Description

Book Synopsis

In 1956 sea area Heligoland became German Bight. But why did the North Sea island, which for nearly a century had demonstrated its loyalty to Britain, lose its identity? How had this once peaceful haven become, as Admiral Jacky Fisher exclaimed ''a dagger pointed at England''s heart''? Behind the renaming of Heligoland lies a catalogue of deceit, political ambition, blunder and daring. Heligoland came under British rule in the nineteenth century, a ''Gibraltar'' of the North Sea. Then, in 1890, despite the islanders'' wishes, Lord Salisbury announced his intention to swap it for Germany''s presence in Zanzibar. The Prime Minister''s decision unleashed a storm of controversy. Queen Victoria telegrammed from Balmoral to register her fury. During both world wars, it was used by Germany to control the North Sea, and RAF planes bombed the once-British territory. The story of Heligoland is more than an obscure footnote to the British Empire - it shows the significance of territory throughout history.

Heligoland The True Story of German Bight and the

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    A Paperback / softback by George Drower

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      Book details

      Publisher The History Press Ltd
      Published 1 June 2011
      ISBN-13 9780752460673
      978-0752460673
      ISBN-10 0752460676
      Also in:
      Colonialism and imperialism National liberation and independence Military History

      Description

      Book Synopsis

      In 1956 sea area Heligoland became German Bight. But why did the North Sea island, which for nearly a century had demonstrated its loyalty to Britain, lose its identity? How had this once peaceful haven become, as Admiral Jacky Fisher exclaimed ''a dagger pointed at England''s heart''? Behind the renaming of Heligoland lies a catalogue of deceit, political ambition, blunder and daring. Heligoland came under British rule in the nineteenth century, a ''Gibraltar'' of the North Sea. Then, in 1890, despite the islanders'' wishes, Lord Salisbury announced his intention to swap it for Germany''s presence in Zanzibar. The Prime Minister''s decision unleashed a storm of controversy. Queen Victoria telegrammed from Balmoral to register her fury. During both world wars, it was used by Germany to control the North Sea, and RAF planes bombed the once-British territory. The story of Heligoland is more than an obscure footnote to the British Empire - it shows the significance of territory throughout history.

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