THIS month, eight members of our society undertook an interesting weeklong visit to the Normandy Beaches and member Ron Gallivan presented The Norwegian Campaign of April to June 1940.

Neutral Norway was important to Germany as an unhindered route for iron ore imports from Sweden.

All that ended when HMS Cossack disregarded Norwegian neutrality and rescued 299 British merchant seamen from the Graf Spee’s supply ship Altmark.

In 1940 Britain learned that the style of warfare had changed and what followed were two examples of how to conduct an ‘invasion’ – one Allied (British and French) and one German.

Although the Allies would probably have managed to keep a small portion of Northern Norway free, the German invasion of France and the Low Countries prevented that.

As the British were driven from France, Norway became untenable.

When the ‘Miracle of Dunkirk’ was over we were still evacuating our troops from Norway, leaving behind 900 dead, 3,500 prisoners and enough kit, from both evacuations, to equip a further 20 German Divisions.

Had it not been for the Royal Navy, WW2 would have ended in 1940: a very sobering thought.

It wasn’t all bad news – Prime Minister Chamberlain was sacked and Churchill replaced him.

Next open meeting is February 5, 2014 and will be The 1265 Battle of Evesham by member David Maine.

Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30 start.

Normal £3 door charge applies, contact Ron Gallivan on 01527 545450 or e-mail ronnieg33b@hotmail.co.uk.