hen the Second World War broke out on 3 September 1939, hopes were high that it would all be over by Christmas. Things were quiet on the Continent, and no Nazi bombers had been spotted flying towards British shores. “Don't get bored with it!” the urged an unconvinced civilian population in November 1939. “There never was a struggle more serious or needing more heroic resolution.” Sadly, that “heroic resolution” would be needed for six Christmases before the war ended in 1945. But despite this, much of the population, both at home and abroad, were able to celebrate Christmas by employing
