By September 1942, war-weary Britons had been through the Phoney War, the Darkest Hour, Dunkirk, the Battle of Britain and the worst of the blitz, but still had a long way to go. True, the US had now entered the war, the Nazi invasion of Russia was stalling at Stalingrad and El Alamein was just around the corner. But Britons knew they still had a long battle ahead of them. Churchill's prediction that: "This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning," was still two months away. Britain was halfway through what would turn out to be a six-year struggle.
It was at this point, 80 years ago, that the film In Which We Serve opened at British cinemas. "This is the story of a ship," Trevor Howard's voiceover tells us immediately. We then see the ship in question - the fictional HMS Torrin travel from the moment of its construction, through to its launch shortly before the outbreak of war in 1939, to the end of its "life" when it is sunk during the Battle of Crete in May 1941. This last event is not a spoiler: the ship is abandoned after being hit very early in the film.
Most of the story is told in flashback as the Torrin's embattled crew remember their lives of service on board the vessel as well as their time with their families both before and during the war.
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Denne historien er fra September 2022-utgaven av Best of British.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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It's a Lottery
Claire Saul celebrates 30 years of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, which supports heritage projects across the United Kingdom
In Memoriam
Michael Foley pays his respects to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice
Leader of the Pack
Paul Williams examines the history of War Horse
French Fancies
Alain Carraze explains how cult British shows are perceived as the best on television in France
Redheads & Rollers
Simon Stabler talks to Crossroads' Tony Adams
Bringing Memories Back to Life
Richard Haines on the importance of making the most of your vintage photographs
POSTCARD FROM KENT
Bob Barton investigates a network of caves, takes a ride on a thriving heritage railway, and marvels at the beauty of the garden of England
Laughter in the Air
Chris Hallam remembers writer, television presenter and comedian Barry Took
My Good Old Days
Tim Quinn takes us behind the scenes of Leeds City Varieties
The Battersea Bardot
David Barnes remembers the star of Cathy Come Home