A NEW book has been published providing a comprehensive guide to 20th century military and civil defence sites in the West Midlands, including Wyre Forest.

The book, 20th Century Defences in Britain - The West Midlands, caters for enthusiasts of local and military history, as well as people interested in the many locations that have played an important part in our recent history.

The 15 chapters include Army, air force and naval sites, along with areas associated with the Home Guard and anti-invasion defence, war production, the wireless war, prisoner of war camps and centres for treating the wounded.

It reveals details of an anti-tank island in Kidderminster, the wartime roles of the town’s carpet factories making munitions and aircraft parts and the Royal Ordnance Factory at Summerfield.

Also included are the locations of sites in Wyre Forest used as emergency broadcast centres, grain silos, radio training schools and hospitals for wounded American soldiers during the Second World War.

In addition, the authors have told the story of the Free French Cadets based in 1942 at Ribbesford House, near Bewdley, who trained as cadet officers for the eventual return to France.

Known as the Fighting Free French, the young officers joined the D-Day invasion force in June, 1944 and about half lost their lives in the fighting.

The book is written by experienced researchers, Colin Jones, Bernard Lowry and Mick Wilks.

Mr Wilks, a part-time voluntary researcher with Worcestershire County Archaeological Service, has been featured in the Shuttle/Times & News for his book, The Defence Of Worcestershire.

The 276-page 20th Century Defences in Britain - The West Midlands has more than 125 black and white photographs, drawings and plans. It costs £9.95.