Download Free Defending London Book in PDF and EPUB Free Download. You can read online Defending London and write the review.

For two thousand years London has been at the heart of Britain’s development as a nation, providing a focus for its political life. The military element is now usually visible only through the pageantry which attends royal occasions, but this masks a more serious underlying intent. Frequently the target for both foreign invaders and domestic factions, it has been required to defend itself against everything from seaborne raiders to aerial bombardment and the threat of nuclear war. At the same time, the direction of military affairs has been centred on London, along with the military infrastructure of barracks, depots, magazines, dockyards and munitions factories. The evidence for much of this can be seen in the landscape, from the mediaeval Tower of London and the underground nuclear citadels in the urban centre, to the royal palaces, moated sites, airfields and anti-invasion defences in the suburbs and the green belt. This book describes the various elements of London’s military heritage, and places them in their historical and social context. From the castles and strong-houses of the mediaeval and Tudor monarchs and statesmen, to the pseudo-fortresses of the Victorian militia and rifle volunteers; the airfields of the anti-Zeppelin fighters of the Royal Flying Corps, and the Battle of Britain bases of the RAF, to the pillboxes of the defences against invasion in 1940, and the anti-nuclear defences of the Cold War and beyond.
Contains the 4th session of the 28th Parliament through the 1st session of the 48th Parliament.
For two thousand years London has been at the heart of Britain's development as a nation, providing a focus for its political life. The military element is now usually visible only through the pageantry which attends royal occasions, but this masks a more serious underlying intent. Frequently the target for both foreign invaders and domestic factions, it has been required to defend itself against everything from seaborne raiders to aerial bombardment and the threat of nuclear war. At the same time, the direction of military affairs has been centred on London, along with the military infrastructure of barracks, depots, magazines, dockyards and munitions factories. The evidence for much of this can be seen in the landscape, from the mediaeval Tower of London and the underground nuclear citadels in the urban centre, to the royal palaces, moated sites, airfields and anti-invasion defences in the suburbs and the green belt. This book describes the various elements of London's military heritage, and places them in their historical and social context. From the castles and strong-houses of the mediaeval and Tudor monarchs and statesmen, to the pseudo-fortresses of the Victorian militia and rifle volunteers; the airfields of the anti-Zeppelin fighters of the Royal Flying Corps, and the Battle of Britain bases of the RAF, to the pillboxes of the defences against invasion in 1940, and the anti-nuclear defences of the Cold War and beyond.
Following the recent work by the Defense of Britain Project, this is the first extensive guide to the military structures of the 20th century. It explains both the form and purpose of the structures such as anti-invasion defences, airfields, naval installations, and barracks, all of which are well illustrated. The final section provides the reader with a gazetteer of surviving examples to visit throughout Britain.
Following 1990s defence cuts, Britain's armed forces are stretched quite severely. Successive governments have preferred buying US nuclear technology and intelligence to working with European partners. The US has disengaged from Europe, leaving the NATO countries with no common purpose. The contributors to this volume, economists and defence analysts outline how UK governments need to: establish priorities within budget constraints, exploring a division of labour with European partners; restructure the army towards forces suitable for low-intensity interventions and peace support; rationalize defence production and procurement; adapt the bipolar Cold War arms control regimes to the new multipolar world; and redefine the requirement for an independent British nuclear capability.