Book Talk: The Doodlebug Summer with Jan Gore

In this free and exclusive book talk, Jan Gore will explore the success of the V1 flying bomb campaign at the end of the Second World War.

The 'Doodlebug Summer', as it came to be known, was a very different campaign from those before. The pilotless planes could be produced cheaply and there was no need to put expensively-trained pilots at risk. The planes could be launched by day or night, whatever the weather. They were true terror weapons, as the first-hand accounts of those who lived through the attacks make clear; there was very little notice that a doodlebug explosion was imminent and so it was almost impossible to take cover.

The book describes the first weekend of the attacks with the bombing of the Guards’ Chapel, the evacuation programme which followed, and the UK's defence strategies.

There will be the chance to ask Jan questions, explore the Guards' Chapel, and get your hands on a signed copy of The V1 Flying Bomb Campaign 1944-1945.

About the speaker:

Jan Gore is a researcher, writer and lecturer who has compiled biographies of those who died (both civilians and military) during the Second World War in Bournemouth and Exmouth as well as in the V1 attack on the Guards’ Chapel in London. In the past she has worked for GCHQ and Chatham House and has been a civil servant and librarian. For some years she lectured in French at Kingston University. Her first publication for Pen & Sword was "Send More Shrouds; The V1 Attack on the Guards’ Chapel 1944". She then wrote "The Terror Raids of 1942: the Baedeker Blitz". Her latest book is "The V1 Flying Bomb Campaign 1944-1945: The Doodlebug Summer and After".

This event is part of our Heritage Open Days festival: Barracks, Bombs, and Buckingham Palace.

Taking place at The Guards Museum on the 13th and 14th September, join us for a free weekend of history and culture with something for the whole family. Whether its a trip to the re-enactors camp, handling objects from our collection, or simply sitting back and enjoying the sounds of live vintage music from Lancashire Belle.

Find out more and book your tickets here.