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Here is a topic list for Edexcel A Level History Unit 4 - Britain at War.

Contents 1 British responses to German military objectives, 1939-41 2 'Taking it': Britain and the Home Front 3 Britain's role in turning the tide, 1942-44 4 British and US co-operation: D-Day and the end game, 1944-45 5 Comments

British responses to German military objectives, 1939-41

• Deployment of the BEF into France
• Defence of Africa and the Mediterranean – especially Greece and the Balkans – essential for foothold in Invasion of Italy.
• Norway – Not particularly significant – showed Britain’s and Churchill’s weakness in the early years of the War.
• Battle of Britain
• Battle of the Atlantic: Key for technological and naval superiority. Key terms: Wolf Pack, Black Gap, Enigma codes, Centrimetric Radar (day and night surface detection), ASDIC sonar, Liberator Aircraft, HF/DF Huff Duff, Depth Charges.
• Strategic Bombing: Blanket Bombing, key for upholding morale and destroying industry – thus destroying economy (Allies achieved this, but at own economic cost). Unsuccessful until night raids and agreements at Casablanca. Bomber Harris. Question Morality.

'Taking it': Britain and the Home Front

• Security: Air Raid Precaution, Auxiliary Fire Service, Civil Defence Act 1939 enforced Local Authorities immensely to protect. Shelters.
• Women and the war: Land army, employment reform & conscription – vital for economic recovery, contribution – outstanding.
• Children - evacuations
• Social impacts – black outs, patriotisms,
• Dig for Victory – allotments, keeping animals, control of farms etc.
• Rationing – huge contribution to war victory, coping with rationing campaigns, role of housewife vital
• LDV, Dad’s Army – More morale than a serious defence option.

Britain's role in turning the tide, 1942-44

• Battle of Britain
• Battle of Atlantic
• D-day – British Landings at Juno, Gold and Sword in Normandy
• Strategic Bombing
• African Campaign – resulted in invasion of Italy (with US help), and opened a third front which Germany buckled under. Could have been more significant – most successful British campaign arguably (Only other major sole campaigns had been France, Norway and lost)
• Operation Market Garden and Autumn Mist
• Generally not a good role, but it was a contribution, as with the other allies

British and US co-operation: D-Day and the end game, 1944-45

• D-Day
• Italian Invasion
• Africa
• Arnhem/Market Garden
• Battle of Atlantic

Comments

These notes are aimed at A Level history students.

Originally written by Daryl_T on TSR Forums.