Churchill College proudly launches its Master’s Book Club series with a remarkable exploration of one of the defining moments from World War II. In our inaugural event, Fellow of Churchill College and Director of the Churchill Archives Centre, Allen Packwood OBE, and his co-author General Lord Dannatt, will join Prof. Sharon Peacock, to discuss their latest work, “Churchill’s D-Day: The Inside Story”.
As Director of the Churchill Archives Centre since 2002, Allen has dedicated his career to preserving and illuminating history. A qualified archivist and Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, he oversees one of the world’s most significant collections of modern political, diplomatic, and scientific papers, including those of Sir Winston Churchill and Baroness Thatcher.
His expertise has taken him from curating exhibitions at the Library of Congress to organising international conferences on the Cold War, and from Bermuda to Hong Kong sharing Churchill’s life story and legacy. Last year saw the 80th anniversary of D-Day and 150th anniversary of Churchill’s birth, and Allen and Richard’s book has brought fresh insights to this pivotal moment in history.
“As these events pass out of living memory, it’s crucial to reflect on exactly what happened and why. While Churchill has sometimes been portrayed as opposing Operation Overlord, the real story is more complex and nuanced.”
The book strips away layers of hindsight to reveal the intricate web of strategic planning, political manoeuvring, and military precision that made D-Day possible. It also highlights the range of issues facing Churchill from dealing with Allies, to maintaining secrecy and placing the country in lockdown prior to D-Day.
One surprising revelation? “Churchill wanted to accompany the invasion force himself and had to be talked down by the King,” Allen explains. This is just one of many fascinating insights that attendees can expect during the evening. Together with his co-author, Allen will share the contents of Churchill’s prime ministerial despatch box; highlighting key documents from the archive that shed light on his approach to strategy, planning and operations.
“We hope this event and the book will give people a better understanding of Churchill’s thinking and the reasoning behind his actions, and perhaps inspire them to explore the archives themselves.”
The event takes place on Thursday, March 20th, from 6-7pm in Wolfson Hall, Churchill College, followed by a drinks reception where guests can continue the conversation with the authors. While the event is free and open to all, advance booking is essential.
Don’t miss this opportunity to delve into one of history’s most crucial moments with two distinguished experts. To secure your place at this inaugural Master’s Book Club event, please reserve your place via the online booking form. Early registration is recommended.
