Description

‘Highly original’ Simon Heffer, Telegraph
‘Masterful… A gripping tale’ Giles Milton

They certainly were not soldiers, yet they suddenly found themselves in uniform, in a foreign land. But, as locomotive drivers, track-workers, conductors, porters, signalmen and engine cleaners, they knew how to run trains. And their job was to bring them back to life.

The Liberation Line tells the thrilling story of the British and American railway engineers who, in the months after D-Day, worked around the clock and in great danger to rebuild the ravaged railways of Europe and keep the Allied forces fuelled as they pushed on into Germany. As territory was taken, these soldier-railroaders were close behind, rebuilding the lines, putting up telegraph wires, replacing bridges and laying track, all the while dodging bullets, shells and booby traps.

Tales of extraordinary feats and heroism abound, including how 10,000 men rebuilt a 135-mile-long railway in just three days; the reconstruction of the bridge over the Seine in two weeks while under bombardment; and the use of cigarette lighters as improvised signalling systems.

Despite being critical to Allied victory, the role of the railwaymen has been largely forgotten or ignored. In a vivid and gripping narrative, Christian Wolmar brings to life this colourful cast of generals and engineers, without whose extraordinary bravery the liberation of France and invasion of Germany might well have foundered – and the course of history changed.

Publisher Review

A masterful account of the unsung heroes of the battle for Normandy. Without the valiant efforts of the British and American railwaymen, the liberation of France might have had a very different outcome. A gripping tale. — Giles Milton, bestselling author of Checkmate in Berlin One of the great epics of the war in Northern Europe from 1944 to may 1945 and beyond, the story of the Liberation Line has been hidden in plain sight until this brilliant book. The destruction of the railways by bombing and sabotage, and their resurrection and restoration, is vividly narrated by Christian Wolmar. * Robert Fox MBE Evening Standard Defence and Security Editor. * Wolmar’s history will delight train spotters but is also fascinating for the passengers who often pass through these great transport temples without a second thought. * ‘Books of the Year’, Financial Times on Cathedrals of Steam * Lively… Wolmar builds a compelling narrative that celebrates these industrial wonders. * The Times on Cathedrals of Steam * London’s twelve great rail termini are the epic survivors of the Victorian age. They are the cathedrals of transportation. Wolmar brings them to life with the knowledge of an expert and the panache of a connoisseur. His words render them indestructible. — Simon Jenkins on Cathedrals of Steam