Talk:Coventry Blitz

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[edit] copyedit

This article could use some copyediting. I'll get to it if I find the chance... Yayro 05:13, 22 November 2006 (UTC)

Looks OK to me - I've slightly reworded part of the first para on the November raid but the rest looked absolutely fine. I substituted "Luftflotte 3" for "Third Air Fleet" since all the stuff I've ever read on the Battle of Britain uses the German terms. Brickie 17:24, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

In fact, I've removed the copyedit tag. Maybe someone had another go before me but the English reads fine to me.Brickie 17:26, 5 December 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Enigma--advance knowledge of bombing?

Perhaps this article should mention the story of the enigma machine and how the allies knew the city was about to be bombed. If the german planes were intercepted, it would spoil plans made to attack crucial German U-boats. I can't remember the rest of the details but it's an interesting point which puts the Coventry blitz into context. Bobbyfletch85 14:39, 24 February 2007 (UTC)

I also heard this story, the British knewing in advance of the upcoming raid but choosing not to compromsie the breaking of the Enigma. However, I have also heard that this is a myth, and that for various reasons, british counter-measures to the Coventry-raid turned out ineffective this time. Check http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultra_(WWII_intelligence) and serach for Coventry. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by Thestor (talk • contribs) 20:50, 4 March 2007 (UTC).

It is correct that this is a myth - see the article on RV Jones for more information on the battle of the Beams. Jones himself in his book "Most Secret War" - a bloody good read - states that Churchill himself thought that there was going to be a raid on London that night and had his driver turn around and go back to Downing Street so as to be in the city during the raid. Darkmind1970 10:09, 9 March 2007 (UTC)

It's a myth, but a very widespread one. Perhaps the article should mention it if only to say that it isn't true? After all, people may well look up "Bombing of Coventry" precisely to get information about that. -- Narsil 20:33, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

Would be an excellent place to dispel the myth. If someone has access to the sources, please do so. I believe "The Codebreakers" a collection of essays written by people who worked at Bletchley Park would be a suitable source (amongst others) but I don't have the book to hand.

I believe Churchill knew. Two good references I can think of are

  "Bodyguard of Lies" by Anthony Cave Brown published in 1975 by Harper & Row; and
  "The Ultra Secret" by Frederick W. Winterbotham published in 1974 by Harper & Row.

Both have extensive references & footnotes. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Mlopez93 (talk • contribs) 02:07, 14 December 2007 (UTC)

Churchill didn't know, as the article currently states. Reference: "Top Secret Ultra" by Peter Calvocoressi ISBN 0394511549 pg75-76 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.157.91.75 (talk) 13:37, 27 April 2008 (UTC)