Northern Ireland in the Second World War

Preparations for an official account of Northern Ireland's role in World War II began in early 1940 when the Stormont government instructed its departments to keep a record of their activities during the conflict. In 1945, John W. Blake was invited to undertake the daunting task of writing a comprehensive history of the period. Eventually published in 1956, this work covers every aspect of the subject, from war preparations to the end of hostilities. On the home front, the war effort, defence arrangements, the air raids, the arrival of US troops, and the struggle to maintain agricultural and industrial output are described. Overseas, the contribution of local people serving in the armed forces is recognized in sections on Dunkirk, the ocean convoys, Burma, North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Normandy.