air as they carried essential cargoes and troops. Living conditions and weather were frequently appalling, and the pay was poor. Tens of thousands were killed outright or, if their ship was sunk, suffered terribly in open boats where survival rates were low. Aside from officers, for those sailing under 'the red duster' there were no glamorous uniforms, parades, badges, or attachment to historic regiments. Indeed, on leave they were often subject to abuse as 'not being in the forces' since nothing marked them out from civilians until the Merchant Navy lapel badge was created. Jewish participation was out of proportion to their share of the population. Many won awards, some were ships' masters, and the recruits came from all over the Commonwealth and Palestine, the latter being especially obscured. As Jews they were often subjected to racial discrimination from other crewmen. Sugarman details the 'hidden heroism' of these volunteers, their sacrifice, and the service they gave. Nothing has been written about Jews in the Merchant navy until now. This book is a tribute to them.

New Material: * New Foreword by Field Marshall The Lord Guthrie GCB LVO OBE DL * Completely updated with new profiles, data and appendices * New material on the Spanish Civil War * Extended material on the role of Jewish personnel involved in the Fire Service * New chapter on Glider Pilots, one of the elite units of the British forces in WWII * New chapter on Barnett ('Barney') Lewis, Jewish George Medal hero of the London Blitz *** This book is a response to the oft-perpetrated myths of British Jewry's lack of fighting spirit and its failure to participate in the Second World War. British Jewry has never formed more than about one half of 1 per cent of the population, yet the figures show that their contribution to the armed forces has always been out of proportion to their numbers. Fighting Back provides an insight into the Anglo-Jewish contribution to the Allied victories over the Nazi and Japanese threats. The book also highlights the role of the Jews in the Spanish Civil War and the Korean War. Its wide-ranging approach to the contributions that Jews made looks at, among other things: the paratroopers at the Battle of Arnhem; the much neglected and almost forgotten Auxiliary Services of Civil Defense; the Jews at Bletchley Park; and the Jewish-Palestinian volunteers from Israel. Anglo-Jewry, together with Jews from Israel, may thus be deeply and justly proud of this history of fighting back, fighting for democracy, and fighting for peace. *** "In a war where ordinary people became extraordinary and the exceptional seemed commonplace, the unique circumstances and remarkable character of Britain's Jews nevertheless merit them additional honor... Sugarman's volume admirably fills a gap in both Jewish (particularly Anglo-Jewish) history and in the scholarship of World War II." -- NYMAS Review [Subject: Jewish Studies, Military History, World War II]

This book contains dozens of accounts - both horrific and inspiring, amusing and sad - of the experiences of Jewish prisoners of war and internees from Commonwealth and Dutch forces imprisoned by the Japanese during World War II. Along with dozens of photographs from private collections, the material presented is previously unpublished, gathered from personal interviews and archives worldwide. Under the Heel of Bushido is a tribute to the courage and suffering of these men and women of the Jewish community whose experiences have been virtually ignored. The veterans interviewed for the book share painful testimonies, offering a snapshot of the total Jewish involvement, as so many of the 550 or so Jewish prisoners of war who survived their ordeal passed away before they could tell their stories. There was a particular Jewish participation and encounter with the Japanese, and Under the Heel of Bushido chronicles this unique account for the first time.

Here, for the first time, is the account of the essential part played by Jewish personnel in Britain's Fire Service during World War II. Ever civic minded, British Jews from all social backgrounds were pre-war volunteers to be trained for dealing with the expected mass bombing of cities by the Germans. After war was declared, by 1940/41, many younger Jewish men and women volunteered or were called up to the armed services, while many who were too old or unfit for the military stayed on with the Fire Service. A considerable number of Jewish men and women played a major role in the civil defense of Britain. Some won bravery awards, including the only George Cross - the highest civilian award for courage - won by a London Fireman during the war. Many gave their lives; this is their story. Through the use of archival material, books, and personal 'Last Voice' interviews, the book has captured part of this extraordinary contribution of daring, effort, and suffering. Numerous, never-before-published photographs illustrate and illuminate the text.

This book contains dozens of accounts - both horrific and inspiring, amusing and sad - of the experiences of Jewish prisoners of war and internees from Commonwealth and Dutch forces imprisoned by the Japanese during World War II. Along with dozens of photographs from private collections, the material presented is previously unpublished, gathered from personal interviews and archives worldwide. Under the Heel of Bushido is a tribute to the courage and suffering of these men and women of the Jewish community whose experiences have been virtually ignored. The veterans interviewed for the book share painful testimonies, offering a snapshot of the total Jewish involvement, as so many of the 550 or so Jewish prisoners of war who survived their ordeal passed away before they could tell their stories. There was a particular Jewish participation and encounter with the Japanese, and Under the Heel of Bushido chronicles this unique account for the first time.

This highly illustrated second edition, first published in 1989, contains a comprehensive and indispensable history of the Jewish contribution to the British Armed Forces during the Second World War. Many were British-born or living in Britain, but large numbers of Jews in Palestine also volunteered. The Rolls of Honor contained in this book show that many of these men and women gave their lives in the war while many more were wounded. It also reveals how the response from British Jews to the call to arms outstripped that of any other UK group as a percentage of the population. In addition, there is a detailed record of Jewish prisoners of war of the Germans, of the Japanese, and of those who served in Special Forces. We Will Remember Them is a vital tribute to those Palestinian/Israeli subjects who volunteered for active duty under the administration of the British Mandate, as well as to those for whom being Jewish also meant being British and who were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of their country. The book is illustrated with numerous photographs of individual servicemen and women or, sadly, their gravestones.

This book is a response to the oft-perpetrated myths of Anglo-Jewry's lack of fighting spirit and its failure to participate in the Second World War. Anglo-Jewry has never formed more than about one half of one per cent of the population, yet the figures show that their contribution to the armed forces has always been out of proportion to their numbers. Fighting Back provides an insight into the Anglo-Jewish contribution to the Allied victories over the Nazi and Japanese threats. The book also highlights the role of the Jews in the Spanish Civil War and the Korean War. Its wide-ranging approach to the contributions that Jews made looks at, among other things: the paratroopers at the Battle of Arnhem; the much neglected and almost forgotten Auxiliary Services of Civil Defense; the Jews at Bletchley Park; and the Jewish-Palestinian volunteers from Israel. Anglo-Jewry, together with Jews from Israel, may thus be deeply and justly proud of this history of fighting back, fighting for democracy, and fighting for peace. This book will stand as permanent testimony to the truth.