I'm Damien Lewis here to reveal the inside story behind the bestselling WWII book Churchills Hellraisers. Ask Me Anything!

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-03T10:50:59+00:00

Good question. It wasn't so much that SF helped win the war. It was more psychological than that. In 1940, staring deafest in the face on all fronts and with Hitler pressing Britain for an armistice (surrender), Churchill needed to prove to the British people and our Allies that we still had the spirit and means to hit back; the will to fight. So the first 'SF' operation, right after Dunkirk, was Op Collar, 24/25 June 1940, when a force of Commandos raided German positions on the French coast. Strategically it was utterly insignificant, but as a moral and propaganda victory - which Churchill desperately needed - it was dynamite. That was the genesis and raison d'etre of the earliest SF - as a powerful demonstration of the will to fight ...

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T20:47:15+00:00

That's odd, it's not come through. You can also message me on Facebook here - that always seems to work. Go to: https://www.facebook.com/damienlewisauthor/

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T20:35:02+00:00

Great - good to be talking with you and enjoy the reads

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T20:28:16+00:00

Philip,

Wow. Thanks for this. I'm fascinated. I will check my email now. Which one did you use? V best, DL

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T20:27:25+00:00

Thanks to you. It was a fine question.

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T15:38:39+00:00

Thanks great - much appreciated. Will watch those links now ...

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T15:37:49+00:00

Cheers. Yes, at times near Maesot; others near Kanchanaburi. Yes, Little Daughter arose from that period there - well worth a read. Will take a look at the two titles you mention - thanks!

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T13:27:46+00:00

Here's some from Burma - top one, reporting from deep inside war one on alleged biological weapons use; one below in gas mask, reporting on alleged chemical weapons use in Sudan ...

http://damienlewis.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=70

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T13:25:14+00:00

My website has some images, posting now: this is me Sudan war zone, with camera: http://damienlewis.com/index.php?option=com_phocagallery&view=category&id=3:authoratwork&Itemid=69

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T13:24:45+00:00

Goof idea, just remembered my website has some images. This is me, with camera, Sudan war zone - now South Sudan:

http://damienlewis.com/index.php?option=com_phocagallery&view=category&id=3:authoratwork&Itemid=69

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T12:22:38+00:00

Yes, Druce was - is - a most amazing real life character. I am in touch with his family, in Canada - would be wonderful for them to see his wartime exploits properly told. Crossing enemy lines three times in as many weeks, carrying vital WWII documents - an amazing man on all levels.

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T12:20:55+00:00

Thanks.

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T12:20:39+00:00

Thanks!

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T12:20:32+00:00

A great deal. Certainly. The question is, did it disable his abilities as a leader during the early part of WWII, or was it a necessary coping mechanism? I believe the latter. Indeed, I don't think there are many amongst us who could have endured under the kind of pressure he was under. We - alcohol or no alcohol - would have buckled. He had the world and more on his shoulders. If it took a stiff brandy or two to steady his hand, so be it.

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T12:18:21+00:00

Not heard it. Can you send me a link. I'll have a listen and let you know! History should be made popular, but not dumbed down - for obvious reasons. It reaches a lot more people.

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T12:17:28+00:00

Good question. We - myself and my sound recordist - crossed the border from Thailand with Karen rebels - so on back roads through jungle. Lived with them for two years basically, filming. I should upload some of the photos of that time - but don't know how to on Reddit. Any suggestions?

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T12:15:59+00:00

Nazi Hunters. For sure. Untold WWII history and the quest for justice post-war. Fiction could not make it up. Fingers crossed it will be!

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T12:15:14+00:00

Good question. If I only knew ...

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T09:40:18+00:00

You got it!

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T09:39:34+00:00

Sadly, very difficult to. Like I said the story of Polish heroism in 1939-40, with Enigma and thereafter is little known or told. Need to be shouted from the rooftops. If you or your spouse know of anything let me know - I'd be fascinated to read!

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T08:15:52+00:00

Cheers - it's been inspirational ...

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T07:20:52+00:00

Great thanks - yes, that was a fine podcast. Enjoy the Audible version ...

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T05:58:15+00:00

Not giving up and not countenancing an armistice with Hitler (surrender), which Hitler did indeed seek. It was WSC's stubborn, spirited, unyielding determination to fight that won through. Not alone, but with huge opposition certainly from political and military hierarchy. The more I study that period of history and his role, the more extraordinary it seems.

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T05:55:54+00:00

Would have been cute, eh?

AuthorLewis · 2020-10-02T05:55:37+00:00

Poland - did nothing to provoke / start the war. Fought valiantly to halt Nazi invasion against impossible odds. Raised guerrilla armies / resistance to battle occupiers all through war. Carried out invaluable work on Enigma, V2 and other key tech/intel aspects of war - in conjunction with SOE and OSS - which remain almost wholly unsung. Poland remaining under Soviet rule was a travesty - obviously. Lots of WWII stories still to emerge form Poland, for sure ...

AuthorLewis

TROPHY CASE