Description

Hampshire's position on the south coast of England has meant that it has played a key role in this country's military history for centuries. Its military heritage is as diverse as any other county in Britain. In this book author Dean Hollands focuses on the significant people, places and events associated with the military history of Hampshire, from the early invaders and occupiers of Iron Age and Roman Britain to the present day. Iron Age hill forts on the chalk uplands of Hampshire can be seen, and the Roman fort at Portchester is the best preserved in northern Europe. These fortifications continued through the Norman Conquest, Henry VIII's castles, Napoleonic era defences and into the two world wars. Southampton and Portsmouth experienced waves of invaders over the centuries, but were also the home of the Navy and the departure point for British military expeditions overseas, not least for D-Day in the Second World War. Aldershot is famous as the home of the British Army and Farnborough's air show has demonstrated its importance as the centre of British military aviation research since the 1940s. Hampshire's Military Heritage looks at the military history of this county on land, by air and at sea. All those wishing to know more about the military legacy of Hampshire will find this book fascinating.